North Carolina News & Current Events

In 1920, Black people made up 14% of all farmers. It is estimated Black farmers lost around $326 billion worth of land within the 20th century. BIPOC farmers now make up less than 5% of all U.S. farmers. (Heather Craig/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Advocates bring attention to racism rooted in farming across NC

Advocates are drawing attention to systemic racism in farming across North Carolina and the nation. The National Farm Worker Ministry is hosting its …

In the last 18 years, 195 rural hospitals in the U.S. have either closed completely (100) or converted to emergency or outpatient care only (95), based on data from the University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

NC health insurance: Think ahead to choose best plan for 2024

It is almost time to select health insurance for the coming year in North Carolina, which means starting your research now and getting acquainted …

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, about one in five young people held in juvenile facilities is awaiting trial and has not been found guilty or delinquent. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 25, 2023

Fewer NC youths locked up, but more juvenile justice reforms needed

The number of children behind bars in North Carolina has declined significantly in recent years, but their advocates said more work could be done to …

Some 43% of young voters say they are more motivated to vote by candidates who represent their values, not by voting against candidates who do not represent their values (27%). (Adobe Stock)

Looking to NC voters 'under 45' to change state politics

The youngest North Carolina voters could end up shifting the political landscape of the state in the not-too-distant future. New data from the …

Among 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide, 2.08 million or 8.33% report using drugs in the last month. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina fights back against youth overdose epidemic

In the wake of the devastating overdose epidemic in North Carolina, the state's Department of Health and Human Services is stepping up to aid …

In 2019, Black youths were 4.4 times as likely to be incarcerated in the juvenile-justice system<br />as were their white peers. (Jeffrey Zalesny/Adobe Stock)

Report Offers Ways to Reduce Jail, Prison Populations in NC

The U.S. prison population has grown nearly 500% since the start of mass incarceration 50 years ago and now, reform advocates are calling for its end …

Ballots cast by young people made up 12% of all votes in the 2022 election, nearly matching the 13% youth share of the vote from the 2014 and 2018 midterms, according to National Election Pool surveys. (Adobe Stock)

NC Group Joins Effort to Mobilize Young Voters

The League of Women Voters in North Carolina said its members are working diligently to reach out to young people, especially today. The goal is to …

William Peace University students are now able to access up to 12 appointment-based mental health counseling sessions each academic year. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock) <br /><br /><br />

NC Schools Address Rising Mental Health Concerns of College Students

The focus at universities in the fall is getting students started in their new semesters. But increasingly, schools are also doing more to recognize …

According to the MAP report, only seven states have a statewide Voting Rights Act. It finds stronger federal election legislation, like the Freedom to Vote Act, could ensure a stronger democracy nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

A Call for Urgent Action to Thwart Election Denial Risks in NC

A new report shows North Carolina and other states are susceptible to election denialism, which could have implications for future elections…

Last year, CCF estimated that as many as 6.7 million children could experience a period of uninsurance as a consequence of the unwinding. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

North Carolina Children at Risk of Losing Health Coverage

Right now, many North Carolina Medicaid participants are up for redetermination - and experts are concerned about the number of North Carolina …

Unlike independent congregations, United Methodist churches are part of a larger international network that elects representatives to govern the denomination. It operates under a representative democracy, much like the federal government, complete with checks and balances. (Adobe Stock/Kit Leong)

Church Leaders Outline Disaffiliation Risks for Rural NC

By Sarah Melotte for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service Service for the Public News Service/Daily Y…

About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills in the collections process. (Adobe Stock) About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills that are in the collections process. (Adobe Stock) About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills that are in the collections process. (Adobe Stock)

NC Foundation Helps Erase $2.2 Million in Medical Debt

The burden of medical debt is not so heavy anymore for some lucky North Carolina residents. The Coastal Credit Union Foundation partnered with the …

Ten million third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are extracted from about 5 million people in the United States each year, at an annual cost of more than $3 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Words of Wisdom on Wisdom Teeth: Insights from NC Oral Surgeon

About six in 10 people have wisdom teeth, and for parents hearing they need to get a child's wisdom teeth removed, a North Carolina oral surgeon has …

Atrium Health is one of the businesses committing to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Care Sector Pledge, aiming to reduce emissions by 50% percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NC Faces Urgent Need for Clean Air, Climate Action

North Carolina is grappling with the consequences of climate change, with sweltering summers, a surge in wildfires, and frequent extreme weather …

NC Family Demands Fair Treatment as Teen Brothers Face Adult Charges

A Gaston County family is demanding fair treatment as teenage twin brothers Paden and La'Dainian Fuller face attempted first-degree murder charges in …

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United reports, based on comments of more than 500 restaurant workers gathered in response to OSHA's proposed indoor and outdoor heat standards, many restaurants are inadequately prepared to mitigate the impact and have shown a disregard for keeping their workers safe and healthy. (Rade Lukovic/Adobe Stock)<br />

Restaurant Workers Battle Against Rising Heat for Safer Working Conditions

Restaurant workers are feeling the heat now more than ever as they battle hotter working conditions due to climate change, and they are calling for …

Gen Z breaks the silence with higher rates of self-reporting and treatment for mental health conditions. In the past two years, nearly 20% of people in this age group report having anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

Stepping Up to Help 'Gen Z' Navigate Mental Health Needs in NC

Research shows that members of "Generation Z" - now in their teens to mid-20s - are almost twice as likely to struggle with mental health issues as ot…

The North Carolina Department of Commerce provides free small-business advisors to help people who want to start/expand a business or have a general business question in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

Smaller Companies Struggle to Access Funding from Federal Economic Bills

In the quest for economic growth, some small businesses in North Carolina are facing challenges in accessing funding from federal economic stimuli…

In the 2022 legislative session, state lawmakers around the country introduced at least 43 bills that would allow or require problematic voter purges. So far in 2023, states are considering at least 28 additional bills. (Adobe Stock)

Report Shows Some NC Policies Negatively Affect Eligible Voters

A recent report by the nonpartisan public-policy organization Demos uncovers disturbing findings regarding the impact of voter-registration purges in …

More than one in 13 student loan borrowers is currently behind on other payment obligations. (Adobe Stock)

As Federal Student Loan Repayments Resume, Tips to Prepare

As summer comes to an end, kids and adults alike are headed back to school. But for college graduates, this also means it's time to resume payments …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the proposed standards for coal and natural gas power plants would result in avoiding up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions through 2042. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Nears to Comment on Proposed NC Pollution Standards

Climate change is a pressing concern as the world deals with heat waves and poor air quality caused by recent wildfires. To safeguard the health and …

Youth-Led Nonprofit Works to Transform Rural NC Health, Wellness

Rural areas in North Carolina have long been grappling with limited access to services, from health care to internet access, and a unique nonprofit …

The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that each month in the United States, consumers purchase 11.9 million in disposable e-cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

A Push to End Disposable Vape Sales in NC

Disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat in North Carolina and across the country, according to a new report. The U.S. Public …

Aspartame was approved for use as a sweetener in the United States in 1974. (Adobe Stock)

Dueling Reports about Aspartame Leave Consumers Confused

Recent news headlines about the possible cancer risks from using the common artificial sweetener aspartame might have alarmed people who eat and drink…

All types of college transfers, combined, dropped by 2.3% in 2022, resulting in an overall 6.9% decrease in transfer students since Fall 2020. (Aleksandr/Adobe Stock)

NC School Focuses on Boosting Transfer Student Success

As colleges gear up to welcome students for the fall semester, there is a growing focus on supporting students who transfer from one school to …

Statewide enrollment grew 36% during the pandemic, with more than 797,000 people newly qualifying for coverage from March 2020 until last April. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid Redetermination in NC: Thousands at Risk of Losing Coverage

North Carolinians face a significant challenge as the federal provision preventing states from removing Medicaid participants from their coverage in t…

Between 1999 and 2019, more than 800,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States. (Milovan Zrnic/Adobe Stock)

NC Families, Advocates Demand Expansion of Good Samaritan Laws

As North Carolina faces an increasing number of overdose-related deaths, there are new calls urging the state to update and expand its Good Samaritan …

In 1789, the first postmaster general presided over a system with 75 post offices and 2,400 miles of post roads, serving a population of 4 million people. A lot has changed since then! (Adobe Stock)

Staffing Shortages Highlighted on National Postal Worker Day

You might want to thank your letter carrier this weekend, as part of National Postal Worker Day on Saturday. It's an occasion to recognize the …

Research indicates the marshes provide an estimated protective value of more than $7,000 per acre, annually, from storm surge and flooding alone. (Davide Bonaldo/Adobe Stock)

New Plan Aims to Preserve NC Coastal Landscapes

North Carolina's 220,000 acres of salt marsh are in danger of being drowned out or washed away, but groups around the state are banning together to …

Between 2020 and 2022, the number of North Carolinians experiencing unsheltered homelessness rose from 2,558 to 3,625. (Adobe Stock)

NC Nonprofit Receives Grant to Fight Homelessness

In North Carolina, five nonprofit groups are receiving a much-needed financial boost to help them with projects aimed at enhancing people's financial …

Those who cannot attend the public hearing can submit written comments either online or via mail with Docket No. E-7 Sub 1276. (Adobe Stock)

NC Group Opposes Duke Energy Carolinas' Proposed Rate Hikes

CleanAIRE NC, an environmental advocacy group, is urging North Carolinians to speak out for economic stability and environmental justice in response …

