Ella Layn

Kalley Huang

Data

New census data shows people of color driving growth in Chapel Hill

By Ella Layn and Kalley Huang | August 16

Chapel Hill's population grew by almost 5,000 over the past decade, the result of a boom in racial and ethnic diversity. Since 2010, North Carolina has gained more than 900,000 residents, a 9.5 percent increase that puts the state's total population at 10.4 million. A majority of the state's new residents are people of color, according to census data released Thursday. These numbers will be the basis for how political representation is allotted statewide for the next 10 years.

Nishtha Mukherji

City & State

The Pizza Press on Franklin rebrands as /sôst/ in move away from national chain

By Ella Layn | April 29

The name /sôst/ is the phonetic spelling of the word "sauced." This change will bring The Pizza Press, a popular Franklin Street make-your-own-pizza joint since 2018, from being part of a national chain to becoming a local restaurant.

Perennial Coffee and Pastries barista Anna Kasibhatla creates a new brew: a grapefruit infused spiced maple latte in 2017.

Abigail Oden

City & State

Perennial Cafe to bloom again on Franklin Street in time for spring reopening

By Ella Layn | April 26

Perennial Cafe, a coffee shop on West Franklin Street that temporarily closed due to COVID-19, will be reopening in mid-May.

Dana Gentry

News

Chapel Hill declares climate emergency, encourages other municipalities to do the same

By Ella Layn | April 13

The Town worked with community members and environmental organization Sunrise Movement Chapel Hill to revise its Climate Action and Response plan, which council members adopted at an April 7 meeting.

Ira Wilder

City & State

Most public school records in N.C. will now show students' preferred names

By Ella Layn | March 30

A recent change from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will now allow North Carolina public school students to list their preferred name on most state records, like PowerSchool and report cards.

City & State

CHTC shows concern about proposed student apartments, adopts anti-hate crime resolution

By Ella Layn | March 25

The proposed apartment complex, The Flats, would bring approximately 200 new apartment units and a 450 space parking deck to southern Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Calli Westra

City & State

N.C. Senate Bill 100 poses a threat for cities looking to reduce police funding

By Ella Layn | March 8

The bill, also known as the Police Funding Protection Act, states any North Carolina city that reduces funds for law enforcement agencies by more than one percent of the city's annual budget will receive an equivalent reduction in state funding.

City & State

GoFundMe for carjacked Chapel Hill Insomnia driver reaches nearly $50,000

By Ella Layn | February 10

Robert Perry, a delivery driver for Insomnia Cookies, was shot and robbed in December. A co-worker of Perry started the GoFundMe hoping that it would raise enough money to help Perry pay his bills while he recovers and is unable to work.

Jeffrey Shutter

City & State

Future of Buc-ee's Efland Station remains unclear after Tuesday's BOCC meeting

By Ella Layn | January 21

The project, if passed, would include a Buc-ee's travel center, hotel, restaurants and commercial space. It's received vocal opposition from some Orange County residents.

City & State

Chapel Hill Town Council begins planning for 30 years of future land use

By Ella Layn | December 13

The Chapel Hill Town Council completed the first phase of Charting Our Future, a project the town has been working on for over 2 1/2 years, which will allow the Town to properly plan the next 30 years of land use in Chapel Hill.