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The Supreme Court of the United States pictured on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.

U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in case on redistricting and NCGA power

By Emmy Martin | 6:02pm

The U.S. Supreme Court is to decide whether the Republican gerrymander of North Carolina districts should continue to be subject to judicial review in state courts. If the Court rules in favor of N.C. state legislature Republicans, the checks and balances at the state court level would be harshly restricted. The Court’s ruling would apply to every state in the country. "I think what might strike a person is that this is a proposal that gets rid of the normal checks and balances on the way big governmental decisions are made in this country," Justice Elena Kagan said.

Chapel Hill Transit bus drives through the intersection of South Road and Columbia Street on Sunday, Aug.14, 2022.

Raleigh Transit Authority recommends bus fares, NC buses remain fare-free

By Lily Richardson | Nov. 17

Although the Raleigh Transit Authority recently voted 6-2 to recommend to the Raleigh City Council to reinstate bus fares in July 2023, GoTriangle, GoDurham and GoRaleigh will remain fare-free for the time being. In contrast, Chapel Hill Transit is a fare-free system and has been for two decades.

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2021, at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro.

Gov. Cooper appoints members of equity task force to implement pandemic recovery

By Maddie Van Meter | Nov. 15

Gov. Roy Cooper announced the appointment of several members to the Andrea Harris Equity Task Force. The mission of the task force is to advise state government offices on ways to promote economic development, equitable practices, health and wellness in disadvantaged communities impacted by COVID-19.

The Legislative Building located in Raleigh houses North Carolina's General Assembly. Republicans fell one seat shy of a veto-proof supermajority in the N.C. House in the 2022 midterm election.

Republicans fall one seat short of regaining supermajority in NC General Assembly

By Ethan E. Horton | Nov. 9

According to unofficial results, Republicans flipped two seats in the N.C. House and two in the N.C. Senate, meaning they would fall one seat short of a supermajority in the state House. This means that Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly will not be able to override a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Republicans needed 72 to gain this veto-proof power but only appeared to win 71 out of 120, falling short of the three-fifths margin for a supermajority. In the state senate, Republicans appeared to win 30 seats out of 50.

DTH Photo Illustration. A side by side comparison of North Carolina's gerrymandered map from 2020 and the map for the 2022 election.

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

By Tori Newby | Nov. 8

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.

Some people from the Down Home team about to canvass voters on a truck in Granville County, North Carolina.

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

By Eliza Benbow | Nov. 8

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.

N.C. Sen. Valerie Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange) has defeated Republican candidate Courtney Geels and will represent the 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Valerie Foushee and Courtney Geels won their respective primary elections and are facing off in the general election this November. Photos courtesy of Foushee and Geels.

Valerie Foushee and Courtney Geels race for NC's 4th Congressional District

By Maddie Singleton | Nov. 2

N.C. Sen. Valerie Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange) and political newcomer Courtney Geels will face-off in the 4th Congressional District race in November’s general election. The district includes Alamance, Orange, Durham, Person and Granville counties, as well as portions of northeastern Caswell County.

Letter: We need the Nurse Staffing Standards Bill

Oct. 25

"We can let our next senator know that the health and wellbeing of our nurses and patients matter to us. And maybe they will help reintroduce this bill for 2022-23 consideration."

The Chapel Hill Fire Department on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd is pictured on Oct. 10. Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 9 through Oct. 15. The motto for this year’s week is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape™.”

NC Forest Service and local departments combat wildfires during fall fire season

By Lily Richardson | Oct. 23

The North Carolina Forest Service announced on Oct. 10 that the fall wildfire season has started in North Carolina and that people should take precautions during recreational burning. The NCFS works to protect and provide valuable forest resources and runs programs for wildfire prevention and reforestation.

Over 41,000 North Carolinians have cast absentee vote for the midterm elections

By Simon Tan | Oct. 23

According to state data, the number of absentee voters for the 2022 midterm election has significantly increased compared to the number from the 2018 midterm election.

