Justin Laidlaw

1 week ago | indyweek.com | |Justin Laidlaw

A new book titled Abundance from national journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson has been a topic du jour around water coolers, local coffee shops, and even city halls` since its release last month. The authors’ proposed remedy for issues like America’s housing scarcity and stalled scientific breakthroughs has captivated a wide swath of the electorate from Democrats and progressives, to moderate Republicans and Libertarians alike.

1 month ago | indyweek.com | Justin Laidlaw

For residents traveling by foot, bike, scooter, wheelchair, or car, traveling on Durham’s streets can be a perilous pursuit. But at a city council work session last Thursday, Lauren Grove, the city’s Vision Zero coordinator, presented her recommendations for a Vision Zero Action Plan, a proposal for how the city would confront Durham’s growing traffic violence issue head-on.

1 month ago | indyweek.com | Justin Laidlaw

After nearly three hours of rigorous discussion on Monday, the Durham city council approved a 140-unit apartment complex on Pickett Road by a 4-3 vote. Pickett Apartments, a 6.12 acre project, was originally brought before the city council on February 3. At that meeting, residents raised concerns about the environmental impact of the project on bird habitats and flooding into nearby Durham Academy and Sandy Creek Trail, as well as transit accessibility, traffic overflow and student safety.

1 month ago | indyweek.com | Justin Laidlaw

Farmer Foodshare, a 14-year old nonprofit food hub, is ramping up its partnership with Durham Public Schools to bring more locally-sourced produce from farm-to-cafeteria table. DPS has worked with the foodshare dating back to 2016, but in recent years, the school district has reimagined its cafeteria menus to feature more nutritious meals, which required procuring a greater volume of locally-sourced products.

1 month ago | indyweek.com | Justin Laidlaw

The city of Durham is poised to allocate nearly $1 million to support organizations on the frontlines of the opioid crisis. The funding stems from a nationwide settlement agreement between state governments and giant pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors like McKesson and Johnson & Johnson who were held responsible for their role in the opioid epidemic.