Wes Platt

News

Power Outage Strikes South Durham

At least 5,000 customers in Woodcroft, Hope Valley area reportedly without power tonight.

SoDu Rezoning Radar

Rezoning Radar: Neighborhood Meetings Ahead - March 23, 2026

Projects range from a 225-townhome development off Virgil Road and a 437-home conservation subdivision on Farrington Mill Road to a self-storage proposal tied to annexation along U.S. 70 East and Leesville Road.

sodu week in review

Hope Valley Centennial Celebration Focus of 2026 Home Tour

Preservation Durham this spring will showcase eight early homes in the 100-year-old neighborhood.

News

Durham Schools Closed Monday Due to Weather

The forecast includes rare Level 4 storm risk that calls for strong winds and possible tornadoes.

sodu week in review

Children Are The Future - and I Told Them Journalism's a Decent Career

Plus, if you need a primer on how the Durham Public Schools afterschool lottery process works, Southpoint Access has you covered!

Southpoint Access

Ask Wes Platt Anything (Paid Subscriber Opportunity)

Ask me anything: Durham, the newsletter, and the occasional hill I’ll die on.

office hours

Rogers-Herr Career Day and Afterschool Lottery Update

Plus, we're heading into a pretty grim budget process for Durham Public Schools in the coming months.

Schools

[SoDu How-To] Navigate the DPS Afterschool Lottery in 2026

Elementary afterschool fees are rising for 2026-27, and families still have to clear a lottery before they can register for a seat.

Kitchen Table

SoDu Shopping Basket: Walmart and Target Nearly Tie for Cheapest Total This Week

Walmart leads at $52.33 (just 5 cents ahead of Target), while Fresh Market tops $91.93 - a $39.60 gap for the same 17 staples.

Schools

Durham Schools May Hire a Firm to Win Families Back from Charters. Would It Pay Off?

A Memphis-based company offers one model: get paid for each student who returns. For Durham Public Schools, the appeal is obvious. So are the questions.

Parents: Seeking Feedback About Youth Sports

Share your experiences about value, organization, and competition for the leagues in which your families have participated.

sodu sold

SoDu Sold: Home Sales Tracker - March 2026

Get the lowdown on homes sold in the Southpoint Access readership area during the past 30 days.