Sonia Rao
Articles
Here's what online learning looks like for students, parents and teachers in CHCCS
Students, parents and teachers in local school districts are trying to adjust as schools transition online due to COVID-19. Caroline Spencer, whose son is a senior at East Chapel Hill High School, said her son has been assigned grades in his classes based on his work from before school shut down, and his classes have been canceled. “He's pretty much done,” she said. “He’s been accepted to college and he probably won't have a prom or graduation, and he's right now just focused on hoping that he gets to start school in the fall.”
Column: We want to hear your stories about online schooling
We know students, parents and teachers who are adjusting to online schooling have stories to tell — and we want to help you tell them.
Office DJ: Stop crafting, start podcasting
Assistant City & State Editor Sonia Rao swaps NSYNC for NPR with a playlist featuring her favorite podcast episodes.
Refugees in Orange County struggle to make ends meet amid COVID-19 economic hardships
As COVID-19 continues to change the dynamics for families everywhere, refugee families in Orange County are facing their own unique set of challenges.
Column: Wash your hands, stay six feet apart and fact-check your sources
Assistant City & State editor Sonia Rao shares why one should fact-check information during a time when "misinformation and disinformation are already rampant on social media."
Gov. Cooper issues stay-at-home order for North Carolina effective Monday
Enforcement will begin on Monday at 5 p.m., but Cooper said at a news briefing that he encourages residents to start following the order immediately.
School districts work for equitable remote education amid coronavirus closings
With the closing of all public schools until March 30, students in CHCCS and OCS face a new struggle: remote learning.
Orange County to issue stay-at-home order Friday at 6 p.m.
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, Orange County is now officially ordering residents to stay at home. The county is asking law enforcement to help with this order, which does not include travel to essential businesses, such as grocery stores.
Food banks and school districts work to combat coronavirus food insecurity
Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, as well as nonprofits like TABLE and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, are offering free meals for at-risk students and families after all school districts closed for the next two weeks.
Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro declare state of emergencies to address coronavirus
Orange County and Carrboro have just declared state of emergencies in response to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Media
veterans memorial
U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C. speaks during the Orange County Veterans Day event at the Orange County Veterans Memorial on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019.