The "In Touch with Durham County Government Show" provides governmental programming and access to your local government and provides timely, ongoing coverage of Durham County Government through the Government Access Television program.

"In Touch with Durham County," airs on DTN (Durham Television Network)/ Cable Channel 97-5, Spectrum channel 8 and can be watched on demand at http://www.dconc.gov/index.aspx?page=60.

Durham County Communications Chief Deborah Craig-Ray hosts for the show.

The purpose of the show is to share relevant, timely information from Durham County community partner agencies, as well as provide interviews with elected officials, county department heads and key staff.

Current Show Details

The December 2024 show sees us talk with Durham County Tax Administrator Keyar Doyle about how Durham County is reappraising real property – something required by North Carolina law for all 100 counties at least once every eight years. This is Durham County’s first reappraisal since 2019. Going forward, the county will reappraise property every four years, to make the process more equitable, predictable, and manageable for everyone.

Watch it here:

We hope you enjoy the show!

If you have any questions, please reach out to publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov. 

Past episodes of the "In Touch with Durham County Government Show": 

The October 2024 edition sees us welcome Durham County Elections Director Derek Bowens to talk about the 2024 General Election.

On the June 2024 episode, Register of Deeds Sharon Davis joins us to discuss her office's duties, as well as chat about the Hacking into History project, which was facilitated by Assistant Register of Deeds James Tabron. 

On the May 2024 episode, we welcome Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead to discuss several new initiatives, gun safety, and how his Office is addressing crime and violence in our community. In segment two, Executive Director of Senior PharmAssist Gina Upchurch who explains how new federal law changes can help our seniors manage the costs of certain prescriptions and more. 

On the April 2024 episode, we welcome Kathleen Lockwood from the Durham County Women’s Commission to discuss the commission's pivotal role in championing the welfare and rights of women across the community and Durham County Agriculture Development Coordinator Sherry Scully will talk about the Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program's essential role in endorsing sustainable farming practices and invigorating the local agricultural sector.

On the March 2024 episode, we welcome Durham Sports Commission Executive Director Marcus Manning to discuss the economic and social impact being made by the Commission and Durham County Cooperative Extension Director Donna Rewalt will talk all about how her agency is going beyond its original, traditional areas of focus.

The February 2024 episode welcomes Tax Administrator Keyar Doyle to discuss the Tax Administration Department and Durham County Elections Director Derek Bowens will talk all about the upcoming Primary and Election, as well as other important voting information!

For the January 2024 show, Craig-Ray takes us on a journey through 2023 by revisiting all of our guests, highlighting important Durham County Government initiatives and more! 

In December 2023, we welcomed Department of Social Services Director Maggie Cveticanin and retiring Office of Emergency Services Director Jim Groves.

We have a special edition of "In Touch," featuring Downtown Durham, Inc., CEO and President Nicole Thompson, who was awarded the inaugural Andrea Harris Leadership Award during Durham's MED Week celebration in the fall.

For November 2023, we welcome Durham County Department of Public Health Director Rod Jenkins and Deidre Gonzales, Durham County Human Resources Manager for Benefits and Talent Acquisition.

In October, Commissioner Nida Allam and County Manager Dr. Kimberly J. Sowell to talk about the DCo Thrives: Counties for a Guaranteed Income pilot program.

In September's episode, hosts Craig-Ray and Howerton talk about some current events in the County in segment one, while welcoming Durham County Transportation Manager Ellen Beckmann in segment two. 

In the July episode, we welcome Durham County Library Director Tammy Baggett-Best and Durham County Public Health Education Specialist Donna Rosser. 

For June, we have Derek Bowens, Elections Director for Durham County, and Durham County Attorney Al Andrews, joining us!

In May's episode, we welcome guests Ryan Eaves, Manager of the Durham County Stormwater and Erosion Control Division, and Patience Mukelabai, Program Manager for Welcome Baby. 

In the April 2023 edition, we welcome Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead for the entire episode.

In the March 2023 show, our guests are Criminal Justice Resource Center Assistant Director Roshanna Parker and Solid Waste, Recycling and Litter Control Program Manager Chrissie Koroivui.

In the February 2023 episode, we welcome Durham County Department of Public Health Education Program Manager Jaeson Smith and Project BUILD Supervisor Arkeem Brooks.

