Starbucks has decided to feed their coffee-thirsty customers with what they want most: more coffee. How will the company accomplish this feat? With a new 31 ounce size cup, also known as the size Trenta — Italian for thirty. The Trenta cup size will be available at all Starbucks coffee shops by May 3. It is now available in fourteen states, including North Carolina.
Dubbed the ‘free encyclopedia’, Wikipedia is an online collaboration between strangers that has led to the publication of over 17 million articles in more than 270 languages around the world. Many Wikipedia events are being planned to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Internet tycoon on January 15, 2011, like a gathering at a coffee shop called Jackson’s Java near UNC-Charlotte.
An astronomy professor from Minneapolis Community and Technical College Parke Kunkle boldly stated the 2,000 year old zodiac created by the Babylonians is wrong. According to Kunkle, a change in the position of the Earth’s axis now results in a new zodiac sign called Ophiuchus and new dates for the traditional zodiac signs. Kunkle’s predication became an overnight Internet sensation. Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds filled up with concern and anger over the supposed changes in the zodiac signs.
The nation continues to recover from the shocking shootings in Tucson, Ariz. that left six people dead and 14 injured, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The shooting has also sparked a controversial debate about the tone of political rhetoric in the country.
The 112th U.S. Congress convened Jan. 5 with Republicans pledging to reverse the political and economic direction, forming a divided government that threatens gridlock.
More celebrities might soon be able to star in films made in North Carolina. There is currently a $20 million pay cap per project and a $1 million per-person cap for films produced in North Carolina, said Aaron Syrett, director of N.C. Film Office.
It might seem harmless, but according to a N.C. school system, the use of lip balm was dangerous enough to be regulated. Recently, controversy erupted when Johnston County schools’ required students to have parental permission to use lip balm.
Both generations past and present have enjoyed listening to The Beatles by record player, tape player and CD-player. But as of Tuesday, fans can now find some of their golden favorites on iTunes.
UNC-Wilmington and Brunswick Community College are looking to create easier educational access for students by expanding its two-by-two program. The two-by-two program expansion allows students to go to community college for two years and then finish their degree through UNC-W at the Leland Center, which is closer to the community college.
If you live on South Campus, then you have probably seen the Morrison Residence Hall banner confirming its victory in the Energy Star National Building Competition. Morrison went head to head with 14 other buildings across the United States in a year-long competition to see which building could save the most energy. The Daily Tar Heel followed up with the competitors to see their response to Morrison’s victory and to the energy competition.
UNC-Greensboro wants to be the biggest loser — of pounds that is. Student Body President Katherine Marshall said the student government is pushing for mandatory fitness classes.
Eating out and frivolous spending may be the first to go for students coping with rising tuition costs. While universities across the country continue to raise costs, the University of California at Berkeley will join the 50K club as the first public university to charge over $50,000 in tuition.
Spirits are still high in Raleigh even though Marshall fell short in the polls. Shortly after giving her concession speech, Marshall made her way through the room and hugged family members, supporters and fellow candidates. There was a sense of disappointment among audience members during Marshall’s speech. “I’ve seen a lot of people just misinformed voting this year,” David Burton Smith, said a Marshall supporter from Sanford, N.C. “I’m not surprised that someone as decorated and smart as Elaine doesn’t win because it’s not about how smart you are and what you know, it’s about can you get the masses to vote for you, he said.”
While elections are exceedingly important to Americans, three European journalists who attended a UNC Young Democrats election-results party, said many European nations also have an interest in American politics. Matija Babic, a reporter of Croatia, said that many Europeans view American politicians as arrogant, but find Democratic views more appealing. Most Europeans are pro-Obama, he said. “Almost everyone from Croatia would be Democrats if they were to move here” Babic said.
Three European journalists attended the UNC Young Democrats election night party as observers. Matija Babic, a Croatian reporter, said that many Europeans view American politicians as arrogant, but find Democratic views more appealing. Most Europeans are pro-President Barack Obama, he said.
County Democrats say the UNC Young Democrats have played a larger role in gaining support for the party in this election. They expect their efforts to get out the vote and register voters will have an impact on the election results for the Democrats tonight.
As the UNC College Republicans gather at the Top of the Hill to watch the election results roll in members of the College Republicans are confident that the Republican party will gain control of the house and acquire more seats in the Senate. Marc Seelinger, the executive vice chairman of the College Republicans at UNC, said he is not expecting a majority in the Senate but feels that more Republican votes will make the Democrats consider both sides.
Ryan Hilliard, Republican challenger for the N.C. Senate, gave a positive speech to the crowd gathered at the Big Barn Convention Center in Hillsborough as reported results indicate that incumbent Ellie Kinnaird will keep the 23rd District State Senate seat. “The numbers haven’t turned out exactly as we would have wanted, but we showed the democrats and liberals that there is a large portion of people that are concerned about the economy and the constitution,” Hilliard said.
According to the most recent election results from the N.C. Board of Elections, Democratic N.C. senate candidate and incumbent Ellie Kinnaird is leading the race for her seat in the N.C. Senate.
Although the Union television is tuned to CNN, only about 30 people are in the main hall and most are just studying. CNN is reporting a Republican takeover.