Gov. Cooper issues executive order to accelerate green transportation

Reducing transportation emissions in North Carolina through updated policies from Gov. Roy Cooper and different climate institutes

'It's our chance': Even without a ballot, local high schoolers engage in elections

Many North Carolina high school students are encouraging their peers to show up to the polls. There are also options for those under 18 to be involved in the election process, including volunteering for political campaigns, attending campaign events and working the polls on Election Day.

'We need strong leaders': Barack Obama endorses Cheri Beasley in US Senate race

In an advertisement for her campaign, former President Barack Obama endorsed Cheri Beasley for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat. He focused on her experience as a public defender and judge, as well as the importance of the race.

Renee Price and Charles Lopez face off for NC House of Representatives District 50

Price, chairperson of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, and Lopez, HR manager for a Triangle-based landscaping company, are running for N.C. House district 50 this election cycle. Here's a look at their viewpoints on high-priority issues in the state. 

NC elections take place in newly-drawn districts amid long history of gerrymandering

In this round of midterm elections, North Carolina will use newly-drawn district maps that were drawn in February. The new maps come as a result of the state Supreme Court ruling that the previous maps were unconstitutionally gerrymandered — something that has a long history in the state. 

'It's important that it's done right': Officials, residents discuss voting security in OC

Some rhetoric surrounding the election security has sparked an increased number of concerned citizens, especially regarding the fairness and accuracy of the vote. In Orange County, election officials are responsible for ensuring elections are efficient, fair, convenient and accurate.

Column: How we approached our election coverage

Nov. 8 has been circled in red on my calendar for a long time.  From the moment I became City & State Editor, I’ve been planning how The Daily Tar Heel would cover the 2022 Midterms. 

'Keeping rural in mind': Organizations work to engage and inform rural voters

Over 75 of North Carolina’s counties are rural, with 2.2 million rural voters making up the second-highest segment of the state’s electorate after suburban voters as of 2020.

Here's what you need to know about voter ID in North Carolina

Voters must be registered in order to cast their ballot on Election Day. The deadline to register to vote was Oct. 14, but voters could register in person during early voting, which ended on Nov. 5. To register using same-day registration, voters must have resided in the county they intend to vote in for at least 30 days before Election Day. Following a referendum in the N.C. NAACP v. McCrory case, photo voter identification is not required to cast a ballot in North Carolina.

Orange County and Chapel Hill Transit provide resources for getting to the polls

Local voters without access to cars or other forms of personal transportation have a number of resources available for traveling to the polls on Election Day. One resource is Chapel Hill Public Transit, which has several routes that stop within walking distance to polls. The Orange County Democratic Party also has a volunteer ride service that can transport voters to polling locations. 

Here's where you can vote on election day Nov. 8

Early voters in Orange County share their views, motivations for voting

More than 41,000 people voted early in person in Orange County between Oct. 20 and Nov. 5, and thousands more are expected to cast their ballots on Election Day. 

NC Supreme Court upholds lower court ruling to allocate millions to public education

The N.C. Supreme Court upheld a lower court's order today along party lines that required hundreds of millions of dollars to be allocated for public education. The case, Hoke County Board of Education v. North Carolina, is adjacent to the long-running Leandro case.

North Carolina sees early flu cases, first child dies since 2020

Five adults have been confirmed to have died from flu complications this season, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.  The first pediatric flu death occurred this week. According to NCDHHS, over half of the children who die from the flu do not have any preexisting medical conditions that could put them at risk. 

Pickleball? Bathrooms? Chapel Hill Town Council discusses how to use ARPA funds

Chapel Hill residents shared with the Chapel Hill Town Council what they wanted to see more funding for – public restrooms and pickleball. The business management director for the Town presented different Community Partner projects that could be funded with money received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Here's what you need to know about the NC Senate District 23 candidates

N.C. Rep. Graig Meyer (D-Caswell, Orange) and Republican Landon Woods are running for the North Carolina Senate District 23 seat, which includes Person, Caswell and Orange counties. The seat is being vacated by N.C. Sen. Valerie Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange), who is running for U.S. Congress. Meyer said he avidly supports helping people deal with student debt, as well as reducing carbon emissions, reproductive freedom and expanding voting access.  Woods said individuals should take steps forward in the climate fight, rather than large companies. His platform also mentions prison reform.

Chapel Hill Arts & Culture to host Thanks + Giving Food Truck Rodeo and service drive

On Nov. 13, Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture will host the event, complete with food drives, toiletry drives, local nonprofits and local food trucks.  

Word on the Street: Halloween on Franklin Street returns in limited capacity

Although Franklin Street did not officially close this year due to lightning and rain, hundreds of people celebrated Halloween on the sidewalks of downtown Chapel Hill. Staff writer Bridget Bendezu asked people about their rainy Halloween experiences on Franklin Street.

Carrboro approves spending plan for American Rescue Plan Act funds, residents benefit

The Town of Carrboro recently approved a spending plan for the $6.7 million it received from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act passed by the U.S. Congress. The act allocates money to local governments nationwide to assist in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Drug Enforcement Administration raises awareness for prescription drug misuse

The Chapel Hill Police Department set up a drop-off site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 29. The site and information desk was located at Wegmans Food Market on Fordham Boulevard and aimed to educate the public about the dangers of misuse of prescription drugs.