[SoDu Showcase] Sept. 11, 2025 - Living in the Wild, Wild West

Weather

Mostly sunny, with a higher near 80. Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Note from the Neighborhood News Guy

Happy to report that Southpoint Access readers continue to respond to the community questionnaire. If you haven't already lodged your response, I hope you will. Here's the feedback I've seen so far:

• Most readers get their local news from an email newsletter (this one, I hope)! Newsletter is followed by Facebook, Nextdoor, local TV, newspaper, and then social media channels such as Bluesky and Reddit.
• Main topics of interest so far, according to readers? New development projects, businesses opening and closing, local government and politics, parks, community events, schools, and crime/public safety. At the moment, youth sports and activities aren't getting much traction - and, honestly, that's a surprise to me. It's one of the spots I felt that I needed to shore up for Southpoint Access, but maybe not?
• Most respondents seem eager to help spread the word about Southpoint Access. Start by telling neighbors and coworkers to subscribe! I'll come up with some other options soon.

For me, though, the best part is hearing your thoughts about the importance of local news:

"Local news is so important - understanding what's happening right outside my front door and around the neighborhood is critical for making decisions about my family and our lives. Whether it's local politics, road construction/community development, small business news, or information on area trends, these are the things that affect our daily lives most directly."

"Local news provides vital information about my community that informs how I plan my day and spend my time."

"Local news answers questions I already have about my community and helps me get to know about important matters or events that weren't even on my radar. It's fundamental to building and sustaining a community."

"All politics is local. We have to make our voices heard or they won't hear us."

"Because I walk into homes for a living. I see where the water pools, where the streetlights flicker, and which roads clients avoid when they drive in from Raleigh. Because selling real estate isn’t just about square footage or school districts. It’s about knowing how infrastructure, city decisions, and forgotten corners shape a neighborhood’s value and a family’s daily life. Because I pay property taxes here. I wait at the same intersections and dodge the same potholes. Because the choices our leaders make are reflected in the resale value of someone’s biggest investment. Because when local news disappears, so does accountability. And if no one’s paying attention, money moves quietly and nothing gets fixed. Because 'that’s just how it is' isn’t a good enough reason anymore."

You've all given me plenty of ideas to consider, and I look forward to more to come.

🛒 SoDu Shopping Basket: This Week’s Grocery Price Check

We compared 17 staple items across nine South Durham grocery stores. Here’s how it stacked up: