North Carolina News & Current Events

The Outer Banks is a 200-mile stretch of barrier islands spanning three counties. (oldmn/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Outer Banks officials want to make tourism more sustainable

By Taylor Haelterman for Triple Pundit.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Netw…

According to Edmunds, EVs and PHEVs combined made up 8.5% of the vehicles sold in May 2024, while gas-powered vehicles made up 82.4% of the market that same month. (Wikimedia Commons)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Survey: NC drivers want carmakers to keep improving fuel efficiency

Americans continue to say improved fuel economy is the most significant change they want from vehicle manufacturers when they offer new products…

Duke Energy Carolinas said a quarter of additional energy demand will come from data centers by 2028. (kwarkot/Adobe Stock)

Report: Data centers drive gas power plant building in NC, Southeast

Data centers are driving the building of gas-powered plants in the Southeast but it will leave ratepayers on the hook if higher energy needs do not ma…

Panelists at the 9th annual NC BREATHE Conference explored issues like hazardous environmental toxins and the climate crisis. (CleanAIRE NC)

Report explores environmental health issues, solutions in NC

A new report highlights steps North Carolina can take as it faces pressing environmental health issues. The report lays out conclusions from the 9th …

The North Carolina race for Supreme Court justice from November is the only election in the state that's yet to be certified. (DiscoA340/Adobe Stock)

'Unprecedented' attempt to throw out 60,000 NC votes could damage democracy

The saga over votes in a North Carolina Supreme Court election continues, with potentially damaging effects for the state's democracy. While the …

The North Carolina Legislature heads back to the Capitol this Wednesday. The 2025 session lasts to the end of July. (Farragutful/Wikimedia Commons)

NC lawmakers prioritize school vouchers over Helene relief, critics say

Programs like school vouchers have become a higher priority for lawmakers than Hurricane Helene relief for western North Carolina schools, critics …

Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem, N.C., says it's increasing student success with faculty mentors. (David Bjorgen/Wikimedia Commons)

Faculty mentor program at NC college increases retention

A college in North Carolina has developed an innovative model that lets faculty mentor students. Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-…

State lawmakers passed North Carolina's Carbon Plan to reduce emissions in 2021. (Mathew/Adobe Stock)

In face of federal rollbacks, NC environmental efforts continue

President-elect Donald Trump retakes office in less than a week and promises to roll back efforts to combat climate change. But state-level efforts …

A new service in North Carolina aims to ensure success for people reentering communities from jail or prison. (Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services)

First-of-its-kind recidivism reduction center goes mobile in NC

Services for North Carolinians affected by the justice system is going mobile. The Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services mobile resource …

A new course highlights that profitability can be part of sustainable business models. (patpitchaya/Adobe Stock)

Sustainability practices help NC businesses stick around

North Carolina businesses are getting tips on how to harness a sustainable approach to their work. The North Carolina Sustainable Business Council …

Russ Vought served as director of the Office of Management and Budget at the end of President Donald Trump's first term. (Shealah Craighead/White House)

NC senators urged to turn down Trump's Project 2025-linked budget director

As confirmations for the next Trump administration have begun, environmental groups say senators should turn down Russ Vough - the incoming …

According to the USDA, hired farmworkers represent less than 1% of all U.S. wage and salary workers, yet they are vital to the nation's agricultural industry. (Adobe Stock)

Farm workers rally as deportations threaten NC families, economy

Organizations supporting farm workers are ramping up efforts to protect immigrant laborers in light of looming mass-deportation threats. About 40% …

North Carolina faced an estimated $53.6 billion in damages from Hurricane Helene. (Adobe Stock)

NC Dental Society Foundation aids dentists after Hurricane Helene

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many dentists in Western North Carolina faced devastating losses, from damaged practices to destroyed homes…

In 2024, North Carolina schools started the year with more than 3,100 teacher vacancies, according to the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association. (Adobe Stock)

William Peace University student breaks new ground in math education

A North Carolina university student is breaking new ground in math education. Megan McAnany is an elementary and special education major at William …

Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina on Sept. 26. (Adobe Stock)

NC turns to local foundation for long-term Helene recovery

It has been just over three months since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, leaving communities to rebuild and recover. As the …

According to FWD.US, there are more than 31,500 people in federal prison over age 50. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge broader clemency despite Biden’s death row commutes

In one of his final acts in the White House, President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death row convictions to life …

Millions of families across the U.S. depend on home-based child care, with over 750,000 children enrolled in these programs, often because parents consider them more flexible than traditional child care centers. (Adobe Stock)

Durham takes part in national effort to expand pre-K access

A North Carolina city is part of a national program aimed at diversifying early childhood education. The Enriching Public Pre-K Through Inclusion of …

