The US built the greatest talent magnet ever, attracting the smart, skilled, and striving. They’d come to study, then stay and build things here, or leave with positive impressions and fruitful connections. Helped make the US wealthy and powerful. Then America chose to throw it away. And for what?

My latest story, a few weeks in the making! 🐺⬇️

I had the pleasure of being asked by Andy to contribute to his Editor's Desk blog! There are tons of other great folks in the industry who he's interviewed as well, whose answers and have been helpful to me. And if anyone is curious to my work flow and a peek behind the journalism curtain... ⬇️

As an outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis continues in the United States, some people in Orange County have reported falling sick from the parasite, according to the county health department. Here's more from the Orange County Health Department:

the World Cup final will be between two teams that Cape Verde played even through 90 minutes

“We can’t come in where we left off. We have to come in ahead of where we left off.” Danna Durante, who will begin her sixth year as the UNC gymnastics head coach this winter, joined us to convey her excitement for the upcoming season.

The death of Orange County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford created an opening for Democrats to join the board without a primary opponent or Republican challenger. Here's more on each of the six candidates who have declared their interest:

Really heartened to see an athlete of this stature speaking out in this way.

Gavin Gallaher is back. The UNC baseball co-captain confirmed his return to the Diamond Heels Tuesday after not being selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. Here are the details:

North Carolina Sen. Jonah Garson as well as Rep. Renée Price and Rep. Allen Buansi all voted against the state’s recently passed budget, saying the parts they disagree with hold more influence over the good it will bring. Here’s what they told us:

Me, reading the headline: this makes no sense Me, reading the byline: oh, this makes sense

My latest ⬇️

On July 11, community members gathered at the Carrboro Town Commons for Tomato Day, the Carrboro Farmers’ Market’s largest annual event. We sent photographer Elena Pace to the event to capture images of Tomato Day joy. Here’s our photo gallery:

Several UNC baseball players have been selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, which runs through Sunday in Philadelphia. Here’s a look at which Diamond Heels are going where:

“This tragedy brought even more wonderful community members into our Eno Arts Mill family. It gave us time to pause, think, and strategize on how to improve our operations.”

OTD in 1999: We add a second star to our shirt in front of a sold out Rose Bowl ⭐️⭐️

More than 1,000 Duke Energy customers in Hillsborough reported a power outage on Friday evening after a storm rolled through the region. Here are the details:

More than a quarter MILLION public comments. The administration still weakened protections for endangered species. I know everyone has their own lives, jobs, and problems to worry about, but a lot of people have been convinced that this is normal 😅 Photo from @emmascales.bsky.social

One year after Tropical Storm Chantal’s rainfall flooded several areas in the Triangle, the region’s local governments are still adjusting to its physical and financial impacts. Here’s how they’ve recovered and what challenges they still face:

UNC Police are responding to a safety threat at Kenan Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Here's what we know:

“It did test our systems and our capabilities and our plans, and by-and-large, a lot of things worked very well. There were quite a few things that we learned that we didn’t anticipate.” Here’s how Orange County’s Emergency Services Director has reflected on the county’s Chantal response:

Thankful for the folks who spoke with me for this story. It's easy to just keep moving ahead in our own lives after disaster and tragedy...but for those whose homes were damaged by last year's floods, there's no guarantee of getting back to life as it was.

I'm so disillusioned, I almost don't even care who gets the FIFA Peace Prize next year

hydration break

WE’RE ON TO THE 2027 WOMENS WORLD CUP

A bit of a disasterclass, I fear. At least the Group Stage was fun for the USMNT. Thought they would at least do better to meet the moment tonight. But....alas

My latest, as we hit a somber milestone in the area. We'll have more coverage coming throughout the week of different aspects or ways the storm and flash flooding impacted local folks.

Congratulations to England for surviving the Azteca after dark Your reward: 90 minutes against Norwegian Calvin Johnson

That’s some tuff business by England

WHOA 🤯 nutmeg goal! If anyone had any concerns about how England would show up....

Lawd, the replays of the Lopes Cabral goal 🤌🏼

Tragic to be on the losing side of a game like that after a journey like this for Cape Verde. What an unbelievable match, and what an unbelievable story this team has been. 👏🏻 (Very happy for Cuti to score the winner!!!)

Malik Tillman, take a fricken bow. What a gem of a game from him

Bron a free agent let’s call him

Going +1 goal differential with 10 men to beat a European team in a World Cup knockout. Up the freaking lads, man.

After being a key project component touted by the developers of South Creek, 80 acres of land near Southern Village in Chapel Hill is now permanently protected from future construction. Here are the details:

Not sure we fully appreciate that about Iran. One of the two earliest World Cup qualifiers, advanced from AFC qualifying as efficiently as Japan. Best chance yet to reach the knockouts for the first time in history. Forced to play an entirely different tournament, logistically. Such a shame.

Orange County’s Crisis Diversion Facility is now set to begin construction in August, following a recent board approval of the project’s building costs. Here are the details:

My latest ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Chapelboro.com is currently experiencing delays and disconnections. We are working to resolve these issues, and will provide an update once things are back in order. 97.9 The Hill is still on-air. We appreciate our readers for their patience and for providing feedback.

Political ideology is the strongest predictor of Messi-Ronaldo preference. Authoritarians who like short-form video are more likely to think Ronaldo is the GOAT.

🥲🥲🥲 Great coverage from @michaelkohwchl.bsky.social on the Diamond Heels' end to their latest run at a national title, which I'm sad ended the way it did. He's done some awesome work in Omaha, plenty of which is still worth reading even with the season wrapped up! Check it out on Chapelboro

Really tough to hear this news... Jamezetta was a good person and a consummate professional to work with when talking with her for news coverage of BOCC meetings and votes. She'll be missed.

Really good story put together by Emma ⬇️

Outgoing UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham recently visited 97.9 The Hill for an exit interview. When asked about his biggest accomplishment in his 15 years on the job. Cunningham said he believes it is his hiring and retainment of coaches. Listen here and to the full interview on Chapelboro!

Between Carolina Baseball and the Canes... it's feeling like 2006!! 🥳 Big win tonight for the Heels. And a 20-year reunion with Lord Stanley for the Hurricanes!!!

The Diamond Heels WIN, taking the game vs. West Virginia and moving to 2-0 in Omaha! Tune into 97.9 The Hill (97.9 FM / 1360 AM / streaming on Chapelboro) for post-game coverage from Learfield, and listen along on Wednesday when Carolina takes the field again in the College World Series!

"LET'S GO! FORZA FERRARI! FORZA FERRARI! "