Tammy Grubb
@tammygrubb.bsky.social
Orange County/Chapel Hill reporter at newsobserver.com
The pricetag is a little shocking, especially when UNC-Chapel Hill has an army of students in marketing classes on campus.
UNC ditches Old Well logo. Here’s how much it’s paying for the branding refresh
The interlocking NC logo, once primarily used for athletics, now represents the entirety of the university. That decision didn’t come cheap.
www.newsobserver.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:19 PM
The pricetag is a little shocking, especially when UNC-Chapel Hill has an army of students in marketing classes on campus.
Meet Jane Sartwell, our new higher education reporter at The News & Observer, and learn more about what's happening at UNC-Chapel Hill, including how the university is attempting to define academic freedom.
What exactly is academic freedom? UNC System tries to define it
It’s “essential to the university’s mission,” yet has no comprehensive definition. What does academic freedom actually protect? What does it leave out?
www.newsobserver.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Meet Jane Sartwell, our new higher education reporter at The News & Observer, and learn more about what's happening at UNC-Chapel Hill, including how the university is attempting to define academic freedom.
Roads are still dangerous in some parts of the Triangle, despite significant melting on Monday.
Schools make plans as the area waits for road conditions to improve after the weekend’s winter storm.
School closings and delays: Triangle schools stay with remote instruction Tuesday
Schools make plans as the area waits for road conditions to improve after the weekend’s winter storm.
bit.ly
January 26, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Roads are still dangerous in some parts of the Triangle, despite significant melting on Monday.
The Triangle prepped for the storm of the decade, but it turned out to be a few inches of ice. N&O reporter Josh Shaffer asked why
Why wasn’t the Triangle’s winter storm worse? There’s one big reason
The Triangle woke Sunday morning to an underwhelming winter storm: an inch or so on the ground after expecting worse.
www.newsobserver.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The Triangle prepped for the storm of the decade, but it turned out to be a few inches of ice. N&O reporter Josh Shaffer asked why
Helpful info for NC residents still navigating black ice
The NWS has since issued a Cold Weather Advisory set to take effect this evening.
How to know when roads are safe after winter a storm? NCDOT offers travel tips
The NWS has since issued a Cold Weather Advisory set to take effect this evening.
bit.ly
January 26, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Helpful info for NC residents still navigating black ice
Reports of the iceberg drew skeptics in 1940, but N&O reporter Josh Shaffer learned that glaciers up to 1,000 feet thick once drifted past the Outer Banks on the way to Florida.
Think this is cold? In 1940, a boulder-sized iceberg floated past the NC coast
Accounts of the meteorological rarity appeared in newspapers across the state, and it hearkens to an ancient past when icebergs were common
www.newsobserver.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Reports of the iceberg drew skeptics in 1940, but N&O reporter Josh Shaffer learned that glaciers up to 1,000 feet thick once drifted past the Outer Banks on the way to Florida.
N&O reporter Anna Roman found similar efforts to address a loophole in indoor smoking rules are underway in Charlotte and could begin in Durham.
What Raleigh’s new smoking ban means for vaping indoors
See what fines people and businesses that break the rules could face, and when the new rules take effect.
www.newsobserver.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:38 PM
N&O reporter Anna Roman found similar efforts to address a loophole in indoor smoking rules are underway in Charlotte and could begin in Durham.
Chris Palmer and his dog Zoey went missing as they both faced their final days.
January 26, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Chris Palmer and his dog Zoey went missing as they both faced their final days.
Reposted by Tammy Grubb
The 2,200-mile Walk for Peace stretches from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., with Raleigh and the Triangle roughly three-quarters of the way
Monks welcomed in Pittsboro on walk for peace, bringing tears, flowers and hope
The 2,200-mile Walk for Peace stretches from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., with Raleigh and the Triangle roughly three-quarters of the way
bit.ly
January 23, 2026 at 4:20 AM
The 2,200-mile Walk for Peace stretches from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., with Raleigh and the Triangle roughly three-quarters of the way
It's the latest in several changes over the last few years aimed at making it easier for developers to meet Chapel Hill's critical housing need.
