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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.

Whitewater kayaking race to return with a course transformed by Hurricane Helene

Story by Tori Newby Paddlers will soon return to the whitewater river of Western North…

‘There’s a ton of hope:’ Boone small businesses rebound after Hurricane Helene

Story by Harry Crowther Oct. 18, 2025, was a kind of equinox in Watauga County.…

Sarah Grace Elliot poses in the open doorway of her trailer coming down the steps with a sign that reads Katie beside the ajar door.

‘Only so sustainable’: UNC-CH senior juggles acting and academics

Sarah Grace Elliott has appeared in “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Outer Banks,” and more. Story…

Beyond Silicon Valley: AI startups find a home in North Carolina’s Research Triangle

By Olivia Jarman For decades, the story of American tech startups has been synonymous with…

Bonded by basketball: Five N.C. girls, 11 years of friendship, and endless memories

https://youtu.be/Jv53AHzW27A?si=SWb07vH3dmXz-OKp Bobbi Smith (Left), Indya Nivar, Reychel Douglas, Kyla McGhee, and Sydney Barker (Right) at…

A gray stone plaque near the entrance of Geer Cemetery in Durham, North Carolina. On either side of the plague are dates, 1877 and 1944.

Beloved: Honoring Durham’s ancestors at Geer Cemetery

Story by Mary Mungai From far away, the clearing is small and silent. But among…

From fiber to floor: A Durham startup’s sustainable spin to North Carolina’s textile industry

As North Carolina’s textile industry searches for a new identity, companies like CICIL are testing whether sustainable, locally sourced products can revive a fading legacy.

A white and blue sign on the side of a building with "UNC Health" written in light blue and dark blue letters across it.

Violence against health care workers: How the trend of workplace violence is impacting nurses

Story by Mackenzie Thomas For Mel, a North Carolina nurse, getting ready for work was…

Five girls’ unbreakable bond built by N.C. basketball

Story by Emma Unger Even among North Carolina’s long history of great basketball, one team…

‘A space to breathe:’ The Coker Arboretum’s enduring legacy

Story by Harry Crowther There once was just one tree in the space that is…

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.