Big Changes Coming to Durham City Departments

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Good morning, readers.

Durham city manager Bo Ferguson is shaking things up inside City Hall.

Last Thursday, Ferguson released an internal memo announcing changes to the city’s organizational structure. It’s a story you can read only in the INDY today.

Nearly every department is affected by the reshuffling of city staff. Some agencies are being dissolved with their component parts being reabsorbed by other departments. Others will report to new directors, and possibly a new deputy city manager, even if their department remains mostly intact.

I know what you’re thinking. Who got the whole class in trouble? But according to Ferguson, this change was not instigated by internal strife, and no layoffs have been announced.

“There was no one driving problem or concern,” Ferguson told the INDY, “but having been here for 12 years and seen under the hood for a while, I had some ideas and heard lots of feedback from within the organization about what’s working and where things could be improved.”

If you value Durham City Hall scoops like this—or my colleagues’ stellar coverage of Durham Public schools, Wake County, food and culture—support our work by joining the Press Club. In addition to promoting local, independent journalism, Press Club members get perks, like free access to events like the Durham 2030 conversation I hosted in January. Help us reach our goal of enlisting 150 new Press Club members by the end of May, and have a good weekend.

 —Justin

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Durham

The Durham Public Schools board of education unanimously approved its 2025-26 budget request to the county last night. INDY’s Chase Pellegrini de Paur reports on potential staff reductions in the funding plan.

Wake

Raleigh residents are fiercely opposed to a 30-story apartment building that would tower over adjacent homes. INDY’s Chloe Courtney Bohl reports on the details of the project, residents’ concerns, and how city council members may vote.

The star of the Carolina Ballet will give her final performance this weekend after more than 20 years with the company. INDY’s Jane Porter talked to Margaret Severin-Hansen about her career and the power of art.

Orange

School board members are reviewing applications for the next superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, as well as community input surveys, WCHL reports.

North Carolina

ICYMI: Representative Valerie Foushee held a town hall this week. INDY’s Chase Pellegrini de Paur reports on the concerns residents had, why there were so many empty seats, and the congresswoman’s plans to engage more with constituents.

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