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Articles by Iris Eyster
Column: Public AI resume scores would level the playing field
Opinion Feb 4, 2026, 10:35 PM If I were to write a horror movie, it would go something like this: you’re 21 years old, college graduation impending. You’ve applied to over 100 jobs, and receive rejections to each one within the hour you apply. Your first self-esteem crisis is imminent. Sound scary? Turns out, a couple of job seekers agree with you and have taken action to ease the nightmare.
CommunityWorx thrift store closes after 73 years of operation
City & State A sign announcing CommunityWorx's closure on Dec. 31, 2025 stands outside the main entrance to the store in Chapel Hill on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. City & State Editor Jan 15, 2026, 9:39 PM CommunityWorx, a Carrboro-based thrift store, closed Dec. 31 after 73 years of operation. Founded in 1952 as The Thrifty Shop and quickly renamed to PTA Thrift Shop, the organization was created to raise funds for arts education in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools through community sales.
Orange County launches free bus pilot program for 2026
City & State Orange County Public Transit employees pose for a portrait in front of a fare-free fixed route bus. Photo courtesy of Orange County/Wil Glenn. Jan 6, 2026, 3:23 PM Orange County began a fare-free pilot program on Friday for its fixed-route transit services that will last for the entirety of 2026. The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved the pilot at their Dec. 9 meeting, marking an important step in achieving the county’s mobility, equity and sustainability goals.
AI integrated into UNC's operations and ideology this year - whether you like it or not
UNC and its community members have made numerous recent efforts to pioneer the incorporation of artificial intelligence into higher education. Instructors are experimenting with weaving the technology into their curriculum, two schools are set to merge with a focus on AI and the University's incoming provost desires to put the technology at the "forefront" of the University.
'Epitomized the Carolina Spirit': UNC remembers Eve Carson on her 40th birthday
University Nov 24, 2025, 5:48 PM This Wednesday would’ve been Eve Carson’s 40th birthday. Seventeen years after her death, Carson is remembered by the University in celebration of her life. Eve Marie Carson, former student body president and Morehead-Cain scholar, was abducted and murdered during the spring semester of her senior year at UNC.
CHCCS Superintendent hosts talk, addresses enrollment declines and funding cuts
City & State Nov 20, 2025, 4:15 PM Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Rodney Trice held the first of four presentations Monday at Guy B. Phillips Middle School about the effect of declining enrollment rates and state funding cuts to the district, titled “Shaping the Future Together: Reimagining CHCCS in a Time of Change.” CHCCS projects that there will be 289 fewer students this school year compared to last. Its average daily membership has been gradually decreasing since 2019.
A 195-foot telecommunications tower is coming to Chapel Hill
City & State Nov 20, 2025, 4:06 PM A new195-foot t elecommunications tower will be built at 1721 E. Franklin St. after the Chapel Hill Town Council approved a special use permit modification for the project at its meeting on Nov. 12. During the Nov. 12 meeting, Thomas Johnson, a partner at Williams Mullen representing the developer Network Towers, said the purpose of the tower is to provide improved wireless service for people who live in the greater Chapel Hill area.
State Board of Elections appoints 3 new members with Republican ties
City & State Nov 17, 2025, 2:22 AM On Nov. 6, North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes announced the appointment of three new members— Tim Hoegemeyer, Jason Tyson and Leah Byers— to the independent agency tasked with administering the state's elections. The board's general counsel will be Tim Hoegemeyer, whose most recent position was deputy general counsel for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, as well as for the N.C. Board of Education.
Carrboro Town Council discusses plans for Unified Development Ordinance
City & State Nov 14, 2025, 3:18 AM The Carrboro Town Council held a work session on Wednesday to discuss updates to its new Unified Development Ordinance as a follow-up to its session in October. Chad Meadows, a consultant from CodeWright Planners, was introduced to share updates on the UDO.
