Editor

Students fear UNC is leaving them out of the conversation about whether to move the men’s basketball arena off campus.  Upcoming college graduates are scrambling after the federal government rescinded their job and internship offers. The UNC System tries to adapt to the Trump Administration’s threats about DEI initiatives. Wilson Library’s newest exhibit visualizes the Carolina student experience. A new initiative documents how racist housing policies have shaped where people live in Wake County today. A “Death Faire” in Pittsboro tries to change people’s views about death and dying.

UNC leaders urge patience as faculty express concerns about President Trump’s funding cuts. A UNC study finds concerning trends in mental health among black middle schoolers. Some North Carolina colleges are teaching classes in prison to reduce the inmates recidivism rate. UNC students are helping draft legislation that they hope will protect kids on social media. The Daily Tar Heel is trying to expand its coverage of marginalized communities. Declining enrollment might make 2026 the last class of music education majors.

The community memorializes the tenth anniversary of the murders of three local Muslim students. The Trump Administration’s funding cuts have brought an end to some UNC programs, and faculty members worry that more will be eliminated. Advocacy groups aim to address fears and rumors about potential ICE raids on campus. A longstanding campus publication amplifies Black voices. And we hear from some musically-inclined students. Some sing a cappella. Others work all night on the student radio station.

UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts faces backlash after he says the university will comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Local Congresswoman Valerie Foushee details how Democrats are opposing President Donald Trump’s aggressive effort to remake the federal government. A Carrboro music shop balances its role in the community with keeping the doors open. And students and community leaders explore how to celebrate Black history beyond February.

Immigrants in the Triangle area are uncertain and anxious about President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship. A freeze on federal funding could impact the town of Chapel Hill, but the mayor says it’s not clear exactly which services might be affected. The recent cold snap left the local unhoused population in danger. UNC plans to increase enrollment, even though some current students can’t get on-campus housing. A quilter is stitching together more than fabric; he’s creating a community. Groundhogs will have their day Feb. 2, but a Chapel Hill organization cares for them all year long.

After Donald Trump’s election, local clinicians are reporting a spike in demand for long-term contraceptives. In advance of the second Trump administration, students from immigrant families are also preparing for what lies ahead. Students are using Artificial Intelligence for almost everything in college – and professors are trying to keep up. UNC is raising student fees, but a lot of people are happy about how the money will be spent. Instead of Thanksgiving, Indigenous Americans counter popular narratives during Truthsgiving.

Student activists are strategizing ways to approach climate change and labor rights after Donald Trump’s election. The UNC Rowing team is bonding after a thief steals their vital equipment. Helene makes it harder for high school seniors in Western North Carolina to apply for college. A non-profit organization supports North Carolina women with cancer. The student-run Meantime Coffee Company opens a second location. 

The UNC community reacts to President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory, and we hear from both students and experts as they try to make sense of election results. While the nation was gripped by politics, western North Carolina is still recovering from Helene; we’ll hear how a college radio station is keeping its community informed. UNC has eased restrictions on the campus Y that were put in place during the pro-Palestinian protests this spring, but students say the culture in the building has changed. A local group is working to make sure North Carolina is still a welcome stop for migratory birds.

On Carolina Connection’s election preview: Presidential candidates descend on North Carolina, taking their final swing at swing state voters. Candidates are trying to win your vote both in traditional and new ways – from old fashioned rallies to trending podcasts and live streams. We speak with young voters concerned with an issue candidates aren’t talking about. And are you petrified by the presidential race? You are not alone.

At a Carrboro campaign event for Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff said Harris is the candidate who actually cares about young people. The UNC System is working with fire departments to dispose of toxic chemicals in firefighting foams. A UNC expert says the aftermath of Helene shows the difficulty of preparing for inland storms. The N.C. State Fair offers new and exciting attractions including Pickled Dr Pepper. A Carrboro staple offers an unorthodox place for students to get their Halloween costumes.