North Carolina News & Current Events

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)

Monday, September 26, 2022

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

">

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)

Healthy Habits for NC Kids Can Start with Back-to-School

Experts say there are a few steps North Carolina families can take to help young children feel prepared and ready to begin the new school year…

Around 60% of adults exhibit some amount of teeth grinding during their sleep, according to the Sleep Foundation. (Flickr/B-Zedan)

NC Dentists See Rise in Stress-Related Teeth Grinding, Jaw Pain

Dentists in North Carolina say they are seeing an uptick in patients with mouth problems stemming from teeth grinding at night, including cracked …

Weather experts predict the upcoming 2022 hurricane season has a 60% chance of producing more storms of higher intensity. (Jillian Cain/Adobe Stock)

New Bill Allocates Money for Improving NC's Coastal Resilience

The Inflation Reduction Act, newly signed into law, allocates billions of dollars to fight climate change, including funds specifically for coastal …

Around 75% of college students who struggle with depression and anxiety are reluctant to seek help, according to the Mayo Clinic. (Adobe Stock)

Students Returning to Campus Urged to Check Mental-Health Resources

As college students head to campus in the coming weeks, mental-health experts are urging both students and parents to familiarize themselves with the …

The Four Leaf Clover Program is a small group making a big difference in Benson, N.C., where its volunteers organize summer day trips and provide lunches for local children. (Cleo McKinnon)<br />

Grassroots Group Offers Rural NC Kids Access to Summer Activities, Meals

Many rural North Carolina kids lack access to summer camps and consistent meals when school is out, but an organization in Benson is working to …

Only 20% of Latinos with mental-health issues talk with a primary-care physician, according to a U.S. Surgeon General's report. (Adobe Stock)

NC Health Center Aims to Reduce Mental-Health Stigma Among Latinos

Stigma around mental health and a lack of resources available in Spanish means many individuals in North Carolina's Latino community are going without…

In 2020, the U.S. natural gas pipeline network transported around 27 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (Adobe Stock)

Behind Schedule, Mountain Valley Pipeline Wants Permit Extension

Developers of a more than 300-mile natural gas pipeline which would run through North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia wants a permit extension …

Electricity consumers in states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative are on track to save $15 billion on their utility bills, according to a 2020 report released by the initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Joining Regional Initiative Could Help NC Meet Climate Goals

North Carolina wants to reduce carbon emissions from its power plants by 70% by 2030, but experts say the state is currently not on track to meet its …

As of June 30, 2021, the number of small businesses open in the U.S. had decreased by 47.8% compared to January 2020, <a href=

according to the Alliance to Save Energy. (Adobe Stock)">

Climate Change, Extreme Temps Affect NC Black-Owned Small Businesses

A new Pew Research poll finds Americans are split on how to tackle climate change. In North Carolina, small Black-owned businesses say they're …

The United States has approximately 3.8 million acres of salt marshes, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. (Adobe Stock)

Multi-State Salt Marsh Conservation Planning Under Way

A plan to conserve more than one million acres of salt marsh stretching from North Carolina to northeast Florida is beginning to take shape. …

Electric-car sales reached a record 3 million in 2020, up 40% from 2019, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

NC Pushes for Electric Trucks, School Buses to Cut Carbon Emissions

North Carolina businesses and advocacy groups want Gov. Roy Cooper to adopt new heavy-duty electric-vehicle rules by the end of next year. They say …

Under legislation passed in 2021, North Carolina has set goal to cut carbon emissions from energy plants owned and/or operated by Duke Energy by 70% from 2005 levels by 2030, and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Hearings Offer Chance to Comment on Duke Energy's Carbon Plan

A series of in-person hearings across the state in the coming weeks will give North Carolinians a chance for input on a proposal by Duke Energy to cut…

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 />

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,

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 />

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=

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 />

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 />

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=

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 …

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 …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2022 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2022 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 22 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

PNS Daily Newscast - September 27, 2922

2022Talks - September 27, 2022

The Yonder Report - September 22, 2022

North Carolina