It’s Tuesday, February 20.

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Good morning, readers. 

In next month’s election, for which early voting is underway, seven candidates are vying for three school board seats on the Orange County Schools Board of Education. Here are three themes we’re watching:  

  1. The Orange County School board is looking for more than $195 million for renovations and upgraded learning tools.

That’s according to the resolution board members unanimously passed last night, supporting the Orange County board of commissioners’ decision to put a $300 million education bond referendum on the ballot in November. All seven candidates have expressed support for the bond.

  1. Progressives may learn a math lesson.

Four progressive candidates are running for three seats. In this nonpartisan primary, they’re also facing three more moderate to conservative candidates.

Progressive groups have consolidated around incumbents Carrie Doyle and Jennifer Moore, as well as first-time candidate Wendy Padilla. But Kevin Alston Jr., the fourth progressive, has proven to be a compelling candidate, getting applause at a forum for his response about the harm of the state’s “Parents’ Bill of Rights.”

On the moderate slate, Bonnie Hauser is running for reelection, touting her experience and hands-on approach alongside newcomers Cindy Shriner and Michael Johnson.

  1. Everyone loves the new superintendent.

The candidates have all pointed to Danielle Jones’s experience as an assistant superintendent of Durham Public Schools as a great asset for the county. They’re impressed with the way she hit the ground running since she was sworn in last month. If the board is serious about securing its $200 million share of the bond, it’ll help to hold the united front they’ve built around Jones.

We’ll have more details and original reporting on the Orange County race coming soon. 

Have a good Tuesday,

—Chase

Durham

Our newsroom partners at the 9th Street Journal are profiling all 11 candidates running for five seats on Durham County’s Board of Commissioners. First up: incumbents Brenda Howerton and Wendy Jacobs and candidate Stephen Valentine. 

At its meeting last night, Durham’s city council voted 5-2 to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Read our reporting on events in the Triangle that have led up to the vote.

Wake

Vote early in Wake County and get a sticker featuring a flying unicorn designed by a local middle school student. 

Wake County Public Schools is considering joining a lawsuit against tech companies including Meta, Google, and Snap over the impacts of social media’s mental health on students.

Orange

Beloved local guitarist and Flat Duo Jets founder Dexter Romweber died this weekend at his home in Carrboro.

North Carolina

Pittsboro is suing Apollo Chemical over toxic 1,4 Dioxane in the town’s drinking water. 

Today’s weather

Sunny with a high of 50 degrees.

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