ERIN GIBSON

News

Six arrested during Iraq war protest

By ERIN GIBSON | February 19

Jessi Jungblut stood at the window of a Chapel Hill Police Department vehicle Friday afternoon trying to understand what her handcuffed roommate Sara Joseph was saying to her from the back seat of the car. "I'm so proud of her," Jungblut, a UNC senior said as her roommate sat under arrest in front of Democratic U.S. Rep. David Price's Chapel Hill office. "Last time people occupied his office he changed his vote, so it seems like a big step."

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UNC works with N.C.'s minimum wage hike

By ERIN GIBSON | January 10

Katherine "Kappie" Kopp isn't likely to be caught sitting around wasting time. When she is not in class, the UNC-Chapel Hill junior is busy playing on the University's club Rugby team, or working at the Bull's Head Bookshop in Student Stores, the UNC Development Office or as a nanny. But thanks to the $1 increase in North Carolina's minimum wage, which went into effect Jan. 1, and other raises, Kopp will be able to take a trip to Europe in March. "My twin sister, who goes here also, is abroad doing the Montpellier program, so I'm going to France for spring break," she said.

News

French protests concluded

By ERIN GIBSON | April 11

French legislation temporarily took the study out of study abroad for many students in the UNC in Montpellier program. But with the announcement by French officials Monday that a controversial youth job contract proposal will be repealed, about 20 students in the program could be heading back to class soon. Students and residents in France have been protesting the job law - which makes it easier for employers to fire young workers - by making themselves seen and heard in the streets for more than a month of widespread protests.

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Mardi Gras slimmed down

By ERIN GIBSON | February 28

Colorful beads and jazz music will permeate through American towns today to celebrate Fat Tuesday, the last day of the Mardi Gras carnival season. The majority of the celebration takes place in New Orleans, but Friday, Hillsborough looked a bit like the Crescent City. Residents donned their green, purple and gold as they paraded down Churton Street and enjoyed the tastes and sounds of a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras, sponsored by the Hillsborough Arts Council.

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BBC to invade WUNC airwaves

By ERIN GIBSON | January 30

British accents will echo across the globe this morning from North Carolina as the BBC World Service Newshour airs live from WUNC's Durham studio. Today marks the first time that the entire broadcast of the show will come from a local radio station. It also is the first time presenter Robin Lustig will face a live audience. There is space for 800 listeners in the studio, housed in Durham's American Tobacco Campus at 324 Blackwell St., and WUNC is expecting a large turnout. You must RSVP at 966-5454 or rsvp@wunc.org.

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More taxes earmarked to education

By ERIN GIBSON | January 24

A report from the Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University seems to show that higher education across the country is a top priority when it comes to allocating tax dollars. Nationwide there was a 5.3 percent increase in appropriations to education from 2005 to 2006. "We've seen in the past couple of years the tax funds for higher education have increased as the economy has improved and states generally have more revenues to work with and support education," said James Palmer, the editor of Grapevine, the center's annual compilation of tax data.

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Future of Triangle transit up to study

By ERIN GIBSON | October 10

If the Triangle Transit Authority is able to meet its series of deadlines, a new rail system could provide an alternative to driving in heavy traffic, helping to connect Triangle residents. The TTA rail system would connect Raleigh and Durham with trains and a revamped bus system. Eventually, a route would add Chapel Hill to the mix.

News

A man with many hats

By ERIN GIBSON | September 29

While former senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards might not be working in the White House, his position at UNC could give him the opportunity to make a nationwide difference. He has been juggling his time between directing the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC and pursuing his personal goals to end poverty and raise awareness about the issue. Laura Hogshead, assistant director of the center, said Edwards is on campus about once a week. His two-year part time appointment provides him with $40,000 annually.

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Groups march on D.C.

By ERIN GIBSON | September 26

WASHINGTON - Anti-war protesters from Orange County, N.C., Orange County, Calif. and everywhere in between gathered Saturday to show their disapproval of the occupation of Iraq in a rally and march on the White House. Estimated to be at least 100,000 strong, protesters filled one section of the lawn between the Washington Monument and the White House with crosses, the Star of David and crescent moons to honor the more than 1,900 soldiers who have died since the beginning of the war.

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Protester's NCSU visit leads to campus spat

By ERIN GIBSON | September 21

First Amendment rights are a hot topic at N.C. State University after protesters disrupted a Thursday night rally for Cindy Sheehan's Bring Them Home Now Bus Tour. The N.C. State Campus Greens hosted the event to give students a chance to hear from the mother of a U.S. soldier killed while serving in Iraq. The N.C. State College Republicans also were scheduled to hold a counter demonstration in the university's brickyard.