How Chapel Hill is changing rules to streamline development, build more housing
Homeowners and builders can now add bigger duplexes and houses on smaller lots in some existing neighborhoods.
www.newsobserver.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:03 PM
It's the latest in several changes over the last few years aimed at making it easier for developers to meet Chapel Hill's critical housing need.
Evidence, including a note left behind after Austin Thompson killed his older brother in Wake County, will remain sealed until his February sentencing, N&O reporter Josh Shaffer reports.
Teen pleads guilty in Raleigh's Hedingham mass shooting. Motive remains unknown.
On Tuesday, his attorneys said Austin Thompson can’t explain why he shot and killed his older brother and four other people in a 2022 shooting rampage.
www.newsobserver.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Evidence, including a note left behind after Austin Thompson killed his older brother in Wake County, will remain sealed until his February sentencing, N&O reporter Josh Shaffer reports.
Details are thin at this point, but it looks like Carolina North -- UNC's long-planned campus in Chapel Hill -- will finally break ground in 2027. What would you like to see there? FREE LINK
www.newsobserver.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Details are thin at this point, but it looks like Carolina North -- UNC's long-planned campus in Chapel Hill -- will finally break ground in 2027. What would you like to see there? FREE LINK
N&O reporters Lexi Solomon and Virginia Bridges report Durham Public Schools officials are also investigating, and the 3 administrators arrested were suspended with pay.
Durham school principal and 2 district administrators indicted on criminal charges
Superintendent Anthony Lewis shared the news with families in an email Wednesday morning. Here’s what we know.
www.newsobserver.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:59 PM
N&O reporters Lexi Solomon and Virginia Bridges report Durham Public Schools officials are also investigating, and the 3 administrators arrested were suspended with pay.
Trial gets underway in Orange County double murder trial. Defense attorney claims suspect Issiah Ross shot Devin Clark in self-defense in 2022 after Devin shot 14-year-old Lyric Woods over an argument.
January 14, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Trial gets underway in Orange County double murder trial. Defense attorney claims suspect Issiah Ross shot Devin Clark in self-defense in 2022 after Devin shot 14-year-old Lyric Woods over an argument.
A NC vineyard owner won part of his fight to create an agritourism destination in rural Orange County. But his plan to build an outdoor amphitheater was rejected in June. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
Orange County farm still wants amphitheater, but drops planned inn, cottages
Union Grove Farm had put in sheep and acres of grape vineyards with plans for a distillery and regenerative farming destination.
www.newsobserver.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A NC vineyard owner won part of his fight to create an agritourism destination in rural Orange County. But his plan to build an outdoor amphitheater was rejected in June. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
N&O intern Amber Hazzard reports an App State team is developing an AI tool that could help reduce disease, cut testing costs and support North Carolina agriculture. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
Tracking parasites in farm animals is tricky. AI microscope developed in NC may help
The AI microscope will automate the tedious job of fecal egg counting, which is used to identify parasites in farm animals.
www.newsobserver.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
N&O intern Amber Hazzard reports an App State team is developing an AI tool that could help reduce disease, cut testing costs and support North Carolina agriculture. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
Many shark species have declined in numbers over the past 50 years, but the top predators remain vital to a healthy ocean ecosystem. N&O intern Amber Hazzard reports on a UNC researcher trying to help. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
Former shark fishermen now work to protect the animal. A UNC shark expert helps.
Former shark fishermen now get paid to protect the animal. A UNC shark expert teaches them how.
www.newsobserver.com
July 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Many shark species have declined in numbers over the past 50 years, but the top predators remain vital to a healthy ocean ecosystem. N&O intern Amber Hazzard reports on a UNC researcher trying to help. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
The fact that we need a law for this is just astounding. N&O writer Virginia Bridges finds out why. www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC may ban police from having sex on duty or in uniform. Here’s why.
