SWIMMING-AND-DIVING

Meet Courtney Banghart, new head coach of UNC women's basketball

By Jerome Simpson

To understand Courtney Banghart – Ivy League graduate, Dartmouth College Hall of Famer, Naismith Coach of the Year – and how she got to North Carolina, you’ll have to understand her past. Banghart was a basketball player and neuroscience major at Dartmouth, but said that coaching "wasn't a vocation in my eyes." It took three years of coaching high school basketball – while also teaching and serving as athletic director – for her to change her tune. Banghart then returned to Dartmouth, where she served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator while working toward her master's in writing and leadership development. In 2007, Banghart was named the head coach of Princeton women's basketball, and quickly turned the program around. In her third season, the Tigers made their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. In 2015, Banghart's team went undefeated in the regular season, and Banghart was named one of the Women's 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune magazine. Now, Courtney Banghart is in Chapel Hill. Click to read more about her journey.

'We're a part of the campus:' UNC's long-term plan for Cosmic Cantina

By Preston Lennon

Cosmic Cantina has been serving up low-cost, high-quality burritos for 20 years in Chapel Hill. Although a recent UNC plan proposes replacing it and other businesses with a welcoming gateway to campus, changes are years down the road.  Part of the UNC Master Plan proposes using an entire section of buildings surrounding Porthole Alley for a number of projects. This plan left students and store owners confused about the future of Cosmic Cantina, a beloved Mexican restaurant on Franklin Street. 

Rise and fall: The 110 year history of UNC's Confederate monument, Silent Sam

By Preston Lennon

Conceived in 1908, completed in 1913, then torn down in 2018, Silent Sam was a lightning rod symbol on UNC's campus for over 100 years. Even now, as the one-year anniversary of its toppling approaches and the statue remains hidden in storage, Silent Sam continues to spark conversations on race and history. 

E3 camp provides students opportunity to explore STEM fields with hands-on approach

By Marin Wolf

Programming robots is not how most students spend their summers; but for students at the Empowering Excellence through Education (E3) Camp it’s just another Wednesday, playing and creating with technology and experiments meant to introduce them to the world of science, technology, engineering and math.

Counteracting fake news and privacy invasions: UNC center set to examine digital life

By Preston Lennon

In response to the meteoric rise of big tech, UNC has created The Center for Information, Technology and Public Life. It will take a look at issues like fake news, interference in elections and privacy concerns. 

Column: Making downtown Chapel Hill better requires innovation and collaboration

I want to walk down Franklin Street, drop in on friends who started their business and decided to grow it locally, interact with the work of artists who work in collaborative spaces supported by the University and the Town, and buy from companies that employ my neighbors. 

Column: Revitalizing downtown

Our downtown can grow while still maintaining the historical character and uniqueness of our town.

Orange County Speedway keeps short-course tradition alive

By Brent Van Vliet

The Orange County Speedway held the Summer Firecracker Frenzy 200 on Saturday, June 20, continuing the racetrack's long tradition of short course races. For many, the speedway is more than a place to go on the weekends - its a community. 

UNC women's basketball releases non-conference schedule for 2019-20

By Ryan Wilcox

The Tar Heels will host seven games and face four in-state opponents as part of their non-conference schedule, the athletic department announced Thursday.

Column: It's time to support living wage employers

Carrboro Board of Aldermen candidate Susan Romaine shares her view on North Carolina's minimum wage. 

Inside UNC's long term plan to reinvent campus, the 'Master Plan'

By Nick Needham

UNC last released a Master Plan in 2006 that saw the creation of the Caudill Laboratories and the Arts Common area, among other developments. The latest version of the Master Plan seeks to transform some elements of Carolina Housing, recreate the look and feel of Porthole Alley, and much more. 

UNC narrows candidates for chief of police, invites finalists to campus

By Preston Lennon

In the wake of the former Police Chief Jeff McCracken begins a new process to hire for the position  —   one that has been at the brunt of much controversy and finger pointing. 

Craig Hicks given three life sentences for murders of three Muslim students

By Marin Wolf

Today a small moment of justice was brought to the Durham County Courthouse as Craig Hicks was handed a ruling of three consecutive life sentences in prison for the murders of three Muslim college students in 2015. Family members that were present at the sentencing offered their words and sentiments about the lives that were lost on that February night. The families of Deah, Yusor and Razan also reclaimed the narrative of their murder, with additional evidence being presented that removed false claims and presumptions about the nature of how the crime occurred. 

Column: After Trump's rally, North Carolina has a choice to make

By Ramishah Maruf

Like Omar, I love America so much I want it to be the best version of itself, one that treats all of its people with respect and dignity.

Column: Chapel Hill's role in combating climate change

"The social and health benefits of walkable neighborhoods, the green spaces that we will create, and the greenways that will be constructed will all promote a much higher quality of life for our residents."

The most emu-sing story you'll read today: Wild bird spotted around Orange County

By Meredith Radford

“That’s very strange to look out of your window and see an emu in your yard,” Fox said.

Here's who's running in this fall's local elections

By Marin Wolf and Jamey Cross

Here is a comprehensive list of all of the candidates that have filed thus far.

Column: When considering Carrboro paid parking, it doesn't have to be all or nothing

"Our town government should not pick and choose winners and losers in any project. "

'A learning experience': Garrison Brooks prepares to lead UNC basketball

By Ryan Wilcox

Garrison Brooks is sticking around, even though some of UNC's most indelible names have left the court. But, as Brooks steps up to guide the Tar Heels as the only returning starter, leadership isn't something that he seems to be a stranger to. 

North Carolina Congressional map can stay following Supreme Court decision

By Marin Wolf

North Carolina won't have to redraw congressional districts after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it does not have a role to play in cases of partisan gerrymandering.