The North Carolina Real Estate Commission is now poised to consider giving home buyers the right to know a home’s flood history and other flood risk information.
Spotlight
Scientist urges more Vibrio awareness as risk moves north
Recent data finds that warming coastal waters from climate change impacts have resulted in Vibrio wound infections spreading north along the East Coast, and those with health issues are urged to immediately seek medical attention if exposed.
Coastal crossroads: NC’s growing risk of Maui-like wildfires
Coastal communities face a looming threat as wildfires stoked by the forces of climate change make effective land management, preparedness and response more important than ever.
Court upholds that trawling doesn’t violate Clean Water Act
Federal court judges upheld last week a 2021 district court decision that commercial shrimpers can continue to harvest by trawler in the Pamlico Sound without a Clean Water Act permit.
State urges caution after 3 Vibrio-related deaths
During this period when North Carolina saltwater and brackish waters remain warm, state health officials advise that those with wounds could be exposed to Vibrio, which can lead to illness.
Settlement reached in challenge over red wolf management
Wildlife conservation groups announced Wednesday a court settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that ensures continuation of successful management strategies and public engagement to restore the world’s only population of wild red wolves in northeastern North Carolina.
Sea turtle center unveils nest barrier tape that informs, too
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach is now using a new type of biodegradable marker tape that can help educate the public about the creatures’ plight.
Crafty fly fisher Kristi Irvin finds joy in tying one on
The Kitty Hawk resident is no stereotypical fly fisher, but she may have learned a thing or two from some who were.
Oral histories hold key to recording environmental change
A rising junior at UNC Chapel Hill, Tara Hinton has spent her summer listening to oral histories and researching how Down East Carteret County residents are responding to changes in the environment.
Saltwater fish may be in future Cape Fear health advisories
Results of saltwater fish tissue currently being analyzed for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, are expected later this year, wrapping up a study of multiple species of fish collected from the Cape Fear River.
Murphy assures Dare board: Corps will do study if funded
The Corps of Engineers is committed to conducting the required feasibility study of a sand project along the highly erosion-prone Rodanthe beach on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore if funded, Rep. Greg Murphy has told Dare County officials.
Study is first to sample NC rivers, streams for microplastics
North Carolina researchers have estimated the amount of plastic pollution the size of grains of sand that are entering the Pamlico Sound from the Neuse River Basin. It’s a lot.
Ongoing study may show overlooked algal bloom causes
A year into a 30-month public science study, preliminary data appears to show that higher than expected nutrient loads in minor tributaries may contribute to increasingly regular and persistent blue-green algal blooms in northeastern North Carolina rivers.
Topsail Beach board wants more study before rezoning
Town commissioners said Monday they want more information, including professional architectural, engineering, environmental and other assessments, before deciding on the conditional rezoning request for The Point.
The sand waves of Hatteras: ‘on a mission of death’
After adventurous New York journalist John Randolph Spears undertook to visit Cape Hatteras in spring 1890, he wrote of miles and miles of deadly sand waves that threatened to swallow islanders and their homes.
Attorney General Stein discusses environmental concerns
Attorney General Josh Stein met Monday with North Carolina Coastal Federation members in Pine Knoll Shores to learn more about the work being done to maintain a living shoreline and manage stormwater runoff in the community.