In the January 2023 edition of ITWDC, Craig-Ray delivers a special episode dedicating the entire show to a review of events, programs, and people that made 2022 a great year in Durham County!

In this December 2022 episode we welcome Durham County’s Economic Development Director Andy Miracle and Durham County Chief Emergency Manager Elizabeth Schroeder.

The November 2022 edition of Durham County Public Information Office’s “In Touch with Durham County” show we welcome Durham County Food Security Coordinator Mary Oxendine and Veteran Services Office Jonathan Crooms.

Looking for information on the 2022 General Obligation Bond Referendum? Look no further than the October 2022 episode of In Touch. We welcome Durham Public Schools Superintendent Pascal Mubenga and Board of Education Chair Bettina Umstead, J.B. Buxton, President of Durham Technical Community College, and Carrie Heinonen, President and CEO of the Museum of Life and Sciences, to discuss the bonds and provide information for voters to make an informed decision when casting their ballots.

In the September 2022 episode, we welcome Board of County Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton back on the show for the first time since early 2021. She discusses the work of the historic all-female BOCC.

In the July 2022 show, Dr. Mehul Mankad, Psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer for Alliance Health, joins us!

In our June 2022 episode, host Craig-Ray welcomes our new Durham County Manager Dr. Kimberly J. Sowell for the entire informative and engaging episode! 

In the May 2022 show, we welcome Durham County Human Resources Business Systems and Operations Manager Dara Richardson and Kids Voting Durham's Carolyn Krueger. 

In the April 2022 episode, Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Wendy Jacobs and Durham City-County Inspections Director Thomas Hosey visit the show!

In the March 2022 show, Craig-Ray welcomes Commissioner Heidi Carter and Clerk to the Board Monica Wallace to talk about all things BOCC. 

In the February 2022, we have Durham County Elections Director Derek Bowens talking 2022 elections and Durham County Department of Public Health Communications and Public Relations Manager Dr. Alecia Smith will discuss communications and education efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the December 2021/January 2022 episode, Craig-Ray presents a Year in Review for Durham County in 2021. This was the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we talk about how Durham County Government is managing through this period, providing programs and services for all residents. 

In the November 2021 episode, we welcome Durham County Commissioner Nimasheena Burns and President and CEO of the Carolina Small Business Development Fund Kevin Dick. 

Our October 2021 show sees Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead sit down for the entire episode to talk about all things DCSO. 

In the September 2021 show, Commissioner Nida Allam joins us for her first appearance on the show as well as Durham County Library Director Tammy-Baggett-Best. 

In July 2021, host Deborah Craig-Ray welcomes Dr. Mehul Mankad, Chief Medical Officer for Alliance Health, for a special one-guest show.

For our June 2021 show, we welcome back frequent visitor Rod Jenkins, Director of the Durham County Department of Public Health, and have Gina Upchurch, the CEO of Senior PharmAssist on for the first time!

On the May 2021 episode, we welcome Tobin Freid, Durham County's Sustainability Manager and Mark Lockhart, Durham County's Chief Paramedic.

For the April 2021 show, we get a visit from first-timer Cate Elander, Durham County Early Childhood Coordinator and show regular Derek Bowens, Elections Director of the Durham County Board of Elections. 

Joining us for the March 2021 episode of In Touch, where we welcome Dr. Linda Chappel, Senior Vice President of the Triangle Area Child Care Resources & Referral Services and Cooperative Extension Director Donna Rewalt. 

In the February 2021 episode, we welcome Ben Rose, Director of the Durham County Department of Social Services, and the County's first Racial Equity Officer Kweli Rashied-Henry!

The January 2021 episode is our first show of the New Year. In it, Craig-Ray welcomes Board of County Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton and DCo Public Health Director Rod Jenkins. 

Other editions of the show can be found on the Durham County YouTube channel. 

Board of County Commissioner Meetings

The Durham Board of County Commissioners’ Regular Sessions are aired live at 7 p.m. on second and fourth Mondays, unless otherwise scheduled, on Durham County Television, Spectrum Channel 8.  The meetings are rebroadcast at different times during the month.

To view webcasts of the Durham County Government Show or the Durham Board of County Commissioners meetings, follow the link below:

• The Live and Archived Media Library

 

For more information about the Government Access Cable Channel, you can contact Deborah Craig-Ray, dcraig-ray@dconc.gov