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Young men struggle with body image and an obsession with bulking up

By Rachel Moody In his off-campus apartment kitchen, UNC-Chapel Hill sophomore Tate Mannell adds butter…

The almost untold story of Ivan Fleser: From his Chapel Hill days to playing with Ted Williams and former presidents

During World War II, Ivan Fleser trained at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Navy Pre-Flight School and played on the Cloudbuster Nine alongside Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky. After surviving a near-fatal plane crash, he returned home to serve as an educator and coach. Decades later, his quiet legacy endures through family and history.

A Walk for Peace: Raleigh Welcomes the Monks

Volunteers and faith leaders gather at Greg Poole Jr. All Faiths Chapel to prepare a welcoming lunch for traveling Buddhist monks. As crowds assemble from Dorothea Dix Park to the North Carolina Capitol, Raleigh unites in celebration, fellowship, and peace, culminating in a powerful speech before thousands.

New Asia Continent to open at the N.C. Zoo this fall

The North Carolina Zoo will open a 12.5-acre Asia Continent this September featuring tigers, Komodo dragons and more. Designed for immersive guest experiences and top-tier animal welfare, the exhibit blends jungle landscapes with architecture. Funded by $152 million in state and private support, it’s expected to boost tourism and conservation awareness.

Believe it or not, Bigfoot is booming in North Carolina

In small-town North Carolina, Bigfoot tourism is fueling economic revival. From Littleton’s Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum to guided hunts in Bryson City and Uwharrie trails near Troy, believers and skeptics alike draw crowds. Experts say the allure lies in curiosity and possibility—faith in discovering something mysterious still unexplained.

Behind the Scenes Sneak Peek at NC Zoo’s Asia Continent

The North Carolina Zoo is preparing to open its 12-acre Asia Continent expansion this September. Featuring immersive habitats for animals like Malayan tigers, Komodo dragons, and otters, the project enhances visitor experience while boosting tourism and local growth in Asheboro. An accompanying infographic lets users explore featured animals interactively.

Flipping the Script: UNC Gymnastics on the Rise

This story focuses on the rise of the University of North Carolina’s gymnastics program and how head coach Danna Durante is reshaping perceptions of the sport within the Atlantic Coast Conference. In a collegiate gymnastics landscape long dominated by powerhouse conferences like the SEC and Big Ten, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is emerging as a program to watch, thanks to Durante’s leadership, recruiting, and emphasis on visibility. Through competition sound, crowd energy, and insight from coaches and athletes, the story shows how increased attention on UNC gymnastics not only elevates the team itself but also brings greater recognition to the sport across North Carolina, signaling a broader shift in where elite gymnastics can thrive.

One superfan from Charlotte is chasing her Olympic dreams

Kristen McMillen, a Charlotte resident, has dreamt of going to the Olympics since she was six years old. Now, at 37, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are her sixth games.

“Every queen deserves a crown”: Women’s professional basketball comes to Charlotte

The Charlotte Crown will debut May 21, 2026, ending the city’s nearly 20-year wait for women’s pro basketball. As part of the new Upshot League, the team aims to create opportunities for players, build community pride and establish a lasting presence in Charlotte’s sports culture.

Rell Harwood to compete in the Olympics Big Air with an ACL tear

Rell Harwood is competing at her first Olympics after an ACL tear prevented her in 2022. She is competing in big air in the Livigno Alps with another ACL tear. Her childhood best friend and boyfriend are also on Team USA, cheering her on in the stands.

Tragedy to triumph: The Watauga Playmakers’ story of ‘Surge’

Story by Audrey Kashatus BOONE, N.C. – Bright yellow and blue lights shine down on…

How bargain stores fund a Republican megadonor’s political spending

Nat: Roses Discount Stores Track: Theresa Kinlaw has shopped at Roses Discount Stores for…

Beyond the badge: Durham’s grassroots response to violence

Ben Haas, director of the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham, believes the more involved the community is, the less reliance there will be on external forces to handle harm.

‘What we’ve been trying to do is help farmers operate again’: Farmlands six months post Helene

LEAD: It’s been more than six months since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, resulting…

Tragedy to Triumph: The Watauga Playmakers’ story of ‘Surge’

Story by Bethany Pryor

‘You just have to be hungry’: Community fridges address food insecurity in the Triangle

Story by Eliza Benbow Cover Photo by Danielle Hart A new door is opening for…

Dedicated Kubb players seek fellow enthusiasts of this unique backyard sport

Story and photos by Annie Ham NORTH CAROLINA – Whoosh. Clack. Thump. These are the…

Short Films, Long Impacts

Tucked into the heart of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Cosmic Rays Film Festival offers…

Underneath a large pavilion with picnic tables lining a wall to the left, Kyle Glackin, dressed in green protective HEMA gear, swings his steel sword at his opponent, Devin Sangster, who wears blue, black, and red gear. Max Fishman, the instructor for Triangle Sword Guild's messer class, watches the students engage in combat. (Andrew Eicher/Triangle Sword Guild)

Triangle Sword Guild creates community through recreating Historical European Martial Arts

HEMA, or Historical European Martial Arts, is a multidisciplinary hobby that combines real-weapon dueling with researching European dueling styles across the 12th-19th centuries. For members of North Carolina’s Triangle Sword Guild, it’s not just exercise and learning, it’s also community.

Triangle Sword Guild recreates Historical European Martial Arts

Story by Mila Mascenik Photos courtesy of Andrew Eicher The sound of clashing steel rings…

What is Media Hub?

UNC Media Hub is a cohort of students from various concentrations within UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media who collaborate to produce top-tier integrated media packages covering stories across North Carolina.