CarolinaCast

CarolinaCast: Sports betting is off to a fast start in North Carolina. How are college students affected?

Sports betting has been legal in North Carolina for more than a month, and state officials say more than 300,000 betting accounts have been activated in the state, enough to generate more than $60 million dollars in tax revenue in its first year. Carolina Connection reporter Hamsini Sivakumar talks with Lorelai Sykes about how sports betting is affecting college campuses.

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Apr. 27, 2024

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.

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Apr. 20, 2024

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.

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Apr. 13, 2024

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.

CarolinaCast

CarolinaCast: 126 years later, the Town of Carrboro has erected a historical marker to mark the site of a lynching

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.

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Apr. 5, 2024

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.

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Mar. 23, 2024

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?

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Mar. 9, 2024

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. 

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Mar. 2, 2024

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.

No Picture
2024

Carolina Connection – Feb. 24, 2024

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.