North Carolina News & Current Events

More than half of all public schools in the U.S. reported being understaffed at the start of the 2022-23 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

NC Colleges Work to Fill Teacher Pipeline

Schools across North Carolina report grappling with severe staff shortages. Districts began the year down more than 4,000 teachers, according to data …

The 2018-2023 Farm Bill is projected to cost around $428 billion, according to the estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Communities, Farmers Want Say in Farm Bill Priorities

The upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill should be developed from community needs, not corporate interests, Advocacy groups in North Carolina …

Anyone can get lung cancer from radon, including people who have never smoked. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

NC Officials Encourage Testing for Radon

As January comes to a close so does Radon Action Month, but officials want North Carolinians to test for the poisonous gas this winter. Radon is a …

National health spending is projected to reach $6.2 trillion by 2028, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Adobe Stock)

Task Force Makes Recommendations for NC Public Health

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine is making new recommendations to improve public health in the state. The suggestions focus on expanding …

According to data from UNC-Chapel Hill, more then 30% of kids living in Robeson County live in food-insecure homes.

NC Housing Authority Launches 'Pay What You Can' Mobile Food Bus

One North Carolina Housing Authority in Robeson County has plans to launch a mobile "pay-what-you-can" food bus loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables …

In 2021, the average price of center-based child care for an infant in the United States was more than $13,000. For all children younger than age 6, yearly child-care costs are around $10,600, an increase from 2020, according to Child Care Aware America. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Child-Care Crisis Hindering North Carolina's Economy

The state's unemployment rate for women with children younger than age 6 has reached nearly 4%, and according to a new report, around 400,000 parents …

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction was recently awarded $17 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to help address student mental health needs. (Adobe Stock)

Foundation Funds Grassroots Efforts to Curb NC Racial Disparities

Following the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - honored today for his civil rights work - one organization in North Carolina is finding ways …

As many as 1 million military and civilian staff and their families might have been exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims Continue to Climb

After federal legislation reduced red tape, military families who were exposed in past decades to drinking water laced with industrial solvents…

More than one-fifth of all college students are student parents, according to the National Center for Education Statistics and Education Trust. (Adobe Stock)

NC Colleges Boost Support for Black, Native Student Parents

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is boosting support for its student parents - with plans to increase access to childcare an…

Taro plant leaves growing on a North Carolina Farm. (Utopian Seed Project)

As North Carolina Warms, One Farm Turns to a Tropical Crop: Taro

By Lina Tran for Grist.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration …

More than 80% of businesses say they hire community college graduates, according to a <a href=

survey by the American Association of Community Colleges and Harvard Business School. (Adobe Stock)">

Working Adults Reskilling, Returning to College Amid Recession Talk

Recession forecasts and lives upended by the pandemic have prompted many working adults in North Carolina to consider going back to college. A 2022 …

The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2021, diesel fuel consumption spewed about 472 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Adobe Stock)<br />

North Carolina Seeks Input from Residents on Advanced Clean Trucks Rule

North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality hosts a virtual public information session today on changes the state is considering to boost the…

It's estimated 23% of U.S. children 2 to 5 years of age and 52% of children 6 to 8 years of age have dental cavities, according to a <a href=

December 2022 report published in the journal Pediatrics. (Adobe Stock)">

Kids' 'COVID Cavities' Lingering Effect of Pandemic

Young kids and teens have gotten out of regular teeth brushing and flossing, and dentists say "COVID cavities" are a lingering effect of the pandemic…

There are estimated to be more than 60 million glaucoma cases worldwide. (Adobe Stock)

NC Advocates Encourage Screenings During Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and with no symptoms, experts say it is important for North Carolinians to get regular eye exams. Glaucoma is …

More people in the United States are dying prematurely, including a notable increase in drug deaths, according to a new report released by United Healthcare. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Drug Overdoses Climb in North Carolina, Nationwide

More North Carolinians are struggling with substance-use disorders, according to the latest America's Health Rankings Report. State data show nine …

spiked dramatically during the pandemic, and continues to rise, according to the Better Business Bureau. (Adobe Stock)">

How to Dodge Scams, Stay Financially alert in the New Year

Financial experts in North Carolina say credit card and online shopping scams are prevalent year-round, and recommend monitoring your bank account …

In 2021 U.S. supermarket and grocery stores made around more than $800-billion in <a href=

profits, more than double the amount generated in two decades ago, according to Statistia. (Adobe Stock)
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Farm Groups Say Grocery Chain 'Mega-Merger' Would Decimate Regional Food Markets

