Good News Friday: NC has some of the best pizza in the country

Award-winning pizza pies, recognition for a bluegrass star, and some awesome climate news round out today’s edition of “Good News Friday”

Thank goodness it’s (finally) Friday! We’re here to brighten up this rainy week with our roundup of positive news from around the state. 

NC wins huge EPA grant to combat climate change

 

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A post shared by The Nature Conservancy in NC (@tnc_nc)

This is a big win for NC’s wildlife and the fight against climate change. 

This week, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded its biggest-ever grant for natural solutions to climate change to the Atlantic Conservation Coalition, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. The $421 million grant is divided between the states and nonprofit partners like the N.C. Coastal Federation and The Nature Conservancy to fund a variety of projects, most of which focus on protecting and restoring ecosystems that naturally sequester carbon dioxide. 

These projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North Carolina by 22.7 million metric tons by 2050, which is the equivalent of taking 4.9 million cars off the roads for a year.

Some of the projects include restoring salt marshes and peatlands, reforesting 55,000 acres, and adding 3,300 acres to the NC state parks system. 

The best part is that these projects will not only keep carbon out of our atmosphere, they’ll also help protect ecosystems that are crucial to NC’s wildlife!

This Charlotte pizzeria is one of America’s best

 

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The New York Times released a list of 22 of the best pizza places in the U.S., and Charlotte’s Bird Pizza secured the number 2 spot!

Located in the Optimist Park neighborhood, Bird Pizza focuses on New York-style pies. Owner Kerrel Thompson and his wife Nkem opened Bird Pizza in December 2021 as a pop-up before expanding to a takeout business. The Thompsons are adding an indoor dining room next month, meaning our list of must-try NC restaurants just got longer.

Ashe County local to be honored at Bluegrass Music Award

 

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A post shared by Cindy Baucom (@kneedeepinbluegrass)

As part of the Bluegrass Music Awards every year, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards five Distinguished Achievement Awards to recognize “forerunners and ambassadors for bluegrass music.”

This year, Ashe County native Cindy Baucom will receive one of the coveted awards in recognition of her lifelong commitment to bluegrass music. Baucom, who was born and raised in West Jefferson, truly does it all: She has spent over 30 years pursuing her passion for bluegrass as a radio broadcaster, musician, producer, MC, promoter, writer, and photographer. In addition to her Distinguished Achievement Award, Cindy is nominated for Broadcaster of the Year for her radio show “Knee Deep in Bluegrass.”

In September, Raleigh will host its final Bluegrass Music Awards as part of the five-day World of Bluegrass event put on by the IBMA. People will fill the streets to enjoy live music, dancing, competitions, and more. Tickets are available online for all you bluegrass lovers who want to take advantage of this legendary event’s last run in Raleigh!

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