As North Carolina’s population has grown and the factory farming industry expanded, the state’s environmental agency staff has been slashed by almost a third in less than 15 years.
Featured
Imported shrimp served at restaurants touting local catch
A sizeable majority of Outer Banks restaurants that claim to serve local, wild-caught shrimp have been found through genetic testing to be serving imported farm-raised shrimp instead.
Climate change compounds challenge to stabilize beaches
Stabilizing Outer Banks beaches is becoming more challenging with the quickly evolving and often unpredictable consequences of a changing climate: Sea levels are increasing faster than projected, storms are intensifying, rainfall is heavier.
Carteret chairman rejects call to extend Jewish greetings, too
“How could Jews not take offense?”: Carteret County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Chadwick said he was “caught off guard” when another commissioner suggested he also wish the public a “Happy Hanukkah” in addition to his “Merry Christmas.”
New Hanover County agrees to purchase, preserve 28 acres
Commissioners have unanimously agreed to a $2.24 million deal that includes two undeveloped tracts across from downtown Wilmington that will remain preserved from development once they are county-owned.
With only days remaining, Autumn’s delights linger on
The way the sun shines has a different quality this time of year, and nights seem strangely darker, but fall reminds us to slow down, take stock of our riches and prepare for the winter ahead.
Our Coast: On the ‘Old Mullet Road’ 1942
Historian David Cecelski looks in this photo-essay in his “Working Lives” series, at several photographs that feature workers on a railroad that old timers called the “Old Mullet Road.”
Public hearing Tuesday on proposed ‘WOTUS’ definition
A hearing is set for next week on the proposed definition rolled out last month for “Waters of the United States,” which outlines the waterbodies eligible for protection under the federal Clean Water Act, that conservationists warn will leave millions of acres of nontidal wetlands vulnerable to pollution, harm fish habitat and worsen flooding.
Opponents say river water transfer puts Cape Fear in peril
Fuquay-Varina seeks to transfer 6.17 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin to meet the Piedmont town’s projected water demands.
A brief reprieve isn’t lasting protection: Our fight continues
Opinion: While the Department of Interior has excluded the entire Atlantic Coast from its current drilling program — a result of decades of tireless local opposition — it is time to demand permanent legislative protection for our waters before the threat returns in the next five-year cycle.
Why do we fish? Myriad reasons are all valid, except for one
Whatever the motivation, personal or philosophical, escapist or naturalist, there is almost no wrong answer when it comes to fishing.
Chemours cannot keep documents sealed, federal judge rules
Chemours and its predecessor company DuPont had sought to seal records including regulatory compliance monitoring reports and internal corporate communications about chemical production.
This biscuit that brings farmers to tears becomes rarer find
One chef’s recipe, inspired by family and honed over years, is a reminder that simple food holds history, emotion and possibilities.
Jean Beasley, passionate sea turtle protector, dies at 90
The founder of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island, which she named in memory of her late daughter, was driven to protect the beloved ocean dwellers.
Partnership to test living shorelines on two Cape Fear islands
An effort to protect threatened wading bird colonies and their imperiled habitat on Battery and Shellbed islands, Audubon, Sandbar Oyster Co. and the North Carolina Coastal Federation have teamed up to design and install two pilot projects and test their effectiveness.
Holiday lights are aglow ahead of annual Waterfowl Weekend
The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center is celebrating the holidays and heritage with its annual Waterfowl Weekend set for Friday through Sunday at the museum on Harkers Island.
