The OC Report -

The First 90 Days: How North Carolina's coronavirus policies tracked with the outbreak

By Michael Taffe | May 27

With over 24,000 cases in the state, many officials are assessing the effects of containment policies and are having to choose which metrics are best ...

These Franklin Street restaurants have reopened for dine-in services during Phase 2

By Suzannah Claire Perry and Alexandra Smith | May 26

While many restaurants on Franklin Street are either staying closed or are open exclusively for takeout, delivery or curbside service, these restaurants ...

Orange County high school seniors petition against drive-thru graduation

By Hannah McClellan | May 26

Having lost many parts of their final year of high school to COVID-19, including prom, awards nights and other senior activities, many Orange County seniors ...

With schools out, this expanded statewide program is targeting hunger in N.C.

By Elizabeth Egan | May 26

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' P-EBT program, which aims to help North Carolinians combat food insecurity during the COVID-19 ...

Chapel Hill's drive-thru food distribution adapts in the wake of COVID-19

By Crystal Yu | May 25

For the past five years, the Town of Chapel Hill has worked with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to distribute food to families in ...

Orange County will mandate face coverings for business employees during Phase 2

By Suzannah Claire Perry | May 22

Orange County added an amendment to its emergency declaration, enforcing guidelines in addition to Governor Roy Cooper’s Phase 2 executive order. Under ...

N.C. increases COVID-19 testing as state moves into Phase 2 of recovery

By Crystal Yu | May 21

North Carolina has increased its number of tests completed since the beginning of Phase 1. Here's how increases in PPE production and testing are better ...

Eno River Association receives historic nearly $2 million gift

By Britney Nguyen | May 21

Flowing 40 miles eastward through Orange and Durham counties, the Eno River is a life source for people and wildlife along its path. Now, a new land preservation ...

Proposal aims to accommodate social distancing, increase foot traffic on Franklin Street

By Audrey Selley | May 20

The executive director for the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership proposed making temporary modifications to the area during the state's phased reopening, ...

Survey finds Latinx immigrants lack unemployment benefits, housing security amid COVID-19

By Elizabeth Egan | May 19

Local advocacy group Siembra NC found Latinx immigrants' main concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic include accessing unemployment benefits, finding masks ...

Coal protest returns to Chapel Hill amid COVID-19 concerns

By Britney Nguyen | May 18

Protests in front of UNC's cogeneration facility restarted Friday morning after concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic had halted these events. One protester ...

Heel Talk episode six: North Carolina's plan to reopen during COVID-19

By Meredith Radford and Evely Forte | May 18

In this episode, Evely Forte and The Daily Tar Heel City & State editor Claire Perry discuss North Carolina's three-phase plan for reopening during ...

Refugee Support Center serves local families despite COVID-19 pandemic

By Crystal Yu | May 10

The Carrboro-based Refugee Support Center is assisting refugee families in the area by delivering items like gift cards, diapers and food; helping children ...

Jennifer D. Moore wants to increase diversity as an OCS Board of Education member

By Elsa Karcher | May 10

This story is the third of a series featuring the newly elected members of the Orange County Schools Board of Education. Jennifer D. Moore has 12 years ...

Laid off employees struggle to apply for unemployment benefits

By Meredith Radford | April 23

“Upfront, it was pretty frustrating," he said. "Because people rely on the money and it was taking a while for the application to be submitted." ...

Orange County looks towards decontaminating, reusing PPE for first responders amid shortage

By Niharika Vattikonda | April 23

As Orange County's stockpile of personal protective equipment diminishes, community leaders look to alternate, safe solutions to reuse PPE while supplies ...

State officials face pressure to reopen the economy as protesters crowd Raleigh streets

By Guillermo Molero | April 23

William C. McKinney, general counsel for the office of Gov. Roy Cooper, mailed a letter in response to an attorney who petitioned him representing activists ...

Orange County Schools request funds for bilingual pre-K program expansion

By Taylor Heeden and Victoria Johnson | April 23

Orange County Schools Superintendent Monique Felder told Board members that the program would expand New Hope Elementary’s existing dual-language program. ...

Local businesses grapple with decision to close during the COVID-19 crisis

By Elizabeth Egan | April 23

The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly tough on Chapel Hill businesses. Many plan to ride it out, but others are ready to call it quits.

Cooper extends North Carolina's stay-at-home order until May 8, talks reopening plans

By Anna Pogarcic | April 23

Gov. Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina's stay-at-home order will be extended through May 8. The announcement comes at a time when neighboring ...