Durham's water and sewer rates will jump 8.5% next fiscal year, with a $1 billion Jordan Lake project to be entirely financed through utility bonds with no state or federal grants.
Five people died on Roxboro Street in the first four months of 2025, prompting residents to demand Durham prioritize Vision Zero engineering over enforcement alone.
Durham City Council committed only to releasing a request for proposals on HIV housing resources after community advocates pushed the city to better manage over $1.3 million in unused federal funds.
RTI International and Duke University plan major layoffs and research cuts that could cost the region hundreds of jobs and up to $700 million in health research spending.
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Residents of a public housing complex described six years of unrepaired safety hazards—broken locks, drug paraphernalia, and inadequate maintenance—prompting Council to demand city intervention and contractor accountability.
Council voted 4-3 to rezone land near Sandy Creek Park for a 140-unit apartment complex, approving housing development over environmental and flooding concerns.
Durham City Council passed a resolution supporting federal foreign aid programs after the Trump administration's freeze cost roughly 500 Triangle-area jobs, though members debated whether to call the order "illegal.
Mayor Leonardo Williams pledged the city would not displace residents facing higher property tax bills as Durham grapples with county reappraisals that have dramatically increased home values citywide.
Community leaders urged a one-cent tax increase generating $4.3 million to fund youth opportunities as the city grapples with 39 homicides in 2024, with 82 percent of shooting victims Black males.
Mayor Williams reaffirmed that Durham police will not assist federal immigration enforcement after a recent ICE operation detained nine immigrants in the area.
Mayor Leonardo Williams declared youth violence prevention the city's top priority after recent murders involving minors, signaling other council business will face delays.
Durham City Council unanimously rejected a 1,000-unit mixed-use development proposed for 168 acres in Orange County, citing violations of the city's comprehensive plan and environmental concerns.
Durham City Council approved a $1.2 million contract to find a site for an algae filtration facility despite council members' concerns about environmental justice and pollution concentration in low-income neighborhoods.
Durham City Council unanimously approved rezoning for the 1,880-unit Brickworks development after Councilmember Chelsea Cook secured stronger environmental standards and doubled the school contribution to $120,000.
Durham City Council approved $1.89 million in sidewalk repairs for north and northwest Durham while bracing for significant winter weather Friday through Monday.
William Bowman Ferguson was unanimously sworn in as Durham's city manager as council confronted a housing crisis and the city's first pedestrian fatality of 2025.
City Manager Wanda Page presided over her final meeting after 37 years, as Council Member Chelsea Cook pressed the city to immediately distribute tents to 101 unsheltered residents while a formal encampment policy is developed.
Durham's City Council unanimously approved $4.88 million in police vehicles despite residents urging the money be redirected to address a surge in homelessness.
Durham City Council approved $3.66 million for hybrid police SUVs and a $200,000 bus rapid transit study, but rejected a police-fire pay proposal after learning 196 employees were bypassed in raise calculations.
Durham City Council rejected a $2.5 million federal housing grant for homeless people with HIV after refusing to sign a letter of support in April 2024, drawing urgent criticism from the HIV Coalition.
Durham secured $1 billion in federal CHIPS Act funding for a semiconductor research center, marking a major economic victory with no council opposition.
Durham City Council approved a controversial 25-unit townhouse development on Doc Nichols Road in a 4-3 vote, deepening rifts over growth concentrated in Southeast Durham.
Emergency rental assistance funds nearly depleted as church leaders warn Durham's housing crisis is accelerating faster than the city can respond.