Approximately one in every 1,250 individuals in North Carolina is unhoused. (Adobe Stock)

Organization helps NC woman advocate for housing, awareness

One life-altering situation turned a North Carolina woman's stability into homelessness and now, she is sharing her journey to humanize homelessness …

The Coastal Credit Union Foundation's grant cycle for the fourth quarter of 2024 supported more than a dozen organizations dedicated to improving access to resources and strengthening financial well-being programs in local communities. (Adobe Stock)

NC foundation grants help local nonprofits expand community services

North Carolina nonprofits are increasing their reach and enhancing services with nearly $1 million in grant funding provided this year by the Coastal …

The Eastern hellbender, one of the largest salamanders in the United States, plays a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. (Adobe Stock)

Hurricane Helene's damage spurs calls to protect NC's threatened species

The southern Appalachian Mountains, known as the salamander capital of the world, are home to some of the most distinct wildlife in the country but …

Expungement opportunities in North Carolina focus on three main categories: first-time nonviolent offenses, certain offenses committed before age 22, and charges dismissed or resolved as

North Carolina toolkit simplifies expungement process for second chances

Navigating the process of expunging criminal records can be overwhelming but for many, it is a critical step toward building a better future…

Duke Energy ranks as the third-largest greenhouse-gas emitter in the United States, according to the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Greenhouse 100 Polluters Index by the Political Economy Research Institute. (Adobe Stock)

NC town files climate lawsuit against Duke Energy

The Town of Carrboro is leveraging state law to combat climate change, announcing a lawsuit aimed at Duke Energy. Barbara Foushee, mayor of Carrboro…

According to a study of North Carolina oral health, a routine dental appointment in Charlotte might involve a short 15-minute drive and a brief wait. But in Tyrrell County, patients often face more than an hour of travel each way. (Adobe Stock)

Bridging the gap: NC foundation tackles dental care crisis

More than half of North Carolina counties have fewer than four dentists per 10,000 people and a few counties have no dentists at all. The North …

The number of people diagnosed with Stage 3 HIV/AIDS rose to 636 in 2023, up from 511 in 2021. Experts believe pandemic-related delays in health care might have played a role. (Adobe Stock)

World AIDS Day highlights progress, challenges in fighting HIV in NC

World AIDS Day is Dec. 1, a time to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and the progress made in fighting it. Here in North Carolina, more than 37,000 …

Many adults said family or professional commitments can make it difficult to return to college and complete their degree program. (Adobe Stock)

Project Kitty Hawk helps former NC students complete college degree

Hundreds of former North Carolina college students are back on track to getting their degrees, thanks to an innovative program called Project Kitty …

Some 72% of those benefiting from the programs of United Methodist Churches are not members of those congregations. In effect, says a new report, rural Methodist churches are de facto community centers, much like urban congregations. (Adobe Stock)

NC church becomes hub for disaster relief, community resilience

Churches are often seen as cornerstones of their communities in North Carolina and elsewhere, but Swansboro United Methodist Church in Onslow County …

Nearly 13 million people nationwide, including about 375,000 in North Carolina enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, could be eligible for additional benefits through a Dual Special Needs Plan. (Adobe Stock)

D-SNP plans offer expanded healthcare benefits for North Carolinians

People in North Carolina who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid may have access to special healthcare coverage that addresses more than just medic…

As of Nov. 1, the United States has faced 24 confirmed weather and climate disaster events in 2024, each causing over $1 billion in damages. These included 17 severe storms and four other major events.(Adobe Stock)

Citizen scientists’ rainfall data saves lives, aids weather forecasting

By Jennifer Oldham for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the YES! Media-Public News …

In North Carolina, New Markets Tax Credits administered by Self-Help Ventures Fund have transformed communities through projects like Durham's American Tobacco Campus, Greensboro's Revolution Mill and the Renaissance Shops at Phillips Avenue. (Adobe Stock)

Community projects across NC to be fueled by new access to federal support

Health care providers and schools across North Carolina could soon benefit from tax credits to help projects get off the ground and serve thousands of…

According to the American Heart Association, a healthy eating pattern includes whole foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds, and cooking in non-tropical oils such as olive and canola. (Adobe Stock)

100-year-old NC man's recovery highlights cardiac rehab importance

For 100 years, the American Heart Association has been dedicated to improving heart health and raising awareness about cardiovascular disease…

The report found approximately 764,000 women in North Carolina and beyond are disenfranchised in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Study highlights felony voting ban in NC and beyond amid election results

With the 2024 election concluded, Donald Trump is poised to become the first president to take office while several criminal cases against him are …

