![[Gallery] Major Minors Field Day 2026](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/05/fieldday6.png)
sodu week in review
[Gallery] Major Minors Field Day 2026
Plus, catch up on news you might've missed from the past week in Southpoint Access!
![[SeeGov] Durham County Budget Hearing Centers on Calls for Higher DPS Classified Staff Pay](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/05/budget527.png)
Schools
[SeeGov] Durham County Budget Hearing Centers on Calls for Higher DPS Classified Staff Pay
At Tuesday's public hearing, school workers and advocates urged Durham County commissioners to fully fund Durham Public Schools and raise support staff pay to a living wage.
![[SeeGov] Durham County Proposes $10.9M Increase for Public Schools](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/05/dps514.png)
durham public schools
[SeeGov] Durham County Proposes $10.9M Increase for Public Schools
That's less than half what Durham Public Schools has requested for the upcoming school year, hoping to cover higher wages for classified staff.
![[AUDIO] SoDu Startup Ep. 4: May 12, 2026](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/05/SODU-STARTUP-4.png)
sodu startup
[AUDIO] SoDu Startup Ep. 4: May 12, 2026
A quick hit of local news from Southpoint Access editor and publisher Wes Platt.
sodu week in review
Good Cookies? Ashleigh Ratchford Goes Next Level!
The owner of Durham's Ashleigh Bakes Daily shared her story in a Q&A with Next Level Local's Michelle Johnson.
sodu week in review
Durham County Weighs Up to $240M Bond Refinancing Monday
Draft documents show the county wants to refinance older debt and shift borrowing for voter-approved school projects into longer-term financing.
![[SeeGov] County Work Session Probes Transit Cash Puzzle, Jail Healthcare](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/04/countywork42026.png)
seegov
[SeeGov] County Work Session Probes Transit Cash Puzzle, Jail Healthcare
At a Durham County Board of Commissioners work session, leaders examined why a transit fund with more than $200 million on hand has only limited room for new projects.
seegov
Durham County Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 23, 2026: Farmland Milestone and a Budget Crossroads
The board celebrates 25 years of farmland preservation, backs a jobs-heavy Welcome Venture Park deal, and lifts up second-chance reentry and fair housing work, while confronting a budget “inflection point."
News
Durham County Declares State of Emergency
The declaration, issued by Board of County Commissioners Chair Dr. Mike Lee, currently lasts from Saturday through Jan. 31.
sodu week in review
County Approves New Non-Emergency Ambulance Franchises
Plus, green light for performance-based incentives for Aspida and Novartis.
sodu we watch our government
DPS, County Pondering New Bond for Improvement Projects
Durham commissioners and Board of Education members meet Wednesday to weigh a new general obligation bond to provide funding in the face of a sales tax shortfall and competing priorities.
![[SeeGov] Honoring DeWarren Langley, Then Tackling Food Security](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2025/11/foodsystemassessment.png)
seegov
[SeeGov] Honoring DeWarren Langley, Then Tackling Food Security
The Durham Board of County Commissioners on Monday also approved $3.11M for a Sheriff's Office 10-year Taser deal and two South Durham conservation moves.