North Carolina News & Current Events

North Carolina ranks 30th in the nation for the number of its older adult residents reporting social isolation, according to the latest Senior Report by American's Health Rankings. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — North Carolina ranks 30th in the nation for the number of its older adult residents reporting social isolation, according to the latest Senior Report by American's Health Rankings. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Distress, Social Isolation on the Rise Among NC Seniors

More older adults in North Carolina are feeling mentally distressed and socially isolated, according to the latest America's Health Rankings Senior …

In 2020, 2.6 million more U.S. households became homeowners compared with 2019, according to the National Association of Realtors. (Pipkin Family/Self Help Credit Union)

Credit Unions Offer Programs to Help First-Time NC Homebuyers

June is National Homeownership Month - and some North Carolina credit unions and banks say they're working to reduce the racial wealth gap by offering…

Research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found air pollution emitted by livestock waste and fertilizer application across the United States contributes significantly to premature deaths in nearby communities. (Adobe Stock)

Push to Weigh Cumulative Impacts of Air Pollution in NC Permitting Process

Environmental groups are pushing for changes to North Carolina's industry-permitting process, which they say does not account for the cumulative …

The 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report stated, "Heavy precipitation accompanying hurricanes that pass near or over North Carolina is very likely to increase, which would, in turn, increase the potential for freshwater flooding in the state." (Adobe Stock)

NC Faith Leaders Call on U.S. to Pay 'Fair Share' for Climate-Related Loss

Faith and climate leaders convene in Charlotte this week, as the Southeast Climate and Energy Network and US Climate Action Network join forces…

Across the nation, church groups and congregations often play a center role in working to increase voter engagement. (Adobe Stock)

NC Faith Groups Raise Awareness on Election Integrity

As redistricting processes wrap up across the country, faith groups in North Carolina are working to raise awareness and educate residents on issues …

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global sports-drink market is projected to reach more than $36 billion annually by 2028. (Adobe Stock)

Dentists: Reach for Water Instead of Sports Drinks This Summer

Reach for water instead of sports drinks to stay hydrated, North Carolina dentists are urging residents this summer. Studies have ranked sugary and …

According to the American Hospital Association, about 20% of all hospitals across the country expect worker shortages to reach dire levels. (Adobe Stock)

Workforce Issues Compound Financial Troubles for Rural NC Hospitals

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder. Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for North Carolina News Service, reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News …

Onsite fitness centers can improve employees' well-being, productivity, engagement and retention, according to the American Heart Association. (Adobe stock)<br /> — Onsite fitness centers can improve employees' well-being, productivity, engagement and retention, according to the American Heart Association. (Adobe stock)

Small NC Employers Promoting Workplace Health with Onsite Fitness Centers

The pandemic prompted employers large and small across the state to focus on worker's health, and advocates are drawing attention to a new push for …

Old-growth forests hold far more carbon than younger forests, helping to protect people from fossil-fuel emissions, according to research published in National Geographic. (Adobe Stock)

NC Groups Hope White House Works to Protect Old-Growth Forests

By Bryce Oates for The Daily Yonder. Broadcast version by Chance Dorland for North Carolina News Service, reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News …

RAFI-USA launched the Fresh Bucks consumer incentive program in 2015, in partnership with the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. The Double Bucks incentive program began in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

NC Farmers’ Markets Double Buying Power for Food-Insecure Households

People in North Carolina who need to stretch every dollar spent on food can get double the value of fresh produce and other goods through government a…

Around 17% of bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students nationwide come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and <a href= — Around 17% of bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students nationwide come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and research shows HBCUs boost economic mobility and generational wealth.(Adobe Stock)

NC HBCU Boosts Resources for Nontraditional Learners

One of North Carolina's oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities is finding new ways to help students stay enrolled and graduate. Recent …

Although some hellbender populations remain healthy, it is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN and is close to qualifying for Vulnerable status. The Ozark Hellbender, a subspecies, was listed as endangered federally in 2011, according to the Nature Conservatory. (Paula Worden/Resource Institute)

NC Habitat Increased for Endangered North American Salamander

Protecting North Carolina's rivers and streams is good for residents, wildlife and even salamanders. Recent work along Hog Lot Creek and Bates …

