Highlights about Technology

The Durham City Council wrestles with renewing an Axon surveillance technology contract, weighing AI safeguards, civilian oversight, data control, and competing visions of public safety while hearing sharply divided public comments. The council also reviews rising election costs and considers major charter changes—including ward representation, term lengths, voting methods, and even-year elections—alongside updates on homelessness strategy and industrial pollution at a long‑running Brenntag site.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners weighs whether to sell Millhouse Road parkland for a nonprofit sports complex or reserve part for affordable housing, ultimately advancing a revised sale solicitation focused on recreation. Later, the board raises environmental and equity concerns about large data centers and unanimously schedules a hearing on a one‑year moratorium and new regulations.

The Durham County Board of Commissioners creates a new Mangum Fire Protection Service District to fund long-uncompensated fire services and approves moving the county’s core operations from SAP to a new Oracle ERP system. The board also raises concerns about rising jail healthcare costs, Duke Energy rate proposals tied to data centers, and invites residents to support local hunger relief at an upcoming community walk.

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education hears stark testimony on mold, freezing classrooms, and unanswered questions about a reported child-restraint incident before turning to summer learning plans, one-to-one student devices, and whether a $4.6 million annual tech refresh is sustainable. Board members and staff also wrestle with shrinking enrollment, rising costs, charter growth, and how to boost classified pay while keeping schools repaired and students equipped to learn.