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Community Corner

Community Mentors + Inequities in Durham + Seven Day Deadline

Here's the latest edition the Durham Daily— your go-to for the scoop on all things Durham.

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch)

Happy National Coffee Day,

Good morning Durham, it's the inaugural edition of the Durham Patch Daily and I'm so happy to be in your inbox today! If you're sitting down to read this and haven't had your coffee yet, might I suggest jumping ahead to the notebook so you can find out where to get the delectable bean juice free of charge. I always say, coffee is just water that knew it could be more. Once you're all beaned up and ready to go, you can enjoy the most important news, events, and more below!

First, today's weather:

Clear throughout the day. High: 82 Low: 58.

Here are the top stories in Durham today:

  1. Duke Health officials have placed nearly 200 employees on unpaid administrative leave in accordance with the health care system's mandate requiring the COVID-19 vaccination by September 21. The employees have been given seven days to comply with the mandate or seek an exemption, otherwise they may face termination. This group of employees represents less than 1% of the overall workforce. One employee spoke out anonymously after serving 21 years with the organization, and was emotional because she had originally planned to retire with Duke Health. (FOX8)
  2. Durham NC has been identified in an ABC News investigation that found inequities in several areas. Durham NC was specifically noted as having a police department that does not reflect the diversity of the city, with the makeup of law enforcement agencies more than 20% whiter than the community. The study measured 20 categories to identify inequities and Durham was found to have inequities in 18 of the categories measured. (abcNEWS)
  3. Durham's 911 center has had many problems with reports on its inadequacy spanning back to December. Another story has come to light of Robert Beckman and his wife, relying on a neighbor's connections when they were unable to get a response from 911. The city sent an email admitting that it "is not where it needs to be" and is on a "path to improvement." Beckman acknowledges that he is lucky to have been able to depend on his neighbor, but has concerns it may happen again. (CBS17)
  4. City Councilman Mark-Anthony Middleton and business owner Leonardo Williams have been working to launch the 1,000 Black Man Collective. The community-funded effort will launch in the next few weeks, and will provide mentors to work in communities that experience high violence. In recent weeks there was an average of one person shot every day in Durham, including one man who was shot in his stopped car on Monday. Middleton has pushed for many programs to fight crime, but agrees that the politicized discussion of it distracts from the overall goal. (WRAL)
  5. On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a measure that would have limited powers of the attorney general. The measure was approved on party lines after its creation in response to the handling of a 2020 elections lawsuit. The measure would have required formal approval of settlements challenging state law or the constitution by the Senate leader and House speaker. This marks the 11th veto by Governor Cooper this year, and the 64th veto since early 2017. (WNCT9)

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Today in Durham:

Durham Patch Notebook

  • Are you as obsessed with coffee as me? If so, Triangle On The Cheap has gathered all the National Coffee Day deals you will want to know about!
  • NC IDEA has chosen the 26 semi-finalists from across NC for $50,000 grants. (WRAL TechWire)
  • Governor Cooper has proclaimed this week to be North Carolina Manufacturing Week. (WNCT9)

Feature your local business here for just $79 a month. Click here to learn more.

Ok friends, that's all for today. Go out into the world and get jacked up on some free coffee (unless you're one of those people I simply don't understand who somehow exist without it). I'll be back with you tomorrow for some more news and events. If you have friends that are struggling to keep up with our fast paced city, be a pal and send them this link to subscribe.

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Durham Daily? Reach out anytime to durham-nc@patch.com.

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