WUNC News
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Your source for local news and community connections that reflect NC’s Triangle region and offer a unique perspective on the place we call home. More at wunc.org.
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President Trump today asked lawmakers to claw back the $1.1 billion in federal subsidies for public broadcasting that Congress approved earlier this year.
To support us, visit protectmypublicmedia.org to tell your representative why public media matters to you. And make a donation at wunc.org.
To support us, visit protectmypublicmedia.org to tell your representative why public media matters to you. And make a donation at wunc.org.
This was Puerto Rico's moment, a spotlight on a collective son who quit bagging groceries a decade ago and became the world's most streamed artist on Spotify last year.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-08/p...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-08/p...
Puerto Rico stops for 13 minutes to applaud history and bask in Bad Bunny's glow
This was Puerto Rico's moment, a spotlight on a collective son who quit bagging groceries a decade ago and became the world's most streamed artist on Spotify last year.
www.wunc.org
February 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
This was Puerto Rico's moment, a spotlight on a collective son who quit bagging groceries a decade ago and became the world's most streamed artist on Spotify last year.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-08/p...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-08/p...
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to eliminate 25,000 vacant positions and implement the largest reorganization of its giant health care system in three decades.
www.wunc.org/military/202...
www.wunc.org/military/202...
The VA says its reorganization plan won't hurt patient care. Some health care workers are skeptical
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to eliminate 25,000 vacant positions and implement the largest reorganization of its giant health care system in three decades.
www.wunc.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:23 PM
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to eliminate 25,000 vacant positions and implement the largest reorganization of its giant health care system in three decades.
www.wunc.org/military/202...
www.wunc.org/military/202...
NC Health News reports: Supporters call the changes modernization; critics warn they could weaken safeguards in the Toxic Substances Control Act, the nation’s primary chemical safety law.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/02/09/c...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/02/09/c...
As Congress debates changes to the federal chemical safety law, North Carolina’s PFAS crisis offers a warning
Supporters call changes modernization; critics warn they could weaken Toxic Substances Control Act, the nation’s primary chemical safety law.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:18 PM
NC Health News reports: Supporters call the changes modernization; critics warn they could weaken safeguards in the Toxic Substances Control Act, the nation’s primary chemical safety law.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/02/09/c...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/02/09/c...
"He'll be remembered for the rest of his life in Carolina history. And I couldn't think of a better person to have that with him."
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
Seth Trimble stuck with UNC. The reward was a huge shot to shock Duke in an epic rivalry finish
North Carolina senior Seth Trimble hit a 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to lift the 14th-ranked Tar Heels past fourth-ranked rival Duke on Saturday night.
www.wunc.org
February 8, 2026 at 6:09 PM
"He'll be remembered for the rest of his life in Carolina history. And I couldn't think of a better person to have that with him."
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
WFDD: North Carolina health officials are reporting 17 measles cases in the state since December.
According to the state health department’s measles dashboard, the majority of infections have been in unvaccinated youth under the age of 18.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/n...
According to the state health department’s measles dashboard, the majority of infections have been in unvaccinated youth under the age of 18.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/n...
North Carolina reports 17 measles cases since December
According to the state health department, the majority of infections have been in unvaccinated youth under the age of 18.
www.wunc.org
February 7, 2026 at 5:17 PM
WFDD: North Carolina health officials are reporting 17 measles cases in the state since December.
According to the state health department’s measles dashboard, the majority of infections have been in unvaccinated youth under the age of 18.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/n...
According to the state health department’s measles dashboard, the majority of infections have been in unvaccinated youth under the age of 18.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/n...
Starting March 9, an unspecified number of federal employees could lose their current job protections and be converted into at-will employees at Trump's discretion.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/i...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/i...
It's about to get easier for Trump to fire federal workers
Since his first term, President Trump has wanted to be able to fire federal employees for any reason. A new rule vastly expands his authority to do that.
www.wunc.org
February 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Starting March 9, an unspecified number of federal employees could lose their current job protections and be converted into at-will employees at Trump's discretion.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/i...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/i...