Staff prepare to vaccinate North Carolina residents at a pop-up clinic run by the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO. (Christiana Wagner/FLOC)

Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Gears Up for Influx of NC Migrant Workers

An all-volunteer vaccine clinic run by a farmworkers' union says it's expecting an increase in demand from seasonal migrant workers who want to be vac…

According to Feeding America, Latino or Hispanic residents are 2.5 times more likely to live in food insecure households compared with White residents. (Adobe Stock)

Durham Food Bank Expands Offerings of Culturally Appropriate Fare

A food pantry serving immigrant families in the Triangle is bracing for an uptick in demand driven by the highest levels of inflation in decades…

The vaporized liquid found in e-cigarettes or 'vapes' commonly leads to chronically dry mouth and increased risk for tooth decay, research shows. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — The vaporized liquid found in e-cigarettes or 'vapes' commonly leads to chronically dry mouth and increased risk for tooth decay, research shows. (Adobe Stock)

NC Dentists: Vaping Increases Risk of Tooth, Gum Problems

North Carolina dentists are noticing an uptick in problems with teeth and gums among people who vape. Experts say vaping can cause as much damage to …

Nursing was rated as the most trusted profession in 2021, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Nursing was rated as the most trusted profession in 2021, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

National Nurses Month: NC Nurses Want Expanded Access to Primary Care

This is National Nurses Month, and North Carolina lawmakers continue to debate lifting restrictions for advanced-practice registered nurses so they …

Observers say in the past several years, the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association has had an increasingly heavy hand in crafting state policies related to policing and criminal justice. (Adobe Stock)

A Powerful Lobby Shaped NC’s Newest Body-Camera Law

By Mandy Locke and Danielle Battaglia Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for the Gaston Gazette -North Carolina News Service Members of…

North Carolina will fall short of its 2025 and 2030 climate targets without additional policies put in place to curb emissions, says a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Without Action, NC Will Fall Short on 2025 Climate Goals

Executive orders aimed at driving down greenhouse-gas emissions are still not enough to reach North Carolina's 50% reduction goal by 2030, a report …

North Carolina solar advocates say churches can save on their energy bills by installing solar. (Adobe Stock)

NC Churches Highlight Solar Panels During Faith Climate Action Week

Duke Energy's solar panel rebate program expires this year, and faith groups such as the North Carolina Council of Churches and Interfaith Power and …

Greensboro barber Anthony Pettiford doesn't shy away from health conversations while cutting clients' hair. (Sarah Fedele/American Heart Association of North Carolina)

NC Barber Fights Health Misinformation Among Men

Research shows Black men are less likely to have a primary-care doctor and regular checkups. One barber in Greensboro said haircuts can be a time to …

North Carolina's community colleges contribute more than $19 billion to the state's economy each year, according to the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges (Adobe Stock)

Rural Community College Program Aims to Close Equity Gaps

An initiative based at North Carolina State University aims to help the state's rural-serving community colleges close equity gaps and strengthen stud…

Among young people referred to court, detention has grown even more common for Black, Latinx and Asian/Pacific Islander youth, while holding steady for white and Tribal youth, reveals a recent report from The Sentencing Project. (Adobe Stock)

NC Governor’s Use of Clemency Spotlights Juvenile Life Sentencing

Gov. Roy Cooper has used his clemency power to end life sentences for three people sent to prison as children. His decision last month followed the …

Harmful chemicals known as PFAS have been detected in the drinking water of nearly two dozen public water systems across North Carolina, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Leaders Gather in NC for Health-Equity Conference

National environmental leaders gather this week in Salisbury to discuss how North Carolina can better address the disproportionate public health impac…

Rising food costs have prompted a closer look at strengthening local and regional supply chain infrastructure for small farms across North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

As Costs Rise, Opportunities Dwindle for NC Small Farmers

Advocates for small farms and ranches in North Carolina say the businesses are ready to bring local, affordable meats and produce to residents…

Nurse practitioners are helping to meet the country's shortage of primary-care providers, especially in underserved and rural communities. (Adobe Stock)

