April 2025 Archives

UNC research may lead to a more sustainable way to recycle tires

April 18, 2025 Melodi Carty

Researchers hope to break down the polymers in tires so they can be repurposed to make such products as automotive parts, adhesives, and wind turbine blades.

Carolina Connection – Apr. 12, 2025

April 12, 2025 Editor

Triangle college students react to the State Department’s termination of international students’ visas. A North Carolina Senate bill could further restrict DEI in higher education. State health agencies across the U.S. lost billions of dollars in funding, and that’s threatened many programs in North Carolina. UNC is renovating some dorms, which could make it harder to find campus housing. And people take a swing at history – and each other – through a local sword fighting club.

‘The darkest and hardest moment of my life’: Six UNC students have their visas revoked

April 11, 2025 Twumasi Duah-Mensah and Andy Zhao

At least one of the six students with revoked visas is from South Sudan. The notice that one student received states their visa was terminated because they were identified in a criminal records check.

N.C. Senate votes to crackdown further on DEI in higher education

April 11, 2025 Gowri Abhinanda

The measure, which now moves to the House, would further restrict DEI, which Republican Senator Brad Overcash, a UNC alumnus, says creates “divisive concepts” and “discriminatory practices.”

Belichick sidesteps UNC’s anti-nepotism policy as he hires his two sons as assistant coaches

April 11, 2025 Mia Khatib

Though a UNC System policy bans employees supervising their relatives, new head football coach Bill Belichick has taken advantage of an exception to hire his two sons as assistant coaches.

Meet the group taking a stab at mixed martial arts

April 11, 2025 W.H. Hayes

Historical European Martial Arts combines real-weapon dueling with researching European dueling styles from the 12th-19th centuries. For members of the Triangle Sword Guild, it’s not just exercise and learning, it’s also community.

Raw milk is moooooving up in popularity despite expert warnings

April 11, 2025 Sarah Ellis

Raw milk connoisseurs say pasteurizing milk kills good nutrients, and raw milk is healthier. Health experts disagree, and some raw milk drinkers are getting sick from it.

N.C. health agencies may lose as much as $230 million to federal cuts

April 11, 2025 Lily Kane and Maddie Policastro

Nationwide, the Trump Administration is cutting $12 billion in funding for state health agencies. Orange County and UNC will be affected.

Avery Residence Hall remodel scheduled to open in August

April 11, 2025 Regan Rhymes

Improvements include an elevator, central air conditioning, and kitchens on every floor.

Carolina Connection podcast: How bargain stores fund a Republican megadonor’s political spending

April 8, 2025 Madeleine Ahmadi

Businessman Art Pope – who recently acquired more than 200 Big Lots stores, manages a discount store empire that also includes such chains as Roses and Maxway. But Pope also is arguably the fuel for the N.C. Republican Party. Madeleine Ahmadi reports for the Carolina Connection podcast.