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The sweeping Democratic victories across the South in the 2026 midterm elections mark a significant change in Southern and national politics, raising new questions about the political shifts that have shaped American elections for decades. We're revisiting this 2021 Facing South interview with political scientist Angie Maxwell on the “Long Southern Strategy” to reflect on today's political realignment and the coalitions and organizing that may be shaping it. Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/ememKKxW #Midterms2026 #Democracy

Read Benjamin Barber's new essay in Southern Cultures where he writes about the persistence of everyday people in the fight for democracy in the South. "Democracy at its best is understood not as a set of rigid institutions but a lived social ethic that is cultivated through collective action, solidarity, and sustained civic engagement. The South has historically demonstrated both the challenges and possibilities of sustaining a vibrant democratic life. By examining historical and contemporary examples of the southern freedom movement, the region’s struggles offer lasting lessons for defending and reimagining democracy in the twenty-first century" https://lnkd.in/gPDWSAGR

Two years after Hurricane Helene, questions remain about the federal response in western North Carolina. The storm damaged or destroyed more than 70,000 homes and left an estimated $60 billion in damage and recovery needs. Our investigation found that 12 of 17 hard-hit counties reported no records of U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley engaging with them about Helene recovery. https://lnkd.in/eTWE-RD7

Our executive director Chris Kromm recently appeared on Headlights: Voices from the Progressive South! Chris discusses his investigation into the Trump administration’s failure to follow through on promises to help Western North Carolina communities recover from Hurricane Helene and what it means for communities facing increasingly climate-fueled disasters. Tune in to hear more about Helene’s aftermath and what it means for communities across the country: https://lnkd.in/epdKxTe5

Durham Dreams brought together 150+ people this weekend to envision a safer and more just future for the city. This story also highlights our research on how Durham's wealthy institutions can ensure better jobs, schools and housing. Institute for Southern Studies, a research and education center, produced a series of fall reports examining housing, quality of jobs and school funding across Durham from information including census data and worker surveys. The contents of the reports, which were available at the event’s check-in, have been used as empirical backing for some of Durham Rising’s demands. Chris Kromm, executive director of the institute, felt that Durham Rising’s efforts in calling for higher wages and investments are “really critical” in preventing further divides between incoming resources to Durham and the experience of local people." “Durham is this growing, prosperous place and really what our data was showing is that there’s so many people that are falling behind amid this growing wealth,” Kromm said. https://lnkd.in/eKzKjizt

As housing costs soar beyond what many workers can afford, a new Institute for Southern Studies report finds that Durham’s largest employers and institutions can help close the gap. https://lnkd.in/eNyUgMaU