North Carolina News & Current Events

The Leandro Plan calls for at least $5.6 billion in new, annual education spending for North Carolina by 2028. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, July 26, 2024

As court decision looms, a push for better NC school funding

As summer winds down and North Carolina students prepare to return to school, the focus shifts to the urgent need for better public education funding…

The Affordable Care Act became law in 2010 and served as comprehensive health care reform aiming to make health insurance more affordable.(Adobe Stock)

North Carolina health advocate raises awareness of life-saving acts

A North Carolina woman is speaking out about the importance of the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. DonnaMarie Woodson, who …

Older adults, very young children and people with chronic diseases are at highest risk for heat-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Expert tips on staying safe during NC's heat wave

As scorching heat waves sweep across North Carolina, experts are urging residents and visitors to take precautions. With parts of the state facing …

North Carolina has received more than 105,000 contacts to its 988 system via call, chat and text in the past 12 months. (Adobe Stock)

Improving crisis response in NC: A path to long-term success

North Carolina must increase its crisis response capacity for long-term success, according to a new report by the mental-health policy group …

Americans produces roughly 47 pounds of electronic waste per person each year, with more than 3 million tons of American e-waste going unrecycled annually, according to the report. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Advocates highlight alternatives to deep-sea mining for NC coast

Advocates for North Carolina's coastal waters are raising concerns about the risks of deep-sea mining and suggesting alternatives. The latest report …

Transfarmation provides resources and support to industrial animal farmers interested in transitioning their farms to plant-focused operations. (Evgeniya Grande/Adobe Stock)

The Transfarmation Project: Empowering farmers to escape a destructive cycle

By Lena Beck for Modern Farmer.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Modern Farmer-Public News Servic…

Many parks require you to stay a minimum distance of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves, according to the National Park Service. (Joe A. Chansak/Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates: Keep your distance from wild animals

As summer travel peaks, wildlife experts are urging people to maintain their distance from wild animals they may encounter. North Carolina, home to …

By age 8, 52% of children have had a cavity in their primary baby teeth. (Adobe Stock)

NC dentists stress importance of children's dental health during summer

As summer kicks into full gear, North Carolina dentists stressed the importance of maintaining children's dental health. Dr. Miranda Kalaskey…

According to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 150 food crops in the United States depend on pollinators, including almost all fruit and grain crops. (Adobe Stock)

Charlotte celebrates Pollinators Month with events, education

In celebration of Pollinators Month, Charlotte is using its Bee City USA designation to emphasize the crucial role pollinators play in our ecosystem…

Nationally, the child poverty rate decreased from 17.2% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Annie. E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

NC kids face challenges at school, but rising economic well-being

A new report sheds light on children's well-being in North Carolina, and highlights the need for greater academic support. According to the latest …

North Carolina is home to 934,604 small businesses. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina businesses fear effects of 'bathroom bill'

North Carolina's business community is alarmed after Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson praised the controversial House Bill 2, known as the "Bathroom Bill," at …

The Prison Fellowship reports about 70 million Americans with criminal records face systematic barriers to second-chance opportunities after their release from prison. (Adobe Stock)

Report examines barriers to successful post-prison re-entry in NC

North Carolina aims to reduce recidivism by 2030, but Prison Fellowship warns that state-level barriers to critical needs may hinder their progress…

In a survey conducted by World Animal Protection, 80% of U.S. consumers said they were concerned about the treatment of factory-farmed pigs. (Adobe Stock)

Report calls on NC restaurant chains to end use of livestock gestation crates

Advocates for animal welfare are calling on restaurants in North Carolina to end the use of gestation crates for pregnant pigs in their supply chain…

According to Jonathan Tyndall, about 30% to 40% of farm produce goes to waste and doesn't get used. He says Ripe for Revival is working to make those numbers smaller. (Courtesy of Joe Mecca/Coastal Credit Union)

New mobile market tackles food deserts in North Carolina

A new mobile market is tackling food deserts in North Carolina, where 1.4 million people struggle to find healthy food. Ripe for Revival, a nonprofit …

Other efforts in North Carolina aimed at protecting salt marshes include Gov. Roy Cooper's Executive Order 80, and the state's 2020 Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan. (Adobe Stock)

NC counts on salt marshes' role in hurricane protection

Hurricane season is here, and conservationists are shining a light on the role salt marshes play in protecting coastal North Carolina communities…

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. It claimed more lives in 2021 than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined. (Adobe Stock)

NC woman highlights role of family history in heart health

A North Carolina woman is highlighting how important knowing your family history can be in matters of the heart. According to the American Heart …