Carrboro honors veterans by shining green lights across town
City & State Nov 12, 2025, 11:22 PM In support of veterans, the Town of Carrboro is displaying green lights shining on the Town’s buildings, including the Carrboro Town Hall, through Wednesday. The display, which began on Nov. 4, is in observance of Operation Green Light, where municipalities across the country showcase green lights in honor of veterans.
Column: Chapel Hill’s free buses are the blueprint for a more equitable South
The American South is often characterized as a public transit desert, dominated by a vast expanse of gray highways, parking lots and gas stations. But in Chapel Hill, the public transit system is thriving, in stark contrast to the stereotype. To be transparent, I am a beneficiary of this system. I ride the North-South “NS” bus almost every day, standing with UNC students heading to class, workers finishing their shifts and residents going to Franklin Street to support local businesses.
CHCCS meets to discuss schedule changes, Interlocal Agreement, finances
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. City & State Nov 10, 2025, 1:55 AM On Thursday, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City SchoolsBoard of Education held a work session to discuss updates on high school scheduling, the Interlocal Agreement and district budget proposal. What’s new? The work session began with an update on the implementation of the 4x4 block schedule in high schools, delivered by Robert Bales,chief academic officer of the district’s cabinet.
CommunityWorx CEO Barbara Jessie-Black dies
City & State Nov 8, 2025, 4:50 PM On Oct. 19, Barbara Jessie-Black, the president and CEO of Carrboro nonprofit CommunityWorx, died. Jessie-Black was born in Germany in 1963, where she lived until she was 16. She received a bachelor's degree from Augusta University and a master's in business administration from Meredith College. She worked with CommunityWorx from 2004 to 2025.
UNC professor announces run for North Carolina General Assembly
Marcus Gadson, an associate professor at the UNC School of Law, announced his campaign for the North Carolina General Assembly Thursday. Gadson, a Fuquay-Varinaresident, will run as a Democrat for the N.C. House of Representatives in House District 37 in the 2026 elections. The district, currently represented by Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake), has historically been a swing district.
State superintendent discusses plan to make state public schools best in the country
City & State Nov 5, 2025, 8:35 PM State Superintendent of Public InstructionMaurice “Mo” Green visited Chapel Hill High School on Wednesday evening to discuss the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's new strategic plan that aims to make North Carolina public schools the best in the United States by 2030.
Carrboro elects two incumbents, one challenger to Carrboro Town Council
City & State Assistant City & State Editor Nov 5, 2025, 2:50 AM Carrboro voters elected incumbents Cristóbal Palmer and Danny Nowell as well as challenger candidate Fred Joiner to the Carrboro Town Council. The Carrboro Town Council race this year was uncontested, with the three candidates running for three open seats. Palmer and Nowell ran to keep their seats and Joiner to fill council member Randee Haven-O’Donnell’s seat, who did not seek reelection after four years on the Council.
Barbara Foushee reelected as Carrboro mayor
City & State Assistant City & State Editor Nov 5, 2025, 2:45 AM Barbara Foushee has been reelected for a second term as the mayor of Carrboro. She received 2,774 votes, or 95.75 percent of the total vote. Foushee's only opponent, Joe Lloyd Jr., was absent from the campaign trail, but still managed to receive 94 votes, or 3.24 percent of the total vote.
'Aimed at transgender kids': CHCCS changes policies in compliance with new bill
City & State Oct 28, 2025, 12:59 AM On Oct. 16, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education reviewed and implemented changes to four district policy codes to comply with the North Carolina General Assembly's adoption of House Bill 805. HB 805, titled Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors, was adopted on July 29, overriding Gov. Josh Stein’sveto.
Town begins repairs on greenways damaged by Tropical Storm Chantal
City & State Oct 24, 2025, 2:57 AM Early in the morning, the Bolin Creek Trail is quiet. There are a few kids playing in the nearby creek and several adults walking their dogs, but, for the most part, the trail is fairly empty. Part of the trail has been closed since July, when Tropical Storm Chantal, later downgraded to a depression, damaged sections of it. But for some Chapel Hill residents, that is not stopping them from using it.
