sodu week in review
Changes Ahead for DPS Board of Education
District 3 representative Jessica Carda-Auten won't seek re-election in March 2026. Plus, catch up on Thursday's Durham City Council work session.
sodu we watch our government
Durham City Council Opens New Term with Oaths, Goodbyes, and Brief Disruption
Williams and councilors take oaths as Freeman and Middleton say farewell; Caballero becomes first Hispanic Mayor Pro Tem; brief protest interrupts Kopac’s swearing-in; council addresses ICE activity and an E. Geer St. rezoning for 22 townhomes.
sodu we watch our government
Durham County Commission Elects New Leadership
Dr. Mike Lee takes the gavel as chair, with Nida Allam serving as the board's vice chair.
![[SeeGov] Durham Public Schools: Phone Policy Advances, Seven Schools Shed "Low-Performing" Label](/content/images/size/w600/2025/11/dpssmartphones.png)
sodu we watch our government
[SeeGov] Durham Public Schools: Phone Policy Advances, Seven Schools Shed "Low-Performing" Label
State-mandated phone rules move ahead as leaders celebrate seven campuses coming off the low-performing list, note a tentative 1,000-student enrollment slide, and approve $675K for Chromebook repairs.
![[SoDu Alert] Durham Municipal Election 2025: Williams Prevails as Mayor; Middleton Falls to Burris](/content/images/size/w600/2025/11/electioncity114.png)
Politics
[SoDu Alert] Durham Municipal Election 2025: Williams Prevails as Mayor; Middleton Falls to Burris
Matt Kopac appears to unseat DeDreana Freeman in Ward 1, while Chelsea Cook remains the representative for Ward 3 despite a challenge from Diana Medoff.
Southpoint Access
Early Voting Push, Wildlife Win, Biogen Chat & Community Notes
Wes Platt recaps Durham early voting (3,800 ballots; last day Nov. 1), who’s on the 2025 municipal ballot, a $30K boost for Piedmont Wildlife Center, Jordan High’s visit from Rep. Valerie Foushee, a year-end Hope Valley Elementary PTA pledge, and more.
election 2025
Durham 2025 Early Voting: ~3,800 Ballots Cast; South Regional Library Leads
With about a week left, roughly 60% of early voters are women, most are Democrats or unaffiliated, and ages 41+ dominate. Early voting runs through Nov. 1; Election Day is Nov. 4. South Regional Library tops turnout so far.
Commentary
[Commentary] Why North Carolina's Governor Can't Veto a Redistricting Bill
North Carolina’s GOP leaders are rushing a mid-decade redraw ahead of the 2026 midterms - while the governor’s hands are tied by a 1990s deal that exempted redistricting from veto power.
Your Week Ahead
SoDu Morning Brief: Durham Election: What Primary Results Really Mean + Events, School Eats
Primary wins don't guarantee victory in November. With early voting set to begin, here's what you need to know about Durham's municipal races, local events, school lunches, and how you can support community news.
SoDu How-To
[SoDu How-To] Register & Vote in Durham’s November 2025 Election
Find out how to register, vote early, update your info, and avoid common issues before Durham’s November 2025 municipal election. This is your all-in-one voter guide for South Durham.
Politics
[SoDu Alert] Durham 2025 Election: Incumbents Advance, But Primary Brings Surprises
All incumbents advanced in the 2025 Durham Municipal Election, but Tuesday’s primary delivered some surprises - including a razor-thin finish in Ward 1 and a challenger leading in Ward 2.
immigration
North Carolina Among States Challenging Birthright Citizenship Order
The controversial order, signed hours after his inauguration, declares that children born in the United States to certain noncitizen parents will no longer automatically receive U.S. citizenship.