Month: August 2024

3. Local rep, fishermen call on state to improve fishery management after flounder season cancellation

Recreational fishermen have been barred from catching the state’s most valued finifish, the Southern flounder, this year because they exceeded last year’s quota. But anglers say this season’s cancellation reflects a larger management issue at the state level. The Division of Marine Fisheries, part of North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality, announced the cancellation of […]

Written by on August 11, 2024

4. Anti-Trump group led by ex-GOP operative now targeting North Carolina

North Carolina has tens of thousands of moderate Republicans — and some solidly conservative voters — who have the potential to help Democrats flip the state blue in November. Swaying those voters isn’t a guarantee. But they’re gettable, said Rick Wilson, the former Florida GOP operative who’s now a leading national voice of the “Never […]

Written by on August 11, 2024

5. In the world of nicotine products, Zyn is in

For two years, Austin Collins consumed roughly 14 mg of nicotine a day — the equivalent of nine to 14 cigarettes — while vaping. Now, he consumes more than double the amount of nicotine, the equivalent of at least two packs of cigarettes, using nicotine pouches. They’re one of the latest ways that people are […]

Written by on August 11, 2024

6. HPU continues its expansion

Construction crews continue to make progress on buildings for two new academic programs at High Point University that involve an investment of $92.5 million. The new buildings will become the home for the Workman School of Dental Medicine and the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law. Each building near the Centennial Street entrance to campus […]

Written by on August 11, 2024

7. With care shortage growing, local colleges are expanding programs and cranking up new ones designed to get as many nurses into the workforce as quickly as possible

Jessica Nichols emerged from college with a bachelor’s degree in communications with her sights set on a broadcast journalism career. But after spending six years in the U.S. Army and becoming a mom, she felt called to an entirely different work path — nursing. Now, Nichols is one of seven students in Johnson & Wales […]

Written by on August 11, 2024

9. Coastal Resources Commission renews effort to restore AEC protections for Jockey’s Ridge

At an August 6 special meeting of the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC), the commissioners voted unanimously to begin the process of reinstituting Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) protections for Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Those protections include a prohibition on removing sand from the park and restrictions on development immediately adjacent to park boundaries. […]

Written by on August 11, 2024

10. Buncombe residents use millions of recyclable plastic bags a year; nearly all end up in landfills, Watchdog finds

Buncombe County residents use an astounding number of single-use plastic bags every year — 130 million, by one estimate — and, despite being recyclable, nearly all end up in landfills where they become a health hazard, an Asheville Watchdog investigation found. Plastic bags taken to grocery store drop-off bins may or may not be recycled, […]

Written by on August 11, 2024

10. Air permit reclassifies Wilmington terminal to major source

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality said Wednesday it had granted a Title V air quality permit to CTI of North Carolina Inc. for its newly acquired Wilmington Terminal. On Dec. 1, Colonial Terminals Inc., a division of Savannah-based Colonial Group Inc., acquired the Buckeye Terminal at 1312 S. Front St. […]

Written by on August 9, 2024

1. Study cites $1B in High Point sewer needs

A new state study recommends about $1 billion of wastewater upgrades for High Point to help accommodate growth in the region. The “Regional Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Concept Plan” for the U.S. 421 corridor looks at what it will take to serve upcoming economic development projects like the Toyota battery plant and Boom Supersonic. The […]

Written by on August 8, 2024

3. North Carolina investigating Elon Musk’s new pro-Trump PAC

Multiple state agencies are looking into whether a political action committee backing former Republican President Donald Trump, and backed by the world’s richest person, has been committing civil or criminal violations in North Carolina. Elections officials have launched an investigation into the allegations, which revolve around claims that America PAC falsely told North Carolinians it […]

Written by on August 8, 2024

5. SNC Radios in, sets down roots in Southern Pines

Sierra Nevada Corp. — the defense technology company, not the beer brewers — has opened new offices at the historic Waterworks building in Southern Pines. SNC is a global company that develops aerospace and national security technology, providing solutions to security systems across the sea, land, air, space and cyberspace. On Tuesday morning, SNC held […]

Written by on August 8, 2024