Viewpoints

On June 11, 2026, WFDD – Public Radio published a story about two UNC system schools that deleted pride posts because they supposedly violated a UNC system policy that prohibits speaking about “political controversies of the day.”

Increasingly often, it’s just hard to believe one’s lying eyes. Last Tuesday, the House Armed Services Committee released its proposed 2027 Pentagon budget (NCAA) of a staggering $1.15 trillion. And get this: section 224 of this bill proposes essentially melding together the armed forces of the US and Israel.

Our public schools are in crisis. In the last four years alone, 57 public schools in N.C. have closed. Declining birth rates are part of the story, but so are chronic underfunding and private school vouchers that divert taxpayer dollars. These forces are making it increasingly difficult for public schools to attract students and retain the best teachers for them.

As someone originally from Appalachia who grew up in Western North Carolina, I recognize the warning signs when I see them here in Hillsborough. The views expressed by Commissioner Hughes and the board at large last night on AI and data centers being “inevitable” hit a nerve with me. My grandparents, my parents, and I have heard this language before.

On May 28, Glenwood Elementary School will celebrate its annual Culture Night, sponsored by the PTA. While Glenwood has for several years been a magnet school,

We place murals of Black Lives Matter on buildings, yet most of the men and women on the streets are people of color. I am calling on local governments and nonprofits to invest more in and for these vulnerable and marginalized residents.

I feel vulnerable on walkways and roads where I have to look out for cars and bicycles. Let’s all try to stay safe as we have to interact on these shared spaces. Here are safety rules that can help us all stay safe.