![[SoDu Crime Watch] Vehicle-Related Thefts, Shoplifting Top This Week's Reports](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/07/crimewatch--1-.png)
sodu crime watch
[SoDu Crime Watch] Vehicle-Related Thefts, Shoplifting Top This Week's Reports
Vehicle-related theft and shoplifting accounted for 45 of the 77 South Durham police reports reviewed for July 24-30.
![[SoDu Shopping Basket] Grocery Average Dips as Aldi, Walmart, and Food Lion Lead Value Tier](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/07/shopping723.png)
SoDu Shopping Basket
[SoDu Shopping Basket] Grocery Average Dips as Aldi, Walmart, and Food Lion Lead Value Tier
The average basket falls to $66.48 this week, with Aldi ($50.75) lowest overall and Fresh Market ($102.43) highest — a $51.68 spread for the same 17 staples.
![[Carolina Public Press] NC Senate Splits Massive Elections Bill into Two](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/07/elections729.png)
elections
[Carolina Public Press] NC Senate Splits Massive Elections Bill into Two
They've been sent back to the House with changes.
Life and Legacy
In Memoriam: Durham Obituaries – July 28, 2026
Honoring lives recently lost in the Durham community, with upcoming services and remembrances.
Business
The "Rocket and Feathers" Effect: Inflation Eases But Grocery Bills Do Not
Prices for food at home are expected to rise 2.7% across the country this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday. That's higher than the grocery inflation shoppers saw in 2024 and 2025 but close to the historical average of 2.6%.
sodu crime watch
[SoDu Crime Watch] Vehicle-Related Thefts Lead This Week's Reports
Vehicle-related theft accounted for 28 of the 61 South Durham police incident listings reviewed for July 17-23.
SoDu Shopping Basket
[SoDu Shopping Basket] Grocery Average Ticks Up This Week
The average basket rises to $66.72 this week, with Aldi ($51.03) cheapest overall and Fresh Market ($103.13) highest - a $52.10 spread for the same 17 staples.
Life and Legacy
In Memoriam: Durham Obituaries – July 21, 2026
Honoring lives recently lost in the Durham community, with upcoming services and remembrances.
Schools
DPS Board to Vote on Pay Raises, South Durham School Projects
The July 21 special meeting includes proposed 2026-27 salary scales, Southwest Elementary paving, and design work for six mobile classrooms at Lyons Farm Elementary.
![[SoDu We Grow] Lessons from a Year of Benign Neglect](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/07/sodugrow719.png)
sodu we grow
[SoDu We Grow] Lessons from a Year of Benign Neglect
Kendra Montgomery-Blinn shares what survived, what failed, and why gardening doesn’t have to be perfect to be rewarding.
sodu crime watch
[SoDu Crime Watch] Shoplifting and Vehicle-Related Crimes Remain Prominent This Week
This week’s SoDu Crime Watch review covers 61 public-facing incident listings from South Durham, southwest Durham, and southeast/RTP-edge corridors.
safety recalls
Cuisinart Grill Brushes, Kobalt Batteries Lead July Product Recalls
Target children’s sandals and toys, toddler towers, fire pits, heated insoles, and dozens of other products also appear in 43 federal safety actions announced through July 16.