sodu week in review
U.S. Seems to Be At War Again
We've bombed the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and we took President Nicolas Maduro and his wife into custody.
sodu week in review
DPS Board Holds Special Meeting, Punts Open Session to January
Agenda included talking with attorney, discussing personnel matters, and plans related to dealing with school violence.
sodu week in review
Only One Incumbent Remains in DPS Board of Education Race
Bettina Umstead seeks to hold onto her District 2 DPS seat in the upcoming March election.
office hours
Office Hours Dec. 18, 2025: Lauren Sartain, DPS Board of Education District 3 Candidate
Early voting starts in February, with the one-and-done election set for March 3.
office hours
Office Hours Dec. 17, 2025: Peter Crawford, DPS Board of Education District 3 Candidate
Early voting starts in February, with the one-and-done election set for March 3.
sodu week in review
County Approves New Non-Emergency Ambulance Franchises
Plus, green light for performance-based incentives for Aspida and Novartis.
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.