The Environmental Protection Agency is wasting no time in advancing its plans to eliminate and reevaluate enforceable standards for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including the compound branded GenX found in the drinking water sources of tens of thousands of North Carolinians.
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Sunny day flooding not as paradoxical as it may sound
While seemingly counterintuitive, king tides are not a new phenomenon but do represent a chronic and increasingly difficult challenge for coastal communities, but ordinary people can help by contributing to the science.
In death, a living legacy may thrive at Veterans Memorial Reef
Military veteran Thomas Marcinowski’s final wishes to be interred beneath the waves prompted him to form a nonprofit that enables others who served to have their cremains interred in eco-positive reef modules, including nine whose ashes are to be placed on the seafloor Monday.
I grew up on this coast; I won’t watch right whales disappear
Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales face a crisis they can’t outswim — and a recent move by the federal government threatens to make a dire situation even worse.
Oral history project from 1977 connects App State, Core Sound
A project to digitize back editions of the local newspaper has led to Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island to acquire recordings of Beaufort residents made in 1977 as part of the Appalachian Oral History Project.
When did what we now know as weeds become … weeds?
A weed, by definition, is a plant growing where it’s not wanted, but when did we decide that colorful, beneficial, medicinal or otherwise useful species are not desired? Spoiler: It was not all that long ago.
Corps crews set to wrap up cleanup at Buxton FUDS site
Army Corps of Engineers officials say that by the end of May, seven months of work to remove tons of petroleum-contaminated soil, water and debris from the beach next to the original site of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is expected to be complete.
Our Coast: A Journey to Sleepy Creek
Historian David Cecelski writes that when the mailboat Violet arrived in Marshallberg, News & Observer correspondent C.J. Rivenbark discovered a whole village where life seemed to revolve around soft-shell crabbing.
Heed Al Lindner’s tip: ‘Limit your kill, don’t kill your limit’
Consider the famous angler’s advice, what it means and how it should influence and inform decision-making when fishing.
Doris Creecy, 90, wields loving influence on Roanoke Island
“Senior Delight:” The elegant Ms. Doris Creecy isn’t letting age slow her down, as she continues sharing songs, wisdom and inspiration to countless numbers in her Roanoke Island community.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rough dig: Dismal Swamp Canal never quite lived up to plans
With poor initial funding, shoddy engineering and enslaved laborers forced to work in awful conditions, the man-made connection between the Albemarle Sound and Chesapeake Bay fell victim to competition but is now thought to be the country’s oldest operating canal.
Bestselling author’s path to fiction began with journalism
Kristy Woodson Harvey, a New York Times bestselling author who resides in Carteret County, will begin her tour this weekend as part of the official launch of her newest contemporary women’s fiction novel, “Summer State of Mind.”

















