Carolina Connection

Some North Carolina cities are helping restaurants and bars rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating social drinking districts. The arrest of a Carolina student sparks outrage across campus. UNC's Hussman School of Journalism and Media welcomes a new dean who hopes to address diversity concerns. A rare trip to Boone for the Tar Heel football team has led to high ticket prices. Seniors are excited to experience their first normal semester in three years.

An electric cyclist lost his life in a traffic accident at a Franklin Street intersection in late January. The tragedy has sparked a debate around bike safety in Chapel Hill. Meanwhile, even before the January accident, town leaders were working on new road improvement projects to make walking and biking safer for residents. It's part of an initiative called “Vision Zero.” The town adopted the plan in October with the goal of reducing  traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2031. Carolina Connection reporters Elijah Imlay and Brianna Atkinson talk with Jayda Williams about the latest developments.

The public can now see the controversial images that led UNC to cancel an exhibition by a local photographer. In February, UNC leaders abruptly canceled an exhibition by Durham photographer Cornell Watson that documented Black life and Black activism in Chapel Hill. They said some of the images detracted from the message of “reverence” for the Black community that they hoped the exhibition would convey. Watson called the decision censorship. His photos are now on display at the Chapel Hill Public Library. Carolina Connection reporter Jade Wilson talks with Jayda Williams about the controversy.

UNC administrators have been reading faculty members' emails, but it's still not clear which faculty members were targeted. A new report finds politics have a heavy influence on UNC System governance. A program seeks to help people who were incarcerated re-enter society. Graduating seniors look for jobs – and homes. As students take their final exams after a turbulent semester, parents gather to show their love.

In February, though, Coursicle app users began receiving push notifications that said things like “Twitter dies today” or asked for nude photos. At one point, it displayed a large photo of Mark Zuckerberg with a vulgar insult. At first, many users thought Coursicle had been hacked, but Coursicle founder Joe Puccio - a 2016 UNC grad - soon admitted he was the one responsible. Carolina Connection's Sierra Pfeifer talked with Puccio, and she discusses the story with Jayda Williams.

Students and community members are hoping to get answers and closure after the U.S. Department of Justice reopened an investigation into the 1970 campus killing of James Cates, a Black Chapel Hill resident. UNC is scheduled to launch a new School of Data Science and Society. Kickstarter offers an alternative to traditional funding for minority-owned businesses. UNC students can study Cherokee and participate in the preservation of a dying language. Seniors climb UNC's famous bell tower to celebrate the end of their time at Carolina.

UNC students and community activists held a climate strike March 25. Students demanded that the UNC system transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The Chapel Hill demonstration coincided with Fridays For Future, a global youth-led movement in support of climate action that sponsored sister strikes in Raleigh and Durham. Zachary Turner talks about it with Jayda Williams on this edition of the Carolina Connection podcast.

Fans welcomed home UNC's men's basketball team following their loss in the NCAA national championship game. UNC has blocked access to Coursicle after the company's owner - a UNC grad - posted vulgar messages and sent unusual notifications to users of the app. School systems in the Triangle have had to adjust to rising gas prices. UNC is working to improve its response to mental health crises, but students say much more needs to be done. Meditation, journaling, and deep breathing are typical go-to methods for stress relief… but what about screaming?

As UNC prepares to face Duke in the Final Four, Carolina Connection's Daniel Myrick talks with fans at the team hotel in New Orleans. Franklin Street businesses prepare for record-breaking crowds for the big game. More people died in traffic accidents last year than any other year in two decades, due in large part to distracted driving. An accident that killed an electric cyclist on Franklin Street has sparked a debate around bike safety. Homeschooling is on the rise since the pandemic. Who do you root for if you take classes at UNC and Duke? That's the dilemma facing duel-enrolled Robertson Scholars.

After a decades-long, largely successful public health campaign against smoking, 2020 hit, and cigarette sales went up for the first time in 20 years. Now, anecdotal evidence is pointing researchers in the direction of a trend: A new generation of young adults may be among those smoking more. Sophia Ramirez talks with Jayda Williams about this trend.

