Article Archive

Raleigh News & Observer • 29th July 2025

House bill about sexuality, religion in schools now law after veto override

The NC General Assembly voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto on a controversial bill tackling sexuality, religion in schools and school libraries — a win for Senate and House Republicans.

The House voted 72-48 to override the veto, with Rep. Naisf Majeed being the only Democrat to vote with Republicans. The bill then moved to the Senate, receiving a 30-19 final vote.

Majeed, a Mecklenburg County Democrat who rarely votes with Republicans, proved to be the decisive vote in overriding Stein’...

Raleigh News & Observer • 22nd July 2025

Rural Robeson County hospital says Medicaid cuts are ‘deeply concerning’

The only hospital in one of North Carolina’s poorest counties faces a tough challenge after the passage of the Trump administration’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Act.

With 58% of Robeson County residents enrolled in Medicaid — and over 15% without any health insurance — UNC Health Southeastern and its patients will be hit hard by federal cuts.

Robeson County has one of the highest rates of Medicaid enrollment in North Carolina, with more than 20% of enrollees enrolled through the state’s recent...

Raleigh News & Observer • 17th July 2025

No, don’t leave your child or pet in the car, even with the AC on. Here’s why.

It was 91 degrees in Wake Forest on Tuesday, but the temperature inside the car was over 140 degrees. And it had likely taken less than an hour to get there.

According to No Heat Stroke, the temperature in a vehicle in 90-degree weather can rise 35 degrees in 30 minutes. Even cars in 70-degree weather can reach 110 degrees in 45 minutes.

Wake County and the town of Wake Forest held a community event at the Wake County Northern Regional Center on Tuesday on the danger of leaving children and pe...

Raleigh News & Observer • 5th July 2025

NC drivers will now get an extra 2 years to renew their licenses due to DMV delays

North Carolinians can now wait two additional years to renew their driver’s license after its expiration date.

The “temporary moratorium,” initially proposed by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on Tuesday, seeks to relieve the Division of Motor Vehicles from backlogs of appointments.

Arranging an appointment or walking into a DMV office has become increasingly difficult across the state. There’s widespread and growing agreement that the long wait times are tied to insufficient...

Raleigh News & Observer • 1st July 2025

With Tillis out, NC Senate race projected as a ‘toss-up.’ What experts anticipate.

With Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announcing Sunday that he won’t run for reelection, many experts are considering how the political landscape in North Carolina may change — including possibly making way for a Democratic Senate win for the first time since 2008.

According to The Cook Political Report, a politics analysis organization that predicts congressional and gubernatorial races nationwide, the upcoming Senate race is now a “toss-up.”

North Carolina is now the top opportunity for Democrat...

Raleigh News & Observer • 24th June 2025

Do parents need more say over library books? NC bill focuses on schools, gender

The state Senate has approved a bill that expands the rights of parents to object to school library books and assignments that clash with their beliefs.

House Bill 805, which has gone through substantial changes since its inception, also bans the use of state funding to pay for health care for transgender prison inmates, among other changes aimed at LGBTQ+ people. And the measure sparked heated debate on the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon.

The Republican-backed bill amassed opposition from Dem...

Raleigh News & Observer • 24th June 2025

Thousands of inmates in NC prisons withstand heat waves with no air conditioning

During this week’s heat wave, inmates in prisons across North Carolina face sweltering heat with no air conditioning.

More than one in five of the state’s prison beds, 21%, still do not have air conditioning, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections website.

That’s a double-digit drop from a year ago, when 34% of beds were in spaces without air conditioning. And almost all prisons either have air conditioning systems or have installation projects in progress. Johnston an...

Raleigh News & Observer • 17th June 2025

NC Democrat apologizes for post of protest sign appearing to show beheaded Trump

Rep. Julie von Haefen apologized Tuesday evening on the floor of the state House of Representatives after her controversial social media post following Saturday’s No Kings protest.

