Durham Rescue Mission Reaches $4.5 Million Fundraising Goal

The Durham Rescue Mission has reached its $4.5 million goal to expand the Christians homeless shelter. Groundbreaking will begin after the start of the year on the 34,000 shelter addition to include 88 additional beds and expansions to the kitchen and dining room.

Durham Food Truck Welcomes Guest Employee, Former *NSYNC Member

Durham food truck Chirba Chirba Dumpling will appear on the new reality series "My Family Recipe Rocks" hosted by former *NSYNC star Joey Fatone. The shoot included one day of dumpling prep at Durham food business incubator, The Cookery, and one with Fatone working the truck. "My Family Recipe Rocks" premieres on Jan. 14 on the Live Well network, part of the ABC Family and Disney.

NCCU Law Named as a Best School for Public Service

North Carolina Central University School of Law was named one of the best law schools for public service by The National Jurist. NCCU Law was recognized in both the prosecutor/public defender and public interest categories.

Duke Receives Largest Donation to Support Financial Aid in University History

Duke University trustee Bruce Karsh and his wife Martha donated $50 million to support need-based financial aid for undergraduate students, including international students. The gift is the largest donation made by individuals to support financial aid in the university's history.

Coach K Named Sports Illustrated's 2011 "Sportsman of the Year"

Sports Illustrated has named Duke's Coach Mike Krzyzewski its Sportsman of the Year for 2011. The honor comes less than a month after Coach K picked up his 903rd career victory to become the winningest coach in Division I men's basketball history.

Obama to Appoint Durham Architect to Commission of Fine Arts

President Obama has appointed Durham architect Phillip G. Freelon to a four-year term on the Commission of Fine Arts. Freelon is the founder and President of The Freelon Group and Professor of Practice at the MIT School of Architecture and Planning.

Durham Record Labels Garner Grammy Nominations

Durham-based record labels Marsalis Music and Merge Records have been nominated for Grammy Awards. Saxophonist Miquel Zenón has been nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble album for “Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook” which was released by Branford Marsalis' record label. The Arcade Fire's Merge Records release "The Suburbs - Deluxe Edition (Scenes from the Suburbs)" was nominated for Best Recording Package.