In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…

⛅Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 87^o and Partly Cloudy

❎Opinion Poll: Political Reporting

📰Fraternity Members Retrieve U.S. Flag During UNC Protest, Sparking Viral Fundraiser

📰Orange County DA Calls for Patience in UNC Protest Charges

📰Reindeer Run 5K Funds to Boost Physical Activity in Chatham County

🗓️Upcoming Events 

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At the end of the day {or the beginning depending on when you read this} we want to put out stories you want to read. So we really need your help on this.

Please Note: The Chapel Hill Insider is politically neutral in that our reporting is not meant to lean left or right or liberal or conservative. What we are not netural about—what we are in fact passsionate about is keeping people in our community informed about what is going on in our community. And currently, there is a lot. So just because we let you know something is happening or has happened does not mean we agree with it or disagree with it. What it does mean is that it happened or will happen in our area and we thought you might like to be informed. No political agenda, just keeping you “in the know”. That’s kind of our motto.

That being said, we like to know your thoughts, so please participate in the survey below. We take these seriously and tend to pivot base on your responses so make your voice heard. This won’t make us a political gossip rag and we will probably continue to keep our political opinions to ourselves but it may affect which stories we report.

As always you can write us via [email protected] and let us know what you think. We are listening.

Fraternity Members Retrieve U.S. Flag During UNC Protest, Sparking Viral Fundraiser

During a protest at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, members of two fraternities, Pi Kappa Phi and Alpha Epsilon Pi, intervened to retrieve a U.S. flag that had been taken down and replaced with a Palestinian flag by demonstrators. This incident was captured in photographs and quickly spread across social media, leading to significant public attention. A GoFundMe campaign titled “Pi Kappa Phi Men Defended their Flag. Throw 'em a Rager,” initiated by John Noonan, subsequently raised over $485,000, drawing endorsements and contributions from high-profile figures like country singer John Rich and commentator Dan Bongino.

The fundraiser, however, became controversial due to its polarizing language and unclear affiliations with the fraternity and other political figures. The UNC chapter of Pi Kappa Phi denied any association with Noonan, and the role of Susan Ralston, a former Bush administration official linked to lobbyist scandals, added further complexity. The fundraiser's massive scale and the involvement of various public figures underscore the intense intersection of campus activism, social media influence, and political commentary surrounding this event..

Orange County DA Calls for Patience in UNC Protest Charges

In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, tension arose between town leaders and the district attorney following the arrest of demonstrators at a UNC pro-Palestinian protest. The local councils criticized UNC campus police's handling of the situation and called for the dismissal of all charges, a proposal the DA deemed premature due to ongoing evidence collection. Meanwhile, a group of fraternity members gained unexpected fame and support after defending the American flag during the protests, leading to a significant fundraising effort. The DA has asked for patience and trust from the community as the legal process unfolds.

Reindeer Run 5K Funds to Boost Physical Activity in Chatham County

The Chatham County Partnership for Children raised $12,000 from their Reindeer Run 5K and is now offering that amount as grants to promote physical activity among local youth and families. Applications for funding are open to various community groups and are due by June 14. The grants will support projects such as the creation of walking paths, playgrounds, and the purchase of sports equipment.

Student-Directed One Act Play Festival @ ECHHS

As spring unfolds, the anticipation for the annual Student Directed One Act Play Festival at the local Black Box Theater at East Chapel Hill High School is palpable. This year, the festival is set to showcase a vibrant collection of one-act plays, each directed by a talented student director. Scheduled for this Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:30 pm, promising audiences an evening of compelling drama and raw talent. See our previous issue for more information. You can buy tickets through the links below:

• Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

@ Flyleaf Books

Fridays on the Front Porch

Experience the charm of Chapel Hill each Friday at the Carolina Inn’s “Fridays on the Front Porch” event. Located at 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, the event is sure to be a great way to enjoy the season. Running every Friday from April 19 through October 25, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, this local favorite is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Although the first event on April 19th has been canceled due to anticipated bad weather, the series promises plenty of excitement with live music, handcrafted cocktails, North Carolina beers, and a diverse selection of food from local food trucks. The event caters to all age groups, making it an ideal outing for everyone looking to unwind in a festive atmosphere. Click here to see the lineup. (Linked has been updated) This Friday, May 3rd, listen to the Morgan Creek and enjoy Doherty's Paddy Wagon, and Gussy's Greek food trucks!

Cat’s Cradle