North Carolina

Parents, social media experts weigh in on new bill restricting phones in NC classrooms

Published

5 months ago

July 14, 2025

Parents, social media experts weigh in on new bill restricting phones in NC classrooms

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Parents and social media experts are weighing in on new legislation that restricts phone use in North Carolina’s public schools and requires schools to teach social media literacy to students. That bill, HB 959, was passed last month and signed into law by Governor Josh Stein on July 1st. It takes effect at the beginning of 2026.

While HB 959 outlines those restrictions on phone use — requiring those devices to be switched off during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies and when the student has a medical exemption — it leaves policy specifics and enforcement largely to individual school boards.

“I think curbing phone usage is a good, good thing, especially with teenagers,” said Kevin Long, father of two Wake County high school students.

Long said he’s learned how challenging it can be to keep teenagers off their phones, including while at school.

“When we found out that our kids were using it during school, I mean, it got taken away because it’s like, you can’t do this. You’ve got to pay attention. You’re here for learning,” he said.

Long said he has concerns over the lack of funding laid out in the bill, but he supports the intent — and also appreciates efforts to instruct kids on best practices for navigating social media.

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“Making them aware that it’s forever, I think, would probably be one of the best things — that anything that you put out there is forever — and that you also can’t trust everything that’s out there,” Long said.

Those social media literacy courses outlined in HB 959 would explain the potential negative effects of social media and better train students on how to avoid risky behavior online in the hope of equipping them to use social media safely. Carly Morgan with The Social Institute in Durham says it’s a positive step.

“Social media is how students are social, and it’s here to stay. And so it’s really helping students navigate that world that they’re already living in and have been free in healthy, high-character ways,” Morgan said.

The Social Institute works to empower families to harness the positives of social media, giving kids and parents tools to navigate the digital world. Morgan says rather than implement policies that scare or restrict, HB 959 provides an opportunity to start important conversations around social media.

“We believe that it’s an important partnership between the families and the schools to be on the same page and teaching students that not everything is perfect or not everything is safe out there,” she said.

HB 959 requires school boards across the state to develop policies that fit the new law — which takes effect on January 1st, 2026, and will require those boards to establish penalties for possible violations.

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North Carolina

What a Loss Would Mean for North Carolina

Published

4 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

What a Loss Would Mean for North Carolina

Saturday marks the end of the North Carolina Tar Heels’ 2025 college football season. Regardless of whether the Tar Heels win or lose, Saturday will be their final game played this season. North Carolina’s failure last week against the Duke Blue Devils officially eliminated it from bowl eligibility.

Bill Belichick’s team enters Week 14 with a 4-7 record. Last season, under Mac Brown, the Tar Heels finished with an 8-4 record and played in the Fenway Bowl against the Connecticut Huskies.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick watches play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images / William Howard-Imagn Images

Hiring Belichick was supposed to elevate the football program while supplying substantial hardware. Clearly, that did not happen this season, and North Carolina will have to settle for a moral victory on Saturday.

What would a loss mean for the Tar Heels moving forward?

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

It goes without saying that Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina has gotten off to a rough start. Not only would a loss be the final nail in the coffin for this season, but it would bring North Carolina to 4-8, the opposite record it boasted last season under a different coaching staff.

Under Belichick, the Tar Heels have lacked ingenuity and creativity, which has left a bland brand of football this season. Because of that, North Carolina is our gene 19.3 points per game, which ranks 236th in the country.

Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick stands on the sidelines against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images / Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

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North Carolina

UNC’s Austin Blaske Mindset for Upcoming NC State Matchup

Published

22 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

UNC’s Austin Blaske Mindset for Upcoming NC State Matchup

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ season will officially conclude after this weekend, regardless of the result on Saturday against North Carolina State.

However, the Impact of this game against North Carolina State means much more since it is an in-state rivalry matchup.

While speaking with the media during his press conference availability center Austin Blaske previewed the matchup while revealing what he has learned from his head coach during the season.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images / William Howard-Imagn Images

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) is hit after a pass by Duke Blue Devils defensive back Caleb Weaver (3) during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images / William Howard-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels’ season has been a roller coaster, which is one of the main reasons the team failed to qualify for a bowl game. Blaske understands that it has not been the season that many fans hoped for, but it served as a learning experience for the program.

Although Blaske’s final season does not conclude with a bowl game appearance, the six-year senior did have an opportunity to learn from Bill Belichick. The veteran center spoke on that experience and how it helped him develop as a player.

The Tar Heels’ 2025 season is inching closer to the end, but 2026 could spell much more success with another recruiting class arriving, paired with the experience gained from the current regime.

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North Carolina

North Carolina vs. NC State football betting line, odds, spread | Week 14 2025

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

North Carolina vs. NC State football betting line, odds, spread | Week 14 2025

A pair of ACC teams meet when the NC State Wolfpack (6-5) face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels (4-7) on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack are favored by 7 points. The over/under for the contest is 47.5 points.

Against the Duke Blue Devils in their most recent contest, the Tar Heels lost 32-25.

The Heels’ Gio Lopez went 21-for-27 for 204 yards against Duke, with one TD and no INTs.

Last time around, the Wolfpack defeated the Florida State Seminoles, with 21-11 being the final score.

In the article below, we’ll give you all the details you need to watch this matchup on ACC Network.

Check out: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA Today sports

North Carolina vs NC State line, odds, spread, over/under

College football odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 10:15 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Spread favorite: NC State (-7)
Moneyline: NC State (-275), North Carolina (+220)
Total: 47.5 points

North Carolina vs NC State game info

Game day: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Stadium: Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium
Live stream: Watch on Fubo! (Regional restrictions may apply)

Watch NC State vs. North Carolina on Fubo! (Regional restrictions may apply)

North Carolina betting info

North Carolina has won two games against the spread in conference action this season.
The Tar Heels have covered the spread five times over 11 games with a set spread.
North Carolina has been an underdog by 7 points or more three times this season in ACC action, and covered the spread in one of those games.
In games they have played as 7-point underdogs or more, the Tar Heels have an ATS record of 2-2-1.
North Carolina and its opponents have combined to hit the over three out of five times this year in ACC play.
This year, four Tar Heels games have gone over the point total.

2025 North Carolina leaders

Lopez: 1,629 PASS YDS / 162.9 YPG / 64.9% / 9 TD / 5 INT / 78 CAR / 141 RUSH YDS / 3 TD
Demon June: 82 CAR / 461 YDS / 46.1 YPG / 2 TD / 17 REC / 159 YDS / 19.9 YPG / 1 TD
Davion Gause: 60 CAR / 253 YDS / 28.1 YPG / 3 TD / 14 REC / 123 YDS / 15.4 YPG / 2 TD
Jordan Shipp: 52 REC / 581 YDS / 52.8 YPG / 5 TD
Kobe Paysour: 30 REC / 388 YDS / 38.8 YPG / 1 TD

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