🌳 Williams Wins Re-Election; Two New Faces Join Durham Council

Durham ushered in new political voices, national recognition, and community pride this week. Voters re-elected Mayor Leo Williams and welcomed two new council members, setting the stage for key development debates ahead.

Meanwhile, the Triangle earned its culinary stripes in the first-ever Michelin Guide to the American South, and an RTP startup landed a $1 billion boost to build America’s next rare-earth magnet hub.

City Council honored Durham’s award-winning HART crisis response program, approved new infrastructure projects, and expanded winter shelter options as colder nights approach.

And for something lighter? The Jonas Brothers stopped by a Durham coffee shop, and local potters are opening their studios for this weekend’s Durham Pottery Tour.

Read time: 6 minutes

Williams Wins Re-Election; Two New Faces Join Durham Council

Durham voters re-elected Mayor Leo Williams and chose two new City Council members in Tuesday’s general municipal election, reshaping the balance of power at City Hall. The results reflect growing debates over development, affordability, and leadership style as the city surpasses 367,000 residents.

• Mayor’s Race: Williams secured 58% of the vote, defeating Anjanée Bell, daughter of former Mayor Bill Bell. Backed by the city’s three largest PACs, Williams framed his win as a victory for “compassion” and community unity.

• Ward 1: Planning Commission member Matt Kopac narrowly unseated incumbent DeDreana Freeman (52–47%), following months of controversy around Freeman’s conduct and her stance on development.

• Ward 2: Community organizer Shanetta Burris beat incumbent Mark-Anthony Middleton in a landslide (68–31%), signaling voter appetite for new leadership on affordability and youth safety.

• Ward 3: Incumbent Chelsea Cook easily won re-election (75–25%) over challenger Diana Medoff, solidifying her role as a housing advocate on the council.

The new council of Williams, Cook, Burris, and Kopac will oversee next year’s rewrite of Durham’s Unified Development Ordinance, a key document shaping growth and zoning decisions.

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Triangle Restaurants Shine in New Michelin Guide

The Triangle cemented its culinary reputation this week with 19 restaurants earning spots in the inaugural Michelin Guide for the American South, including three Bib Gourmand honorees and sixteen Michelin-recommended eateries.

• Bib Gourmand Winners: Prime Barbecue (Knightdale), Sam Jones BBQ, and Mala Pata (both in Raleigh) were honored for offering “exceptional food at great value.”

• Durham Highlights: Little Bull and Nana’s landed on the Michelin-recommended list, joining Cary’s Herons and Dampf Good BBQ and Pittsboro’s Fearrington House Restaurant among regional standouts.

• Culinary Impact: Tourism leaders from Raleigh and Durham called the recognition both “an economic opportunity” and proof that the Triangle’s dining scene belongs “on the world stage.”

The Michelin Guide’s expansion marks the first-ever regional edition for the South—and positions the Triangle as one of its most celebrated food destinations.

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RTP Startup Lands $1B for Rare-Earth Magnet Factory

Research Triangle Park–based Vulcan Elements has secured more than $1 billion in federal and private funding to launch a large-scale U.S. factory for rare-earth magnets — a critical step in reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains.

• Federal Boost: The company received a $620 million loan from the U.S. Department of War and $100 million in incentives and equity from the Commerce Department under the CHIPS and Science Act.

• Private Capital: Vulcan has also lined up $550 million in private investment and is partnering with Indiana-based ReElement Technologies to scale production.

• Local Impact: The firm’s Durham demonstration site off TW Alexander Drive has already met key milestones. North Carolina is among finalists for the factory’s permanent location, to be announced later this month.

CEO John Maslin, a former Navy officer, says the project aims to “make sure taxpayers win too” as the company works to re-shore materials vital to defense and technology industries.

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Council Honors HART Program, Moves Forward on Paving Plan

Durham City Council’s Nov. 3 meeting highlighted community achievements and weighed in on major infrastructure and equity issues. The city formally honored its nationally recognized crisis response program while advancing bond-funded roadwork and new housing and safety measures ahead of the winter months.

• HART Program Recognized: Council proclaimed Nov. 3 as HART Recognition Day, celebrating the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team’s milestone of 32,000 nonviolent 911 calls handled since 2022. The program also received a national award for community health and safety.

• Unpaved Roads Approved for Paving: Council approved a $3.4 million contract to pave remaining gravel roads citywide, reaffirming its 2024 equity policy ensuring consistent infrastructure in all neighborhoods. Some members pushed for Vision Zero review to ensure pedestrian safety before construction begins.

• Expanded Cold Weather Shelter: Starting Nov. 15, the city will add 20 nightly shelter beds through March 15, in addition to “white flag” emergency shelters on freezing nights.

• SNAP Benefits & Shutdown Response: Council members voiced concern over the federal SNAP benefit cuts and thanked local nonprofits for expanding food assistance during the ongoing federal shutdown.

• Community Engagement: Officials reminded residents to attend community budget conversations beginning Nov. 5 at the Durham Armory and to participate in participatory budgeting before Nov. 30.

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Jones Brothers Make Surprise Coffee Stop at Omie’s

Before their Raleigh concert, the Jonas Brothers made a surprise stop at Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery in Durham just before closing time. Known for visiting local cafés on tour, the band ordered seasonal drinks: Kevin Jonas chose a brown butter pumpkin pie latte, Joe Jonas had a pumpkin cortado, and their tourmate Deleasa ordered a cappuccino. The group enjoyed the visit so much they gave the shop owner concert tickets and invited Omie’s to bring its coffee cart to the venue. Omie’s, a Roxboro Street favorite gaining attention on TikTok for its creative drinks, called the experience “a whirlwind and a really fun day.”

Durham Pottery Tour
Various Studios Across Durham
Nov. 8–9 | Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m.
Explore Durham’s vibrant ceramics community during the 2025 Durham Pottery Tour, featuring more than two dozen local artists opening their studios to the public. Visitors can meet potters, watch demonstrations, and shop handmade works ranging from functional wares to fine art. A printable map and artist previews are available online.
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