The Coharie Indian Tribe launched an effort to clean out debris from the Great Coharie River near their headquarters north of Clinton.
That led to a unique recreation and tourism initiative where tribal members lead visitors on guided kayaking trips.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
That led to a unique recreation and tourism initiative where tribal members lead visitors on guided kayaking trips.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
Coharie Indian Tribe charts course for river recreation in Sampson County
The Coharie Indian Tribe launched an effort to clean out debris from the Great Coharie River near their headquarters north of Clinton. That led to a unique recreation and tourism initiative where memb...
www.wunc.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:17 PM
The Coharie Indian Tribe launched an effort to clean out debris from the Great Coharie River near their headquarters north of Clinton.
That led to a unique recreation and tourism initiative where tribal members lead visitors on guided kayaking trips.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
That led to a unique recreation and tourism initiative where tribal members lead visitors on guided kayaking trips.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
Reposted by WUNC News
happy olympics! and in the spirit of the winter games, this week on @wunc.org’s The Broadside, how the icy slopes of NC are becoming one of the most vibrant scenes for snowboarding in the country:
www.wunc.org/podcast/the-...
www.wunc.org/podcast/the-...
Southern snowboarders are changing the sport
A snowboard revolution is happening in a place with… very little snow.
www.wunc.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:17 PM
happy olympics! and in the spirit of the winter games, this week on @wunc.org’s The Broadside, how the icy slopes of NC are becoming one of the most vibrant scenes for snowboarding in the country:
www.wunc.org/podcast/the-...
www.wunc.org/podcast/the-...
A professional airplane enthusiast has been tracking the federally chartered deportation flights out of the Minneapolis airport as DHS sends immigration detainees to other states and, eventually, other countries.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/m...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/m...
Minneapolis now has daily deportation flights. One man has been documenting them
A professional airplane enthusiast has been tracking the federally chartered deportation flights out of the Minneapolis airport as DHS sends immigration detainees to other states and, eventually, othe...
www.wunc.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:30 PM
A professional airplane enthusiast has been tracking the federally chartered deportation flights out of the Minneapolis airport as DHS sends immigration detainees to other states and, eventually, other countries.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/m...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/m...
Gov. Josh Stein signed an executive order on Thursday that he hopes will boost the state's ability to provide mental health services.
In recent months, there have been three high-profile murders allegedly perpetrated by people suffering from mental illness.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
In recent months, there have been three high-profile murders allegedly perpetrated by people suffering from mental illness.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
'We have a real problem.' In executive order, NC Gov. Stein aims to aid state's mental health system
The alleged perpetrators of three high-profile murders in recent months are believed to have been suffering from mental illness. Stein says, "We have a real problem."
www.wunc.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Gov. Josh Stein signed an executive order on Thursday that he hopes will boost the state's ability to provide mental health services.
In recent months, there have been three high-profile murders allegedly perpetrated by people suffering from mental illness.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
In recent months, there have been three high-profile murders allegedly perpetrated by people suffering from mental illness.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
Wake County has developed a 50-year plan for conserving water supplies for a rapidly growing population.
The plan aims to address issues such as groundwater contamination and increased flooding, and develop guidance for potential data center development.
www.wunc.org/environment/...
The plan aims to address issues such as groundwater contamination and increased flooding, and develop guidance for potential data center development.
www.wunc.org/environment/...
Wake develops water plan to keep showers flowing across the county even when population doubles
Wake County officials have developed a 50-year plan for conserving the county's water supplies for a rapidly growing population. The plan also aims to address issues such as increasing floods, groundw...
www.wunc.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Wake County has developed a 50-year plan for conserving water supplies for a rapidly growing population.
The plan aims to address issues such as groundwater contamination and increased flooding, and develop guidance for potential data center development.
www.wunc.org/environment/...
The plan aims to address issues such as groundwater contamination and increased flooding, and develop guidance for potential data center development.
www.wunc.org/environment/...