Revolution Mill is a former textile factory, spanning 45 acres about two miles outside downtown Greensboro. The 800,000-square-foot development features shops, offices, restaurants and apartments, and 2005 Revolution Mill, a $38 million mixed-use commercial and residential project. (Adobe Stock)

Federal program helps transform NC communities, boost economies

Federal New Market Tax Credits are helping transform abandoned areas and boost local communities in North Carolina and across the nation. In …

Firsthand Foods collaborates with more than 20 farmers across 10 counties. (Adobe Stock)

Building a sustainable food system: Firsthand Foods' approach

Building a sustainable and fair food system benefiting people and the planet is becoming increasingly important and North Carolina businesses are answ…

About 47,000 people are locked in North Carolina's state or local jails, compared to about 8,800 in federal prisons in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Proposal aims federal dollars at reducing state prison populations

In North Carolina, 57,000 people are behind bars, with most housed in state prisons. A new proposal has surfaced to bring the numbers down but it …

Leaders of TSA unions nationwide ratified a historic contract March 11. It includes new rights for officers, such as a grievance and arbitration procedure, protection from unfair discipline, improved uniform rights and allowances, better leave conditions and the ability to negotiate local issues.(Geza Farkas/Adobe Stock)

North Carolina TSA officers win with landmark labor deal

Transportation Security Officers in North Carolina and beyond are celebrating a new labor deal which will bolster workers' rights. The seven-year …

More than 1.2 million people in North Carolina have active suspensions for failure to pay court costs in a criminal case or failure to appear in court.(Adobe Stock)

Saturday 'warrant clinics' increase court access in NC

Groups in North Carolina are rallying to change the way people are punished for low-level offenses, trying to break a cycle in which minor offenses …

A new Interdisciplinary Arts degree at William Peace University will be a Bachelor of Arts and replaces the university's Bachelor of Fine Arts, theatre, musical theatre, and arts administration degrees. (Adobe Stock)

NC university introduces customizable degree program

A North Carolina university wants to break the mold for people studying the arts. A new degree program will not require students to narrow their …

The North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services has determined the real estate value of salt marshes in the state is more than $123 billion, based on their overall contributions to the environment and economy. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina launches five-year plan to restore salt marshes

North Carolina's 220,000 acres of salt marshes face multiple threats to their major roles in climate protection and ecosystem health, from rising …

Black women are at particularly high risk of heart disease and stroke during pregnancy, which TaShenma Mack found out firsthand before the birth of her daughter. (Photo courtesy of TaShenma Mack)

NC mom raises awareness of heart disease risks for new mothers

North Carolina's maternal death rate is higher than the national average and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among new moms in th…

About 7.4 million adults take insulin, a hormone regulating glucose and used to treat diabetes patients. (Adobe Stock)

Insulin shortage raises concerns for people with diabetes in NC

More than 1 million people in North Carolina are diabetic and they have become increasingly worried about the national shortage of insulin. The …

Veterans account for about 10% of the total population in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

VA Volunteer Transportation Network seeks drivers to support veterans

Veterans in North Carolina are in desperate need of reliable transportation and the Veterans Affairs Volunteer Transportation Network is reaching out …

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, red wolves were first listed as endangered in 1967, and are currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Red wolf pups signal hope for endangered species in NC

Ahead of Endangered Species Day this Friday, conservation groups in North Carolina are celebrating the birth of eight red wolf pups at the Alligator …

Columbus County only has two voucher-accepting schools, according to data from North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. (Adobe Stock)

Impact of private school voucher funding on rural areas raises concern

Legislation to boost private school voucher funding in North Carolina is raising concerns among educators, particularly in rural areas. Educators say …

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, about 305,360 men and 93,925 women are released from prisons and jails in North Carolina every year. (Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe stock)

A new hotline connects formerly incarcerated people with re-entry services in NC

A North Carolina group hopes to help people stay out of prison by connecting them to critical resources. Recidivism Reduction Educational Programs …

North Carolina is the sixth-largest producer of cotton in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

'Planet and people first': NC businesses see benefits of 'ESG'

Businesses large and small are doubling down on their commitment to more sustainable practices, even as lawmakers in North Carolina and other states …

Federal researchers found nearly three in four children who were disenrolled during the

Report: NC works to keep kids on Medicaid health coverage

A new report showed North Carolina is one of only a few states taking a cautious approach to removing families with children from Medicaid since the p…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 40 workers die every year from heat-related incidents, but farmworker advocates said the number could be higher. (Adobe Stock)

Group takes steps to protect NC farm workers from heat stress

Farmworkers in North Carolina and across the U.S. face scorching heat with little protection at the federal and state level. However, the Farm Labor …

Over the span of a decade, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust has invested $107.5 million across ten North Carolina counties including Beaufort, McDowell, Halifax, Rockingham, Burke, Edgecombe, Nash, Bladen, Columbus and Robeson.

