• A Look at the Orange County Sheriff Race
  • Durham Youth Take on Life Sciences Careers
  • ICYMI: Durham Nurses Honor Alex Pretti
  • A Big Year for Morrisville’s Town Center
  • Locals Join National Shutdown to Protest ICE
Credit: Illustration by Nicole Pajor Moore

Good morning, readers.

Early voting ahead of the March 3 primary starts in a mere two weeks. Triangle voters will be making their picks among a host of races from school board members to legislators.

INDY staff are hard at work talking to candidates and voters alike to bring you coverage of many of these races (if you haven’t already, make sure to check out Chase Pellegrini de Paur’s comprehensive look at the 4th Congressional District primary). On that note, INDY intern Kennedy Thomason talked to the two candidates running for Orange County sheriff. 

It’s the first time since 2018 that Orange County will see a competitive race for sheriff. 

Charles Blackwood, who has served as sheriff since 2014, is seeking his fourth consecutive term. Challenger David LaBarre has served with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office since 2003. 

Kennedy spoke to each about mental health resources, immigration enforcement and transparency. Read more below about the candidates’ experience and platforms below. 

Have a good, snowy weekend.

—Sarah W.

Read the Full Story on INDYWeek.com

Artist Raheleh Filsoofi returns to the Nasher Museum with BITE, a visceral live performance using clay gathered from the museum’s own grounds. Through the intimate act of biting ceramic plates, Filsoofi explores memory, migration, and the body’s bond to land. The evening includes an artist talk and reception. Free and open to the public. Join us on Thursday, February 5.

Learn More

The latest from INDY, plus other stories around the state you’ll want to read. Handpicked every day by INDY Editor-in-Chief Sarah Willets.

Credit: Courtesy of Made in Durham

Down to a Science

INDY’s Justin Laidlaw reports on how the BULLS Life Sciences Academy is working to ensure young adults in Durham can get jobs in the region’s growing life sciences industry.

Credit: Photo by Jenny Warburg

Loud and Clear

Hundreds gathered at the Durham VA to mourn the killing of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, as VA employees are also feeling the strain of federal funding cuts, INDY’s Lena Geller reports.

Downtown Funk

The Line reports work to transform Morrisville’s town center into a full-fledged downtown is getting underway.

Sponsored Content

LOCAL: Central North Carolina is in for several inches of snow this weekend. Axios reports totals could vary widely because narrow bands of snow are expected.

STATE: North Carolina’s net international migration fell by nearly half in 2025, WUNC reports.

STATE: A new study finds income growth in North Carolina is lagging, despite a booming economy, NC Newsline reports.

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  • A draft of Durham’s revised Unified Development Ordinance is now available for public review.
  • Many local businesses will be closed today and students plan to walk out of class as part of a shutdown in solidarity with immigrants and protesters in Minneapolis.
  • West Point on the Eno in Durham is closed until further notice due to weather conditions.
  • Our own Chase Pellegrini de Paur was on the radio yesterday talking about his deep dive into the 4th Congressional District primary. Listen here.
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