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Community Corner

🌱 Sunday Storm Impacts + Recusal Requests + MLK Day Celebrations

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Durham.

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day Durham!

First, today's weather:

Clouds and sunshine. High: 38 Low: 26.

Here are the top five stories today in Durham:

  1. Food distribution drives and other ministries in Durham saw a sharp increase in demand ahead of Sunday. Governor Cooper held a conference warning people to be sure they had food and other needed supplies, and La Semilla ministry's pastor Edgar Vergara said that they saw twice as many families as they typically do. Durham Rescue Mission set up for hundreds expected to need shelter. (CBS17)
  2. Thousands were without power across central North Carolina as a result of Sunday winter storms. Duke Energy reported more than 70,000 customers without power at 2:00 pm. Duke Energy said that more than 11,000 workers were prepared to respond to outages, however they could not begin restoration until weather conditions safely allowed it. (CBS17)
  3. As snow and ice began to accumulate across central N.C., Governor Cooper and state officials held a conference to warn North Carolinians to stay home and off the roads. During the noon news conference, State Highway Patrol Commander Col. Freddy Johnson said that troopers had responded to 460 calls and at least 200 collisions statewide. (abc11)
  4. With key election lawsuits set to take place, several groups are calling for recusal of state Supreme Court Justices. Voting rights groups requested the recusal of the same two justices who were asked not to participate in the voter ID litigation, Justices Phil Berger Jr. and Tamara Barringer. Lawyers representing GOP lawmakers are requesting the recusal of Justice Anita Earls. (WRAL)
  5. Travel through the Triangle was impacted heavily by Sunday storms. Many of Raleigh-Durham International Airport's flights had to be cancelled on Sunday due to the rain and ice expectations. Amtrak Piedmont trains were also cancelled, as well as most Greyhound buses that stop in Raleigh. (WXII12, CBS17)

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Today in Durham:

From my notebook:

  • It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day and there's no shortage of ways to celebrate in Durham.
  • Today also would have been Betty White's 100th birthday. Fans across America plan to honor her memory today with the #BettyWhiteChallenge. You can find your favorite shelter or give to the Animal Protection Society of Durham by clicking here.
  • Durham City Hall and all of our non-emergency offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. (Facebook)

Loving the Durham Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— CJ Fullford

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