Q&A: Carrboro Town Council candidate Cristóbal Palmer highlights importance of transportation policy
City & State Oct 22, 2025, 2:20 AM The Daily Tar Heel's Abigail Mocharnuk spoke with Carrboro Town Council candidate Cristóbal Palmer about his experience and aspirations for the role. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. The Daily Tar Heel: What do you want voters to know about you? Cristóbal Palmer: I guess what I would say that I want folks to know about me is that I grew up here. I've had something like seven addresses in a one-mile radius in Carrboro. I'm raising my kids here.
Q&A: Carrboro Town Council candidate Fred Joiner talks "smarter," climate resistant development
City & State Oct 21, 2025, 11:20 PM The Daily Tar Heel's Emmy Grigoni spoke with Carrboro Town Council candidate Fred Joiner about his experience and aspirations for the role. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. The Daily Tar Heel:What do you want voters to know about you?
Q&A: Carrboro Town Council candidate Cristóbal Palmer highlights importance of transportation policy
News Oct 21, 2025, 11:16 PM The Daily Tar Heel's Abigail Mocharnuk spoke with Carrboro Town Council candidate Cristóbal Palmer about his experience and aspirations for the role. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. The Daily Tar Heel: What do you want voters to know about you? Cristóbal Palmer: I guess what I would say that I want folks to know about me is that I grew up here. I've had something like seven addresses in a one-mile radius in Carrboro. I'm raising my kids here.
Q&A: Carrboro Town Council candidate Danny Nowell says new land use ordinance will be "most crucial issue"
City & State Oct 21, 2025, 11:12 PM The Daily Tar Heel’s Iris Eyster spoke with Carrboro Town Council candidate Danny Nowell about his experience and aspirations for the role. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. The Daily Tar Heel: What do you want voters to know about you? Danny Nowell:I hope the voters see me really trying to take an action-oriented and performance-oriented approach to the goals that I think most of Carrboro’s residents share.
'The mayor who answers your call': Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee runs for reelection
City & State Senior Writer Oct 21, 2025, 4:38 PM Everyone in Carrboro knows the name Foushee. There’s Braxton Foushee, the first Black elected official for the Town of Carrboro. There’s Valerie Foushee, the first Black and first female representative for North Carolina's 4th Congressional District. The newest of the firsts for the family is Barbara Foushee, who became Carrboro's first Black female mayor when she was elected in 2023. This coming election, she is running to keep her historic role.
Column: UNC is taking steps to becoming the University of AI
Opinion Oct 13, 2025, 9:16 PM On Oct. 6, Google Gemini set up an extravagant exhibition in the Pit, promoted by the UNC Career Center. Google Gemini is a generative AI chatbot, providing users with aid in reading, writing and other skills pertinent to college students. With bean bags and a flatscreen, the Gemini trailer display offered a free membership to students along with free Owala water bottles, AI-positive posters and tote bags.
North Carolina Schools join national effort to improve AI literacy
City & State Oct 9, 2025, 1:26 AM The N.C. Department of Public Instructionannounced on Sept. 25 that it will be partnering with the AI Innovation Index on a program to increase artificial intelligence literacy among students and staff. The purpose of the program is to gather qualitative data on AI use in schools, said Vera Cubero, a consultant at Emerging Technologies for NCDPI’s Office of Digital Teaching and Learning.
CHCCS Board meets to discuss program changes, digital learning
On Thursday, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education held a work session, where they discussed academic return on investment and the digital learning plan. What happened? First, the consent agenda was approved unanimously. Work session: The board first discussed the meaning and measurement of academic return on investment.
Three UNC professors join Gov. Stein's newly established AI leadership council
City & State Oct 8, 2025, 10:17 PM Gov. Josh Stein signed Executive Order No. 24, “Advancing Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence That Benefits All North Carolinians,” last month. The order makes notable statements and revisions to state-level artificial intelligence governance.