Students protest against the UNC System for its use of fossil fuels to power its campuses. Student organizations address food insecurity on campus. UNC faculty and staff document their pandemic experiences by decorating postcards. A student-run art gallery takes a dive into the metaverse. Pickleball becomes one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

UNC students and faculty react to their first week on campus without an indoor mask mandate. The Town of Chapel Hill hopes a new safety initiative will keep bikers and pedestrians safer. Experts say North Carolina is “the epicenter” of gerrymandering disputes, and a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision isn't likely to change that. Women's collegiate sports are starting to get more airtime on national television. A popular Franklin Street bar tries to revitalize Chapel Hill's comedy scene.

For the first time in two years, UNC students will be able to go to class without masks. The university is dropping its indoor mask mandate effective Monday. Some students are pushing for UNC to create more gender-neutral restrooms. As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, the UNC community showed its support for the Ukrainian people. The 24-hour recycling center at University Place will close at the end of May because the owners plan to redevelop the property. "Creek Week" organizers hope to teach residents about the importance of local waterways.

A photographer says he's being censored after UNC leaders abruptly canceled an exhibition that documented Black life and Black activism in Chapel Hill. The UNC System is lifting its mask mandate, but UNC-Chapel Hill won't follow suit until Orange County also drops its mask rule. As Russia attacks Ukraine, a Ukrainian professor at UNC is both trying to keep up with relatives at home and educate students about the invasion. Some UNC students say the recognition of Black culture should go beyond the month of February. The Carolina Beekeeping Club is buzzing with participants in its second annual “Bee School.”

Though Orange County says its mask mandate will remain in place for now, some students aren't complying with the campus mask requirement. After several recent accidents, Chapel Hill police are stepping up their pedestrian safety efforts. 2020 saw cigarette sales increase for the first time in 20 years, with anecdotal evidence suggesting young adults may be among those smoking more. In Carrboro, a trans woman tattoo artist is proudly working in a white-male dominated industry. A UNC program is engaging undergraduates in discussions of race, racism, and racial equity.

Orange County has implemented a new bail policy to prevent people from spending days in jail because they can't afford to post bond. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that challenges UNC's admissions policy, which could change how colleges consider race in admissions. A Black History Month exhibit in the student union displays student art that celebrates activism. Three UNC students have opened a coffee shop on Franklin St. Dean Dome "hypeman" B Daht hopes to bring energy and positivity to basketball games.

UNC classes that started the semester remotely are starting to transition back to in person instruction. Unlike in previous semesters during the pandemic, UNC is not offering readily accessible isolation dorms for students affected by or exposed to COVID-19. Library officials have reduced hours because COVID infections have increased staff absences. Four of UNC's community engagement centers have formed a partnership. A Duke student has designed a free archive of previous Wordle games. The end of an era brings an opportunity to shape the storied Duke-UNC rivalry, as Coach K visits Chapel Hill one last time.

UNC renames two campus buildings to honor underrepresented alumni. It's exam season and some students say they're feeling more stressed than ever before. UNC will add a wellness day to the spring 2022 calendar and make them a permanent part of future semesters. A shortage of the medication Naloxone could make it harder to save people from drug overdoses. Students show off their skills at a new high-tech gaming arena on campus. A UNC student writes a musical about his OCD. 

UNC holds a daylong summit to address campus mental health, and speakers pressure the university to put more resources into keeping students healthy. Student volunteers keep UNC's COVID-19 testing center running. Using tests they developed, Duke researchers found elevated levels of lead contamination in the soil in Durham. While more women are serving as judges in North Carolina, they still face barriers to entry. Esteemed UNC professor Bland Simpson's latest work, North Carolina: Land of Water, Land of Sky, shares stories of places and people. It's mid-November; is it too early to start decorating for the holiday season?

UNC plans to transform one of the busiest blocks in Chapel Hill and demolish the building that houses some longtime Franklin St. businesses. A new study is telling us more about how recovering college students manage their struggle with alcohol. For the first time in more than a year, the Smith Center is welcoming full-capacity crowds. A UNC alum is competing on The Bachelorette  It's fall in Chapel Hill, and falling acorns are driving some UNC students nuts. A team of UNC alumni is hoping to win an Oscar.

The UNC community is mourning the loss of Senior Katherine Acierno, who was hit by a car last week while she was crossing the street in Greenville. After multiple student suicides, UNC officials say they're trying to respond to a greatly increased need for mental health resources. With the help of the UNC law school, Army veteran John Spencer receives his Purple Heart 50 years after serving in Vietnam. After a two-year hiatus, the audio/visual dance party known as Office Hours is returning to the Cat's Cradle. 

