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1.4em;}</style> <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <h2 class="article-section-title"> <span>Top Stories</span> </h2> <article data-post-id="68690" class="tag-amdaily tag-n-c-general-assembly tag-statewide tag-voting category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68690/signature-verification-program-nc-voters-faulty-report/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-uncropped size-newspack-article-block-uncropped wp-post-image" alt="Ghost in the machine: ‘Signature verification’ program for NC voters has reliability issues, report says" data-hero-candidate="1" loading="none" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=1568%2C1176&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C530&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" data-attachment-id="38214" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/38207/consequences-of-postal-service-slowdown-in-nc-extend-beyond-mailbox/kate_mailbox_still/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1920" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"SM-N960U","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1599210151","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.3","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.00089206066012489","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Kate_mailbox_still" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Absentee voting may fade away, state data shows. Kate Martin / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate_mailbox_still-scaled.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <div class="cat-links "> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/category/politics/">Politics & Government</a> </div> <h3 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68690/signature-verification-program-nc-voters-faulty-report/" rel="bookmark">Ghost in the machine: ‘Signature verification’ program for NC voters has reliability issues, report says</a></h3> <p>The signature program is signed, sealed but not exactly delivered following a study that involved 10 counties and cost over $450,000.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-02-17T09:00:00">February 17, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-02-17T11:20:10-05:00">February 17, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles wpnbha is-grid columns-2 colgap-3 show-image image-aligntop ts-5 is-3 is-uncropped show-category has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="68655" class="tag-amdaily tag-education tag-free-speech tag-rural tag-statewide tag-western-nc category-education type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68655/cleveland-county-lawsuit-lgbtq-ban-school-club/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-uncropped size-newspack-article-block-uncropped wp-post-image" alt="‘Indecent’ proposal: An NC school club’s plan to test their LGBTQ+ trivia skills is game over — for now" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 600px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="60736" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/60724/proposed-changes-to-ncs-judicial-standards-commission-raise-concerns-about-judicial-integrity-and-oversight/courtroom-gavel/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"AVA BARLOW","camera":"NIKON D300S","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1371548805","copyright":"2011","focal_length":"116","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.125","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="courtroom-gavel" data-image-description="<p>Courtroom gavel Photo: The North Carolina Judicial Branch</p> " data-image-caption="<p>Courtroom gavel Photo: The North Carolina Judicial Branch</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <div class="cat-links "> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/category/education/">Education</a> </div> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68655/cleveland-county-lawsuit-lgbtq-ban-school-club/" rel="bookmark">‘Indecent’ proposal: An NC school club’s plan to test their LGBTQ+ trivia skills is game over — for now</a></h2> <p>The ban came from no less than the superintendent. Now, the ACLU is involved and Cleveland County finds itself in a fight over free speech.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/lucas-thomae/">Lucas Thomae</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-02-14T09:00:00">February 14, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-02-14T09:19:00-05:00">February 14, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="68603" class="tag-2024-elections tag-amdaily tag-elections-directors tag-statewide tag-voting category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68603/ballots-counted-dead-nc-voters/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="936" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DSC09894-e1504707848798.jpg?fit=1200%2C936&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-uncropped size-newspack-article-block-uncropped wp-post-image" alt="Live and let live? 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Ari Sen / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DSC09894-e1504707848798.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DSC09894-e1504707848798.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <div class="cat-links "> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/category/politics/">Politics & Government</a> </div> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68603/ballots-counted-dead-nc-voters/" rel="bookmark">Live and let live? A decision by NC counties to accept dead voters’ ballots upsets some, unites others.</a></h2> <p>Are ballots valid if voters die before Election Day? The state seems to say no. That hasn’t stopped some officials from counting them anyway.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-02-12T09:00:00">February 12, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-02-12T06:47:48-05:00">February 12, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:34%"> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 show-category is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <h2 class="article-section-title"> <span>RECENT News</span> </h2> <article data-post-id="68489" class="tag-amdaily tag-general-assembly tag-statewide tag-voting category-politics type-post 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class="cat-links "> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/category/politics/">Politics & Government</a> </div> <h3 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68514/griffin-case-nc-court/" rel="bookmark">‘Democracy being defended.’ Griffin case comes full circle while entering a new chapter</a></h3> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-02-08T00:01:00">February 8, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-02-10T10:28:28-05:00">February 10, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="68471" class="tag-amdaily tag-council-of-state tag-federal tag-statewide category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <div class="cat-links "> <a 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class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color" style="color:#FFFFFF;font-size:32;line-height:1">NC Connection:<br>Closing the News Gap<br></h2> <p class="has-text-align-center has-text-color" style="color:#FFFFFF;line-height:1">A special CPP research project on the news needs of rural North Carolinians</p> <div class="wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-font-size gb-block-button" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1.2"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background wp-element-button" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/nc-connection-closing-the-news-gap/" style="border-radius:5px;color:#ffffff;background-color:#0f2358;padding-top:10px;padding-right:1em;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:1em">Read the report</a></div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> <p></p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide"/> <div class="wp-block-cover alignfull"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-primary-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below heading--h2-large has-white-color has-text-color" id="special-reports">SPECIAL REPORTS</h2> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-cover"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-grad-3-gradient-background" style="background-color:#84848d"></span><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="1200" 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Colby Rabon \/ Carolina Public Press","created_timestamp":"1727478560","copyright":"Colby Rabon 2024","focal_length":"135","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_55" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Flooding from the French Broad River in the River Arts District in Asheville, after Tropical Storm Helene swept through on Sept. 27, 2024. 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class="has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-small-font-size"><em>Western NC was devastated by Tropical Storm Helene. </em><br><em>The road to recovery will be long. </em><br><em>And Carolina Public Press will be there to report on it.</em></p> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover is-light"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-grad-3-gradient-background" style="background-color:#84848d"></span><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="1200" height="597" data-attachment-id="64213" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/elections-brain-drain/election-brain-drain_final-1/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Election-Brain-Drain_final-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1273&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1273" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.6","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 12 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What problems have created this situation. What solutions could mitigate the hazard.</em></p> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover is-light"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim"></span><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="1200" height="648" data-attachment-id="54123" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/fraught-forests/final-illustration/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Final-Illustration.jpg?fit=2000%2C1080&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1080" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Fraught Forests" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Final-Illustration.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" 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Company downplays impact.</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/">Jane Winik Sartwell</a></span> </span> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67135" class="tag-2024-election tag-elections tag-pmdaily tag-statewide tag-voting category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67135/how-nc-turnout-affected-election-outcomes-in-2024/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-large size-newspack-article-block-landscape-large wp-post-image" alt="How NC turnout affected election outcomes in 2024" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?resize=200%2C150&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?zoom=2&resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1 2400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 240px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="66970" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66964/smooth-election-2024-turnout/newhanover-027/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?fit=2500%2C1663&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="newhanover-027" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>New Hanover County voters at Wrightsville Beach Elementary on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. Jane Winik Sartwell / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/newhanover-027.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67135/how-nc-turnout-affected-election-outcomes-in-2024/" rel="bookmark">How NC turnout affected election outcomes in 2024</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="66855" class="tag-amdaily tag-asheville tag-boone tag-climate-change tag-dare-county tag-hurricanes tag-mountains tag-robeson-county tag-rural tag-rural-broadband tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-north-carolina category-jobs-economy type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66855/cash-only-economy-surprised-nc-helene-survivors/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-large size-newspack-article-block-landscape-large wp-post-image" alt="Helene put NC mountain counties on cash-only basis, catching many unprepared" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?resize=200%2C150&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 240px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="66728" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66603/avery-county-nc-survivors-helene-determined-recover/2024averycountyhelene099/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?fit=1800%2C1200&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1800,1200" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"Colby Rabon","camera":"Canon EOS R6","caption":"Damage from Tropical Storm Helene in Avery County. October 17, 2024. Colby Rabon \/ Carolina Public Press","created_timestamp":"1729190671","copyright":"Colby Rabon 2024","focal_length":"50","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00125","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="2024AveryCountyHelene099" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>A makeshift sign outside a damaged Dollar General store in Avery County advertises “Free ATM” following Tropical Storm Helene, seen on Oct. 17, 2024. Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024AveryCountyHelene099.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66855/cash-only-economy-surprised-nc-helene-survivors/" rel="bookmark">Helene put NC mountain counties on cash-only basis, catching many unprepared</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/">Jane Winik Sartwell</a></span> </span> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="66796" class="tag-catawba-river tag-central-nc tag-duke-energy tag-flooding tag-gaston-county tag-mecklenburg-county tag-pmdaily tag-tropical-storm-helene category-environment type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66796/lake-floods-nc-neighborhoods-after-helene/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium size-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium wp-post-image" alt="Why NC neighborhoods far from the mountains flooded after Helene" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?resize=200%2C150&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 240px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="66809" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66796/lake-floods-nc-neighborhoods-after-helene/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?fit=1525%2C880&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1525,880" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n (1)" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>With four of 11 gates open on Sept. 28, the Cowan’s Ford dam on the Catawba River at the south end of Lake Norman releases water upstream of Mountain Island Lake. Provided / Gaston County Emergency Management</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/461427165_122178686906231126_7901270318839387249_n-1.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66796/lake-floods-nc-neighborhoods-after-helene/" rel="bookmark">Why NC neighborhoods far from the mountains flooded after Helene</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/lucas-thomae/">Lucas Thomae</a></span> </span> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div></div> <div style="height:40px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below heading--h2-large" id="more-stories">MORE STORIES</h2> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles wpnbha show-image image-alignleft ts-4 is-1 is-square mobile-stack has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="68428" class="tag-amdaily tag-general-assembly tag-rural tag-statewide tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-nc category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68428/helene-recovery/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-large size-newspack-article-block-square-large wp-post-image" alt="State official: The money slated for Helene recovery isn’t nearly ‘enough’" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 600px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="65724" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/65699/images-of-asheville-after-helene/2024ashevillefloodingsept27_48/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?fit=1800%2C1200&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1800,1200" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5","credit":"Colby Rabon","camera":"Canon EOS R6","caption":"Flooding from the French Broad River on Depot St in Asheville, after Hurricane Helene swept through on September 27, 2024. Colby Rabon \/ Carolina Public Press","created_timestamp":"1727477133","copyright":"Colby Rabon 2024","focal_length":"148","iso":"500","shutter_speed":"0.004","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Flooding from the French Broad River on Depot Street in Asheville after Hurricane Helene swept through on Sept. 27, 2024. Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024AshevilleFloodingSept27_48.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68428/helene-recovery/" rel="bookmark">State official: The money slated for Helene recovery isn’t nearly ‘enough’</a></h2> <p>Helene recovery is now a numbers game. With a $60 billion cost, the state and federal government aren’t expected to be able to foot the bill.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/"></a> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-02-05T09:00:00">February 5, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-02-05T07:59:57-05:00">February 5, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="68380" class="tag-amdaily tag-animal-cruelty tag-animal-shelter tag-rural tag-western-nc category-crime-and-justice type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68380/animal-control-department-western-nc-criticism/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="600" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-intermediate size-newspack-article-block-square-intermediate wp-post-image" alt="Gone to the dogs: NC county’s animal control has been a pet peeve for many" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 600px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="68416" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/daisy-the-dog-copy/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?fit=900%2C758&ssl=1" data-orig-size="900,758" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Daisy-the-dog copy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Daisy can be adopted at the Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue in Rutherfordton. Rutherford County has struggled over the years to meet demands for comprehensive animal services. Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue/Provided</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daisy-the-dog-copy.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68380/animal-control-department-western-nc-criticism/" rel="bookmark">Gone to the dogs: NC county’s animal control has been a pet peeve for many</a></h2> <p>The target of complaints and criticism, Rutherford County is struggling to manage its animal control needs. The state may be partly to blame.