In this episode of Southpoint Access Office Hours, Wes Platt catches listeners up on a busy stretch in Durham and South Durham, from end-of-school-year chaos to the latest local government decisions.

Topics include:

• Durham County’s newly approved budget, including a 2.5-cent tax increase to support raises for classified Durham Public Schools workers.
• Funding approval for family drug treatment court.
• The library Pride display controversy and commissioners’ response.
• Tonight’s Planning Commission agenda, including data center moratoria, Page Road Townhouses, Oak Grove Landing, Avalon Place Phase 9, and a proposed 200-unit project at 3815 Wake Forest Hwy.
• Concerns about vegetation clearing along Third Fork Creek Trail and its impact on wildlife.
• A new sports trading card shop, Bull City Slabs, planned for The Shoppes of Hope Valley.
• Reminders about the SoDu We Have Favorites voting deadline, graduation and pet obituary announcements, and the June 10 deadline for Southpoint Access’s revenue-sharing campaign benefiting RootEd in DPS.

Thanks to Southpoint Access sponsors for supporting independent local journalism.

In the quest for quality education, families often find themselves overwhelmed by the options available, especially when relocating to a new area.

In this episode of Office Hours, Emmy Renquist of SchoolUp offers insights into that process. She's an education consultant with deep roots in the community. SchoolUp's team primarily covers Wake and Durham counties.

Plus:

• Data center moratorium on Monday's Council agenda
• Rogers-Herr performers take their talents to Carowinds
• SoDu We Have Favorites: Submit your nominations
• New Fiction: Dispatches Received in Error, Issue 4
• Get a 50% subscription discount

The "Tickets for Teachers" initiative was born out of a simple yet powerful idea: utilize unused event tickets to benefit Durham educators. Many community members have tickets they can’t use, whether due to illness or scheduling conflicts. By donating these tickets, educators and their families can enjoy local events that might otherwise be out of reach. This initiative not only prevents tickets from going to waste but also fosters community spirit by providing educators with enjoyable experiences.

Hear from Matt Sears, the mind behind this initiative for RootEd in DPS, in this latest episode of Office Hours.

Plus:

• What's going on at Hope Valley Elementary School?
• Wendell Tabb and Xavier Cason produced "The Third Day," which premieres this weekend at Hillside High!
• Durham Planning Commission opposes The Reserve at Rocky Branch (but City Council could still approve it).
• School cafeteria health inspection reports.
• New weekly SoDu Shopping Basket!
• Paid Subscribers: Spotlight your favorite nonprofits!
• Another bonus for paid subscribers: "Dispatches Received in Error" serial fiction project.