Crowds and COVID-19 are two of the scariest things that could hit Franklin Street this year, according to Chapel Hill officials. The Chapel Hill municipal election is Tuesday, and this year features a competitive mayor's race. Political signs pop up everywhere during election season, yet some studies say they don't actually make a difference. UNC researchers are studying the impact of climate change on sea turtles. UNC students have added a twist to the campus tradition of taking bricks from sidewalks; they're now painting the bricks and returning them. 

As UNC grieves multiple student suicides, university leaders are weighing how to best support students through tragedy. Some UNC community members say the mental health services on campus are inadequate for students in need. After Chancellor Guskiewicz cancelled classes for a "wellness day," parents rallied at UNC with a message of love for students. UNC students and faculty have begun getting COVID-19 booster shots. YikYak is back, but the app's anonymous posting feature and its troubled past are raising concerns. The N.C. State Fair - back after a year off for the pandemic - is a place where homegrown apples get to shine.

A recent count found that homelessness in Orange County increased more than 40 percent during the pandemic. UNC is making deep cuts to the library budget, sparking concern from researchers and faculty. The Class of 2020 gets its long delayed graduation ceremony. Student beekeepers try to make the campus friendlier too pollinators. Brands are paying students to go viral on TikTok.

The American Association of University Professors plans to investigate political interference in the UNC System. The Chapel Hill Police Department starts a new program designed to find out which bars and restaurants are serving people who later drive drunk. A new class registration system tries to end registration-day panic for students signing up for popular classes. Two students have started a doughnut business as a unique way to carry out their religious faith. A UNC student is a gold medal winner in the 2021 Paralympic games.

The Faith Hedgepeth murder case has sparked a broader discussion of violence against Indigenous women. UNC housekeepers struggle to do their jobs amid COVID-19 and staffing problems. Amid controversy, UNC's Hussman School of Journalism and Media seeks a new dean. Despite "high anxiety" on campus, Chancellor Guskiewicz says he's confident about UNC's COVID response. Mushroom foragers find delicacies in the most unlikely places. Paperhand Puppets are back, exploring themes of renewal in the pandemic.

Chapel Hill Police have announced an arrest in the 2012 killing of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth, but the investigation has just begun. UNC students continue to push for a COVID-19 vaccinate mandate, but UNC System President Peter Hans is deferring to state health officials. Smoke shops and hemp stores are selling Delta-8 - a legalized version of the psychoactive compound in marijuana. After two years, members of the UNC Campus Safety Commission decided to disband, saying their recommendations are being ignored. Two UNC juniors create a support group for people with OCD. Now that student athletes can profit off their name, image and likeness, some Chapel Hill small businesses are signing them to endorsement deals.

UNC remembers the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. For many student veterans, the anniversary has special meaning. North Carolina is expanding a program that help community college students finish their teaching degrees at UNC System schools. Protesters hold a "Vaccinate UNC Now" rally to demand a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students. 22 Chapel Hill restaurants have closed during the pandemic, and others have tried to adapt to stay alive. UNC upperclassmen want the first floor of Davis Library to be loud again.

UNC students are back on campus, but without a vaccine mandate, some people are wary about returning to full-capacity classrooms. Some UNC students who've sought weekend COVID-19 tests on campus have faced high fees and limited availability. Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Student Body President Lamar Richards engage in a strongly-worded exchange about whether UNC is doing enough to keep the campus safe from COVID-19. UNC libraries are eliminating overdue fines for most items, hoping to make their collections more accessible to everybody. First-year and sophomore students work to find their niche at Carolina. A Franklin Street cafe is expanding, despite opening just before the pandemic hit.

UNC seniors are stressed about finding employment after they graduate because of how COVID-19 is affecting the job market. Some LGBTQ student of color at UNC have created their own spaces after they've felt excluded from mainstream on-campus groups. North Carolina is gaining a 14th seat in Congress. The Chapel Hill Town Council has declared a climate emergency and developed a climate change action plan. Summer is going to be the season of the cicada. Two Broadway professionals traded in stage lights for light fixtures as they started a business to renovate RVs.