The average annual cost of child care in North Carolina is $9,255 for an infant and $7,592 for a 4-year-old. (Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights NC Needs for More & Better Child Care

Families in North Carolina are in critical need of more and better child care options, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book, released today …

One in four adults ages 20 to 64 has at least one cavity, but most people probably do not consider their alcohol intake as a factor. (Adobe Stock)

NC Dentists Highlight Alcohol's Impact on Dental Health

When people enjoy a mixed drink or glass of a wine at a summer party or picnic, the last thing they are probably thinking about is what it may be …

More than 1,400 mayors across the country are members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a nonpartisan group of leaders of cities with populations of 30,000 or larger. (Adobe Stock)

NC Mayor Addresses City Issues at National Conference

To fight such pressing issues as housing shortages and increasing crime rates in cities across the country, many of the nation's mayors are taking …

According to MDVIP, 60% of Americans do not know food sensitivities are not the same as food allergies. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Most People Have Poor Gut Health

In North Carolina and nationwide, people surveyed by the health care group MDVIP admit they neglect their gut health for the most part, despite …

Rates of mental and behavioral health challenges have increased broadly among women and children across the nation in recent years, according to the UnitedHealth Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Expert Stresses Importance of Health Care, Screenings for NC Women

As National Women's Health Month comes to an end, an expert emphasized the need for increased health care and screenings for women in North Carolina …

About 5.7 million acres of North Carolina or 17% of the state is made up of wetlands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (Adobe Stock)

Sportsmen's Group Voices Concern Over SCOTUS Wetlands Ruling

Conservation and sportsmen's groups are voicing concerns that wetlands areas are now in jeopardy of being drained and developed or otherwise eliminate…

According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report, the number of youths in foster care has declined steadily since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights Need for Extended Transition Services for Older Youths

Teenagers and young adults in the foster care system in North Carolina and throughout the nation are not receiving sufficient services to successfully…

Cooperating Raleigh Colleges is a nonprofit consortium. Its members are Meredith College, North Carolina State University, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Wake Technical Community College, and William Peace University. (Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock)

Six NC Colleges Work to Broaden Educational Opportunities

Six colleges in North Carolina have found they can do more to offer educational opportunities when they work together. Cooperating Raleigh Colleges …

More than 4,000 women die of cervical cancer each year. (Adobe Stock)

HPV Self-Collection May Increase Testing Among Under-Screened NC Women

Researchers from the University of North Carolina's School of Medicine and Gillings School of Public Health are exploring the potential of HPV self-co…

According to the East Coast Greenway Alliance, 50 million bike rides, runs and walks occur every year along the project's existing route. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina Greenways: A Path to Health, Happiness, and Economic Growth

By Ashira Morris for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalis…

Around 77,900 transgender youths live in 11 states that passed bans or took other executive actions this year or in prior years to prohibit or limit their access to gender-affirming care. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

NC Advocates, Doctors Speak Out Against Ban on Gender-Affirming Care

In North Carolina, advocates and health care professionals are voicing their opposition to recent medical care restrictions they call legislative …

Feeding America estimates 1.2 million North Carolinians are food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

NC Food Banks Noting Increasing Demand After SNAP Benefit Reductions

With the end of SNAP emergency allotments, North Carolina hunger advocates are noting increased demand on food banks. In 2022, more than 1.5 million …

Produce Purpose has two goals in mind - to offer meaningful employment to individuals with special needs and to bring healthy, nutritional food to college campuses. (Adobe Stock)

Hydroponic Farm Boosts Healthy Eating, Special-Needs Jobs at NC University

William Peace University is teaming up with Produce Purpose, a nonprofit organization, to install a hydroponic farming operation on campus. The new …

Farmers in North Carolina lose crops worth roughly $79 million as a result of equipment breakdowns. (Alexey Zarodov/Adobe Stock)

Tractor ‘Right to Repair’ Could Save NC Farmers $103 Million a Year

North Carolina farmers are calling on lawmakers to address manufacturer-imposed repair limitations on tractors, and minimize disruptions on their …

U.S. Postal Service data show a 12.5% decrease in the number of retail counter clerks who staff post office retail counters and distribute mail to letter carriers. (Matt Gush/Adobe Stock)

USPS Workers Call Attention to Challenging Conditions with Campaign

U.S. Postal Service employees from North Carolina and nationwide are highlighting their challenging work conditions with a campaign against what they …

Union County averaged 1.3 high ozone days giving them a

NC Air Report Highlights Needs for Emission Reduction, Rural Air Monitoring

A new study emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced air quality monitoring in rural regions, while drawing attention to the efforts required to …

For the mutual aid organizers in Asheville, part of their solution to what they say is

NC 'Mutual Aid' Groups Face Legal Challenges

By Shane Burley for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News …

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