Once again, shoaling in a Roanoke Sound channel is preventing the state attraction Elizabeth II, a vessel representative of Lost Colony-era ships, from leaving its moorings at Roanoke Island Festival Park for maintenance.
Spotlight
Winter storm takes 4 Buxton houses, leaves inches of snow
The weekend storm that covered North Carolina with more than a foot of snow in some places caused four unoccupied Buxton houses to collapse in about 24 hours on Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.
Researcher Annie Harshbarger reveals pilot whale behavior
The doctoral candidate at Duke University is employing new whale-tagging technology to reveal highly detailed information about pilot whale hunting habits, answering old questions about the specifics of the species’ behavior.
Despite judge’s order, communities in 20 states still waiting
Coastal communities in line for announced federal storm resilience funding, which the administration pulled last year and that a judge last month ordered immediately and, permanently restored, are still wondering when the money will come.
Fort Raleigh closer to installing shoreline erosion protection
Both the National Park Service and state have comment periods open on an erosional control measure along the shoreline of the national historic site on Roanoke Island.
Thriving oyster colonies on living shorelines boost protection
While it’s not exactly “build it and they will come,” nature-based shoreline erosion-control structures such as living shorelines offer increased protection when they successfully attract and grow oysters.
Former Sea Grant Director BJ Copeland leaves coastal legacy
Dr. B.J. Copeland, 89, who died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, influenced coastal science and management in the state for decades.
Division OKs Corps’ request to pause state consistency review
The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has granted a request by the Corps of Engineers to indefinitely pause the division’s review of whether the proposed project conforms with state coastal management program laws, regulations and policies.
Historic Bath group urges seller to preserve significant tract
The Historic Bath Foundation says the 1,768-acre tract known as Archbell Point near Bath contains remnants of Native American and early colonial inhabitants.
Coastal Federation gets funds to remove 12 abandoned vessels
BoatUS Foundation has awarded the North Carolina Coastal Federation funding to remove a dozen abandoned and derelict vessels in Hyde, Carteret, Onslow and New Hanover counties.
Registration open for inaugural Coastal Leadership Institute
The North Carolina Coastal Federation is launching a six-month leadership and professional development program focused on coastal issues.
‘Smell of money’: Menhaden Chanteymen’s music still echoes
The last surviving member of the Menhaden Chanteymen of Beaufort’s former industry has died, but while “Fishtowne’s” processing plant and its associated aroma are in the past, the once-proud laborers’ work songs live on.
Harbor project may risk Orton, other Cape Fear historic sites
Advocates for and owners of historic sites near the North Carolina Port of Wilmington urge the state to object to a proposed federal project to deepen and widen the harbor to accommodate larger ships.
UNCW center launches lab to help entrepreneurs ‘Thrive’
UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is taking applications for its new Thrive Lab program, which is designed to help business owners grown and strengthen their businesses.
Commission OKs advancing wastewater rules to public review
The public will soon be able to lodge their comments about proposed rules mandating that public sewer plants test their treated discharge into rivers, creeks and streams for three types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and a chemical solvent.
NC’s ‘toothiest fish’ topic of next talk in science lecture series
Fisheries ecologist Dr. Jim Morley will explain the life history of sheepshead during the Jan. 15 “Science on the Sound” Lecture Series at the Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese.
