Daily editionThursday, August 27th, 2026

Good morning, Durham.

The 5AM Durham Team

Here’s your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 27th of August.

Culture

Durham’s Sugar Hill Records once released bluegrass albums by stars like Dolly Parton and helped launch many influential music careers.
Founder Barry Poss will be honored in October when he is inducted into key music halls of fame, and the label’s legacy remains a proud part of local history.
The Assembly NCRead more

Education

Four incoming Duke students bring backgrounds to campus this fall.
Ishani Oldham will study languages at Duke Kunshan, Matt Olson joins the engineering program after a career in military and emergency services, Jane Curry begins a climate and sustainability master’s track, and Elham Afzali will study economics and public policy.
Duke TodayRead more
Duke Human Resources is hosting Financial Fitness Week from Sept. 14-18 with 25 virtual sessions on budgeting, retirement planning, and saving strategies for staff and faculty; the series features new webinars on goal-setting and HSA investing and includes recorded sessions for year-round access.
Duke TodayRead more
A recent study shows that North Carolina schools hold back nearly one in five ninth graders—Durham schools report high rates.
Local magnet schools like A&T Four Middle College run summer programs to ease the transition for new students and improve graduation odds.
The Assembly NCRead more
Duke Law School Dean Kerry Abrams announced she will step down after the 2026-27 academic year — during her nearly nine-year tenure she expanded public interest law programs and record fundraising while she will oversee the school’s response to a DOJ investigation and a national search for her successor.
Duke ChronicleRead more
NASA astronaut Christina Koch visited Raleigh yesterday at the N.C. Department of Labor building on West Edenton Street to meet students and discuss her Artemis II journey and the importance of STEM careers.
Labor Commissioner Luke Farley recognized her contributions + the event encouraged future interest in science and technology.
ABC11Read more
North Carolina has expanded the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which sends free books each month to children from birth to age 5, statewide.
Local partners say the program honors Parton's legacy and helps kids learn to read.
ABC11Read more

Health

Durham EMS is strained by record-high 911 calls last fiscal year and is on track to break that record this year—resources are stretched and calls face delays of 30 to 34 minutes.
Director Mark Lockhart said the service is working to fill vacancies and improve response times, though challenges persist.
WRALRead more

Lifestyle

Shooters II Nightclub moved its college night from Wednesday to Thursday because attendance declined and profitability became a concern, and it will continue offering the $5 cover fee, beer pong, free buses, and new drink specials to keep Duke students enjoying a midweek social spot.
Duke ChronicleRead more

Good morning, Durham.

Durham’s Sugar Hill Records once released bluegrass albums by stars like Dolly Parton and helped launch many influential music careers.

Four incoming Duke students bring backgrounds to campus this fall.

A recent study shows that North Carolina schools hold back nearly one in five ninth graders—Durham schools report high rates.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch visited Raleigh yesterday at the N.C. Department of Labor building on West Edenton Street to meet students and discuss her Artemis II journey and the importance of STEM careers.

North Carolina has expanded the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which sends free books each month to children from birth to age 5, statewide.

Durham EMS is strained by record-high 911 calls last fiscal year and is on track to break that record this year—resources are stretched and calls face delays of 30 to 34 minutes.