Hello, I’m Not Dead!

Fri., Oct. 29: A brief update from your prodigal newsletter-writer

Hi, friends.

So, when we last visited … um, 18 days ago … I mentioned that I was working on this story about Durham’s election, and I might go dark for a week or so while I finished reporting and writing it.

As it turns out, that was wishful thinking. I probably should have known that going in. The story became more complicated, more nuanced, and, well, longer. (I’d say how long, but the people who will edit it read this newsletter, and I don’t want to ruin their weekends. Heya, Kyle and John!) It also got better—and became a different story than I thought it was when I started on it.

God willing and the creek don’t rise, we’re planning to publish it on Thursday. It’s a story about Durham, but not about Durham. It’s also a story about violence and police and white supremacy and movement politics. I’m really proud of it—OK, so I’m still writing the last section, but you get the idea. I can say with certainty that it’s a deeper dive into a complicated subject than anyone in this region has done before.

And I think reporting the story changed my opinion on an issue. Check back with me on that later.

What this means to you: I will—honest—be back to newslettering next week. Probably Tuesday. After I recover from a Halloween party on Saturday. I’m An Old now; I get two-day hangovers.

Postscript: Those of you emailed wellness checks—thank you! I will be more conscientious about updating unplanned hiatuses in the future.

Happy Halloween! (Maybe I’ll post pics of my costume.)