Storey Wertheimer

Durham, Los Angeles

Staff Writer and Reporter at The 9th Street Journal

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Articles

State-funded private school scholarships now reach more affluent families

1 month ago | 9thstreetjournal.org | Storey Wertheimer

For over a decade, North Carolina has issued vouchers to help families afford private school tuition. But this year, the number of affluent recipients surged after lawmakers removed income limits, opening applications to all families. In Durham County, 44% of students who were awarded scholarships this year would have previously been ineligible due to higher family income, according to February data from the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.
Pauli Murray bio is scrubbed from federal site, to locals' dismay

2 months ago | 9thstreetjournal.org | Storey Wertheimer

The biography of a renowned national civil rights activist with deep Durham roots has been scrubbed from the National Park Service (NPS) website. Pauli Murray was a trailblazer in the world of civil rights, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and the Episcopal church. Until recently, the NPS site featured an in-depth account of Murray’s life and legal contributions. That page has now vanished, and visitors are met with a “Page not Found” message.
False gun reports cause jitters at Riverside High

2 months ago | 9thstreetjournal.org | Storey Wertheimer

Riverside High School students and families are reeling after three false weapon reports in just five days, leaving many feeling anxious and on edge. On Friday, Feb. 14, the school went into lockdown after a tip warned of an armed person on campus. Students say they huddled in classrooms with the lights turned off while officers conducted a safety sweep. The tip was deemed unsubstantiated and the lockdown was lifted after about an hour.
NC Supreme Court Ballot Challenge Hits Young Voters Hard

Jan 25, 2025 | indyweek.com | Storey Wertheimer

This story originally published online by the 9th Street Journal. Rhiannon Camarillo left the polls in November feeling confident she had done everything right. She had gathered all the proper materials, voted early, and even visited the Durham County Board of Elections office in person months in advance to verify that her registration was accurate. “I took every step I could to mitigate the risk,” she said.
N.C. ballot challenge hits young voters hard

Jan 21, 2025 | 9thstreetjournal.org | Storey Wertheimer

Rhiannon Camarillo left the polls in November feeling confident she had done everything right. She had gathered all the proper materials, voted early, and even visited the Durham County Board of Elections office in person months in advance to verify that her registration was accurate. “I took every step I could to mitigate the risk,” she said.
Ahead of a key vote, protestors rail against a bill that would reshape state power

Dec 10, 2024 | 9thstreetjournal.org | Storey Wertheimer

At 5:30 p.m. in downtown Raleigh on Monday night, a dozen musicians stood on a stage, trumpets blaring as singers belted out lyrics like “We won’t be silent anymore.” Before them, hundreds waved signs and flashlights in the air. The crowd gathered to oppose Senate Bill 382, a controversial measure that was drafted in secret and rushed through the legislature last month. The bill, titled a disaster recovery measure, includes some funds for Hurricane Helene relief.
For Democrats in Deep-Blue Durham, a Big Push, and a Heartbreaking Finish

Nov 12, 2024 | indyweek.com | Storey Wertheimer

This story originally published online at the 9th Street Journal. Kamala Harris swept through Durham in the presidential election, winning the county with a striking 79.83 percent of the vote. But in the end, it wasn’t enough to secure North Carolina for the Democrats, as Donald Trump claimed the state for the third consecutive time. Throughout the election season, activists poured their efforts into Durham.
For Democrats in deep-blue Durham, a big push and a heartbreaking finish

Nov 8, 2024 | 9thstreetjournal.org | Storey Wertheimer

Kamala Harris swept through Durham in the presidential election, winning the county with a striking 79.83 percent of the vote. But in the end, it wasn’t enough to secure North Carolina for the Democrats, as Donald Trump claimed the state for the third consecutive time. Throughout the election season, activists poured their efforts into Durham.
Broken HVAC Systems Still Plague Some Durham Schools

Oct 22, 2024 | indyweek.com | Storey Wertheimer

This story originally published online at The 9th Street Journal. On September 17, Brittany Thomas received a text message from a distressed teacher at Merrick-Moore Elementary School. The air conditioning had broken down at Merrick-Moore, where Thomas is PTA president, and teachers were so uncomfortable that many threatened to call out of work, the teacher said. “Can you please help us?” Thomas recalls him asking.
Provisional Ballots: Why Thousands of Young Voters' Ballots Get Tossed, and How to Avoid It

Oct 21, 2024 | indyweek.com | Storey Wertheimer

This story originally published online at the 9th Street Journal. Duke University senior Catherine Flanagan arrived at the March 2024 polls excited and prepared, with her driver’s license and list of preferred candidates in hand. “I thought, ‘This will be a breeze. I’ll just fly straight through,’” said Flanagan.