“Don’t you know you can’t mess with the children of God?” The words rose in song as supporters of Isaac Gallegos, a 19-year-old young man detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, gathered to demand his release. For those who came to stand with him, Isaac is more than a name in an immigration case. He is a son, a brother, a teammate and a member of a community determined to bring him home.
"While I reported on Durham for four months, I was still a parachute journalist because this class inevitably ends — even if I tried my hardest not to be."
Crystal Mangum, who accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006, was released from prison on Feb. 27 after serving 13 years for second-degree murder
The strength of community journalism is its ongoing relationship with the community we serve. After spending months in listening to residents and candidates for mayor and city council, there comes a time for the newsroom to speak. I'm encouraging students to explore editorial writing with Durham Voice
"Durhamites deserve politicians that are held accountable for their actions, despite their personal motivations. They deserve a city where their government is looking out for them, regardless of their diverse backgrounds."
Incumbents Mayor Leonardo Williams and Durham City Council member Chelsea Cook retain their positions while Shanetta Burris defeats Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton and Matt Kopac defeats DeDreana Freeman
Fran Castillo is a local freelance food writer and wine educator. She covered the Durham dining scene for years on her blog Sip.Stir.Go but is now turning her focus to wine, cocktails, and recipes for making every day delicious. Follow her on Instagram @sipstirgo.
Durham is once again in political motion. With the October 7 primary now behind us and November’s general election on the horizon, local voters find themselves weighing competing visions for the city’s future — from housing affordability and public safety to development and community equity. Incumbents and fresh challengers alike are staking claims, and the choices made now will shape Durham’s trajectory for years to come. In this column, we’ll dig into who’s running, what’s at stake, and what it all might mean for everyday residents.
Question: I’m 60, happily married, and live in Durham with four cats, one dog, and one husband. I work with college students all the time and I think I still have a pretty good sense of humor. But occasionally I get that polite smile that says, “Oh no, she’s trying too hard.” So tell me this: What’s the best way to make younger people think I’m still cool…without actually trying to be cool? Sincerely, Curious in South Durham
In 2011, I stood with over 2,000 fellow Durham residents as we symbolically married our city. I officiated the ceremony at the corner of Geer and Foster Streets—an intersection that once represented Durham’s struggles but had become a symbol of its revitalization. We took vows to support local artists, protect our environment, celebrate diversity, and uplift each other. Fourteen years later, Durham has changed. The skyline is filled with new developments, incomes have risen, and the population has grown rapidly. Some fear we’re losing the very soul we once pledged to love. This column is my reflection on that day, our shared commitment, and a call to renew our vows to the city we still cherish—even if it means we need a little marriage counseling.
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