Jenna Rupp

'A more equitable community': Orange County Living Wage updates hourly pay to $16.60

Orange County Living Wage has updated its 2023 hourly living wage to $16.60, or $15.10 for employers who pay at least half of employees’ health insurance costs. This is a 75-cent increase from last year's living wage. 

'Celebrating and interrogating Southern culture': Carrboro Film Fest returns for 17th year

The film festival will showcase nearly 50 independent films, all focusing on the South and Southern culture. The two feature-length films were both written by UNC alumni. 

Sistine Chapel or Chapel Hill? Art + Transit program searches for bus ceiling artists

A new Arts + Transit program is looking for two artists to design art for the ceilings of Chapel Hill buses. The application is open to artists living within a 40-mile radius of Chapel Hill, and will close at 5 p.m. on Nov. 7.

'Here 365 days out of the year': Organizations raise awareness on Indigenous Peoples' Day

On Oct. 10, people in Chapel Hill and across the state of North Carolina celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day. At the University, several organizations — including the Carolina Indian Circle and the American Indian Center — came together to celebrate community.

Orange County Schools Board of Education OKs stipend for planning-period teaching

Teachers at Orange County schools will now be paid $40 per day for planning, grading and providing instruction during a planning period after the Orange County Board of Education unanimously voted to approve a stipend.

Southern Village’s Live Music on the Village Green ends for season, last event on Sept. 22

Southern Village’s Live Music on the Village Green series concluded this Sunday, but Sept. 22's open mic and karaoke night will be the last music event of the year. The series wrapped up the last of its professional performances on Sept. 18 with a performance by the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra.

Who are the candidates in the Orange County Schools Board of Education race?

On May 17, seven candidates will vie for the four open seats on the Orange County Schools Board of Education.  The candidates running for a position on the board include two incumbents and five newcomers. Those elected will serve a four-year term. 

Conservation cemetery aims to provide green burial options in Orange County

Bluestem Conservation Cemetery is planning to open this summer in Orange County. The site will be the 13th conservation cemetery in the United States, the second in North Carolina and the first in the Piedmont region, co-founder Heidi Hannapel said. 

Chapel Hill Town Council discusses next year's transit budget

'Come in and have fun': How Chapel Hill is celebrating Mardi Gras this week

“It might not be New Orleans Mardi Gras, but we're going to try our hardest,” Ryan Cunnigham, the owner of Socks Off Entertainment, said.