Community Corner

🌱 Will new Chapel Hill apartments ease housing needs or worsen neighborhood flooding?

Also, don't miss PTA Fall Book Fair on the Chapel Hill Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Chapel Hill? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will new Chapel Hill apartments ease housing needs or worsen neighborhood flooding?
  • How UNC–Chapel Hill scientists say strangers can boost your well-being
  • How UNC-Chapel Hill landed in the hot seat over AI essays

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Chapel Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and chilly, with a high of 45 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Friday: Chilly with periods of sun, temps: high: 45, low: 31.
  • Saturday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 54 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. As Chapel Hill leaders balance need for housing and flood risk post Chantal, some are concerned (wunc.org) — Chapel Hill leaders are weighing a 300-unit housing proposal on Weaver Dairy Road against growing fears about flooding after Tropical Storm Chantal. Residents and former officials are pressing the Town Council over stormwater risks, while a current council member argues new development can improve drainage, highlighting the tough tradeoffs shaping future growth in Chapel Hill neighborhoods.
   

Find out what's happening in Chapel Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Why Loving Moments With Strangers Carry Lasting Benefits (berkeley.edu) — Researchers at UNC–Chapel Hill say your quick smiles and brief chats with strangers may be just as important for well-being as time with close friends. Their studies link leaving the house and engaging with strangers to lower loneliness, stronger community ties, and even greater openness to people with different political views, suggesting everyday interactions can quietly strengthen democracy.
   

3. AI may be scoring your college essay. Welcome to the new era of admissions (newspressnow.com) — UNC-Chapel Hill is at the center of a growing debate over colleges using AI to help review application essays, after criticism that the school used software to assess grammar and writing style. The story zooms out to show how Virginia Tech, Caltech, Georgia Tech, and others are adopting AI to speed up transcript checks, score essays, and flag key personal details while keeping humans in final control.
   

4. The Historians Behind Ken Burns' "The American Revolution" (time.com) — A UNC–Chapel Hill history professor, Kathleen DuVal, is one of three scholars advising Ken Burns’ new PBS series on the American Revolution, helping ensure it reflects global, Native, Black, and women’s perspectives. Their behind-the-scenes discussion explains how recent scholarship, especially on Native nations and loyalists, reshaped the film’s narrative and could change how viewers understand the nation’s founding.
   

5. The 30 for 30 documentary "Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott" premiered Wednesday night on ESPN (espn.com) — Chapel Hill gets a spotlight in a new ESPN 30 for 30 that traces Stuart Scott’s path from UNC journalism student covering Tar Heels sports to groundbreaking “SportsCenter” anchor. The film highlights how his Chapel Hill years, Carolina roots, and signature “Stuisms” shaped a career that blended hip-hop, Black culture, and sports storytelling, and follows his family life and courageous cancer battle.
   

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • “Mom Fell Again”
    When Mom (and/or Dad) can no longer live in their home. Complimentary service helping with safer, happier options. Certified. (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LOST DOG:
    Does anyway know of a community list serve/eblast/news letter for Strowd Mountain off of Jones Ferry? I am looking for my lost dog, a black and tan… (Nextdoor MLK Park)
  • Update: She is in the area!
    Trying to coax her in. Keeping this up until she is home again. LOST CAT this past Sunday night near Woodcroft Shopping Center. Small young female,… (Nextdoor Stagecoach/Farrington)
  • Barnes & Noble Education posted a job opening for Campus Retail Associate - Stone & Leaf Cafe (Temp) in Chapel Hill. Apply here.
  • Public Storage, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager in Chapel Hill. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chapel Hill here.

Ok Chapel Hill! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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