Chapel Hill Police Department opens new headquarters on Millhouse Road
City & State Sep 30, 2025, 5:12 PM The Chapel Hill Police Department has a new headquarters. Located at 7300 Millhouse Road, Suite 150, the new building will open to the public on Monday. The old headquarters on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, which was built in the 1970s, has narrow hallways and closets converted to offices. The new one has windows and open spaces, something Chapel Hill Chief of Police Celisa Lehew said the department was conscious of when designing it.
Chapel Hill Police Department opens new headquarters on Millhouse Road
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue The Chapel Hill Police Department has a new headquarters. Located at 7300 Millhouse Road, Suite 150, the new building will open to the public on Monday. The old headquarters on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, which was built in the 1970s, has narrow hallways and closets converted to offices.
'Not the Town's yard': Chapel Hill changes leaf collection policy
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue The Town of Chapel Hill has announced a change in the way it collects the falling foliage this autumn. Instead of residents raking their leaves into the street to be collected by the Town, they will have to put the leaves into a container such as town yard carts, paper yard bags or personal cans with tight-fitting lids.
Intercity bus service begins in Chapel Hill
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue In August, Flix North America, the parent company of FlixBus and Greyhound, launched an intercity bus service in Chapel Hill. The service launched on Aug. 1 and the route is called the Piedmont Pass. The buses run twice a day, both stopping at the existing Eubanks park and ride lot. One bus will go eastbound and the other west.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education discusses curriculum changes
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education met on Sept. 4 to discuss the curriculum and instruction management plan. What Happened? The board approved three contracts. The first contract item amended the board’s contract with Soliant Health — which currently provides CHCCS occupational therapy services — to include speech language therapy services for students with disabilities.
Grassroots initiative organizes educators to run for North Carolina General Assembly
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue A new nonpartisan grassroots campaign is seeking to improve public schools by electing teachers, former educators and education supporters to the North Carolina General Assembly. The campaign, dubbed NC Educators on the Ballot, began earlier this year when former educator and UNC alumnaPatricia Saylor used social media to gather volunteers interested in running for office.
CHCCS Board of Education bans smartwatches in class, approves new high school NIL rule
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education met Thursday to discuss policy changes and plans for the upcoming school year. What Happened? CHCCS executive director of secondary schools Robin Buckrham presented a proposed change to the district's policy on wireless device usage, specifically with regards to smartwatches. The original wireless device policy allowed middle and high schools students to wear smartwatches to tell time.
'You'd really come home': Mama Dip's Kitchen closes after 49 years
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue Mildred "Mama Dip" Council opened Mama Dip’s Kitchen with $64 in 1976. After 49 years of serving the community as a local institution, the restaurant permanently shut its doors in July. Spring Council was 19 when she first started working at her mother’s restaurant. Spring Council said in the beginning, the Councils were waiting for people to discover the delicious food.
CHCCS Board of Education discusses cell phone use, new 4x4 block schedule
On July 10, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education met to discuss changes for the upcoming school year, including cell phone use and the implementation of the 4x4 block schedule. The board reviewed potential changes regarding student promotions to the next grade that were discussed by Robert Bales, the executive director of secondary instruction and academic programs for CHCCS.
Carrboro mayor Barbara Foushee seeks reelection, focuses on community engagement
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee recently announced her campaign for reelection as mayor, and this time, she’s focusing on one thing: community. “I consider myself a very intentional leader,” Foushee said. “What I say is what I say, and you know what I say I'm going to do, I try to do.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education swears in superintendent, receives updates
On June 18, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education met to swear in the new superintendent, review transportation and safety updates and discuss the district’s budget. The meeting began with the swearing in of Rodney Trice, the district’s new superintendent, followed by a celebratory reception. Jonathan Scott, the CFO for CHCCS, presented on the potential renewal of the district’s risk management portfolio with Surry Insurance.
