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It’s Thursday, January 23.
Thank you to this week’s sponsor Duke Arts Presents: Durham native and former Alvin Ailey dancer Hope Boykin brings States of Hope, a powerful and honest work of dance-theater, for its hometown premiere. In this fully-scripted autobiographical performance, Boykin narrates her own journey as a dancer and artist as seven dancers move on stage to an original score by Ali Jackson.
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Good morning, readers.
The James Beard Foundation announced its 2025 award semifinalists yesterday, and several Triangle chefs and restaurants made the cut.
Among them is Scott Crawford, whose hospitality group earned an Outstanding Restaurateur nod—adding yet another nomination to Crawford’s collection of almost-wins. At this point, Crawford’s relationship with the James Beard Awards is starting to feel a bit like Leonardo DiCaprio’s pre-2016 Oscar saga. (For those counting, that’s five Best Chef: Southeast semifinalist nods and an Outstanding Hospitality finalist spot, on top of this year’s nomination.)
The Triangle’s other semifinalists include Ricky Moore of Durham’s Saltbox Seafood Joint, who took home the Best Chef: Southeast title in 2022, and is now up for Outstanding Chef—one of the foundation’s most prestigious national awards.
Also in Durham, the Bar Beej, a Bollywood-inspired bar inside Cheeni, snagged a Best New Bar nomination. Raleigh newcomers Figulina and Tamasha Modern Indian earned nods for Best New Restaurant and Emerging Chef, respectively.
In Knightdale, pitmaster Christopher Prieto, owner of popular spot Prime Barbecue, is up for Best Chef: Southeast.
Soon after the news broke, the INDY checked in with nominees about their reactions—and some celebration plans. Read more about the semifinalists here and have a good Thursday.
—Lena
Durham
Durham Public Schools have a $7 million shortfall due to unbudgeted expenses related to staffing, charter schools, child nutrition, master’s pay, and utilities.
Wake
After entering into a multi-million dollar loan some have described as “predatory,” Saint Augustine’s University turned down a lower-interest loan offer, documents obtained by INDY and The Assembly show. That offer came with one big stipulation—replace two university board members.
State Rep. Joe John died Wednesday, days after announcing a cancer diagnosis and resigning his seat.
Orange
Orange County’s sheriff talks about a new state law that now requires sheriffs to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to keep people subject to deportation in local custody.
North Carolina
The NC Supreme Court is rejecting Jefferson Griffin’s bid to fast-track his lawsuit seeking to toss 60,000 ballots from his tight race against Justice Allison Riggs to join the court.
Today’s weather
Cloudy with a high of 37 degrees.
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