Carolina Connection

Some job recruiters say today’s college graduates are unprofessional, and it’s hurting their employment prospects. On Earth Day, students called on UNC to cut its use of disposable plastics. Law students petition UNC to allow a classmate to participate in graduation, after she was arrested for domestic terrorism and banned from campus. Mediterranean Deli, a Chapel Hill staple, is getting close to re-opening after last year’s devastating fire. UNC’s newest barista isn’t a human, but a robot.

Students and faculty react to a new mandate that UNC System students must learn “foundations of American democracy.” The UNC System Board of Governors begins dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies on the state’s campuses. Scientists eagerly await the emergence of millions of cicadas that are coming later this month. A UNC grad has formed a company that's trying to address a shortage of sports concession stand workers. Carrboro gives a big grant to an organization that helps young people. A bar in Raleigh is missing the one thing you’d expect to find: alcohol.

Citing a state law, UNC officials have told protestors to stop wearing masks at Pro-Palestinian demonstrations, but some lawyers say the law is unconstitutional. Students at St. Augustine's University in Raleigh are devastated after the school sends them home amid a crippling financial crisis. A UNC student refused to let a power outage stop her one-woman show. A Triangle organization provides free professional attire to women who can't afford it. UNC's annual Arts Everywhere day features a little bit of everything, including a poetry-writing fox.

In 1898, an 18-year-old Black man was killed by a mob of white men near the present day intersection of Old Greensboro Road and Hatch Road. Now, 126 years later, the Town of Carrboro has unveiled a historical marker in honor of his life. In this edition of the Carolina Connection podcast, Jessica Simmons talks with Lorelai Sykes about the lynching of Manly McCauley, the reaction from the community, and the importance of memorializing negative parts of our past.

UNC plans to increase security by adding license plate readers across campus but privacy advocates are concerned. Apps like YikYak may soon be banned on campus WiFi. UNC housekeepers demand higher pay and lower parking fees. Chapel Hill’s public library has been nominated for a national award. The state wants to banish the invasive and infamous Bradford Pear tree.

An alcohol-related car accident that killed a UNC sophomore in January has led to ten arrests, including six students. It's also changing the way some students think about underage drinking. UNC extends its admission deadline because of delays in federal financial aid. Three months after former Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz’ departure, the search for a new chancellor is underway. Activists want Chapel Hill to rename Cameron Avenue, which is named after a slave owner. Can AI help you fill out a winning NCAA basketball bracket?

Super Tuesday is over and in North Carolina, students and other voters are evaluating President Biden. Sudanese students are calling attention to the civil war in their country. The newest member of the UNC Police force has a wagging tail and a golden coat. The Tar Heels and the Blue Devils men’s basketball teams meet one last time before the ACC Tournament. One of the hottest commodities on campus? Free frogs made of yarn.

Vice President Kamala Harris visits Durham to promote the Biden Administration’s initiatives to help minority and women-owned businesses. Sports betting is coming to North Carolina, but you won’t see ads on college campuses. A new student group is working to fight food insecurity, with the help of Greek Life. UNC’s decision to move spring commencement from Sunday morning to Saturday night is affecting students, parents and restaurants. A roller derby team in Apex is providing a sense of community to its players.

Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts discusses his first month at Carolina, the state's political environment, campus safety, and other issues. Will state leaders punish the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools for refusing to follow a state law concerning LGBTQ+ students? Some UNC faculty members are encouraging students to use artificial intelligence in their classes. Animal shelters in the Triangle are overcrowded. Some changes have come to the traditional art of Contra dancing.

A new effort in Greensboro gives homeless people a safe place to live in their cars. The national FAFSA fiasco is delaying university financial aid. Some UNC students confront their toxic relationship with social media. The alcoholic beverage mead is making a resurgence. Miss America’s Teen of 2024 is planning to enroll at UNC. Students share their mixed feelings around Valentine's Day.

A UNC clinic is helping patients cope with the lasting symptoms of long COVID. The government is working to bring high speed internet access to more than a million North Carolina homes. Sports betting is already popular in North Carolina, but now it will become legal. Artists express what the future of Blackness holds in their creations and for their communities. Chapel Hill businesses are preparing for a busy night as the Tar Heel Mens Basketball team prepares to tip off against Duke.

Time magazine has named Taylor Swift its "Person of the Year" for 2023, and the Washington Post and Research company QuestionPro found that she was responsible for nearly $4.6 billion in consumer spending in the U.S. But there's more to Swift than her music. For some fans, she represents a new concept of modern femininity, in which women can talk about their emotions, wear glitter, be hurt by a breakup, and still be strong, financially literate, politically influential, and unapologetic about their accomplishments. On this edition of CarolinaCast, Samatha Hoffman talks with Sierra Pfeifer about the Swift phenomenon.

UNC students are navigating the emotional toll of the Israel-Hamas war. As Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz considers a job as president at Michigan State University, UNC reacts to his potential departure. The Town Council rejects a proposal for what would have been the tallest residential building in Chapel Hill. Ph.D. students at UNC and NC State work to save birds from window collisions. College students spend thousands of dollars on Taylor Swift.

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz is considering leaving UNC; he's a finalist for the presidency at Michigan State. Students say UNC’s recreational facilities are overcrowded. Some people are boycotting Starbucks because of their labor practices. Carrboro’s Film Fest is featuring work by UNC students and faculty. The Town of Chapel Hill is encouraging residents to put aside their rakes and leaf blowers and leave their leaves in their yards.

North Carolina’s Attorney General says social media illegally hooks and harms kids. Chapel Hill Mayor-elect Jess Anderson says she'll try to balance the concerns of both students and permanent town residents. Inflation is easing, but a lot of people at UNC are still dealing with food insecurity. Student veterans reflect on their transition from military life to college life. A UNC student is serving on the board of education of Boise, Idaho.

A new law requiring a photo ID presents challenges to Chapel Hill residents heading to the polls. Some business owners complain about Franklin Street’s bike lanes. A WRAL documentary explores the racist past of Kenan Stadium’s original namesake. UNC researchers find that certain Chapel Hill neighborhoods have higher temperatures than others. Students are finally starting to feel the change in season.

The U.S. senate unanimously passes a resolution condemning UNC's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Scammers are targeting UNC students with bogus emails. A university committee creates AI guidelines for students, embracing the new technology rather than shying away from it. A 48-year old Halloween mainstay returns to campus for a sold-out performance.

The UNC community reacts to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Democratic Rep. Valerie Foushee, who represents Orange and Durham Counties in Congress, shares her frustration over the Republicans' struggle to choose a new Speaker of the House. The U.S. Supreme Court decision to end affirmative action means changes to the UNC admissions process. The Tar Heel men’s basketball team hopes to improve after underperforming last year. A prominent historic building on Franklin Street comes back to life after a challenging renovation.

As some schools around the country ban books, UNC commemorated First Amendment Day by reading them out loud. A local member of Congress bemoans the "chaos and confusion" this week as the House removed Speaker Kevin McCarthy. A new roadside marker remembers when UNC was a World War II flight school. Students with dietary restrictions share their struggles eating at UNC’s dining halls. University officials promise to upgrade the "ugly" class registration system.

Students react to a new North Carolina law that restricts gender affirming care. North Carolina’s House Speaker says UNC’s campus should no longer be a gun-free zone. US News ranks UNC the fourth best public university in the country. Screenwriting students mark the end of the Hollywood writers strike. UNC’s newest art installation helps add color to a parking deck.