Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why are Durham’s test scores rising while graduation rates keep slipping?

Happening soon: The Basement Yard Live on the Durham Patch calendar

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Greetings Durham! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are Durham's test scores rising while graduation rates keep slipping?
  • What led Durham police to seize nine guns on S. Roxboro Street?
  • How much help will Fayetteville Street businesses really get from Durham?

Also on today's calendar: Spooky Tales & Tasty Ales and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Very hot; a p.m. t-storm, with a high of 97 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Decreasing clouds; not as hot, temps: high: 82, low: 63.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 82 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Durham Students Improve Test Scores, but Graduation Rate Lags (indyweek.com) — Durham Public Schools just posted their highest student test proficiency since 2013–14, surpassing pre-pandemic levels across reading, math, and science, but the district's graduation rate has fallen to a 10-year low of 80.3%. Local schools avoided any F ratings for the first time, yet some campuses still face consolidation and lingering controversy even as others rank among the state's top performers for academic growth.
   

2. Durham police arrest 8, seize guns and drugs tied to recent violent crimes (wral.com) — Durham police say they arrested eight people and seized nine firearms, drugs, and ammunition during a Sept. 2 search on South Roxboro Street linked to recent shootings and a homicide. All of the adults charged are Durham residents, and investigators emphasize the operation removed multiple stolen guns and narcotics from a neighborhood that has seen several violent incidents in recent weeks.
   

3. Durham offers $10K for Fayetteville Street businesses, but owners say corridor needs more investment (abc11.com) — Durham is relaunching its Bounce Back program, offering up to $10,000 in grants plus technical support to small businesses along the historic Fayetteville Street corridor. Longtime Black-owned businesses like AJ's Barbershop, Angel World of Flowers, and Chicken Hut welcome the help but say the area still needs deeper investment to keep pace with booming downtown development and rising operating costs.
   

4. NC Judge Says Insurer Must Cover COVID Biz Losses (law360.com) — A federal judge in North Carolina has ruled that four Durham restaurants are entitled to insurance coverage for losses suffered during COVID-19 lockdowns, criticizing the insurer's arguments as superficial. While details are paywalled, the decision could influence how other Durham businesses pursue pandemic-related claims and negotiate with insurers going forward.
   

📸 Around Durham

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I just met an amazing young man from the Facebook marketplace.
    He was purchasing some albums I had for sale and we chatted for a bit. He's a DJ and fairly young. I'm impressed with his attitude and taste in music… (Nextdoor Hayti)
  • 8 weeks ago we gad a juvenile male in the backyard and i was assured this was a bear in transit ...
    i hadn't seen hime since ....... UNTIL - this afternoon he was happily at the bird feeders - snacking !!! Be careful near Duke Forest area off Mt… (Nextdoor New Hope Creek)
  • Sherwin-Williams posted a job opening for Bilingual Multi-Location Customer Service Specialist (Spanish) in Durham. Apply here.
  • Chipotle posted a job opening for Crew Member in Durham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Durham here.

Ok Durham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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