In North Carolina, election procedures are centralized through the State Board of Elections. Most procedures are established through often temporary regulations issued by the board or by guidance issued by the board's executive director. (Adobe Stock)

Watchdog group highlights election safeguards as NC voters head to polls

Today, North Carolina voters are hitting the polls amid both reassurances and warnings about the security of this year's election. A new report by …

There are no federal laws requiring organizations to give their employees time off to vote during working hours.(Adobe Stock)

NC employers offer voting flexibility as state lacks mandated time-off policy

North Carolina lacks laws mandating time off for employees to vote, making it hard for workers who juggle demanding schedules and civic …

According to Gov. Roy Cooper's office, Hurricane Helene's flooding and destruction in western North Carolina have led to an estimated $53 billion in damages and recovery costs. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental advocates tackle wave of post-Helene misinformation in NC

As North Carolina communities continue to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Helene, they have faced a new obstacle: A surge of misinformation is …

According to the RABA poll, 57% of voters also oppose weakening child labor laws that allow minors to work with fewer limitations. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Polls show voter support for unions, labor laws in NC

As Election Day approaches, voters in North Carolina and beyond are voicing strong support for maintaining labor protections, especially in sectors …

On Aug. 16, Pasquotank County Elections Director Emma Tate and Deputy Director Troy White resigned with less than three months before Election Day. (Adobe Stock)

New election directors step up in NC amid tight deadlines, high turnover

By Sarah Michels for Carolina Public Press.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Rural News Network-P…

According to the National Park Service, visitors to national parks in North Carolina spent $2.6 billion and supported 38,800 jobs in local communities in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

National Parks: How NC's votes could shape future of public lands

As public lands emerge as a defining issue in November's elections, advocacy groups like as the National Parks Action Fund are urging North Carolina …

As a part of North Carolina's Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 Part II, teachers will receive more flexible calendar days. (Adobe Stock)

Teachers urge NC lawmakers to prioritize public-school relief after hurricane

The North Carolina Association of Educators is calling on state lawmakers to prioritize disaster relief legislation for public schools and communities…

The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management suggested the overall financial impact of damage from Hurricane Helene is likely to exceed $53 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Helene's lingering impact: Voting challenges for Black communities

By Angela Dennis and Adam Mahoney for Capital B News.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Rural News…

Since 2010, eight rural hospitals have closed in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

New federal program offers hope to revive Martin County Hospital

By Taylor Sisk for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News …

Polling by the mental health advocacy group Inseparable showed 81% of voters support expanding mental health services in K-12 schools by hiring and training. (Adobe Stock)

Mental health takes center stage in NC superintendent race

As mental health challenges continue to rise among young people, advocates across North Carolina are pushing for increased access to mental health …

North Carolina's agricultural business employs more than 100,000 farmers in poultry. (Adobe Stock)

How a NC farmer's shift to sustainable practices could guide others out of debt

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Colla…

According to a Gallup poll, most employees using AI rely on it for idea generation and automating tasks, with 41% using it to brainstorm and 39% to simplify tasks or organize data. (Adobe Stock)

NC university prepares students for AI-driven workforce

Artificial intelligence is changing how people learn and work, and universities in North Carolina and across the country are racing to keep up…

Collectively, poultry farmers owe $5.2 billion, according to Mercy for Animals. (Adobe Stock)

The Transfarmation Project offers factory farmers new path

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

A billboard near Smithfield, N.C., where more than 600 men are housed at the Johnston Correctional Institution, sends a message to inmates. Statewide, more than 37,000 people are currently incarcerated in 55 state prisons. (Recidivism Reduction Education Programs)

NC group pushes for public safety through targeted investment

A North Carolina group is launching a new campaign to emphasize the importance of investing in people behind bars, so they'll have a better chance …

According to a report from the Climate Accountability Research Project, 137 separate climate disinformation organizations received charitable donations from 2020 to 2022. (Red Lemon/Adobe Stock)

Report exposes donors funding climate change disinformation in NC

As North Carolina deals with record-breaking heat, hurricanes and prolonged drought linked to a changing climate, a new report showed how American …

This year, the North Carolina Maternal Mortality Review Committee reported bias and discrimination contribute to traumatic and near-death experiences. (Adobe Stock)

NC moms speak out on medical neglect in high-risk pregnancies

By Kylie Marsh for the Charlotte Post, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North …

In North Carolina, college and university students may register and vote in the county where they live while they go to school if they do not intend to return to their former home after graduation. (Adobe Stock)

UNCW students mobilize to break voting barriers ahead of elections

As the November elections approach, students at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington are taking action to remove voting barriers and boost …

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