At Wednesday's public hearing regarding Duke Energy's plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, community members expressed concern about delaying the retirement of some coal plants and building new natural gas plants.
www.wunc.org/environment/...
www.wunc.org/environment/...
Public expresses concerns over building new natural gas plants, delaying coal retirement
A public hearing Wednesday at the Durham County Courthouse was the first opportunity for members of the public to weigh in on this year's iteration of the Carbon Plan. This plan outlines how Duke Ener...
www.wunc.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:15 PM
At Wednesday's public hearing regarding Duke Energy's plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, community members expressed concern about delaying the retirement of some coal plants and building new natural gas plants.
www.wunc.org/environment/...
www.wunc.org/environment/...
The second season of PBS North Carolina's Shaped By Sound premieres today with a performance by the indie rock band Wednesday.
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
PBS North Carolina's Shaped By Sound takes us deeper into North Carolina's music scene in season 2
Season 2 of PBS North Carolina's Shaped By Sound premieres Thursday with a performance by the indie rock band Wednesday.
www.wunc.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:03 PM
The second season of PBS North Carolina's Shaped By Sound premieres today with a performance by the indie rock band Wednesday.
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
WFAE: North Carolina schools saw a decrease in crimes for the third year in a row last school year, according to the latest numbers from the state Department of Public Instruction.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/n...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/n...
North Carolina schools see drop in crime, but drug possession ticks up
North Carolina schools saw a decrease in crimes for the third year in a row last school year, according to the latest numbers from the state Department of Public Instruction.
www.wunc.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:04 PM
WFAE: North Carolina schools saw a decrease in crimes for the third year in a row last school year, according to the latest numbers from the state Department of Public Instruction.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/n...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/n...
Blue Ridge Public Radio: The town of Canton could be the latest North Carolina municipality to ban cryptocurrency mining and data centers.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/c...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/c...
Town of Canton is the latest to consider banning crypto mining, data centers
Canton follows other communities in western North Carolina that are considering resistance to data centers, citing environmental, energy and noise pollution concerns
www.wunc.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Blue Ridge Public Radio: The town of Canton could be the latest North Carolina municipality to ban cryptocurrency mining and data centers.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/c...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/c...
NC Health News: The legal battle between Duke Health and WakeMed over a cancer-fighting linear accelerator has a David vs. Goliath flavor.
www.wunc.org/health/2026-...
www.wunc.org/health/2026-...
Raleigh hospital’s attempt to expand cancer services leads to revealing CON law dispute with neighboring systems
The legal battle between Duke Health and WakeMed over a cancer-fighting linear accelerator has a David vs. Goliath flavor.
www.wunc.org
February 4, 2026 at 8:56 PM
NC Health News: The legal battle between Duke Health and WakeMed over a cancer-fighting linear accelerator has a David vs. Goliath flavor.
www.wunc.org/health/2026-...
www.wunc.org/health/2026-...
The Winter Olympics bring hundreds of the world's best winter athletes to northern Italy, where they will face off in 16 different sports across 2 1/2 weeks. Here's how to follow along.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/t...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/t...
The Winter Olympics are upon us. Here's how to follow along
The Winter Olympics bring hundreds of the world's best winter athletes to northern Italy, where they will face off in 16 different sports across 2 1/2 weeks. Here's how to follow along.
www.wunc.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:25 PM
The Winter Olympics bring hundreds of the world's best winter athletes to northern Italy, where they will face off in 16 different sports across 2 1/2 weeks. Here's how to follow along.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/t...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-04/t...
WFAE reports: In a four-page letter sent earlier this week to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Sen. Thom Tillis asked her to turn over detailed records from “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/t...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/t...
Tillis presses DHS for records on Border Patrol's Charlotte operation
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis is pressing the Department of Homeland Security for answers on the U.S. Border Patrol’s Charlotte operation last November.
www.wunc.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM
WFAE reports: In a four-page letter sent earlier this week to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Sen. Thom Tillis asked her to turn over detailed records from “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/t...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/t...
