Brittany McGee
Articles
Recipients of WIC program struggle to find approved food during pandemic
Policies regarding the Women, Infants and Children Program have been adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic as recipients of the program struggle to find approved foods. If grocery stores run out of the specific foods that WIC recipients are able to purchase, then they may leave empty handed. “We’re concerned about the ability for WIC participants to meet their nutritional needs during this time given the absence of many staple food items at many grocery stores,” Suzy Khachaturyan, a policy analyst with the N.C. Justice Center, said.
Data shows African Americans might be more affected by COVID-19 than other groups
A recent report released by the CDC implicated underlying conditions as being the main culprit for many COVID-19 deaths and also that African Americans made up a large number of hospitalizations. While local data is inconclusive for the moment, it does raise questions about how race and health are intertwined. “We cannot refer to these high rates of chronic disease without mentioning that African American communities also typically experience poverty, food deserts, gentrification, red-lining and environmental and systemic institutional racism at higher rates as well,” Kristin Prelipp, communications manager at the Orange County Health Department, said.
Students struggle to pay rent and negotiate leases due to economic impact of COVID-19
As the pandemic continues, it is becoming harder for students to keep up with housing payments. Some students have tried renegotiating their leases, but not all landlords have been willing to cooperate. Legal experts said landlords have different levels of flexibility, and may be unable to reduce rent or waive fees. However, they still encouraged students to discuss any issues with their landlords.
State prisons prepare for continued COVID-19 spread, as first four cases are detected
The first four cases of COVID-19 in state prisons were announced on Thursday, two days after the North Carolina Department of Public Safety increased efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus in prisons. NCDPS first issued guidance on the virus in mid-March, but a coalition of advocates is calling on the department to do more to protect inmates. “We’ve known for awhile now that our prisons and jails across the state are particularly vulnerable to an outbreak of COVID-19,” Molly Rivera, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, said.
Chapel Hill Town Council gives latest coronavirus updates at special meeting
In a special Chapel Hill Town Council meeting Wednesday, Town Manager Maurice Jones explained that Chapel Hill activated the Emergency Operations Center, closed many public facilities, suspended public meetings until March 30 and has moved to the Saturday route schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here's how supermarkets are working to limit the spread of COVID-19
Large grocery store chains like Trader Joe's, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods Market are making accommodations for customers and employees alike to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Transparency discussions dominate school board meeting following contract controversy
Emails between a former Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools official and a member of Education Elements, an education consulting firm, reveal how the district entered a $767,070 contract without the school board's approval. The decision raised doubts about transparency and whistleblowing protection among parents and board members.
60 years later, the Town of Chapel Hill erects a marker for the Chapel Hill Nine sit-in
Paying homage to the Chapel Hill Nine's courage and the Civil Rights Movement in the Town of Chapel Hill, a new marker went up on West Franklin Street on Friday.
Chapel Hill Public Library petitions to get rid of library fines
"Within three weeks of going fine-free, Chicago Public Library saw a 240 percent increase in returned materials and an increased number or new users," said Meeghan Rosen, the assistant director of Chapel Hill Public Library.
Severe weather causes clashes between parents and local school districts
Parents express disappointment online after Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced on their Facebook pages Thursday morning that there would be a two-hour early dismissal in anticipation of severe weather.
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chapel hill nine
The marker to the Chapel Hill Nine depicts the demonstrators on one side, along with their names and ages. The marker was dedicated on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
Clayton Weaver
Clayton Weaver is a Chapel Hill native who was 11 years old when the Chapel Hill Nine demonstrations began. He attended the marker dedication on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
chapel hill nine
(From left) Surviving Chapel Hill Nine members Albert Williams and James Merritt, marker artist Steven Hayes, Chapel Hill Town Manager Maurice Jones, and two other Chapel Hill Nine members Dave Mason Jr. and 'Clyde' Douglas Perry stand behind the new marker on Franklin Street. The marker was dedicated on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
Pam Hemminger
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger spoke at the dedication of the Chapel Hill Nine marker on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
Marker Option
Durham artist Stephen Hayes designed the marker commemorating the Chapel Hill Nine, a group of young men who organized a sit-in at the Colonial Drug Store on Franklin Street in 1960. The marker features images and headlines created following the sit-in. The marker was unveiled at a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
Michael Foushee
Michael Foushee is a Chapel Hill native who was 6 years old when the Chapel Hill Nine demonstrations began. He attended the group's marker dedication event on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
James Merritt
James Merritt is one of the four surviving members of the Chapel Hill Nine. He attended the group's marker dedication event on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.