“We want to be clear so folks can stay out of trouble,” said Chris Blue, chair of the commission that decides on officers’ certifications.
www.newsobserver.com
July 1, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The fact that we need a law for this is just astounding. N&O writer Virginia Bridges finds out why. www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
N&O intern Twumasi Duah-Mensah reports the employees were concerned about safety, unpredictable hours and lower raises. Workers United now represents over 600 of 17,164 locations. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Triangle Starbucks becomes coffeehouse chain’s seventh store in NC to unionize
The staff at the store in downtown Chapel Hill had noted concerns about scheduling, reduced raises and safety.
www.newsobserver.com
July 1, 2025 at 1:04 PM
N&O intern Twumasi Duah-Mensah reports the employees were concerned about safety, unpredictable hours and lower raises. Workers United now represents over 600 of 17,164 locations. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
It's been almost eight years since 3-year-old Michael died, and nearly as long since his sister Olivia, 2, was also found dead. An Army court-martial stalled twice. Now their adoptive parents are in a Harnett County NC jail. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
Fort Bragg officer and ex-wife accused of murdering adopted children now behind bars
The U.S. Army sought to court-martial Anthony Rivera twice, but the cases were withdrawn. An attorney says the investigation continues.
www.newsobserver.com
June 30, 2025 at 8:04 PM
It's been almost eight years since 3-year-old Michael died, and nearly as long since his sister Olivia, 2, was also found dead. An Army court-martial stalled twice. Now their adoptive parents are in a Harnett County NC jail. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
“I’m not interested in selling a book to a guy in Cleveland I’ve never met. I want to sell a book to a guy (that) will come back in a month to tell me how he liked it." N&O writer Josh Shaffer chats with Pittsboro bookshop owner. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Pittsboro’s only bookstore sells a jumble of favorites — but never online
Circle City Bookstore is the place for signed copies, first editions and weird surprises in an intimate and lovingly curated mix of literature.
www.newsobserver.com
June 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
“I’m not interested in selling a book to a guy in Cleveland I’ve never met. I want to sell a book to a guy (that) will come back in a month to tell me how he liked it." N&O writer Josh Shaffer chats with Pittsboro bookshop owner. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Hillsborough publisher and podcaster Elizabeth Woodman was determined to give life to the story of Rachel Crook, the murdered original owner of Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
Podcast revisits life and brutal murder of Chapel Hill restaurant founder
Rachel Crook was “an enigma,” but “very well liked,” says podcast creator Elizabeth Woodman.
www.newsobserver.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Hillsborough publisher and podcaster Elizabeth Woodman was determined to give life to the story of Rachel Crook, the murdered original owner of Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
Carrboro High School's principal has been on paid leave since June 2, while the district looks into student, staff and parent allegations of a toxic and unsupportive school culture. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
NAACP demands due process for Carrboro principal put on leave after student walkout
Carrboro High School Principal Helena Thomas is accused of fostering a toxic culture, lacking transparency and support for teachers.
www.newsobserver.com
June 11, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Carrboro High School's principal has been on paid leave since June 2, while the district looks into student, staff and parent allegations of a toxic and unsupportive school culture. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
New report shows NC charter schools are becoming more racially and economically diverse @keunghui.bsky.social reports www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
More NC students are attending charter schools. But not all counties benefit
Charter schools added more students at the same time the state’s traditional public schools saw an enrollment drop this school year.
www.newsobserver.com
June 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
New report shows NC charter schools are becoming more racially and economically diverse @keunghui.bsky.social reports www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
Hope Renovations has trained 159 women and nonbinary folks to work in the construction industry, but this week, the nonprofit learned it doesn't meet the Trump administration's goals. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
NC program trains women, nonbinary people for construction. DOGE cut its funds
Almost 160 women and nonbinary people have completed the Hope Renovations program, which has received national acclaim.
www.newsobserver.com
May 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Hope Renovations has trained 159 women and nonbinary folks to work in the construction industry, but this week, the nonprofit learned it doesn't meet the Trump administration's goals. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...