April 16, 2026 — Thursday Edition

Happy Thursday, Durham! The dogwoods are putting on a SHOW right now, the Bulls are back at the DBAP, and one of the best documentary film festivals on the planet literally just kicked off in our backyard. It’s a good week to live here. Let’s get into it.

• Publix officially opened its new Durham location at 4628 Guess Road on April 11, and the place has been packed. The 41,744 sq ft store has a scratch bakery, full-service deli, meat and seafood counters, and a drive-thru pharmacy. If you’re up in North Durham, your grocery options just got a major upgrade — and yes, those Pub Subs are absolutely worth the hype. (The Shelby Report)

• RDU launched its first-ever nonstop flights to Dublin this week — five times a week on an Airbus 321XLR. That’s transatlantic route number five for our little airport that could. We’re talking direct access to Ireland in under 8 hours. Summer trip, anyone? (WRAL)

• Deputy Chief Walter Tate has been named Durham’s new interim police chief, effective May 1, following Chief Patrice Andrews’ retirement. Andrews has served the department for decades, and Tate steps into the role while the city continues its search for a permanent chief. Big shoes to fill. (WRAL)

• Community garden plots are in HIGH demand right now. With grocery prices up nearly 2% year-over-year, more Durhamites are getting their hands dirty — literally. Briggs Avenue Community Garden has a waitlist, and other plots across the city are filling up fast. We love this energy. (ABC11)

• Heads up if you drive through downtown: starting this week, eastbound Dillard Street is being detoured via Mangum, Morehead, and Roxboro as part of infrastructure work. It’s gonna be a little messy for a bit, but hey — better pipes for Bull City. (City of Durham)

The Durham food scene never sleeps, y’all. Here’s what’s new and what’s coming.

Gossip Tea Lounge opened April 7 at 5320 McFarland Dr in south Durham, bringing Vietnamese-inspired cafe vibes. Think boba, banh mi, and a chill space.

Tataco, a new Mexican spot, just opened at 620 Foster Street in the Durham Central Park area.

And the one we’re REALLY watching: M Hansik, a Korean fine-dining restaurant from chef Michael Lee, is targeting a May opening at 501 Washington St. at Wye Junction. (Hey Durham)

It’s baaaack. Full Frame — one of the most prestigious documentary film festivals in the entire country — is taking over downtown Durham RIGHT NOW through Sunday, April 19.

The festival is screening 49 films from 31 countries at the Carolina Theatre and other venues. Opening night tonight features “The Oldest Person in the World” by Sam Green. The closing film Sunday is “I Was Born This Way” by Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard.

Must-see films: Sara Dosa’s “Time and Water,” “Nuisance Bear,” “Kikuyu Island,” and “Remake.”

📅 April 16–19, 2026 | 📍 Carolina Theatre, 309 W Morgan St | Tickets | Full schedule

The Durham Bulls are in the middle of a homestand against the Norfolk Tides (April 14-19):

Tonight (April 16) — Bark in the Park 🐕 | Friday (April 17) — Fireworks 🎆 | Saturday (April 18) — Champ the Bat Dog | Sunday (April 19) — Kids Run the Bases

📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St | milb.com/durham

🎨 Third Friday Art Walk — April 17, 6–9 PM

🎸 Cut Worms at Motorco — Saturday, April 18

😂 Bert Kreischer at DPAC — Saturday, April 18

💃 Spring Contra Dance — Saturday, April 18, 5–8 PM at Duke Campus Farm

🥬 Durham Farmers’ Market — Saturday, 8 AM–Noon

🌸 Sarah P. Duke Gardens — Open daily, free admission

Mid-70s days, low 50s nights. Perfect spring weather. Pollen is bonkers though. 77% of NC is in severe drought — water early and mulch everything.

The Duke Chronicle on Full Frame bringing the world to Durham | Indy Week on this year’s themes | Durham Magazine on the $30M Garden Gateway project

501 Washington Street is turning into a legit food and drink destination. M Hansik + Timber Pizza + Atomic Clock Brewing. By summer, one of the hottest blocks in Durham.

Shoutout to everyone getting their hands dirty in a community garden plot. That’s not just gardening. That’s community. That’s Durham.

If you’re heading to Full Frame this weekend, appreciate that a documentary film festival of this caliber calls Durham home. Not New York. Not LA. Durham, North Carolina. We’re lucky to be here.

See y’all out there this weekend. 💙

Made with ❤ in Durham, NC