Here is a look at today's local headlines:

In today's N&O and at www.thedurhamnews.com, Virginia Bridges reports the county denies claims made by former DSS director Gerri Robinson that she was fired becaise of racial discrimination. (See story here) The county's attorneys argue that elected and appointed officials can't be sued because of their governmental immunity. But Bridges also reports that the county is paying for an attorney to represent Commissioner Joe Bowser, whom Robinson has also sued in his capacity as a private individual. No word on what that's going to cost.

In The Durham News:

BENNETT PLACE TURNS 50: Jim Wise, a historian in his own right, previews this weekend's big celebration at Bennett Place, the Durham homestead that was the scene of the largest surrender of Confederate troops to end the Civil War.

FAIRIES, DRAGONS AND KNIGHTS, OH MY! Kestrel Heights English teacher Jeff Kass told me Renaissance fairs weren't fantastical enough for him. So he created his own. See my photos from the Festival Legends here.   

DUKE LAB TO MOVE INTO WEST VILLAGE: Correspondent Monica Chen reports on the latest puzzle piece falling into place in West Village. Construction on the Research Lab began in February.

Robert Wallace remembers the dogs in his life, Lamon Lilly praises the Bull City's Phonte Coleman, and Durham police have arrested a suspect in a homicide "cold case" that happened almost 12 years ago.  By the way, you can support the police and their work on behalf of the Special Olympics by eating at the Chik-Fil-A restaurants this Friday.  See photos from the Olympics on today's front page, too!

Thanks for reading,

Mark   

Phonte Coleman is one of several North Carolina Grammy nominees, and the only surprising thing is that he wasn't nominated as part of Little Brother. Instead, he scored with Foreign Exchange, nominated in the urban/alternative performance category. And heck yes, Coleman will be at tonight's ceremonies in Los Angeles to see if his name gets called.

"Oh yeah, we're goin'," he says. "It's my first time and I'm excited. But I'm also kinda ready for it to be over because it's a lot of preparation -- everything from parties to jam sessions to the right wardrobe. Finding just the right suit, youknowwhatI'msayin'? It's all a new experience for me, a lot to take in. God is good. I can't complain."

For more, including news about the end of Little Brother, see the story in Sunday's paper. Meantime, the Grammys air at 8 tonight. I'll be live-blogging the telecast, so do drop in.

First off, I'm sorry.

For the six of you who were expecting podcasts last week, there's a really good reason you didn't get any: I couldn't get anyone to put them up.

But, dang it, it's a new day, and I'm hoping I can get on track where I can give you several podcasts this week. And today's installment is a doozy. I talk to the overtalented Phonte Coleman, one-half of Little Brother and the Foreign Exchange and quite the exuberant podcaster in his own right. But he's also a to-the-point film critic as well, as anyone who has seen his "Movie in a Minute" YouTube clips can attest.

We discuss what films he finds "hard," why he won't invest his hard-earned money in "Transformers" (good man!), what's wrong with Hollywood and other film-related issues. I also beg him to give the N & O a shout on his podcast. As you can see, we need all the help we can get. You can also download it here.

TOMORROW (HOPEFULLY): That long-overdue podcast with the Chapel Hill guy.