Features

‘Your friendly neighborhood WhiztheKid’: Meet the crossing guard supporting students

April 25, 2025 Sarah Ellis

His real name is Hasan Wilson Jr., and in his eight months working the crosswalk on South Road, he has created a community of good vibes and music.

In this UNC English class, students write songs instead of essays

April 25, 2025 Andy Zhao

The students in English 409 focus heavily on lyrics, revising them continuously to ensure well-thought-out meters, rhymes, and narratives.

A state pilot program to destroy PFAS has entered its final phase

April 23, 2025 Foster Foday-Hemingway

A North Carolina pilot program has contracted four water technology companies to each use their emerging technology to destroy 1000 gallons of PFAS containing fire-fighting chemicals.

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.

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.

A conservation group is working to stop bird strikes on campus

April 4, 2025 Lily Kane

Over the last two years, more than 200 birds have been killed by striking windows of campus buildings. The UNC Avian Society is working to raise money to affix warning stickers on windows.

UNC Science Expo brings more than 100 exhibits to UNC’s campus

April 4, 2025 Regan Rhymes

The N.C. Science Festival begins with the Morehead Planetarium’s Science Expo, offering hands-on experiments, community engagement, and educational organizations.

Local group hosts pinball competition for players across the southeast

March 28, 2025 Maya Hagan

The old-school game of pinball is enjoying a slight resurgence after nearly disappearing.

Abe Thompson, an older man with short hair and a beard in a gray sweater and blue jeans, uses scissors and a comb to cut the hair of regular customer Maple Osterbrink, who has shorter hair and a blue robe-like cover to catch the hair Thompson cuts.

After 64 years, Friendly Barber Shop will close in April

March 28, 2025 Mia Khatib

Friendly Barber Shop has been a staple for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community for 64 years. It will close at the end of April.

Groups are installing ‘trash traps’ in area creeks to catch litter

March 21, 2025 Andy Zhao

The traps are metal devices that are installed in creeks to catch bottles, cans, and other debris. Several local organizations are installing them in Wake County.