The more than $1 trillion spending agreement includes a stopgap measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/h...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/h...
House votes to end partial government shutdown, setting up contentious talks on ICE
The House has approved a spending bill to end a short-lived partial government shutdown. Now lawmakers will begin contentious negotiations over new guardrails for immigration enforcement.
www.wunc.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:49 PM
The more than $1 trillion spending agreement includes a stopgap measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/h...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-03/h...
There were three motor vehicle deaths across North Carolina this weekend as heavy snowfalls covered the state's roadways and made driving conditions hazardous.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
Three North Carolinians died on the state's roadways during last weekend's winter storm
The N.C. State Highway Patrol said winter weather conditions contributed to all three deaths.
www.wunc.org
February 3, 2026 at 8:22 PM
There were three motor vehicle deaths across North Carolina this weekend as heavy snowfalls covered the state's roadways and made driving conditions hazardous.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
"I've been playing in this scene now for 25 years, and as it's changed, I've changed. Your town is kind of your chosen family, and there is definitely a closeness within our music community. There's just so much talent coming out of here and there always has been."
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
Laura King should be your favorite drummer
For more than two decades, Laura King has been one of the most in-demand drummers in North Carolina. You can learn a lot about the evolution of indie rock in the Triangle just by tracing her career.
www.wunc.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:28 PM
"I've been playing in this scene now for 25 years, and as it's changed, I've changed. Your town is kind of your chosen family, and there is definitely a closeness within our music community. There's just so much talent coming out of here and there always has been."
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
WFDD reports: A legal advocacy group recently released documents suggesting the federal government is considering Greensboro for an immigration detention facility.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-02/d...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-02/d...
Documents show proposal for ICE detention facility in Greensboro
Records obtained by the ACLU indicate the city is among the locations under federal consideration. The possibility has drawn scrutiny from local leaders, who suggest the move would face zoning and pub...
www.wunc.org
February 3, 2026 at 4:14 PM
WFDD reports: A legal advocacy group recently released documents suggesting the federal government is considering Greensboro for an immigration detention facility.
www.wunc.org/2026-02-02/d...
www.wunc.org/2026-02-02/d...
AP: Public school systems in and around some of the biggest southeastern cities — Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and Raleigh — are part of the wave of school closures this week.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
School closures in the Southeast stretch into 2nd week after latest winter storm
School systems across the Southeast are dealing with weather-related school closures for the second week in a row, leading some to try remote learning while many prepare to add more school days to mak...
www.wunc.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:56 PM
AP: Public school systems in and around some of the biggest southeastern cities — Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and Raleigh — are part of the wave of school closures this week.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
Bill Bamberger, a UNC alumnus and Duke University professor, spent the past two academic years photographing and working with more than 250 students at Durham School of the Arts for the newest iteration of his series "Boys Will Be Men."
www.wunc.org/arts-culture...
www.wunc.org/arts-culture...
New Ackland exhibit investigates manhood through the lens of local high schoolers
UNC-Chapel Hill's Ackland Art Museum debuted its new exhibit "Bill Bamberger: Boys Will Be Men" on Jan. 30, 2026.
www.wunc.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Bill Bamberger, a UNC alumnus and Duke University professor, spent the past two academic years photographing and working with more than 250 students at Durham School of the Arts for the newest iteration of his series "Boys Will Be Men."
www.wunc.org/arts-culture...
www.wunc.org/arts-culture...
"This is a new merger, a new chapter, and I think there aren't many examples of how exactly this can be done. And so, these two institutions and the city are working together to write a whole new playbook."
www.wunc.org/education/20...
www.wunc.org/education/20...
Q&A: Elon's 'Chief Integration Officer' talks merger with Queens University
The private institution merger will impact nearly 9,000 students and involve $2 billion in university assets.
www.wunc.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:15 PM
"This is a new merger, a new chapter, and I think there aren't many examples of how exactly this can be done. And so, these two institutions and the city are working together to write a whole new playbook."
www.wunc.org/education/20...
www.wunc.org/education/20...