Chatham County - The Daily Tar Heel

DTH Photo Illustration. A student looks at a positive pregnancy test and a pill.

N.C. doctor files lawsuit against state, challenges restrictions on medicated abortions

By Emmy Martin | 6:00am

Chapel Hill OB-GYN Dr. Amy Bryant filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the Middle District of North Carolina last Wednesday that could impact abortion access across the country. Bryant's complaint challenges North Carolina's restrictions on the abortion medication mifepristone, the first of a two-pill regimen that terminates pregnancy within 10 weeks of gestation. She argues that North Carolina's restrictions on mifepristone contest regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Medication abortion is safe and effective – there’s no medical reason for politicians to interfere or restrict access to it, or for states to force doctors to comply with mandates not supported by medicine or science," Bryant said in a press release.

Sitterson Hall, pictured here on Monday, Jan. 30,2023, houses the Computer Science department that recently transitioned to an admission system.

'Admissions maximalists' — computer science department makes final switch to application

By Hannah Rosenberger | Jan. 31

As the University's computer science program has moved to an application-based admissions cycle, professors and students share their thoughts on the transition. This semester will mark the department’s first standard admissions cycle when the application opens on Feb. 15.

South Building is pictured on Oct. 10, 2022.

‘I’m flabbergasted’: UNC leaders blindsided by trustees' decision on School of Civic Life and Leadership

By Abby Pender | Jan. 30

The UNC Board of Trustees passed a resolution on Thursday to “accelerate” the creation of a new program — the School for Civic Life and Leadership. Proposals for new schools, degrees and curriculums have historically come from faculty leaders and their vote is required for approval. UNC law professor Eric Muller said no member of the faculty knew of this “major development.” Provost Chris Clemens also said at a Monday Faculty Executive Committee meeting that he didn't know the resolution was coming from the Board — "I was surprised," he said.

Broken elevators in Granville East in the process of getting fixed on are pictured on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

'False promises': Residents of Granville Towers face maintenance issues

By Anna Neil | Jan. 19

This week, Granville Towers East has experienced increased maintenance issues within the building. Students say that these issues include broken elevators, HVAC unit and water functioning issues, rusting stairwell handrails and mold. In emails sent to residents, Granville Towers acknowledged recent maintenance issues and provided updates on when they would be addressed in the coming weeks. “The support group and the customer service at Granville Towers is 100 percent lacking," Charlie Fitzgerald, UNC first-year and resident of the complex, said.

Carolina Cupboard, pictured here, is located in Avery Residence Hall in Chapel Hill on Thursday, Jan 26. 2023. Carolina Cupboard provides free food for UNC students who are experiencing food insecurity.

'We all deserve food': Organizations help UNC students overcome food insecurities

By Celia Funderburk | Jan. 29

Approximately one-in-five UNC students are food insecure. This means that on top of completing homework, studying for exams and spending time in classes, many students have to worry about how they will get their next meal. Resources and studies on-campus work to eliminate the consequences of food deserts and food insecurity. “The last thing that someone wants to be concerned with is, 'Am I gonna eat today?' 'Am I gonna have to only eat twice today and be a little bit hungry to make it to Friday before my next paycheck?'” Margaret Matthews, the vice president of Carolina Cupboard, said. “That is just an added stressor to an already stressful life situation at UNC.”

Daily Tar Heel Assistant City & State Editor Ethan Horton shoots the ball during the rivalry basketball game against The Duke Chronicle in Rams Head Recreation Center on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. DTH beat The Chronicle 2-1.

DTH defeats Duke's Chronicle 2-1 in Rivalry Challenge basketball series

By Hamsini Sivakumar and Gwen Peace | 12:38am

“From a standpoint of: the passion for the game; the intensity; the rivalry; the rivalry edition,” DTH senior sports editor Hunter Nelson said. “Donate at dailytarheel.com, that’s what we’re here for.”

Affordable housing in Chapel Hill pictured on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.

UNC faculty face housing shortage with rising prices, decreasing availability

By Adele Morris | Jan. 27

As housing prices continue to rise in Chapel Hill, UNC faculty and staff share their difficulties finding affordable housing throughout the Triangle area. The ever-climbing prices have triggered unprecedented financial stress. One professor believes the housing situation in Carrboro is on par with living in the most expensive places in the world. It's a shame when most of the faculty and staff who work in Chapel Hill can't live in Chapel Hill,” Scott Geier, teaching assistant professor of digital storytelling and journalism, said. “Because that affects the diversity and the dynamic of the campus.”

Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool, pictured here on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, along with many other preschools in the Chapel Hill area exhibit safe levels of lead in their water.

Chapel Hill and Carrboro preschools report small levels of lead in water

By Harrison Gummel | 11:15pm

As the local community watches as UNC grapples with detectable lead levels in the drinking water of over 125 buildings, some questions have been raised about the safety of other educational institutions. Data from Clean Water for Carolina Kids shows that some preschools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area are also seeing perceptible levels.

