State and weather officials are kicking off North Carolina’s heat season, which began May 1, with a virtual meeting targeted to local governments to help them prepare for extreme heat.
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DEQ calls for comment on draft Cape Fear River Basin plan
The N.C. Division of Water Resources is accepting written comments on the draft 2026 Cape Fear River Basin plan through Aug. 4.
Coastal Reserve local advisory committees meetings set
Potential applicants for local advisory committees that provide N.C. Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve staff guidance and feedback about program activities and management of the state’s 10 reserve sites are encouraged to attend the upcoming spring meeting of their interest.
Effort seeks to replicate tech incubators for shellfish growers
Framing it as a saltwater flavor of technology hubs, officials broke ground this week on the planned Shellfish Mariculture Hub in Carteret County that will feature a 2,500-square-foot structure next to the boat ramp at Straits Landing, cold storage, equipment, an outdoor workspace and water access for growers.
Hatteras-Ocracoke passenger ferry offers summer service
The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry, which provides direct service from Hatteras to the heart of Ocracoke Village, is now operating through the summer season.
Karen Gould to become Carteret TDA executive director
The area native has been with the Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority for more than a decade, most recently serving as deputy executive director.
Commission to act on proposed Atlantic bonito management
The meeting at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in New Bern is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Watershed guide aims to help towns develop land use rules
Waterkeepers Carolina created the guide with support from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, to provide options to protect water quality and flood protection that local governments can consider when implementing in land use rules.
Pilot project extends summer red snapper season 62 days
The recreational red snapper season will open July 1 – Aug. 31 to anglers willing to take part in a pilot project that aims to monitor the tightly-regulated fishery.
Coastal counties among those no longer under burn ban
The N.C. Forest Service on Sunday lifted a statewide open burn ban on 81 counties, including North Carolina’s 20 coastal counties, after recent rains have helped relieve hazardous wildfire conditions.
Group kayak trip to explore Moores Creek, cypress swamps
Cape Fear River Watch and Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie invite participants to join in a roughly 2.5-mile, out-and-back paddle on May 16 in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Dumb stuff happens while fishing, don’t let it happen to you
Remember “That Thing” that happened “That Time” while fishing that still comes up in the context of significant events? Right. Here are some examples to avoid.
Waterfowl, migratory game bird season dates announced
Dates, bag limits and associated regulations have been announced for North Carolina’s 2026-27 waterfowl, webless migratory game bird, and extended falconry seasons.
Emerald Isle officials consider tenfold increase of dune fines
It remains unclear why it was done, but the large-scale flattening of protective primary frontal dune at a newly built 12-bedroom, $6 million house in Emerald Isle has town officials eyeing stiffer penalties.
Surf City to test temporary signal near island roundabout
Beginning May 6, drivers crossing the bridge onto the island side of Surf City will be stopped by a temporary traffic signal near the island roundabout.
Measure would create special ‘Red Wolf’ vehicle tags
A bipartisan group of legislators has filed a bill to authorize the Division of Motor Vehicles to begin issuing special vehicle registration plates with proceeds benefiting the state’s eastern red wolf population.
