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Articles by Rita Choufani
North Carolina reviews proposal for PFAS regulations, but advocates say it's not enough
City & State Apr 10, 2026, 1:54 AM With North Carolina’s internationally recognized status as a hotspot for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance pollution, the Environmental Management Commission at the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing a new proposal regarding regulation rules in monitoring and minimizing these pollutants.
OWASA releases 2025 wastewater report card
City & State Apr 9, 2026, 12:55 AM The Orange Water and Sewer Authority recently released its annual wastewater report card for 2025, with a focus on its effectiveness in wastewater treatment. OWASA public information officer Katie Hall said the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality requires OWASA to report how biosolids and effluent — sewage dumped into water — produced by its wastewater treatment process compare to state quality standards.
Amid enrollment decline and funding cuts, CHCCS superintendent proposes reduction in 23 district staff positions
City & State Apr 7, 2026, 2:55 AM On March 24, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Rodney Trice released a message to district staff and families regarding a potential reduction in 23 district staff positions, primarily central administration and leadership roles. Trice’s recommendation will be presented to the CHCCS Board of Education on April 9 and specific positions will not be made public until the board takes official action, Trice said.
'True community school': Ephesus Elementary School is considered for potential closure
City & State Ephesus Elementary School stands in Chapel Hill on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The school is one of three elementary schools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School district facing potential closure due to declined enrollment and budget cuts. Apr 2, 2026, 11:53 PM This article is part of a series on Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools considering three elementary schools for potential closure. The district is also considering Glenwood Elementary School and Seawell Elementary School.
Orange County reviews final report on property tax revaluations, some voice concerns about inequity
City & State Mar 26, 2026, 10:32 PM The Orange County Board of County Commissioners recently received and reviewed a final report on the status of property revaluation appeals after nearly a year of residents expressing concerns about inequity in the process. At the beginning of 2025, Orange County completed its revaluation of all real property, meaning that all property tax assessments within the County were reassessed to their market value as required by North Carolina law.
Carrboro High School’s fashion design program gives students 'freedom to create'
City & State Students in Emily Giardina's fashion design class work with sewing machines to make bucket hats on Tuedsay, March 9, 2025 at Carrboro High school. Mar 10, 2026, 2:26 PM At the end of each school year, Carrboro High School students bring the runways of New York to Orange County in their annual fashion presentations. The fashion projects are the product of Carrboro High School’s fashion design program, offered as part of the high school’s career and technical education curriculum.
Kipos Greek Taverna reopens at Eastgate Crossing following Chantal flooding
City & State Customers eat inside Kipos Greek Taverna located at Eastgate Shopping Center on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The restaurant reopened after being damaged in flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal in July 2025. Mar 1, 2026, 11:55 PM On Saturday, Chapel Hill restaurant Kipos Greek Taverna reopened after closing last summer due to the effects of Tropical Storm Chantal, later downgraded to a tropical depression, on the Eastgate Crossing shopping center.
Q&A: N.C. House District 50 candidate Mary Lucas hopes to improve health care policy
City & State Photo courtesy of Mary Lucas. Feb 25, 2026, 9:07 PM The Daily Tar Heel’s Rita Choufani spoke with North Carolina General Assembly House of Representatives District 50 candidate Mary Lucas about her 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?
Orange County Board of County Commissioners discusses OWASA update, transit finances
City & State Jean Hamilton is the chair of the Orange County BOCC. Photo courtesy of Kristin Prelipp. Feb 20, 2026, 4:34 AM On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners met to discuss Orange Water and Sewer Authority’s annual update, changes to Chapel Hill Transit, the Longtime Homeowners Assistance program and the Orange County Community Animal Clinic. Commissioners noted the death of Jesse Jackson, an American civil rights leader, who died on Tuesday morning.
Orange Water and Sewer Authority receives $1.09 million to build new PFAS treatment facility
City & State Feb 16, 2026, 12:43 AM Orange Water and Sewer Authority received $1.09 million in funding from the federal government's 2026 Community Project Funding to design a new PFAS treatment facility that will reduce PFAS in Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s drinking water. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are also known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily once they are in the environment.
The Loop reopens after six months of closure from Tropical Storm Chantal's flood damage
City & State Two employees at The Loop stand together on Feb. 4, 2026. Feb 10, 2026, 5:39 AM In late January, The Loop at the Eastgate Crossin g shopping center in Chapel Hill reopened its doors. The restaurant announced in July 2025 that it had to close due to flood damages caused by Tropical Storm Chantal, later downgraded to a tropical depression, which brought between 6 and 9 inches of rain to Chapel Hill. After six months of renovation, they are back in business.
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