Nurse Practitioners Boost Vets' Access to Care, Lower Costs for Communities

Veterans advocacy groups say expanding access to advanced-practice nurse practitioners (APRNs) will help more vets access critical medical care…

Natural disasters can upend personal finances, increase debt and affect retirement plans, according to experts from North Carolina's Coastal Credit Union. (Adobe Stock)

NC Credit Unions Step Up Resources for Families Affected by Warehouse Fire

Local credit union employees are providing volunteer financial counseling services to QVC plant employees and their immediate families who were impact…

In 2019, an estimated 19.2 million women were living with HIV, and every week, more than 5,000 young women aged 15 to 24 around the globe become newly infected with HIV, <a href= — In 2019, an estimated 19.2 million women were living with HIV, and every week, more than 5,000 young women aged 15 to 24 around the globe become newly infected with HIV, according to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. (Adobe Stock)

Faith Groups Work to Reduce Stigma Around HIV Testing

Today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and one in nine women with HIV are unaware they have it. Faith leaders in North Carolina …

Research shows that traumatic events are known to have a detrimental long-term impact on both mental and physical health over a lifetime. (Adobe Stock)

Program Aims to Infuse Trauma-Informed Practices in Rural NC

Beginning this month, a leadership program in Rural North Carolina is helping local organizations implement trauma-informed practices. Organizers of …

<a href= — Research from 2016 found that when police were equipped with cameras during a test period, use of force incidents and citizen complaints shrank by 50% and 90%. (Adobe Stock)

Critics: NC Courts Have “Wide Discretion” on BodyCam Footage Release

Under a 2016 law, footage from cameras worn by North Carolina police officers can only be released through court order. But critics say the process …

(A drone photograph shows residential docks spanning a salt marsh in Wrightsville Beach. Salt marshes in North Carolina are being pushed back by rising sea waters, but aren't always able to retreat because of coastal development, leaving them to shrink. (Travis Long)

NC’s Salt Marshes Hold 64 Million Tons of CO2; What Happens if They Die?

By Adam Wagner for McClatchy News and The Raleigh News and Observer, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.Broadcast version by …

Plastic and litter pollution disproportionately affects marginalized communities, where residents often live in close proximity to plastic-production and waste sites, according to the United Nations Environment Program. (Adobe Stock)

During Black History Month, NC Groups Push for More Say on Climate Policies

North Carolina environmental-justice groups are calling for increased representation in crafting state policies related to environmental issues…

The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends children receive a regular dental cleaning and exam every six months, starting when their first tooth comes in. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends children receive a regular dental cleaning and exam every six months, starting when their first tooth comes in. (Adobe Stock)

NC Pediatric Dentists See Uptick in Cavities

February is Children's Dental Health Month, and some pediatric dentists say cavities appear to be on the rise in North Carolina kids. If left …

According to the North Carolina Business Council, fair elections are a top concern among its members. (Adobe Stock)

Small Businesses Want Fair Representation in New NC Voting Maps

A big deadline is coming up this week for North Carolina legislators, who have yet to spell out the process for redrawing new electoral maps…

North Carolina stands to receive about $750 million through opioid settlements, if all the state's counties and municipalities with populations of more than 10,000 agree to participate. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — North Carolina stands to receive about $750 million through opioid settlements, if all the state's counties and municipalities with populations of more than 10,000 agree to participate. (Adobe Stock)

NC Counties Plan for Best Use of Opioid Money

McDowell County is slated to receive roughly $200,000 a year over the next 18 years from a massive national opioid settlement. Community leaders say …

The North Carolina Supreme Court hears oral arguments today over the state's 2022 redistricting maps. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina Supreme Court to Hear Gerrymandering Case

The state's highest court takes up a challenge today of new election maps that heavily favor Republicans. The maps, drawn by a GOP-led Legislature…

Open windows in the dock house at Bowen's Island look out on the Folly River and surrounding marsh, on Aug. 11, 2021. (Jason Lee)

A Million Acres of ‘Priceless’ Marshes: At Risk from Rising Tides?

