View This Email In Your Browser
It’s Wednesday, February 26.
Thank you to this week’s sponsor Apex Parks and Rec: Calling all gamers! Showcase your games and ideas at the GameMaker Showcase on March 22nd, where you’ll get feedback from notable women in the industry, show your skills in VR, and connect with other creators—don’t miss this chance to level up your project!
Support free and local independent journalism.
Good morning, readers.
Last year I reported on Duke University’s 2022 climate commitment with the verdict that, if given the money and mandate to succeed, it could be a model for how an organization—especially one of the wealthiest universities in the world—could use its unique position to address the climate crisis.
Buoyed by the fulfillment of a 2007 goal to reach carbon neutrality, the commitment received applause from institution insiders and skepticism from students, some of whom argued that the commitment was hypocritical as long as Duke declined to divest its endowment from fossil fuel companies.
I recently checked back in with Toddi Steelman, the university’s climate czar, to ask about ongoing projects and the next big goal: net-zero emissions by 2050.
I was most intrigued by her very diplomatic answers about divestment (“divestment is a really blunt tool for us to accomplish what might be a larger goal”) and the impact of the Trump administration’s barrage of cuts and orders (“it may mean there are fewer research dollars in some areas [but] it may mean new opportunities are opening up…We have to be smart about how we position ourselves to take advantage of those opportunities, and we also do not need to compromise on our values as we do so”).
You can read our full conversation here. Have a good Wednesday.
—Chase
Durham
Many are familiar with Durham’s Pride parade today, but do you know the story of how it began? The 9th Street Journal reports how the city’s first pride march in 1986, and then-Mayor Wib Gulley’s accompanying proclamation affirming Durham’s LGBTQ+ residents, sparked a backlash.
Wake
Protesters gathered outside of a Raleigh Tesla dealership on Tuesday to protest Elon Musk’s actions to slash federal government operations, WRAL reports.
Orange
President Trump has indicated he wants to close the U.S. Department of Education. While the move would have to be approved by Congress, students and faculty at UNC are worried about the federal financial assistance they receive, The Daily Tar Heel reports.
North Carolina
Democratic state legislators have introduced bills to prevent local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals and religious places, NC Newsline reports.
Today’s weather
Sunny with a high of 72 degrees.
If you’d like to advertise your business to the Daily’s 30,000-plus subscribers, please contact [email protected]
Love The INDY? Join the INDY Press Club.
Support the ambitions of local journalism (plus, enjoy a few perks).
You must be logged in to post a comment.