Editorial Content — Carolina Political Review

Carolina's Premier Undergraduate Political Affairs Journal

Posts in Local

What’s Next for Chapel Hill: Congresswoman Valerie Foushee’s Legislative Priorities and Their Impact

What’s Next for Chapel Hill: Congresswoman Valerie Foushee’s Legislative Priorities and Their Impact

Foushee, who assumed office on January 3rd, 2024, acts as Chapel Hill’s current voice in Washington, representing North Carolina’s 4th congressional district. Compared to other nearby cities, Chapel Hill voters tend to lean more liberal, aligning with Foushee’s role as a Democratic House Representative. As a woman of color and Chapel Hill native, Foushee is best known for championing and amplifying causes such as protecting minority rights and education reform, among many others. When it comes to her vision for the future of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, there are a few key legislative issues she seeks to prioritize through the remainder of her term.

LocalJaya NadellaMarch 25, 2025Local, Foushee, NC PoliticsComment

UNC System Drops U.S. Diversity Requirement in Curriculum

UNC System Drops U.S. Diversity Requirement in Curriculum

As of Wednesday, February 5th, the UNC System is no longer mandating course requirements for classes dealing with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). All general education and major-specific DEI graduation requirements besides the FC-POWER focus capacity have been suspended, reshaping how certain courses fit into students’ degree plans. Although FC-POWER is yet to be completely cut out from the curriculum given that the shift is so fresh, university leadership has suggested that further changes might be on the horizon.

LocalJaya NadellaMarch 17, 2025UNC, LocalComment

NC General Assembly Begins Long Session with End of GOP Supermajority

NC General Assembly Begins Long Session with End of GOP Supermajority

In the last legislative session, House Republicans overrode 29 of Governor Cooper’s vetoes. Now, no override will occur unless Democrats are persuaded to work with Republicans or if a Democrat is absent during a General Assembly vote.

LocalElise ChangFebruary 27, 2025Local, Roy Cooper, Josh Stein, General AssemblyComment

Votes Under Fire: The Court Battle That Could Shape North Carolina’s Judiciary

Votes Under Fire: The Court Battle That Could Shape North Carolina’s Judiciary

On November 5th, 2024, Allison Riggs was reelected to the NC Supreme Court with a narrow victory of 734 out of 5.5 million votes. Shortly after, Jefferson Griffin sued the North Carolina State Board of Elections, claiming that roughly 66,000 votes should be discounted from the total.

LocalKate TurnerFebruary 25, 2025Local, Jefferson Griffin, Allison Riggs, Wake County, Local PoliticsComment

North Carolina and US Experienced Decreased Voter Turnout in 2024

North Carolina and US Experienced Decreased Voter Turnout in 2024

In the 2024 general election, North Carolina overall experienced decreased voter turnout compared to record numbers in 2020. National trends reflect a similar slight decrease in voter turnout this year, with a one-percent reduction between 2020 and 2024. Orange County evaded such a decrease and voter turnout was nearly the same as in 2020.

Local, Election 2024Elise ChangJanuary 6, 2025Elections, NC Elections, NC Politics, Local, Election 2024Comment

UNC’s Reliance on Coal Limits Local Rail Conversion

UNC’s Reliance on Coal Limits Local Rail Conversion

Last month, the Chapel Hill Town Council agreed to participate in planning the Co-Gen Rail Transformation Project alongside Orange County and Carrboro. This project aims to convert a 10-mile rail line into a multimodal greenway that would bring economic and environmental benefits. Still, it is currently limited by UNC’s reliance on the coal the rail line provides.

LocalDanny BardenNovember 3, 2024Coal, Rail, UNC, Chapel Hill, LocalComment

North Carolina’s Voting Period Has Begun: Here’s What to Know When Heading to the Polls

North Carolina’s Voting Period Has Begun: Here’s What to Know When Heading to the Polls

While the deadline for voter registration in North Carolina ended on October 11, 2024, the effort to increase voter turnout continues as we near election day. Early voting began in NC on October 17, 2024, and will end at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Local, Election 2024Sofia PadovanoOctober 24, 2024NCPOL, NC Politics, NC Elections, Elections, 2024 Election, LocalComment

GoTriangle’s Fare Reinstatement and the Expansion of Public Transit in NC

GoTriangle’s Fare Reinstatement and the Expansion of Public Transit in NC

As public transportation is expanding in North Carolina, the Triangle, especially our local Chapel Hill area, has made great advancements in making public transportation accessible for all riders. With the new options that have come with the reinstating of ride fares, there are options for all age groups to ride for free.

LocalSofia PadovanoOctober 21, 2024GoTriangle, Bus, Public TransportationComment

UNC Student Groups Prepare for Upcoming Election

UNC Student Groups Prepare for Upcoming Election

For generations, public universities have served as a hotbed of political activity and particularly, UNC-Chapel Hill. At a public university with a largely left-leaning student body ina swing state that has the ability to decide the election, student groups are more active than ever.

Local, Election 2024Addisen HeavnerOctober 21, 2024Local, Elections, NC Elections, North Carolina ElectionsComment

Protests Erupt Across the Country as Fear of a Regional War Looms

Protests Erupt Across the Country as Fear of a Regional War Looms

Entering this new phase in the Middle East conflict through the involvement of Lebanon, United States officials, such as President Biden, are losing faith in a ceasefire deal as the focus shifts to defeating Hezbollah. As violence and tensions escalate, a path to ending the war and all of the emotional turmoil that comes with it becomes even more hazy.

