“Day of the Forest Defender:” Communities Gather to Remember Tortuguita, One Year Later

Dubbed “Day of the Forest Defender,” community and political groups in 30+ U.S. cities and beyond gathered to memorialize Tortuguita in a number of ways. Some took on a politically activist approach, taking the opportunity to discuss community organizing and how to get involved in the movement. Others hosted artistic events, vigils, and communal meals, all with a common theme: “bring what you can.”

Read More
Addressing the Geopolitical Dynamics of the Israel-Hamas War

“If, however, with strong leadership and moral clarity, the United States, Israel, and its potential allies can establish an international coalition committed to the enfranchisement of Palestinians and the establishment of lasting peace in the region, then perhaps the status quo that has prevailed for decades may slowly begin to change.”

Read More
Israeli Army Targets Journalists in Siege of Gaza

Long touted as “the only democracy in the Middle East,” Israel has consistently shown an incredible contempt for the freedom of the press in its own territory and the occupied Gaza Strip. After two decades of killing journalists with complete impunity, it is no surprise that violence against press workers has continued and intensified during its siege on Gaza.

Read More
The Supreme Court Code of Conduct: A New Rulebook for Those Who Decide the Rules

As announced by the Supreme Court, the code, known as the Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, contains nine pages of written legal code and five additional pages of commentary. Within the code, five canons of conduct outline rules for ethical issues such as when justices should recuse themselves from cases.

Read More
How North Carolina’s New Budget Might Accidentally Break the State Retirement Plan

North Carolina’s budget for the next two fiscal years, H.B. 259 makes changes to UNC Health and ECU Health policies which received little reporting at the time of the bill’s passage but have since caused a legal crisis at the State Treasury and strong allegations of fiduciary misconduct. 

Read More
The Great American Political Circus: How Some Counties are Changing Abortion Regulation in a Post-Roe America

It has been 50 years since abortion was established as a constitutional right in Roe v. Wade. After the decision was overturned, questions and fears regarding new abortion regulations grip the country. For women in Lubbock County, this fear has become a reality. Several counties in Texas have issued ordinances banning people from assisting women traveling to receive abortions.

Read More
Unpacking the State Budget (Part 2) - Health

H.B. 259’s health spending should be taken with a mixture of optimism and caution. Optimism, because the legislature has shown they can be convinced to make bipartisan decisions in the interest of the state, such as Medicaid expansion. Caution, because it took the state losing $5 billion federal dollars a year plus an extra signing bonus to reach that point. Optimism, as the bill makes historic investments in mental health and rural health infrastructure and workforce incentives. Caution, since these investments were made with one-time funding with no clear path to renewal in the context of aggressive tax cuts limiting future revenues.

Read More
Chapel Hill Goes to the Polls

Chapel Hill’s polling stations will also find themselves busy, as the mayor’s office, four seats on the town council, and four seats on the school board are all up for election. Issues such as changes to zoning in Chapel Hill, progress on the Bus Rapid Transit line, and possibly more planned buildings on Franklin Street promise to make this election an impactful one for Chapel Hill’s future.

Read More
We Can’t Pick and Choose Which Genocides to Defend Against

“In Minister Gallant’s comments about cutting off resources to Gaza, he contended, ‘We are fighting animals’ and ‘We will eliminate everything.’ This direct and explicit conflation between all Gazans and Hamas is deeply troubling and is an all-too-common tactic used to justify violence towards targeted groups.. . .  As the crisis in Gaza grows more acute by the day, we in North Carolina, the UNC community, and the U.S. must push for an immediate ceasefire to all indiscriminate military operations”

Read More
UNC Announces Faculty for School of Civic Life and Leadership

On Oct. 6, 2023, the University of North Carolina announced that it has appointed nine of its faculty members to the newly created School of Civic Life and Leadership. However, faculty members and others have expressed concerns that the School of Civic Life and Leadership will reflect the conservative bent of the Board of Trustees.

Read More
Riding the Waves of Change: How Surf Therapy and Similar Programs Can Help Turn the Tide on Child Poverty

With the ever-growing costs of welfare programs in the United States, policymakers and advocates continue to ask the question: Is there a successful and cost-effective way to address this growing problem? Well, for this community in Peru, the answer is an unconventional activity: surfing.

Read More
The Israel-Hamas War: A Welcome Distraction for Putin

Putin is quick to turn all the blame on the US and its policy concerning this region, not even acknowledging the atrocities committed by Hamas. His sole purpose was to tie the conflict to his greater war against the West. Putin is directly benefiting from the chaos abroad by diminishing the US image, having attention taken away from Ukraine, and US support being divided even further around the globe.

Read More
Not Just Trans Kids: Rulings Allowing Bans on Gender-Affirming Care are Part of a Larger Trend

The current legislative siege on gender-affirming care for children is only a symptom of a larger upheaval of legal precedent in the wake of the Dobbs decision. Previously, abortion being protected by the 14th Amendment gave courts reason to put much more stock into this argument in similar cases. Now, however, legislatures are much more free to circumscribe what their constituents can do with their bodies; the question is, where do parents’ rights end and the state’s right to intervene in the interest of public health begin?

Read More