April brings flowering of dwarf iris, also known as Iris verna, or dwarf violet iris, in the Croatan National Forest. According to the North Carolina Cooperative Extensions, the flower only gets as tall as 6 inches, but its foliage can double the size after flowering. The fragrant native North Carolina perennial can be found in partly shady areas under the longleaf pines in the Southeastern coastal plain from Maryland to Florida. Photo: Todd Miller
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Bottlenose Could Be NC’s Marine Mammal
While bottlenose dolphin stocks in N.C. appear stable and healthy, columnist David Laist notes the perils humans pose and a state bill to name them the state marine mammal that was introduced a year ago and appeared destined to pass.
Coastal Communities Discourage Travel
Many coastal towns and counties are asking visitors to stay home this weekend to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Couple Appeals Dismissal of CRC Case
The Maryland couple whose lawsuit against the state Coastal Resources Commission was recently dismissed by a federal judge has appealed the decision.
Experience Outer Banks Parks From Home
Visitors can discover Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site online through a number of ways.
Professor’s Graphic Simplifies Disinfecting
Rachel Noble, a professor of public health microbiology at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, has created an infographic to provide to the community accurate information about disinfecting at home with readily available materials.
Nonresident Property Owners Sue County
A Raleigh attorney has filed a complaint in federal court on behalf of six out-of-state Dare County homeowners arguing that Dare County’s March 20 declaration restricting access to the county due to the COVID-19 pandemic is unconstitutional.
UNCW’s Martin Posey Honored for Service
UNCW biology and marine biology professor Martin Posey, who has a long history of applying his work in fisheries and aquaculture, is one of two UNC System faculty members recently honored with the 2019 Governor James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service.
GenX: Looking Closer At Chemours’ Plan
While Chemours says it’s in compliance with state laws and a 2019 consent order, comments collected by NCDEQ show many are unsatisfied with the response by the company responsible for PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear region.
DEQ Says Chemours’ Plan Needs Big Changes
The state Department of Environmental Quality says that an initial review shows Chemours proposed plan to clean up PFAS contamination in groundwater and soil and reduce discharges “lacks a thorough technical basis.”
State Bars CPI From Discharging Bottom Ash
In a win for concerned area residents, CPI USA North Carolina is subject to new restrictions and monitoring and reporting requirements as conditions for renewing the national discharge permits for the company’s small power plant in Brunswick County.
New Hanover Puts in Place More Restrictions
While coastal counties are seeing a climb in positive COVID-19 cases, all public and private boat ramps and public and private marinas are closed as of 7:30 p.m. Friday in New Hanover County.
Federation, Carteret Acquire Nearly 80 Acres
The North Carolina Coastal Federation and Carteret County have partnered to purchase 76.25 acres of land on Bogue Sound.
USCG Waste Permit Hearing Rescheduled
The hazardous waste renewal permit public hearing for the Coast Guard Base in Elizabeth City has been rescheduled for June 11 based on public health guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Outer Banks’ Gen Z Responds to Lockdown
Young people on the Outer Banks who may have once thought they would be unaffected by the pandemic are now coping with disruptive changes in their formerly highly social lives, just as they were set to graduate or begin careers.
Governor Reminds Residents to Stay Home
Gov. Roy Cooper Friday afternoon during a media briefing reminded North Carolinians that the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay at home.