Some North Carolinians view Derek Chauvin's conviction as a step forward in police accountability but want to see more criminal justice reform. Women are questioning their safety after incidents of harassment on Franklin Street. UNC announces a climate action plan which aims to have net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder struggle with pandemic-related stress. Virtual proctoring is becoming the new normal for people who take tests during remote learning. UNC's Athletic Director launches a video series to discuss collegiate athlete compensation. Movie fans are heading back to theaters.

A new study finds student loan debt continues to purge graduates' wallets well into their adult lives. UNC suggests new names for campus buildings that previously honored white supremacists. University administrators are hoping for a full in-person campus in the fall. UNC has stopped administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines, forcing students to find other options. From pick-up games to video games, intramural sports at UNC have gone virtual to keep people connected and active. One student-run theater group held in its first in-person performance in more than a year.

On this edition of the Carolina Connection Podcast, Asian Americans in the Triangle reflect on the history of racism in the United States as they share their personal stories and offer ideas on how to fight for a more just and equitable future.

Hubert Davis makes history as the first Black head coach of a major revenue sport at UNC, but he faces an uncertain roster with several key players transferring out or entering the NBA draft. A recent study shows Black first-years are struggling with their mental health at a higher rate than their classmates. Health experts are debunking COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories. North Carolina's drag culture creates a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Sets of siblings at UNC are struggling to differentiate themselves from the family members they can't seem to escape, even in college.

UNC men's basketball coach Roy Williams announces his retirement after 33 seasons in Division One basketball. Williams said he takes personal responsibility for his team's struggles the past few years and felt he was no longer the right man for the job. This announcement shocked many in Chapel Hill and left Tar Heel fans wondering who would fill Williams' sneakers. Also this week, UNC opens an on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic. A new study is examining what life could look like once more people are vaccinated. UNC students reflect on one year of remote learning as they hope to returning to a normal campus experience in the fall. Students share how they'll spend their last day off before finals.

UNC is planning to open an on-campus vaccination site for students and staff. Asian American members of the UNC community shared their stories of racism during a year that's seen a sharp increase in hate crimes. Despite successive mass shootings, gun legislation faces an uphill battle in Congress. After a year without performances, the UNC Marching Tar Heels are preparing to make their debut. A drama professor's play about a pioneering Black journalist is premiering virtually at PlayMakers Repertory Company. Members of the Class of 2020 are angry because of UNC's plans to celebrate them with a "reunion" instead of a full commencement. Resident advisers are struggling to create community on a socially-distanced campus.

Indoor bars are now allowed to open in North Carolina, but some health experts and residents say it's still not safe. A new UNC study finds first-year students are struggling with mental health issues because of social isolation and distance learning. Losing a loved one is always tough, but it's become especially difficult for people who couldn't say goodbye because of the pandemic. Dairy farmers are trying to survive in an industry that was already barely hanging on before COVID-19. In North Carolina, women are still underrepresented in politics despite national strides in equality. Not only can a mask protect you from COVID-19, but it might shield against seasonal allergies.

North Carolina opens COVID-19 vaccine appointments to essential workers, including UNC employees and many students. However, people with chronic illness and other risk factors have to wait a few more weeks. Despite more vaccine accessibility, some people are still skeptical about getting the shot. Healthcare works bear the mental weight of being on front line fighting the pandemic. While an unprecedented number of women are serving in government, systemic barriers prevent gender equality. As if the pandemic weren't scary enough while you're awake, it's now also invading people's dreams.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School parents are struggling with whether to send their kids back to school in-person. UNC's new student body president promises to give marginalized students a voice. This year marks the 45th celebration of Black History Month, but some members of the UNC community say more can be done. The Carrboro Town Council recognizes the artists of two Black Lives Matter murals. Carrboro High School students launch a podcast featuring Black student voices. As gyms reopen, some people don't feel comfortable returning to their workout routines. A UNC student made a surprising scientific discovery while taking a walk around campus.

COVID-19 has created challenges for people who are struggling with eating disorders. UNC's mental health wellness days give students a break from the pressures of attending college during the pandemic. The UNC System Board of Governors raises student fees and tuition for some students. A study finds that the key to getting people to wear masks may be positive reinforcement. A Raleigh group is opening a high school to help teenagers overcome drug addiction while earning their diplomas. The UNC baseball team welcomes a new coach in a season that could be overshadowed by COVID-19. A brightly-colored visitor surprised some bird watchers when it appeared in the Tar Heel state.