'Incredibly resonate': Amal Kassir named Hillsborough 2025-27 poet laureate
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue Amal Kassir, Hillsborough's 2025-2027 poet laureate, writes in her notebook. Photo courtesy of Hillsborough Arts Council and Amal Kassir. When Amal Kassir wrote her first poem — a message addressed to the leaders of the world — she didn’t even know that what she was writing was poetry. Kassir is now a world-renowned poet serving as Hillsborough’s newest poet laureate.
Chapel Hill Town Council meets to discuss budget, LUMO amendments and zoning
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue On May 21, the Chapel Hill Town Council met to discuss the recommended 2025-26 budget for the Town, Land Use Management Ordinance amendments and proposed developments. Chapel Hill will be adding William “Bill” Massengale’s name to those honored at Peace and Justice Plaza for their service to the community, Mayor Jess Anderson said.
Carrboro proposes 2025-26 budget, invests in personnel and sustainability
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Thursday, May 22, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue On May 6, Carrboro town manager Patrice Toney presented the recommended budget for the Town’s 2025-26 fiscal year. This year’s recommended budget is $62.5 million. This funding is distributed between a general fund, a capital projects fund, a special revenue fund and an enterprise fund.
'A quintessential teacher': Jessie Grinnell awarded CHCCS Teacher of the Year
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Monday, May 19, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue On May 8, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools named Jessie Grinnell, an English language arts teacher at C&L McDougle Middle School, the 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. Grinnell is a multilingual certified teacher, serves on MMS’ PTSA board and is a leader within the school’s eighth grade team, Christopher Horne, principal of MMS, said. "Jessie is amazing," Horne said. "She is a quintessential teacher.
Chapel Hill Town Council considers community development grants, weighs impact
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Thursday, April 24, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue The Chapel Hill Town Council recently held its second public forum on the 2025-26 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan. The grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Town of Chapel Hill generally gets about $420,000 each cycle, Emily Holt, Chapel Hill’s Affordable Housing Manager, said.
Super Bowl champion, Chapel Hill High School graduate remembered for his kindness
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Friday, April 11, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue A Chapel Hill High School graduate and former NFL safety, Matthew Stevens, died on March 20 at 51 years old. The Buffalo Bills selected Stevens in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft. Over the course of his eight-season career, he played for five different teams. Stevens also played for the New England Patriots when the team won their first Super Bowl title in 2002.
CHHS teacher Travis Adkison chosen as finalist for CTE teacher of the year award
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Friday, March 28, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue On March 13, Chapel Hill High School Fire Academy instructor Travis Adkison was recognized as one of 24 finalists for North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching's 2025 Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year award.
North Carolina sees larger wildfires, officials point to damage from Hurricane Helene
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Thursday, March 27, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue On March 19, a fire caused by a downed power line was reported in Polk County, according to Madison County Ranger Bo Dossett. The fire would become the titular fire for the Black Cove Complex in Polk County, a combination of three smaller fires including the Black Cove Fire, the Deep Woods Fire and the Fish Hook Fire.
'True public servant': Caitlin Fenhagen becomes Orange County's deputy manager
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue Caitlin Fenhagen is the new Deputy County Manager for Orange County. Photo Courtesy of Caitlin Fenhagen. Years ago, Caitlin Fenhagen spent her Christmas packing up boxed lunches with Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew. The two ended up together on Christmas after Lehew reached out to Fenhagen to see if there were any resources for people experiencing homelessness and facing the cold weather.
Cooperative housing development proposal asks Orange County to amend zoning permits
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue Fiddlehead Corner is a potential housing development trying to gain approval for construction on Morrow Mill Road in Orange County. To do so, however, the County must amend its zoning permits so the development can proceed.
‘Heartbroken that it's gone’: 401 Main closes, regulars reminiscence on community
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 Newsletters Latest print issue The first thing 401 Main regulars say when you ask them what they like about the restaurant is that it’s just like the television show "Cheers." Everybody knows your name — the show's tagline — and the longer you stay there, the more true the statement becomes. 401 Main closed on Feb. 4. On its last day, the restaurant was filled with regulars reminiscing on the past and looking to the future.
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