Carolina Connection

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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,...

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...

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'...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.