Two major U.S. grocery chains, Kroger and Albertsons, are seeking the green light from the Federal Trade Commission to merge their companies…

More than 51% of students tested at grade level in North Carolina last spring. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Teach for America Pilot Program Brings High-Impact Tutoring to NC Schools

North Carolina state test results in the wake of the pandemic showed marked reductions in grade-level proficiency, but one high-impact tutoring …

FLOC was founded in 1968 to defend the rights and basic human dignity of farm workers regardless of immigration status. (Heather Craig / Adobe Stock)

FLOC Convention Resolves to Make Common Cause with Small Farmers

Leaders of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee want to change the narrative about agriculture in America. FLOC members who gathered in Toledo, Ohio…

Organizers are expecting more than 1,000 people to participate in the collaborative. (Riverfront Convention Center)

NC Community Collaborative Seeks to Expand Health-Care Access

With ACA open-enrollment season ongoing, one ministry in Eastern North Carolina is extending a hand to the community. Peletah Ministries outreach …

More than 574,000 students were enrolled last year in the North Carolina Community College System. (Zoran Zeremski / Adobe Stock)

Innovations in NC Higher Ed Helping Students Who Transfer

Research says 80% of community-college students intend to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree, but only 14% do so within six years. …

Air pollution irritates the lungs and respiratory system, and even healthy people can have trouble taking deep breaths on

Current NC Carbon Plan Falls Short on Public Health

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is expected to release its final Carbon Plan by the end of the year. Critics say the current plan, which …

One in eight people in North Carolina faces hunger, according to Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Food Justice Advocates, Faith Leaders ‘Come to the Table’ to Address Hunger

Food pantries run by rural churches are often a lifeline for older, retired residents or those living with a disability. Come to the Table is a …

Research shows that for every dollar spent on Family Centered Treatment, states saved $2.29 in residential placement costs. (Adobe Stock)

In Durham, A Push for Social Services Reforms Away from Foster Care

There's a nationwide effort to reform child welfare systems, and in North Carolina, Durham advocates said the retirement of the county's longtime …

The Volkswagen Settlement will fund 161 new school buses across the state, the majority of which will be electric. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Clean School Bus Program Awards Five Districts in North Carolina

Five school districts in North Carolina have been awarded more than $12 million in funding for cleaner school buses. The Environmental Protection …

Most parts of the mountainous, western region of North Carolina have little broadband infrastructure, according to the state's Department of Information Technology Division of Broadband and Digital Equity. (Adobe Stock)<br />

No Internet, No Telehealth: Rural NC Struggles to Connect with Doctors

By Shelby Harris for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for North Carolina News Service Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yo…

Eight in ten registered voters say the economy is very important when making their decision about for whom they will vote in the 2022 midterm election, according to a recent Pew survey. (Adobe Stock)<br />

'Faithful Voter Reflection Guide' Weighs Moral Issues for NC Voters

Progressive faith leaders across the state say they're encouraging congregations to educate themselves on candidates and issues. They are sharing an …

Research has shown that social media messaging from apps such as WhatsApp, from trusted sources, can increase the spread of disinformation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Messenger Apps Driving Exposure to Disinformation Among Latino Voters

Recent polling shows more than 60% of Latino voters report exposure to false or unverified about politics, the COVID vaccine and abortion, and …

It's estimated between 18 million and 42 million Americans lack broadband internet access, according to the Foundation for Rural Service. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Dollars Could Help Pay NC Residents’ Internet Bills

A federal program offers monthly payments to low-income households to help them afford internet service, but enrollment is low. An event in Salisbury …

The average American consumes an estimated eight pounds of candy annually, with children eating even more, according to 2015 research published in the journal Advances in Nutrition. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Dentists: Avoid Sticky Candy to Trick Cavities this Halloween

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the cost of candy is up 13% due to inflation, but North Carolina households are still expected to consume enough …

In North Carolina, 57% of incoming college freshmen completed the FAFSA. That ranks the state 23rd in the nation for FAFSA completion, according to MyFutureNC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

FAFSA Changes to Simplify Financial-Aid Process for NC Students

Changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid next year are expected to simplify the process and shorten the amount of time it takes to comp…

Forty-six states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands offer early in-person voting. (Adobe Stock)

In-Person Early Voting Continues in NC Until Nov. 5

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, more than 135,000 voters cast their ballots on the first day of early voting last Thursday…

Michelle and Brielle Wright have seen firsthand the impact of climate change on their 11-acre farm in North Carolina. (The Farmer's B.A.G.)