North Carolina Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley on stage with Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) during her rally at Fetzer Gym, on Oct. 16, 2022.

Cheri Beasley, NC U.S. Senate candidate, visits UNC with Sen. Jon Ossoff

By Caroline Dickey | Oct. 18

As part of the “For the People: Get Out the Vote Tour,” Beasley came to Chapel Hill to discuss her candidacy for U.S. Senate. She was joined by Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA).

Orange County Animal Services is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.

Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Award applications due Oct. 15, winner announced next month

By Audrey Kashatus | Oct. 16

Applications for the Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Award — a yearly grant that provides $500 to an organization that actively helps animals in the community — will close this Saturday, Oct. 15.

NC abortion providers see increase in out-of-state patients following Roe reversal

By Eliza Benbow | Oct. 11

The number of out-of-state patients seeking abortion care in North Carolina has more than tripled after southern states continue to restrict abortion access. N.C. organizations are making an effort to educate and open abortion access to all despite location or cost.

A solar panel installed nearby Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill, NC.

Cooper announced NC Clean Energy Week, local programs address climate change

By Carly Breland | Oct. 2

N.C. Clean Energy Week is a chance to showcase the work of government workers and community members who are making important changes. However, it is also an opportunity for citizens to consider how they may contribute to a future of cleaner energy.

Gov. Roy Cooper is pictured speaking in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019.

Cooper declares State of Emergency for possible severe weather due to Hurricane Ian

By Allie Kelly | Sep. 28

On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Ian's impact on North Carolina.

A Culex pipien mosquito specimen in the insect collection at the Field Museum shows the type of mosquito that carries the West Nile virus.
Photo Courtesy of E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/TNS.

NC sees West Nile virus cases rise higher than average, numbers remain in single-digits

By Simon Tan | Sep. 23

In a Sept. 19 press release, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the West Nile virus has infected four people in the state, doubling the average number of cases at this point in the year. No deaths have been reported.

DTH Photo Illustration. A student checks their empty wallet while looking at student loan interest rates and the IRS website.

North Carolina to tax student loan forgiveness as income

By Madelyn Van Meter | Sep. 21

In North Carolina, student loan forgiveness will be taxed as income under state law, the N.C. Department of Revenue announced Aug. 31. Loan forgiveness will not be taxed as income on the federal level, according to the Biden administration. Gov. Roy Cooper urged Republican legislators — who hold the majority in the N.C. House of Representatives and Senate — to exempt these loans from taxation in a Sept. 14 press release.

The North Carolina General Assembly building in Raleigh, NC.

N.C. General Assembly reconvenes for 'skeletal' sessions before midterm election

By Phoebe Martel | Sep. 21

Both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly reconvened on Sept. 20 for a three-day procedural session, in which they'll discuss unfinished business, general orders and vetoed bills from the governor. The session begins amid a backdrop of the upcoming midterm election on Nov. 8 and debates over Medicaid and student loan forgiveness.

DTH Photo Illustration. NC Real ID Explainer. Captured on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022

North Carolinians need REAL ID or approved documentation to board flights after May 3

By Bridget Bendezu | Sep. 19

On May 3, federal agencies will begin to enforce the REAL ID Act. This act requires a REAL ID, United States passport or other federally approved identification to board all flights, and visit secure federal buildings, military bases and nuclear sites.

DTH Photo Illustration. A student reads a Sickle Cell Disease fact sheet provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute on Sept. 12, 2022.

'Impacted every aspect of my life': Sickle Cell Awareness Month encourages understanding

By Joelle Adeleke | Sep. 14

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. At this time, the only known cure for sickle cell disease is receiving bone marrow transfusions from a close family member. Gene therapy, which uses the patient's own cells, is currently considered experimental. “Basic science and clinical research – both will help us better take care of a brand new population of adults that have sickle cell disease,” Dr. Jane Little, director of UNC's Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease program, said.