Climate Change
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OPINION: Where Western NC stands a year after Hurricane Helene
This week, as we approach the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene–one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit western North Carolina–it’s important to take stock of how we’re doing. Where do we stand and what do we still need?
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A groundbreaking climate author sees hope in the Sun
In 1989, Bill McKibben wrote the first mainstream warning about climate change. Considered the preeminent climate change journalist in the country, McKibben has written often about the dangers ahead, but his new book heralds solar power as the light in the darkness of the Trump era. Bill McKibben tried to warn us. In 1989, McKibben,…
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Flash flood warning sirens in Haywood County could save lives in future storms
Deadly flash floods from Tropical Storms Fred and Helene struck parts of Haywood County, NC. New siren system offers early warning.
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NC lawmakers override Josh Stein’s vetoes on climate change, gun laws
With some Democratic support, legislators defied Gov. Josh Stein, weakened state climate change laws and made it legal for private school teachers to take guns to school.
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Before Chantal swamped the NC town of Hillsborough, locals had been counting on FEMA
The Trump administration canceled a FEMA program in April that would have funded upgrades to protect Hillsborough, NC, from flooding. Then the Eno River rose more than 20 feet.
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How Trump’s ‘One, Big Beautiful Bill’ will impact jobs, investment in rural NC
In the mountains of western NC, local renewable energy company Sugar Hollow Solar is already working through contingency plans to avoid laying off staff.
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‘Come hell or high water’: A harm reduction team amps it up in response to a disaster
A community-based organization focused on drug use harm reduction turned its headquarters into a refuge for all seeking help in the face of a hurricane.
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Trump ends program that helped North Carolina communities avoid catastrophic flooding
Mount Pleasant, N.C. was about to receive $4 million to improve its stormwater drainage system from a FEMA program that helps communities protect against natural disasters and climate change. Then the Trump administration eliminated the program, upending a resiliency plan years in the making.
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Trump’s spending freezes could disrupt clean energy boom in NC and increase household heating costs
Among the funding Trump is trying to halt: $160 million in payments to protect the state’s power grid from wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters like Tropical Storm Helene, which has caused billions in damage to western North Carolina.
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Duke Energy asks the EPA to let it release more emissions
Duke Energy recently announced plans to replace several coal-fired power plants with natural gas-fired stations at two North Carolina sites by 2029. Now, it’s joined nine other power companies in asking newly-confirmed EPA administrator Lee Zeldin to weaken environmental regulations regarding natural gas and coal ash.
