Durham’s progressive city council backed its police chief after a controversial post on her private Facebook account following the death of Charlie Kirk. The incident demonstrates the power of social media to raise controversies in potentially nonrepresentative ways and how vague policies on public employees’ free speech leave much of the decision on how to respond to controversial speech up to city leaders.
Read MoreThe recent murders of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte and popular political personality Charlie Kirk have resulted in heightened questions about the prioritization of public safety in America. These two stories have largely developed state and national politicians’ stances around how our nation needs to handle crime moving forward, resulting in fierce party-line attacks. In North Carolina specifically, politicians such as Governor Josh Stein and House Representative Tim Moore have clashed on the most effective ways to prevent and mitigate violent crime. These ideological confrontations can stifle legislative progress, and must be reconciled to the extent possible for any significant progress to be made.
Read MoreThe future of education, and by extension, the workforce and governance, depends on whether policymakers choose to confront historic inequities directly. The question is not simply who gets admitted or what type of people are hired, but what kind of society we are choosing to build.
Read MoreWith Emergency Use Authorizations rescinded for COVID-19 boosters, responsibility for vaccinating the public now falls to the states. Some, including North Carolina, are attempting to expand access; others are not.
Read MoreFollowing the devastation of Hurricane Helene, President Trump claimed that FEMA’s efforts were “a disaster.” This statement is not entirely false, as FEMA undoubtedly needs reform. Hurricane Helene was a true test of the organization’s capabilities, and it ultimately failed. However, the solution does not lie in abolishing the whole organization, as this will not make disaster relief any more efficient, much less equitable.
Read MoreNorth Carolina’s 2026 Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive—and unpredictable—contests in the country. With high-profile contenders emerging in both parties and a vulnerable incumbent caught between factions, the outcome will depend heavily on who actually enters the race.
Read MoreOn April 3rd, UNC announced that Chris Clemens would be stepping down from his position as the university’s provost. Jim Dean, former provost, will replace Clemens as an interim provost, effective May 17th.
Read MoreEven with North Carolina being historically one of the country’s top basketball programs, it inevitably has and will continue to see some challenges when it comes to NIL deals.
Read MoreThe Senate is the clearest path forward for Cooper, but his political prospects are wide open. Whether he runs for a third term as governor, the Senate, or the presidency, he will likely find widespread support among North Carolina Democrats, who remember his defense of public education and efforts to expand Medicaid as governor fondly.
Read MoreWhile the details of the case remain ambiguous, a series of Associated Press interviews, court order reviews, and online posts show how a group of young, intelligent people met online, shared radical beliefs, and became increasingly violent — eventually culminating in six deaths across three states all believed to be tied to their group, the “Zizians.”
Read MoreNorth Carolina public schools lost tens of millions in federal grant funding in February and March due to the Trump Administration’s ban on programs suspected of engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Read MoreFoushee, who assumed office on January 3rd, 2024, acts as Chapel Hill’s current voice in Washington, representing North Carolina’s 4th congressional district. Compared to other nearby cities, Chapel Hill voters tend to lean more liberal, aligning with Foushee’s role as a Democratic House Representative. As a woman of color and Chapel Hill native, Foushee is best known for championing and amplifying causes such as protecting minority rights and education reform, among many others. When it comes to her vision for the future of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, there are a few key legislative issues she seeks to prioritize through the remainder of her term.
Read MoreAs of Wednesday, February 5th, the UNC System is no longer mandating course requirements for classes dealing with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). All general education and major-specific DEI graduation requirements besides the FC-POWER focus capacity have been suspended, reshaping how certain courses fit into students’ degree plans. Although FC-POWER is yet to be completely cut out from the curriculum given that the shift is so fresh, university leadership has suggested that further changes might be on the horizon.
Read MoreIn the last legislative session, House Republicans overrode 29 of Governor Cooper’s vetoes. Now, no override will occur unless Democrats are persuaded to work with Republicans or if a Democrat is absent during a General Assembly vote.
Read MoreOn November 5th, 2024, Allison Riggs was reelected to the NC Supreme Court with a narrow victory of 734 out of 5.5 million votes. Shortly after, Jefferson Griffin sued the North Carolina State Board of Elections, claiming that roughly 66,000 votes should be discounted from the total.
Read MoreIn the 2024 general election, North Carolina overall experienced decreased voter turnout compared to record numbers in 2020. National trends reflect a similar slight decrease in voter turnout this year, with a one-percent reduction between 2020 and 2024. Orange County evaded such a decrease and voter turnout was nearly the same as in 2020.
Read MoreLast month, the Chapel Hill Town Council agreed to participate in planning the Co-Gen Rail Transformation Project alongside Orange County and Carrboro. This project aims to convert a 10-mile rail line into a multimodal greenway that would bring economic and environmental benefits. Still, it is currently limited by UNC’s reliance on the coal the rail line provides.
Read MoreWhile the deadline for voter registration in North Carolina ended on October 11, 2024, the effort to increase voter turnout continues as we near election day. Early voting began in NC on October 17, 2024, and will end at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Read MoreAs public transportation is expanding in North Carolina, the Triangle, especially our local Chapel Hill area, has made great advancements in making public transportation accessible for all riders. With the new options that have come with the reinstating of ride fares, there are options for all age groups to ride for free.
Read MoreFor generations, public universities have served as a hotbed of political activity and particularly, UNC-Chapel Hill. At a public university with a largely left-leaning student body ina swing state that has the ability to decide the election, student groups are more active than ever.
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