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/lucas-thomae/"></a> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/lucas-thomae/">Lucas Thomae</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-02-03T09:00:00">February 3, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-02-03T11:21:42-05:00">February 3, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="68339" class="tag-amdaily tag-eastern-nc tag-law-enforcement tag-lawsuit tag-police tag-rural category-crime-and-justice type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68339/washington-county-deputy-fired-violent-arrest/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-large size-newspack-article-block-square-large wp-post-image" alt="Eastern NC deputy fired after violent arrest was a ‘wandering officer’" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?zoom=2&resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1 2400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 600px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="60736" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/60724/proposed-changes-to-ncs-judicial-standards-commission-raise-concerns-about-judicial-integrity-and-oversight/courtroom-gavel/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"AVA BARLOW","camera":"NIKON D300S","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1371548805","copyright":"2011","focal_length":"116","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.125","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="courtroom-gavel" data-image-description="<p>Courtroom gavel Photo: The North Carolina Judicial Branch</p> " data-image-caption="<p>Courtroom gavel Photo: The North Carolina Judicial Branch</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/courtroom-gavel-scaled.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68339/washington-county-deputy-fired-violent-arrest/" rel="bookmark">Eastern NC deputy fired after violent arrest was a ‘wandering officer’</a></h2> <p>Should he have been hired? That’s what some wonder after it was revealed the Washington County deputy involved had been in trouble elsewhere.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/lucas-thomae/"></a> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/lucas-thomae/">Lucas Thomae</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-31T09:00:00">January 31, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-31T15:48:35-05:00">January 31, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="68314" class="tag-amdaily tag-health-care tag-jeff-jackson tag-josh-stein tag-rural tag-slider tag-statewide category-healthcare type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68314/mission-health-western-nc-scrutiny-helene/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="800" height="800" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mission-at-Night-Joe-Franklin-photo_EDIT-2-e1513014575407.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-medium size-newspack-article-block-square-medium wp-post-image" alt="Instrumental in Helene aftermath, Mission Health ‘back to their old ways’" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mission-at-Night-Joe-Franklin-photo_EDIT-2-e1513014575407.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1&w=370 370w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mission-at-Night-Joe-Franklin-photo_EDIT-2-e1513014575407.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1&w=400 400w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 600px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="27558" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/27557/mission-standoff-with-blue-cross-heavily-affected-public-employees/mission-at-night-joe-franklin-photo_edit-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mission-at-Night-Joe-Franklin-photo_EDIT-2-e1513014575407.jpg?fit=1508%2C820&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1508,820" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D50","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1228935232","copyright":"","focal_length":"135","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"1.6","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Mission at Night- Joe Franklin photo_EDIT-2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Mission Hospital in Asheville at night. Courtesy of Mission Health</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mission-at-Night-Joe-Franklin-photo_EDIT-2-e1513014575407.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mission-at-Night-Joe-Franklin-photo_EDIT-2-e1513014575407.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68314/mission-health-western-nc-scrutiny-helene/" rel="bookmark">Instrumental in Helene aftermath, Mission Health ‘back to their old ways’</a></h2> <p>The Asheville provider’s work did much to make people forgive if not forget. But some say the goodwill engendered by Mission Health is gone. </p> <div class="entry-meta"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/"></a> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/">Jane Winik Sartwell</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-30T09:00:00">January 30, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-29T20:38:31-05:00">January 29, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="68265" class="tag-amdaily tag-general-assembly tag-statewide category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68265/lawmakers-general-assembly-legislative-session-strategies/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="800" height="800" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-medium size-newspack-article-block-square-medium wp-post-image" alt="Life of the party: For Republican lawmakers, it’s, again, majority rules" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1&w=370 370w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1&w=400 400w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 600px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="27750" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/27853/budget-change-heats-up-municipal-charter-school-debate/north-carolina-leglslature-building/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?fit=1528%2C886&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1528,886" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"SM-G950U","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1519394446","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.25","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.000641025641026","title":"","orientation":"3"}" data-image-title="State Leglslative Building" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. File / Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68265/lawmakers-general-assembly-legislative-session-strategies/" rel="bookmark">Life of the party: For Republican lawmakers, it’s, again, majority rules</a></h2> <p>One seat. That’s all GOP lawmakers need for a supermajority. They just need to convince a Democrat to break with their party. But who?