LocalMary McKenzieOctober 13, 2024Israel, Palestine-Israel Conflict, Israel-Hamas War, US-Israel RelationsComment

Hurricane Helene's Legacy: Evaluating Community Responses and Future Policy Directions in Western North Carolina

Hurricane Helene's Legacy: Evaluating Community Responses and Future Policy Directions in Western North Carolina

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on October 1, 2024, has had devastating effects on Western North Carolina, leading to significant loss of life and widespread destruction. This article examines the federal and state response, the human toll of the disaster, and the community's resilience amid recovery efforts. It also highlights the importance of preparedness for future storms and the political implications of climate change. As communities band together to rebuild, lessons from Helene may shape future emergency responses and infrastructure improvements.

LocalNicole MolinaOctober 13, 2024Helene, Hurricane Helene, Flood, Asheville, Western North CarolinaComment

National Attention Placed on NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Race

National Attention Placed on NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Race

One of the most polarizing races on North Carolina’s ballot this year is the fight for Superintendent of Public Instruction, the chief administrative officer for the state’s public school system. Mo Green, the Democratic candidate, is the former Superintendent of Guilford County Schools. Michele Morrow, the Republican nominee, is a registered nurse from Cary who homeschooled her children, running on a platform of parental rights, a reorganization of educational institutions and funding, and opposition to critical race theory.

Local, Election 2024Ben JonesOctober 9, 2024NC Elections, North Carolina, North Carolina Politics, Education, LocalComment

Chapel Hill Town Council Takes on Stormwater, Lighting, and More

Chapel Hill Town Council Takes on Stormwater, Lighting, and More

In 55 minutes, the Town Council—minus Karen Stegman, who was absent—discussed a development that wanted an exemption from light rules, trash in the Haw River, affordable housing, changes to a right-of-way, and updated stormwater regulations

LocalBenjamin McAvoy-BickfordApril 30, 2024Town of Chapel Hill, Town Council, Chapel Hill Town Council, Local, Local NewsComment

Why Did a Politician Who Found Fame Online Vote to “Ban” TikTok?

Why Did a Politician Who Found Fame Online Vote to “Ban” TikTok?

As a Congressman who gained a large reputation on the app, many users saw this as an act of betrayal. On March 16, Jackson took to the platform to address the vote, apologizing for his lack of transparency. “I would feel like I deserved an explanation.”

Local, Editor's PicksChloe JohnsonApril 25, 2024TikTok, Jeff Jackson, Local Government, State Government, TikTok Ban, Local, Editor's PickComment

All About Public Comment in Chapel Hill

All About Public Comment in Chapel Hill

At town council meetings that the Carolina Political Review has reported on, the Town Council has seemed highly engaged during the public comment period, and multiple issues have gotten a number of speakers invested in them.

LocalBenjamin McAvoy-BickfordApril 22, 2024Town of Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, Town CouncilComment

North Carolina has Legalized Sports Betting. What has it Looked Like So Far?

North Carolina has Legalized Sports Betting. What has it Looked Like So Far?

With 3 Atlantic Coast Conference teams from NC in the Sweet Sixteen combined with legalized sports betting, revenue was pouring in for the state. The NC Education Lottery Commission released early projections of revenue generated from sports betting and the numbers included $141 million paid out in winnings and a $42.7 million dollar “gross wagering revenue,” of which the state gets an 18% cut in taxes.

LocalAbby LudwigApril 22, 2024Sports Betting, Gambling, North Carolina, North Carolina Politics, Betting, localComment

Low Interest in UNC Student Government

Low Interest in UNC Student Government

Turnout and interest in student government elections at UNC have not been particularly high in recent years. This year it was 7.22 percent.

Fellows, LocalBenjamin McAvoy-BickfordApril 9, 2024UNC Chapel Hill Elections, Local, Fellows ArticleComment

How Orange County Got to the Upcoming School Bond Referendum

How Orange County Got to the Upcoming School Bond Referendum

To understand why one bond is required to fund two school systems within the same county, it’s important to go back to the history of the two school systems.

Fellows, LocalBenjamin McAvoy-BickfordApril 9, 2024Fellows Article, Local, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community EffortsComment

Educational Equity on Hold: The 30-Year Struggle of Leandro vs. NC

Educational Equity on Hold: The 30-Year Struggle of Leandro vs. NC

In its 30th year as an ongoing landmark education case, oral arguments for Leandro vs. North Carolina took place at the North Carolina Supreme Court on February 22, 2024.

LocalReyna PatelApril 8, 2024Local Politics, North Carolina Politics, Leandro v. The State of North CarolinaComment

A Brief Introduction to the Invasive Species Crisis in North Carolina

A Brief Introduction to the Invasive Species Crisis in North Carolina

10 foot pythons. Giant African snails. Lizards the size of cats. In Florida, the invasive species crisis takes center stage: the invasive animals are large, often threatening, and visibly foreign. According to Dr. Johnny Randall, retired Director of Conservation at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, many North Carolinians don’t even know invasive species when they see them.

Local, FellowsCatherine WilesApril 2, 2024localComment