The OC Report -

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Chemicals in some North Carolina drinking water may worsen COVID-19 effects

By Sascha Medina | January 26

These chemicals, called GenX, are present in the Cape Fear River and could be putting residents at risk by suppressing their immune systems and causing ...

CHCCS Board of Education discusses return to in-person learning, postpones decision

By Kathryn Goodwin | January 25

The board postponed its decision on returning to remote learning until a Feb. 18 meeting. At that later meeting, the board will also discuss whether or ...

Caitlin Gooch isn't holding her horses in stopping childhood illiteracy

By Elsa Karcher | January 25

Based in Wendell, North Carolina, equestrian Caitlin Gooch uses horses to encourage childhood reading, build confidence and increase representation within ...

'Reverence and respect': Carrboro honors Black Lives Matter with two murals

By Sarah Gray Barr | January 24

Residents and Town Council members hope the mural will keep the momentum of the movement going and bring the community together.

Many Chapel Hill officials, such as Town Council member Karen Stegman, work other jobs in addition to their town roles.

The OC Voice: Re-imagining community safety in Chapel Hill

January 24

The OC Voice is a portion of the OC Report newsletter where local residents may have a platform to talk about local issues they care about. Karen Stegman ...

Here's what you need to know about North Carolina's updated COVID-19 vaccination plan

By Jacob Meredith-Andrews | January 21

Vaccine distribution in North Carolina has been complicated by logistical hurdles and limited supplies. Here's what you need to know about statewide and ...

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 ...

Meet Nyah Hamlett, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' new superintendent

By Britney Nguyen | January 20

Hamlett, who has held leadership positions in multiple Virginia school systems, she wants to prioritize racial equity, school-based mental health and ...

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Three Orange County towns become first in N.C. to pass LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances

By Emma Kenfield | January 19

The nondiscrimination ordinance is a step in the right direction by protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity ...

Orange County residents, tell us what we should be covering

By Sonia Rao | January 19

We've spent a lot of time giving you the news. Now it's your turn to tell us what we should be covering.

North Carolina farmworkers already dealing with pandemic stress avoid wage freeze

By Kayla Guilliams | January 18

N.C. farmworkers who come from Mexico to North Carolina on H-2A visas face a high vulnerability to COVID-19 due to living in migrant farmworker camps. ...

N.C. residents 65 and older can now get the COVID-19 vaccine. Tell us your questions.

By Sonia Rao | January 18

There's a lot of uncertainty and questions about the COVID-19 vaccination process in North Carolina. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, ...

Chapel Hill joins Carrboro, Hillsborough in passing LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination ordinance

By Trevor Moore | January 14

The new ordinance includes protections for sexuality and gender identity in public places and employment after a statewide ban expired Dec. 1.

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Orange County Schools Board of Education delays in-person return until March

By Brian Rosenzweig | January 14

Due to rising COVID-19 concerns from teachers and residents, the board voted by a narrow margin to delay the return of grades two through 12 until March. ...

Greene Tract environmental assessment provides guidebook for preservation of the land

By Audrey Selley | January 10

Discussions over development on the land — which is jointly owned by Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County — have been ongoing for more than three ...

Federal, state and local officials speak out against the riot at the U.S. Capitol

By Brittany McGee | January 10

The riot at the U.S. Capitol occurred as Congress met on Jan. 6 to certify the electoral votes, resulting in five deaths and calls for the removal of ...

New state employees will no longer receive retiree health coverage benefits

By Brian Rosenzweig | January 10

Lawmakers hope this change will help to mitigate the rising costs of insurance that the state is responsible for providing.

Meet the new chair and vice-chair of the CHCCS Board of Education

By Graham Hill | January 5

Board member Jillian La Serna was elected to serve as the board's new chairperson at a Dec. 3 meeting, while Deon Temne was elected as the board's vice ...

Underserved Chapel Hill students receive over 100 instruments from donation

By Madison Ward | December 17

National Pawn, with 20 statewide locations over the past 33 years, recently donated over 100 musical instruments to Musical Empowerment, a Carrboro-based ...

UNC alumnus Ricky Hurtado is first Latinx Democrat elected to N.C. General Assembly

By Emmy Trivette | December 17

“More than anything, I've been humbled by this moment,” Hurtado said. “We've done something that no Latino Democrat has ever done in North Carolina, ...