The UNC Pauper Players practice their upcoming show, “Rent”, in Carrboro, N.C. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2023. The UNC Pauper Players will be performing Feb. 3-5, 2023 at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro.

UNC Pauper Players hit the stage with "Rent" this weekend

By Eileen Foster | 10:28pm

After months of rehearsals, the Pauper Players — a student-led organization at UNC — will premiere their performance of “Rent” this weekend at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro. Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for non-students and can be purchased online or in the Pit this week.

The Old Well is pictured on Jan. 30, 2023.

Faculty discusses free speech and School of Civic Life in January meeting

By Emi Maerz | 10:26pm

In the Jan. 30 meeting of the Faculty Executive Committee, members discussed matters regarding the new School of Civic Life, language in Board of Governor's proposals and the University’s formation of a committee for academic freedom and free expression.

Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Chapel Hill has been awarded $2 million from Community Project Funding that will go towards downtown streetscape improvements.

Town of Chapel Hill receives $2 million to improve downtown streetscape

By Catherine Wiles | 10:22pm

The Town of Chapel Hill recently received $2 million in Community Project Funding to be put toward downtown streetscape improvements. Funds will be used to replace traffic light poles as well as potential projects like curb cutting.

UNC junior Macy Brown founded She's Not Here, an all-female rideshare for Carolina students.
Photo Courtesy of Macy Brown.

“It’s girls empowering girls": Student rideshare service aims to support students

By Madi Kirkman | 9:19pm

The “friendly neighborhood designated driver," Macy Brown is turning a fundraising idea for her study abroad trip into a safety resource for female-identifying students on campus: She's Not Here, a ridesharing service.

Top of the Hill Distillery on West Franklin Street is permanently closing its doors on Jan. 29, 2023.

TOPO Distillery to close Feb. 15 after more than 10 years in business

By Vina Senthil | 8:13pm

The distillery produced a wide variety of liquors, including vodka, gin, unaged whisky and wheat whiskey. Visitors were offered a tour of the distillery on Friday and Saturday nights, where they could try samples of liquors and learn about the distillation process and various spirits.

As theft on campus continues to rise, students share their experiences

By Brooke Elliott | 6:03pm

Over the years, the occurrences of theft on UNC's campus have continued to increase. Students and the chief of UNC Police share their experiences with the issue — one which often occurs in plain sight.

UNC senior forward, Erin Matson (1) plays in the National Champion ship game against No. 3 Northwestern on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at George J. Sherman Sports Complex in Storrs, Conn. UNC won 2-1.

UNC legend Erin Matson named new head coach of North Carolina field hockey program

By Shelby Swanson | 4:58pm

The UNC athletic department announced Tuesday that UNC field hockey legend Erin Matson will be taking over the helm of the North Carolina field hockey program. "To say I'm excited and honored to be the head coach of the UNC field hockey program is an understatement – this is a dream come true," Erin Matson said in a press release.

The Clef Hangers stand ready to sing at the UNC Clef Hangers Winter Jam Annual A Cappella Invitational on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 at the Historic Playmakers Theatre.

UNC Clef Hangers to host Winter Jam — a collaborative multi-university concert

By Madison Gagnon | 4:30pm

Winter Jam — a collaborative a cappella performance hosted by the UNC Clef Hangers — is hitting the stage later this week on the University's campus. This year, they have invited four other groups to perform at the concert, including the UNC Tarpeggios, University of Virginia Belles, Villanova University Spires and UNC-Charlotte's Codachrome.

Caitlyn Yaede, Opinion Editor, poses with a basketball in preparation for the UNC vs. Duke game on this weekend.

Office DJ: Songs to take down Dook

By Caitlyn Yaede | 4:15pm

"Basketball isn’t about three-pointers or buckets (well, maybe a little). For me and what I hope is the rest of Carolina fans, basketball is about one thing and one thing only: beating Duke."

Carrboro Town Hall is located in Carrboro, N.C., pictured here on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. Orange County is planning to use the rest of the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds towards improving community spaces in Carrboro like Baldwin Park.

Registration for Carrboro summer camps opens; Chapel Hill sign-ups to begin in March

By Audrey Kashatus | 4:06pm

Chapel Hill and Carrboro have released their summer camp program schedule for the 2023 season. Residents and non-residents are eligible to sign up for the camps focused on topics like drama, fishing and ultimate frisbee.

Leaders of Chapel Thrill Escapes pose for a photo inside of the escape room on Jan. 29, 2023. It is the first student-run, student-built escape room at UNC-Chapel Hill.

'Rameses in Wonderland': Student-run escape room to launch in Cobb Residence Hall

By Amie Cooke | 4:00pm

Chapel Thrill Escapes, the first student-operated and student-built escape room, is making it's return to campus with the "Rameses in Wonderland" room. This room holds UNC-themed puzzles and clues that make the escape unique to the University's campus.