</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/"></a> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-29T09:00:00">January 29, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-28T23:13:51-05:00">January 28, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div style="height:40px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-group has-background" style="background-color:#0e1c42"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <div style="height:40px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles wpnbha show-image image-alignleft ts-6 is-3 is-landscape mobile-stack show-caption has-text-align-left has-text-color has-white-color" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="66167" class="tag-amdaily tag-burnsville tag-climate-change tag-flooding tag-mitchell-county tag-mountains tag-rural tag-spruce-pine tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-weather tag-western-nc tag-yancey-county category-environment type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66167/out-of-the-mud-talking-with-storm-survivors-in-yancey-and-mitchell-counties/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-large size-newspack-article-block-landscape-large wp-post-image" alt="Out of the mud. Talking with storm survivors in Yancey and Mitchell counties." data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?resize=200%2C150&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(min-width: 782px) 600px, (min-width: 600px) 42.5vw, 90vw" data-attachment-id="66223" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66167/out-of-the-mud-talking-with-storm-survivors-in-yancey-and-mitchell-counties/2024heleneoct4_55/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?fit=1800%2C1200&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1800,1200" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"Colby Rabon","camera":"Canon EOS R6","caption":"Zan Sistare, owner of the McCalls building in Spruce Pine, right, and Jimmy Hinshaw worked on cleanup of the building after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene left massive damage. October 4, 2024. Colby Rabon \/ Carolina Public Press","created_timestamp":"1728063122","copyright":"Colby Rabon 2024","focal_length":"35","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.00025","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="2024HeleneOct4_55" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Zan Sistare, owner of the McCalls building in Spruce Pine, right, and Jimmy Hinshaw work to clean up the building on Oct. 4, 2024, a week after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene left massive damage. Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024HeleneOct4_55.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> <figcaption>Zan Sistare, owner of the McCalls building in Spruce Pine, right, and Jimmy Hinshaw work to clean up the building on Oct. 4, 2024, a week after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene left massive damage. Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press</figcaption> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66167/out-of-the-mud-talking-with-storm-survivors-in-yancey-and-mitchell-counties/" rel="bookmark">Out of the mud. Talking with storm survivors in Yancey and Mitchell counties.</a></h2> <p>A week after Tropical Storm Helene hit NC, storm survivors in Yancey and Mitchell counties talk with CPP. Their stories and a photo essay.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jack-igelman/">Jack Igelman</a></span> </span> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div style="height:40px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div></div> <div style="height:40px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below" id="crime-justice"><a href="/category/crime-and-justice/">Crime & Justice</a></h2> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha show-image image-aligntop ts-3 is-3 is-square is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="66923" class="tag-2024-elections tag-amdaily tag-ballots tag-lawsuit tag-statewide category-crime-and-justice type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66923/ballot-selfies-illegal-in-nc-unless-youre-susan-hogarth/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="600" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-intermediate size-newspack-article-block-square-intermediate wp-post-image" alt="Ballot selfies illegal in NC. Unless you’re Susan Hogarth." data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-attachment-id="66925" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66923/ballot-selfies-illegal-in-nc-unless-youre-susan-hogarth/ga_i-sowyaay-g3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?fit=896%2C606&ssl=1" data-orig-size="896,606" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Susan Hogarth poses with a selfie of her and her completed ballot on Nov. 2. Ballot selfies are forbidden by state law, but Hogarth has an ongoing challenge to that law in the courts. Provided</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ga_i-soWYAAY-g3.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66923/ballot-selfies-illegal-in-nc-unless-youre-susan-hogarth/" rel="bookmark">Ballot selfies illegal in NC. Unless you’re Susan Hogarth.</a></h2> <p>What to know about the ongoing lawsuit involving the North Carolina ban on taking selfies in the voting enclosure.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-11-05T00:04:05">November 5, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-11-05T00:04:12-05:00">November 5, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="66749" class="tag-administrative-office-of-the-courts tag-courts tag-jails tag-mountains tag-pmdaily tag-rural tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-nc category-crime-and-justice type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66749/justice-disrupted-western-nc-courts-adjust-to-deal-with-damage-backlog/" rel="bookmark">Justice disrupted. Western NC courts adjust to deal with damage, backlog.