In the wake of Hurricane Florence, the North Carolina General Assembly has given more attention to climate change, though some legislators remain skeptical.
News & Features
Questions Arise Over Dredge Firm Selection
An alternate member of the Oregon Inlet Task Force has questioned the proposed selection of a new company with no significant dredge experience as contractor to maintain Oregon Inlet.
Nonprofit Outlines Plan for Topsail Projects
Resource Institute of Winston-Salem, which was granted last year $5 million in state money, is set to lead a task force in prioritizing a list of 23 storm-mitigation projects proposed by the three Topsail Island towns.
Sunset Beach Must Redo Dredge Application
The state Division of Coastal Management has informed Sunset Beach that its application to dredge part of Jinks Creek must be resubmitted because of missing information, delaying the project until late 2019 or early 2020.
Northeastern NC Farmers Celebrate Soybean
After a challenging year, soybean farmers in northeastern North Carolina, where soybeans have long been an important crop, recently gathered for an annual celebration.
Florence’s Toll: Room Tax Revenues In Focus
The loss of hotel and motel rooms, rental cottages and condos from Hurricane Florence damage has yet to become clear as North Carolina beach town officials begin their annual budget process.
Kitty Hawk Living Shoreline to Protect Road
A collaborative effort among residents, local and state entities and organizations to save a historic road in Kitty Hawk has led to the first time the state Department of Transportation has contributed to a living shoreline project as a way to protect a street.
Surf City Addresses Deck Rules, Stirs Debate
Surf City town council adopted an ordinance allowing oceanfront property owners of unbuildable lots to build single-level decks no larger than 500 square feet, which is causing debate.
Report Blasts Wood Pellet Industry’s Effects
A new Rachel Carson Council report claims the wood pellet industry is driving clear-cutting of Southeastern forests, harming public health and exacerbating the effects of climate change.
Session Ahead: Oysters, Storm Damage, PFAS
Reports on shellfish mariculture initiatives, hurricane relief and GenX appear early on the agenda as the N.C. General Assembly ramps up its 2019 session.
Law Tweaks Coastal Barrier Resource Act
A new law amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, which bars federal spending including flood insurance in designated environmentally sensitive areas, but most of North Topsail Beach remains unchanged.
Sand Mine Rezoning OK’d, SUP Vote Delayed
After hearing from worried residents, the New Hanover County Planning Board voted Thursday to rezone 63 acres for a proposed sand mine, but a special use permit decision was put off until March.
Spate of Fed, State Bills Would Block Drilling
Offshore drilling opponents in the U.S. House and nine state legislatures introduced this week a barrage of bills to stop new drilling and seismic exploration for oil and gas.
Corolla Horses OK, But Va. Disease A Concern
A fatal disease afflicting the Chincoteague pony herd in eastern Virginia has not appeared among the wild horses of Corolla on the Outer Banks, but herd managers are keeping a watchful eye for symptoms.
STEM Project Helps Kids Understand Storm
A Duke University Marine Lab project helped young Boys and Girls Club members apply science, technology, engineering and math to better understand storm surge and their experiences during Hurricane Florence.
CRC: Changes to Dune Rules Add Flexibility
Changes to sand dune rules that would give property owners more leeway in moving sand shifted by winds or storms and allow for improved beach accesses are now set for final state approval.