By Sammy Fretwell, Adam Wagner and Anita Lee for McClatchy News and The Raleigh News and Observer, with support fromthe Pulitzer Center on Crisis …

Drug overdose deaths topped more than 100,000 in 2021, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Drug overdose deaths topped more than 100,000 in 2021, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

2021 Saw Record Number of NC Overdose Deaths

Advocates and faith groups are calling for more investments in harm reduction across the state, as new provisional data shows overdose deaths have …

Farmworkers suffer from higher blood pressure compared with the general public, putting them at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes; yet many face challenges accessing health care. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Farmworkers suffer from higher blood pressure compared with the general public, putting them at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes; yet many face challenges accessing health care. (Adobe Stock)

Rural NC Farmworker Clinics Rely on APRNs

Volunteer Advanced Practice Registered Nurses serve North Carolina's most vulnerable communities, yet many say the state's supervising physician …

In a survey by the North Carolina Secretary of State's office, half of the new businesses started in the last three years reported revenue of more than $25,000, with 9% claiming revenue over $500,000. (Adobe Stock)

NC Saw Record-Breaking Business Creation in 2021

Despite the pandemic, North Carolina has seen a record number of new businesses created in the past year. A report from the Secretary of State's …

Gov. Roy Cooper's new executive order is titled "North Carolina's Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy." He signed it last Friday. (1778011/Pixabay)

NC Executive Order Focuses on Environmental Justice, Public Input

Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a new executive order that directs cabinet agencies to consider issues of environmental justice when taking actions …

A pediatric clinic patient receives care at Camino Health Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Camino Health Center)<br /> — A pediatric clinic patient receives care at Camino Health Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Camino Health Center)

Holistic Wellness Center Serving NC Latino Community to Expand Services

A bilingual and multicultural health center offering affordable health care to uninsured residents in the Charlotte region is now expanding its servic…

Research shows that while low-severity fires restore natural resilience in forests, more severe fires change the makeup of the forests. according to The Nature Conservancy. (Adobe Stock)

NC Forests Need Prescribed Fire for Regrowth, Restoration

A new year is a time for restoration, and two free downloadable publications from The Nature Conservancy shed light on the role that controlled fire …

Kendrick Ransome has been farming in Pinetops, N.C., since 2018 on land his family has owned for generations.(Lee Everette)

Efforts to Boost Local Food-Supply Chain in Upper Coastal Plain

A new online mapping project is helping connect local growers to regional markets in the state's Upper Coastal Plain. Planning and Development …

HIV infections are ravaging North Carolina's communities of color. New diagnoses among Black residents are 44 per 100,000. That's twice the rate for Hispanics and almost nine times the rate for whites.(Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

New Health Report Highlights NC Successes, Trouble Spots

In 2020, the nation saw 17% more deaths than in 2019, mostly due to COVID-19, a key number in the new America's Health Rankings 2021 annual report …

The salt marsh at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, N.C., is part of the "natural infrastructure" that helps protect the local shoreline. (Lance Cpl. Aliannah Bartok/Wikimedia Commons)

NC Military Bases Use Living Shorelines to Boost Climate Resiliency

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Military facilities in North Carolina are partnering with local coastal communities on natural infrastructure projects to …

Newly-drawn congressional and legislative districts in North Carolina now face a slew of legal challenges. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Newly-drawn congressional and legislative districts in North Carolina now face a slew of legal challenges. (Adobe Stock)

NC Court Reopens Candidate Filing; Poll Finds Voters Want Fair Election Maps

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Political candidates across the state can start filing again to run for the 2022 U.S. House and state legislative seats, after the …

Healthcare provisions in The Build Back Better Act would increase Medicaid and CHIP coverage for people after a pregnancy, from 60 days to one year postpartum. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 'Build Back Better' Could Shrink NC Health Coverage Gap

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Many low-income North Carolinians without health insurance would quality for 'zero-dollar' out-of-pocket health coverage under a new …

The latest North Carolina state budget includes $40 million for water and sewer projects in the state park system. (Adobe Stock)

Historic Dollars for Conservation, Outdoor Recreation in NC State Budget

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina communities will soon receive funding to preserve green spaces, maintain parks and boost resiliency against the …

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