In NC, Black Family Farms Grapple with Climate Change

Two sisters running a small vegetable farm in Bladen County said they are struggling to keep their business profitable in a changing climate…

Camino Health Center in Charlotte provides regular mental-health trainings with a multicultural focus.(Ron Clark)

NC Community Center Educates Faith Leaders on Mental Health

A community program in Charlotte offers mental-health training to Spanish-speaking faith leaders. The goal is to reach Latino families in the region …

More than 9,000 people don't have housing on any given night in North Carolina, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. (Adobe Stock)

Soaring Home Prices Push NC Rental Market to Brink

Renters and homebuyers face a dismal landscape these days in finding affordable housing. But community groups and nonprofit landlords in North …

More than 5,700 farms produce poultry and eggs in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Poultry Federation. (Adobe Stock)

USDA to Tighten Protections for Contract Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is finalizing rules aimed at increasing protections for contract farmers who grow the nation's poultry and cattle …

In order to avoid the worst effects of climate change, utilities must transition to at least 80% clean energy by 2030, says a Sierra Club report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Duke Energy 'Greenwashes' Heavy Fossil-Fuel Dependency

Duke Energy is out of step with the science showing North Carolina needs to put the brakes on fossil fuels in order to avoid the worst impacts of clim…

A 2021 report from the Energy Transition Institute puts the

Critics Say Utilities Panel Not Doing Enough to Shape NC Carbon Plan

Advocates are contending North Carolina state agencies are not doing enough to slow down the devastating impacts of climate change. Last year Gov…

There were 129 exonerations nationwide in 2020, according to research from the University of Michigan Law School. (Adobe Stock)

Pressure Mounts to Compensate NC Man Wrongfully Imprisoned

Advocates for a man wrongfully imprisoned for decades due to misconduct by a Durham Police detective and released in 2016, want the city to honor a …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nationwide production value of broiler chickens, eggs, and turkeys in 2020 was $35.5 billion, down 11% from 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Pressure Builds on Costco to Commit to Better Poultry Practices

Watchdog groups say chickens used by Costco are bred to grow so quickly, many of them cannot stand under their own weight, and recent lawsuits …

Agricultural producers of color own over 73 million acres of farmland and rent or lease more than 21 million acres of farmland, according to a 2022 report from the Congressional Research Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Push to Reform Food Sector Through BIPOC, Immigrant-Owned Cooperatives

As more farm and food cooperatives pop up across North Carolina, advocates say they are creating a new model for food distribution and landownership …

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, Americans spent $6 billion more on at-home energy consumption during 2020, compared to before the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

NC Could See Larger Utility Bills; Duke Blames Rise in Fuel Costs

North Carolina's largest utility company said rising fuel costs are making it more expensive to bring power to consumers and is proposing a rate hike …

Falls among adults age 65 and older caused more than 34,000 deaths in 2019, making it the leading cause of injury death for this group, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Risk of Falling Increases with Age; Prevention Tools Can Help

One in four Americans age 65 and older takes an unexpected fall each year. During Falls Prevention Awareness Week, experts are encouraging older …

North Carolina is one of 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid, worsening the burden on already scarce rural health-care providers. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Decades of Progress, Health-Care Challenges Remain in Rural NC

As state lawmakers continue negotiations over Medicaid expansion, advocates say decades of funding community-based initiatives have helped create …

In 2016, the FDA issued a safety warning on risks associated with ovarian cancer screening tests, including false negatives could result in delayed treatment. (Adobe Stock)

NC Lawmaker Pushes for FDA Regulation of Clinical Blood Tests

Congress is considering legislation to place more oversight on diagnostic lab tests currently not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration…

In a 2021 Harvard survey, at least two-thirds of the public said they trust nurses, and that healthcare workers and doctors know

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Faith & Health Event Spotlights Wellness for North Carolinians

A faith-driven community event in Greensboro this Thursday offers a full day of free workshops on healthy eating, mental health, HIV prevention and …

The U.S. Department of Education estimates Americans collectively owe more than $1 trillion in federal student loans. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Colleges Hope Biden’s Loan Forgiveness Plan Improvess Financial Literacy

Federal student-loan relief applications are expected to be online in a few weeks, and financial-aid offices say this also is an opportunity to …

An estimated six million children with asthma in the United States are especially vulnerable to air pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

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PNS Daily Newscast - January 31, 2023

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