Students who rushed Franklin St. after the UNC/Duke basketball game defend the celebration, as others raise questions about safety and privilege. UNC is investigating hundreds of possible violations to the COVID-19 community standards as a result of the celebration. Several members of the men's basketball team who were caught partying maskless following the game will face internal discipline, but no suspensions. Meanwhile, a group of UNC faculty is calling for Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz' resignation for his handling of the Silent Sam settlement. Students now volunteering at COVID-19 testing centers. We hear how singles and people in pandemic relationships plan to mark Valentine's Day.

UNC is planning extra health and safety precautions for spring semester, but some students and faculty are concerned about the return to in-person classes. Students may face difficult housing choices if they come back to campus in January. In federal court this month, UNC is defending itself from a lawsuit that claims the admission process discriminates against white and Asian-American applicants. North Carolina voters cemented the state's status as a political battleground in presidential elections. Churches in Chapel Hill are still worshiping, but some are doing it by live streaming and moving their services outside.

As the 2020 election results come in, UNC students reflect on casting their ballots, some for the first time in a presidential election. In North Carolina and other battleground states, young voters showed up to the polls at a higher rate than in 2016. Election experts discuss voter turnout and partisan divides. Also this week, thrift stores maintain their popularity as a sustainable option, even during the pandemic. A new drive-in movie theater in Chapel Hill brings the silver screen into the comfort of your car. UNC Opera turns to TikTok to make its performances more accessible and safer in the midst of COVID-19.

College health centers across the country have struggled to keep up with COVID-19. They've faced high testing demands and an influx of student cases, especially before classes moved online. While serving as their university's hub for student medical care, many don't have the authority to make large scale public health decisions. On this edition of the Carolina Connection podcast, Aurora Charlow discusses what has happened this semester at college health centers and what's next as the pandemic continues.

People are starting new relationships despite COVID-19, but the pandemic has forced them to change the way they think about dating.

This week, we explore how underrepresented groups are engaging in this year's election. A national historically Black fraternity encourages early voting by holding a polling place event. Young people are voting early at higher numbers than in previous years. A court order has led the state to increase ballot accessibility for visually impaired and blind voters. Meanwhile, Chapel Hill businesses that opened during the pandemic are finding reasons to be optimistic about their futures. A local animal shelter holds its annual adoption festival online. Modern day witches perform spells while also fighting the stereotype that they wear pointy hats and ride around on broomsticks.

Chapel Hill town officials are discouraging people from attending the annual unofficial Halloween gathering on Franklin St. A UNC researcher is leading a study which uses genetics to help diagnose and treat eating disorders. Despite opposition, a proposed affordable housing development moves forward. UNC Pauper Players are trying to keep the annual Rocky Horror Picture Show performance alive by doing the "Time Warp" virtually. Turning 21 in the midst of a pandemic may mean that some people wait to order their first drink.

Taylor Heeden is a third-generation UNC student. With a family history infused with Carolina Blue, she talks to her parents about their college experiences and how they differ from her own.

Musicians across the country are facing unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are finding it difficult to adjust to social distancing requirements in recording studios, closed concert venues, and a general lack of social interaction. That means they've had to fundamentally change how they make music.

Long lines and new COVID-19 safety measures marked the first day of early voting in Chapel Hill. University officials are encouraging asymptomatic students to get tested for COVID-19 frequently at the free Carolina Union testing site. UNC ranked 37th in the nation for the school's free speech protections. The Town of Chapel Hill is working on a new project to help prevent flooding near Eastgate Shopping Center. Despite new pandemic restrictions, the Tar Heel women's cross country team started their season with a win. Students are playing Dungeons and Dragons to escape the real world and create a magical new one.

After a chaotic start to the fall semester, some students and faculty members are concerned about how UNC will conduct the spring semester. Students are using Instagram to call out their peers for violating COVID-19 restrictions. UNC leaders say they're addressing concerns that new federal sexual misconduct guidelines don't protect survivors. The Adams School of Dentistry hosts a free clinic to honor the memory of the victims of the 2015 Finley Forest murders. Dating during the pandemic can be hard, but some students' new relationships are blossoming. PlayMakers Repertory Company is giving UNC students virtual access to its performances for free.