skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Judge rules White House violated the First Amendment in banning Associated Press from President Trump's events; MA labor unions rally for public colleges, universities; ND farmers back push in Congress to rein in tariffs; NC state workers oppose health plan changes; and PA retirees fear Social Security cuts under Trump.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Israeli government promises to cooperate on tariffs. U.S. Secretary of State says markets are not crashing, just adjusting. And budget legislation moving in Congress makes room for Trump's tax cuts.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural schools fear a proposed dismantling of the Department of Education, postal carriers say USPS changes will hurt rural communities most, fiber networks to improve internet may be supplanted by Musk's satellites, and it's time to PLAY BALL!

With ozone season, bad air days to increase in NC

play audio
Play

Wednesday, March 5, 2025   

Bad air quality days are a heightened concern as ozone season begins in North Carolina.

Ozone season in the state lasts from March through October, when hot weather increases the prevalence of ground-level ozone.

Rafaella Vaca, education manager for the advocacy group CleanAIRE NC, said there are health effects from poor ozone days.

"Symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing and throat irritation as short term impacts," Vaca explained. "Over time, it can cause inflamed airways and worsen conditions like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and also increase your susceptibility to lung infections."

Ground-level ozone forms from chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and organic compounds emitted from car exhaust, aerosols and manufacturing facilities.

Vaca acknowledged the effects of bad ozone are not often discussed, probably in part because it cannot be seen, even though it contributes to smog.

"It's not emitted directly from car emissions but it forms when pollutants come together in sunlight," Vaca noted. "It's a little bit more of a complicated process."

Vaca emphasized there are ways for people to protect themselves and others, including by driving less and using public transportation more often. People can also check the Air Quality Index and limit activities outside when levels are high.

Vaca argued regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality can do more to protect people.

"They need to consider all air emissions and contaminations that can affect your well-being," Vaca urged. "Unfortunately, that's not currently how this system works because each air pollution permit is evaluated as and only one pollution source to consider versus considering all of them at once."

Disclosure: CleanAIRE NC contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, Environment, and Environmental Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Protestors at the "Hands Off" rally in Santa Barbara, Calif., last Saturday rallied in support of federal workers who care for public lands. (Erik Molvar)

Social Issues

play sound

A lawsuit to reinstate 16,000 fired federal probationary workers could get new life today at a federal district court hearing in San Francisco…


Social Issues

play sound

In less than a week, many Wisconsinites will be unable to apply for Social Security benefits over the phone, which could lead to potential …

Environment

play sound

Indiana lawmakers have approved a measure to study ways to use advanced transmission technologies to squeeze more energy from the state's aging electr…


A gold star in the upper right corner is a distinct characteristic of the federally mandated REAL ID. (Photo courtesy of Minn. DPS)

Social Issues

play sound

Time is winding down for Minnesotans to upgrade their driver's license, with new federal rules soon to kick in for what's known as "REAL ID." On May …

Social Issues

play sound

A bill in the Nevada Legislature would prohibit school districts and staff from banning books without legal justification to brand the material "obsce…

Of the nearly half million mining claims on federal public lands across the U.S., more than 120,000 are within 30 miles of a national park or monument. (Billy Clay Myers/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

The number of mining claims on U.S. public lands is growing. A 27% increase since 2019 has brought the total to nearly a half-million. A new study …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Colorado now has 21 health providers treating patients regardless of their ability to pay, after Denver's Uptown Community Health Center won …

Social Issues

play sound

With planting season here, North Dakota farmers have plenty on their minds, including the escalating trade war and some hope a bipartisan bill in …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021