News – Carolina Connection

UNC reinstates professor after investigation of alleged ‘advocacy of politically motivated violence’

October 3, 2025 Andrew Sellers and Brooks Stevenson

UNC had placed Dwayne Dixon on administrative leave after a Turning Point USA spokesperson called on UNC to fire Dixon over his ties to a leftist group. The suspension led to concerns about free speech on campus.

UNC conference to explore the use of AI in the classroom, courtroom, newsroom, and more

October 3, 2025 Gracie Durham

“Converge-Con” will highlight how AI is changing both academics and the professional world.

Advocacy group calls North Carolina the worst state in America for workers

October 3, 2025 Rachel Moody

Oxfam America ranked North Carolina as the worst state to work in, citing low wages, weak worker protections, and limits on rights to organize.

UNC’s School of Dentistry hosts its annual DEAH Day to honor slain student through service

October 3, 2025 Liana Riachi

The day of service honors Deah Barakat, a dentistry student, as well as his wife Yusor Abu-Salha and sister in law Razan Abu-Salha. The three were murdered in their Finley Forest condominium by a neighbor in February 2015.

Despite immigration fears, people celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with pride and hope

September 26, 2025 Anthony Guerra-Flores

Amid ongoing political and legal threats, Hispanic Heritage Month is still a space to proclaim and celebrate. At the Carolina Latinx Center event, multiple organizations demonstrated unity.

UNC has replaced DEI with an ‘equality’ policy. How are student groups affected?

September 26, 2025 Liana Riachi

Student groups are considering adapting to new rules, balancing compliance with efforts to keep inclusive, supportive communities amid funding and visibility changes.

Tariffs are contributing to higher coffee prices, putting the squeeze on local shops

September 26, 2025 Brooks Stevenson

Tariffs and environmental factors are driving price increases on coffee. While some members of Congress want the tariffs removed, coffee shops are deciding whether to pass along higher costs to customers.

Tired of competing with “dings and buzzes,” schools implement NC’s new cell phone ban

September 19, 2025 Rachel Moody

A new law passed requires North Carolina public schools to restrict phones from classes starting January 1. Many school systems have already implemented limits and bans.

New funding distribution leaves UNC student organizations with smaller budgets

September 19, 2025 Brooks Stevenson

The Undergraduate Senate has set lower limits on the money that individual groups can request from student fee revenue. UNC leaders say the total amount of money available hasn’t changed, but new accounting procedures have changed the distribution process.

Colleagues memorialize Professor Zijie Yan, two years after he was shot on campus

September 12, 2025 Liana Riachi

The death of Professor Zijie Yan in August of 2023 was memorialized by his colleagues in a quaint corner of Caudill Laboratories.