Report finds long-term Investment in rural areas improves resources

A new report reveals that investing in rural areas can improve essential resources for the people living there. Despite a significant rural …

North Carolina is home to approximately 675,000 veterans, 20,000 National Guard reservists and 100,000 active-duty service members. (Adobe Stock)

UNC system streamlines military credit conversion for college degrees

For active-duty service members and veterans eyeing a college degree, the march to academic success just got easier. The University of North Carolina …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methane is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, accounting for about 16 percent of global emissions. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina weighs in on Duke Energy's methane gas proposal

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is giving residents a chance to voice their opinion on a plan which could influence how their electricity is g…

The United Nations experts also expressed concern over a Chemours application to expand PFAS production in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

United Nations: Chemical giants 'ignored human rights' in NC

United Nations experts are raising concerns about chemical giants DuPont and Chemours, saying they've violated human rights in North Carolina…

According to Zillow, the typical value of homes in North Carolina is about $329,225. North Carolina home values have gone up 4.6% over the past year. (Adobe Stock)

Rural North Carolina town gets pathway to homeownership

Residents in a rural North Carolina town grappling with economic challenges are getting a pathway to homeownership. In Enfield, the average annual …

The Federal Trade Commission said the reported losses from investment scams grew in 2023 to $4.6 billion, although not all victims report their losses. (Adobe Stock)

Impostor schemes on the rise in North Carolina

April is Financial Literacy Month, when the focus is on learning smart money habits but also how to protect yourself from fraud. One problem on the …

North Carolina has the third highest PFAS exposure in the country. (Adobe Stock)

EPA takes steps to reduce PFAS as advocates call for more actions

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps to reduce harmful pollution in drinking water in North Carolina and across the country. In a …

According to data from Best Colleges, nearly half of states in the U.S. have either proposed anti-DEI legislation or could be in the process of drafting it. (Adobe Stock)

Students unite to defend DEI initiatives

Conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion are on the rise as lawmakers propose bills to restrict or ban DEI in state-funded institutions…

A Charlotte Earth Day event will provide children with an Earth Passport, which will help guide them through four

A focus on environmental protection, advocacy for NC Earth Day

April is Earth Month, and North Carolina's climate justice groups are addressing the crucial roles of air, land, water and health in protecting the …

Farmers can combine renewable energy, such as solar panels, with crops on their property, a process known as agrivoltaics, to maximize the revenues from their farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Solar leases help NC farm owners up revenues, keep homestead

By Daniel Walton for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

A new report says as a result of budget appropriation increases, within a few years, North Carolina taxpayers will be spending more than $520 million per year on private-school tuition. (Adobe Stock)

Report reveals inequities in NC school voucher system

School vouchers in North Carolina were intended to expand educational options for low-income families. However, the report "NC School Vouchers: Using …

According to research from the Brennan Center, if the voter participation gap had not existed in 2020, 9 million more ballots would have been cast. (Adobe Stock)

Southern groups mobilize to empower voters, protect democracy

Southern groups are mobilizing to protect democracy and empower voters to address the issues that impact their communities, including in North …

According to Thrivent, FAFSA delays are expected to affect more than 17 million students trying to make plans for the 2024-2025 academic year. (Adobe Stock)

NC's college-bound students face FAFSA delays

The revamp of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - or FAFSA - was supposed to streamline the process for college hopefuls this fall…

The White House predicted more than 6,500 people with prior federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana, and thousands of such convictions under District of Columbia law, could benefit from pardons. (Adobe Stock)

NC presidential pardon highlights marijuana reform

A man from North Carolina serving a long sentence for selling drugs has received a presidential pardon, which sparked discussions about long …

The lawsuit claims the officers' conduct violates the Fourth Amendment, amounts to assault and battery, or at least negligence, and ultimitely is what caused the wrongful death of Darryl Tyree Williams. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit seeks justice for NC man's death in police custody

Three attorneys are joining forces to seek justice for a North Carolina family. At a news conference, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump - along with …

The USDA is finalizing a series of rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act as part of President Biden's Executive Order on Promoting Competition in America's economy.

USDA rule could level playing field for livestock producers

Backers of a new federal rule said it will increase fairness for livestock and poultry producers, in North Carolina and across the country. The U.S…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 26, 2024

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