The Face book post by the Apex Democrat contained a video with an image of a protester holding a sign with a guillotine and a mask appearing to be a beheaded President Donald Trump.

The post sparked criticism, including from a committee of the state chapter of Moms for Liberty, a socially conservative education advo...

Raleigh News & Observer • 16th June 2025

NC House Democrat deletes X account after post with ‘inappropriate’ protest image

State Rep. Julie von Haefen is under fire after posting a video on social media including a protester holding a sign with an image of a guillotine and a mask of what appears to be a beheaded Donald Trump.

The sign reads, “In these difficult times, some cuts may be necessary.”

The picture was taken during Raleigh’s downtown No Kings protest Saturday.

Von Haefen deleted her account on X, formerly known as Twitter, after criticism of the post.

A press release late Monday morning from the state...

Raleigh News & Observer • 14th June 2025

Raleigh protesters declare there are ‘no kings,’ part of demonstrations across US

A few thousand people lined both sides of Capital Boulevard in North Raleigh Saturday, holding signs and American flags to protest the policies and tactics of President Donald Trump.

Rather than gather in a park or march through downtown, “No Kings” protesters chose the busy seven-lane road near Triangle Town Center mall to spread their message. The crowd frequently erupted in cheers as passing cars honked their horns.

Camille Schiele said she came to the protest because she wants “to live in...

Raleigh News & Observer • 9th June 2025

Activist groups gather in Raleigh in solidarity with Los Angeles ICE protests

Protesters in Raleigh gathered in Moore Square on Monday afternoon to display solidarity with ongoing protests in Los Angeles and in response to the arrest of labor union leader David Huerta.

The Raleigh protest, which was organized by the Union of Southern Service Workers and Service Employees International Union, amassed a crowd of over 100. Members of North Carolina’s state chapter of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the North Carolina Asso...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 6th August 2025

NCCU establishes new Homecoming policies. Here’s what you need to know. - Campus Echo Online

N.C. Central University is adding new guidelines to this year’s Ultimate Homecoming Experience. 
Homecoming draws thousands of students, alumni and members of the community onto NCCU’s campus annually. But as safety concerns have grown at NCCU and other HBCUs in the state, Chancellor Karrie Dixon said that the university is implementing “thoughtful and necessary changes.”  
Dixon, joined by other university officials, shared information regarding the new policies in a virtual town hall on Tuesda...

Raleigh News & Observer • 15th July 2025

You can now drive with an expired NC license. But can you vote with it?

Drivers in North Carolina can now legally drive up to two years past the expiration of their license due to a new law in place until 2027. But will voters be able to use an expired license to vote?

The News & Observer received that question from a reader after reporting on Senate Bill 391, which gives drivers an extension on renewing their licenses in an attempt to reduce long waits at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Patrick Gannon, North Carolina State Board of Elections public information di...

Raleigh News & Observer • 8th July 2025

Free tuition, housing and meals: How a summer program helped change this NC HBCU

In 2021, Fayetteville State University trailed behind all UNC System schools in graduation and retention rates. When Chancellor Darrell Allison stepped into his role, he knew he needed to do “something radical.”

After implementing a summer-school scholarship offering tuition-free classes and free room and board, more students are staying and graduating on time.

After five years, the program has helped push the university’s 2025 retention rate to a projected 80% from 63% in 2020. The class of 2...

Raleigh News & Observer • 24th May 2025

UNC-Chapel Hill announces site for first new dorm in almost 20 years

UNC-Chapel Hill plans to open a new residence hall in 2028, its first new dorm since 2006.

The UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees announced the site for what it’s calling New Residence Hall 1 in a meeting on Wednesday.

It will be located between Stacy Residence Hall and Cobb Residence Hall on the north end of the campus, on the current site of Jackson Hall. In order to begin the project, the 83-year-old Jackson Hall, which houses the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, will be demolished.

