🌳 Thousands Join Durham’s “No Kings” Rally

Good morning Durham!

It’s been a busy week across the Bull City. Thousands filled downtown for a national “No Kings” rally, city leaders unveiled a sweeping plan to curb gun violence, and IBM made a symbolic move out of its historic RTP campus. Plus, Council approved new renter protections and affordable housing loans, and if you need a break from policy talk, Jo Koy’s on stage at DPAC this weekend.

Here’s what’s happening around Durham this week 👇

-Jordan Parker

Thousands Join Durham’s “No Kings” Rally

An estimated 6,000–7,000 people filled Durham Central Park on October 18 for the second “No Kings” rally, part of a national day of protests opposing authoritarianism and economic inequality under the banner “No Kings, No Billionaires.” The event featured speeches from Rev. Dr. William Barber II and local union leaders, connecting the anti-Trump movement to a broader fight for workers’ rights.

• Worker Solidarity Focus: The rally emphasized labor power, bringing together groups like the Union of Southern Service Workers, Durham Association of Educators, and AFL-CIO affiliates.

• Broad Coalition: More than a dozen local and national organizations endorsed the event, highlighting issues from ICE raids to voting rights and climate justice.

• Community Momentum: Organizers say the October rally built on June’s No Kings event, with larger crowds and stronger coordination among unions and grassroots groups.

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Durham Unveils New Violence-Prevention Plan

City and county leaders have introduced a three-phase “whole-of-government” strategy to reduce gun violence across Durham, with a goal of cutting homicides by half within seven years. The roadmap emphasizes coordination, sustainability, and community engagement after years of fragmented efforts and the collapse of Bull City United, the city’s previous violence-interruption program.

• Three-Phase Plan: Officials will start with strategy identification, followed by planning and sustainable collaboration. The first phase includes a summit with the University of Maryland’s Violence Reduction Center.

• Proven Models: The city aims to draw from national successes such as Operation Ceasefire in Oakland and cognitive behavioral therapy programs addressing trauma.

• Leadership Voices: Mayor Leo Williams called the effort urgent, saying, “Babies need to stop dying. Young people need to stop dying at the hand of a gun.”

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IBM Shifts RTP Workforce to Durham Campus

IBM has moved most of its Triangle workforce from its longtime Research Triangle Park campus to nearby offices at the 500 Campus in Durham, signaling a symbolic change for both the tech giant and the 66-year-old business park it helped build. The relocation marks a consolidation effort as IBM reduces its national real estate footprint and RTP pursues a new era of mixed-use redevelopment.

• Historic Transition: IBM was RTP’s anchor tenant for six decades and its largest employer until 2017, helping establish the park’s global reputation.

• Strategic Move: The company says the shift enhances collaboration and innovation while it “explores options” for its original RTP property.

• RTP 3.0 Redevelopment: The Research Triangle Foundation is advancing rezoning plans to add residential and retail space, with Durham County recently approving updates to support the park’s next phase.

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City Council Approves Tenant Protections & Development Measures

Durham’s City Council meeting on October 20 drew a full chamber as residents pressed for housing reform and affordable development. The night’s centerpiece vote created new legal protections for renters living in unsafe housing, alongside key decisions on housing and infrastructure projects.

• Tenant Rights Ordinance Approved: After extensive public comment, Council passed a new amendment to Section 10-241 of the housing code. The rule empowers tenants to withhold rent if landlords fail to maintain safe, livable conditions, aligning Durham with similar ordinances in Charlotte and Pineville.

• Affordable ADU Loan Program Funded: Council authorized a $1.75 million pilot to finance 20 affordable accessory dwelling units (ADUs) over three years. The program, run by Durham-based Cororum Homes, offers 30-year low-interest loans to help homeowners build small rental units for residents earning up to 80 percent of area median income.

• Infrastructure & Land-Use Actions: Members approved a zoning change for Ravenstone Commercial, a partial street closure on Cliff Street, and a multifamily housing bond for Pedro Apartments, advancing several housing and redevelopment projects citywide.

Watch the Full Discussion >>

Iconic “Dawson’s Creek” Home Hits the Market

A piece of North Carolina TV nostalgia just hit the market: the Wilmington home that served as Dawson Leery’s house in the hit 1990s show Dawson’s Creek is listed for $3.25 million.

Built in 1880, the 2,465-square-foot waterfront property sits on 1.7 acres along Hewlett’s Creek and features four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and a private pier and dock. The home’s white façade and wraparound porch became one of the show’s most iconic images, appearing throughout all six seasons filmed around Wilmington.

Now listed by Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, the property remains a prime example of historic coastal architecture, and a cinematic landmark for fans of North Carolina’s film legacy.

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Jo Koy Brings “Just Being Koy” Tour to DPAC

Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
Saturday, Oct. 25 • 8:00 PM

Comedy superstar Jo Koy brings his “Just Being Koy” tour to Durham for one night only. Known for his sharp storytelling and family-inspired humor, Koy has sold out arenas around the world and continues to be one of the top-grossing comedians in the industry.

Details >>

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