The annual River Park Concert music festival was held on Oct. 24 in downtown Hillsborough, featuring performances from artists like Sierra Hull, Fancy Gap and Jesse Fox. Photos by Pearce Barnes.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, millions of protestors took to the streets for nationwide “No Kings” protests for the second time this year. More than 2,700 locations planned rallies across the country, including 30 in North Carolina. 

An estimated seven million people rallied this past weekend, an increase from five million in June. The national anti-Trump movement states their values as “No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.” Among a variety of issues, protestors displayed outrage towards authoritarianism, mass deportation and attacks on free speech. The No Kings organizers emphasized a commitment to nonviolent action and peaceful protest. 

This gallery features photos from Charlotte (Sophia Graci), Hillsborough (Ethan Harrell), and Wilmington (Ava Sharon). Gallery curated by Ava Sharon. 

The Daily Tar Heel is the student newspaper at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has served the community since it was founded on February 23, 1893. The nonprofit organization, which was incorporated in 1989 as a separate legal entity from UNC, stopped taking student fees in 1993 and has since been funded by advertising revenue, thus making it both fiscally and editorially independent.

On the morning of Sept. 27, The Daily Tar Heel revived its tradition of Editor’s Notes — our version of NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts. The first guest of the 2025-26 season was Davie Circle, a local jam band-inspired southern rock-bluegrass group.

Set List:

“Why Do We Cry”

“In the End”

“One of These Nights”

Musicians

Malcolm Douglas (lead vocals and guitar), Michael O’Laughlin (drums), Andy Zhao (electric guitar), John Wood (upright bass) and Levi Wexler (fiddle).

Credits

Editing: Jordyn Balam.

Audio and Graphics: May Proctor.

Filming: Nikhil Mehta, Diego Lerma, Jordyn Balam, Amelie Fawson, May Proctor, Kayla Collins, Nikki Piedad, Lev Bearman, Allison Helms and Andrew Sellers.

Hopscotch Music Festival returned to Raleigh for its 15th anniversary the weekend of Sept. 4, 2025. The three-day event featured various artists across a wide number of genres perform at both main stages and around the local club scene. Photos by Connor Ruesch, Pearce Barnes, Haydon Bode and Lola Oliverio. Gallery curated by Connor Ruesch.

In this episode of Hark The Pod, sports editor Matthew Maynard and assistant editors Brian D'Aguanno and Beckett Brantley recap UNC football's devastating season opener loss to TCU on Monday.

Welcome back to a new season of Hark The Pod. In this episode, sports editor Matthew Maynard and assistant editors Brian D'Aguanno and Beckett Brantley preview UNC football's 2025 season. They predict the team's final season record, touch on the atmosphere of this year's Carolina football press conference and discuss what the football season may look like for UNC under the leadership of Bill Belichick.

Video by N'Nia Brickhouse, Jordyn Balam, May Proctor and Amelie Fawson

Before the 2025-26 academic year began, University Editor Regan Butler sat down with Chancellor Lee Roberts to discuss key issues impacting students, faculty and staff at the University. For more on this story, visit www.dailytarheel.com Video produced by Amelie Fawson Interview conducted by Regan Butler Music courtesy of Chris Zabriskie The Dark Glow of the Mountains by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/darkglow/ Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

Dozens gathered at the NC General Assembly in Raleigh to show opposition to a new bill amendment on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. NC Bill 442, dubbed "Shrimpgate" by its opposition, received backlash after an amendment banning intercoastal shrimp trawling was attached to it. Following debate and discussion that same day, the decision was made not to consider the bill further. Photos by Michael Pearson.

On Saturday, June 14, roughly 5 million Americans marched in protest against the Trump administration across all 50 states and throughout 2,000 different locations — including here in the Triangle. Two rallies were held in the state's capital city, one in North Raleigh and one at the State Capitol downtown. Meanwhile, Chapel Hill protestors marched on Franklin Street from the Peace and Justice Plaza to Carrboro. Protestors used signs and chants to cite worries over the administration's policies on immigration, education and welfare, as well as concerns over constitutional rights.

Photos by Mason Miller and Ava Sharon.

Gallery curated by Ava Sharon.

In this episode of Editors’ Notes, UNC student-led band Braless performs two of their original songs, “Smokes” and “Only Vice,” for a small audience in The Daily Tar Heel’s Franklin Street office.

Video by: Jordyn Balam, Luther Walker and Will Kleinschmidt

Edited by: Natalie Bradin

From Audio-Visual Staffer Jordyn Balam, “Dear First-Year Me” is a collection of stories and advice from the UNC Class of 2025 as they reflect on their Carolina experience. Hear from graduating seniors across a myriad of disciplines about what they wish they knew as a first-year at UNC. Filmed and edited by Jordyn Balam.

Listen to Braless band members Sarah Lorenzi, Chloe Winchester, Deana Garst, Samuel Ellington, Will Poteet and Izze Steinke talk with The Daily Tar Heel’s Will Kleinschmidt about the meaning behind this college band and what the future holds for the group. Video by Jordyn Balam and Luther Walker.

Dreamville Fest hosted thousands of people at Dorothea Dix Park from April 5-6. The festival, created by J. Cole, celebrated its fifth anniversary with headliners like Lil Wayne, 21 Savage, Erykah Badu, Tems and J. Cole. Photos by Viyada Soukthavone and Olivia Paul.

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, hundreds of protestors gathered at the Peace and Justice Plaza in Chapel Hill as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” rallies against the Trump administration. Local protestors used signs, chants and speeches to express concerns on various topics, including recent policies concerning health care, Social Security, education and civil rights.

Photos by Ava Sharon and Haydon Bode. Gallery curated by Ava Sharon.

The Tar Heels survived the Blue Devils 8-7 in a 14-inning game to win the three-game series Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. The 14 innings tied the longest game between UNC and Duke in history, the first in 1964.

Photos by Pearce Barnes. Gallery curated by Ava Sharon.

AV Desk staffer May Proctor takes an in depth look at the people and communities that bring the Carrboro Farmers’ Market together. She spoke with vendors, farmers, shoppers and market staff to find out more.

Lauren Zola and Amelie Fawson also contributed to this project.

Correction: The documentary incorrectly spelt the names of Antwon Walker and Clare Reding. The Daily Tar Heel sincerely apologizes for this error.

AV Desk senior staffer Emma Kate Lauf spent a Saturday at the Carrboro Film Festival, capturing the atmosphere where filmmakers showcased over 30 short films and two features centered on Southern culture and storytelling. She spoke with the filmmaker behind “Luther,” a documentary following a Chapel Hill craftsman’s personal struggles with addiction and his path to recovery through his artwork.

On Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, UNC women's basketball beat the Wolfpack 66-65. The men followed with a 97-73 win on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Photos by Dylan Thiessen and Heather Diehl. Gallery curated by Ava Sharon.