The...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 30th April 2025

Mister Freshman claims backlash after vocal attendance at housing protest - Campus Echo Online

Zyarre Prince said that he knew he was taking a “big risk” when he attended N.C. Central University’s housing protest while wearing his Mister Freshman sash on April 16.
But he went anyway.
And now, he said he’s faced backlash from some Student Government Association and Royal Court members.
Prince said that he wanted to protest with students because he too struggles with the conditions of his dorm. Prince, who lives in the Eagleson Residence Hall, said that he has experienced a leaking AC unit,...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 25th April 2025

Durham’s historic farmers market reaches its 55th season - Campus Echo Online

Even though it’s marked by handmade signage, a beloved piece of Durham’s local produce history is easy to miss if you drive on Barbee Road without Perkins Orchard already in mind.
Those “in the know” about what lies at the bottom of that sloping gravel driveway in South Durham have been shopping at Durham’s only permanent farmer’s market since 1970.
The three-acre lot behind owner Donovan Watson’s house is home to an open-air market and the Orchard Club, an enclosed building that sells locally s...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 23rd April 2025

Durham Public School teachers are leaving their careers. Why? - Campus Echo Online

Teachers play a crucial role in the lives of children. Oftentimes, students spend more time at school than they do at home.
Perhaps you may recall accidentally calling one of your teachers “mom” or “dad” during grade school.
North Carolina’s teachers often spend hours in and out of the classroom preparing lesson plans and grading assignments. Less than 55% of teachers agree that their non-instructional time is sufficient, according to the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey.
Despite...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 21st April 2025

NCCU announces plans to improve housing - Campus Echo Online

NCCU announced plans Monday afternoon to improve on-campus housing following last week’s protest.
In an emailed statement to the student body from the Division of Student Affairs, NCCU plans to implement six short and long-term action steps.
Residential Life will conduct room-by-room inspections to address maintenance issues and pest control, according to the statement. These inspections are expected to continue indefinitely and will be conducted twice a semester.
The statement also said that ad...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 11th April 2025

Karrie Dixon installed as 13th chancellor at NCCU - Campus Echo Online

In front of a roaring crowd of family, alumni, James E. Shepard descendants, Delta Sigma Theta members, board of trustees, elected officials, students, faculty and staff, Karrie Dixon took her place as the 13th chancellor of N.C. Central University during her installation on Friday in the McDougald-McLendon arena.
The event’s speakers gave warm regards, praise and words of encouragement for Chancellor Dixon. They boasted about the accomplishments she’s already achieved in her first nine months a...

Triangle Tribune • 24th March 2025

NCCU establishes new Homecoming policies. Here’s what you need to know.

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 17th March 2025

Student led project seeks to improve housing conditions - Campus Echo Online

Alena Dockery has grown frustrated with the conditions in her residence hall. After hearing frequent complaints about subpar housing conditions from her peers, Dockery decided to act towards improvements.
In February, Dockery created “The NCCU Quality of Life Project,” a project seeking to improve housing conditions by presenting documented issues to N.C. Central University’s administration.
“I want to make sure that we can document the issues that we’re having and then also create a clear path...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 26th February 2025

NC State Representative and Senator talk civic engagement at NCCU - Campus Echo Online

N.C. Central University’s Political Science Club hosted N.C. State Rep. Zack Hawkins and N.C. State Sen. Natalie Murdock on campus to engage with students on Monday evening.
The event, “How to Stay Civically Engaged After the Election,” offered a Socratic seminar for students to speak openly about their concerns with the current political climate.
Hawkins, Murdock and about 15 students discussed the removal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies in the federal government and private busines...

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu • 5th February 2025

Chancellor Dixon reflects on first semester, looks ahead - Campus Echo Online

Chancellor Karrie Dixon didn’t wake up one day and decide to become a chancellor. But once she made the decision to pursue the role, she made sure that she would become “the best chancellor [she] could be.”
Dixon, former chancellor at Elizabeth City State University, started at N.C. Central University in July following Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye’s retirement after his 7-year tenure. That makes Dixon the second permanent female chancellor of NCCU after Debra Saunders-White, who died from canc...