</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-10-24T15:49:35">October 24, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-10-24T17:09:03-04:00">October 24, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="66119" class="tag-fraud tag-mountains tag-pmdaily tag-rural tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-nc category-crime-and-justice type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66119/beware-of-scams-in-western-nc-after-helene/" rel="bookmark">Beware of scams in Western NC after Helene</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-10-04T16:18:10">October 4, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-10-04T18:21:30-04:00">October 4, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="65566" class="tag-amdaily tag-child-welfare tag-court tag-judge tag-mitchell-county tag-new-hanover-county tag-social-services tag-statewide tag-wilmington tag-yancey-county category-crime-and-justice type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/65566/safe-babies-court-pilot-program-nc/" rel="bookmark">Safe Babies Court pilot program off to promising start in NC</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-09-23T09:27:18">September 23, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-09-25T14:36:18-04:00">September 25, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below" id="economy"><a href="/category/jobs-economy/">Economy</a></h2> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha show-image image-aligntop ts-3 is-3 is-square is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="68063" class="tag-amdaily tag-farming tag-rural tag-statewide tag-western-nc category-jobs-economy type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68063/farmers-western-nc-helene-aid/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-large size-newspack-article-block-square-large wp-post-image" alt="Promised lands: Western NC farmers wait for Helene aid to come. And wait." data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?zoom=2&resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1 2400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" data-attachment-id="68062" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/farming/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"8","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS Rebel T7","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1729244602","copyright":"","focal_length":"25","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Farming" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>After damage dealt by Helene, farmers can’t just go back and plant spring crops where there are no fields. Provided/Terry Kelley, Henderson County Cooperative Extension</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Farming-scaled.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68063/farmers-western-nc-helene-aid/" rel="bookmark">Promised lands: Western NC farmers wait for Helene aid to come. And wait.</a></h2> <p>Reeling from losses to land and livestock, many farmers are holding out for help. If it doesn’t come soon, spring may yield a bitter harvest.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/">Jane Winik Sartwell</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-22T09:45:00">January 22, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-22T09:21:15-05:00">January 22, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="67989" class="tag-amdaily tag-evictions tag-homelessness tag-rural tag-statewide tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-nc category-jobs-economy type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67989/winter-western-nc-helene-homeless-evictions-propane/" rel="bookmark">Winter in Western NC can be bad. For Helene survivors, it’s worse.</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-21T09:45:00">January 21, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-21T11:24:44-05:00">January 21, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67774" class="tag-amdaily tag-department-of-commerce tag-mitchell-county tag-nc-small-business-center-network category-jobs-economy type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67774/unemployment-rate-soars-mitchell-county-from-helene/" rel="bookmark">‘Scars of the storm.’ Helene is gone, but its impact is far from over in Mitchell County.</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-13T09:24:25">January 13, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-13T11:00:32-05:00">January 13, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67630" class="category-jobs-economy type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67630/worst-year-ever-for-farms-in-nc/" rel="bookmark">‘Worst year’ ever for farms in NC</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-12-30T09:11:34">December 30, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-12-30T09:11:41-05:00">December 30, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below" id="education"><a href="/category/education/">Education</a></h2> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha show-image image-aligntop ts-3 is-3 is-square is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="66785" class="tag-avery-county tag-buncombe-county tag-mental-health tag-pmdaily tag-rural tag-students tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-nc category-education type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66785/students-survived-helene-nc-return-class-mental-health-concern/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-large size-newspack-article-block-square-large wp-post-image" alt="Students’ mental state a concern as Helene survivors return to class" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?zoom=2&resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1 2400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" data-attachment-id="66786" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66785/students-survived-helene-nc-return-class-mental-health-concern/2nd-day-of-classes-post-helene-dsc_6873/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1609&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1609" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="2nd day of classes post Helene-DSC_6873" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Blue Ridge Community College students in Hendersonville greet each other during their first week back in session after Tropical Storm Helene. Provided / Blue Ridge Community College</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2nd-day-of-classes-post-Helene-DSC_6873-scaled.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66785/students-survived-helene-nc-return-class-mental-health-concern/" rel="bookmark">Students’ mental state a concern as Helene survivors return to class</a></h2> <p>Schools at all levels face challenges in bringing NC students back, ensuring they are emotionally able to learn following Helene.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/">Jane Winik Sartwell</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-10-28T15:23:02">October 28, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-10-29T00:25:00-04:00">October 29, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="66343" class="tag-amdaily tag-colleges tag-mountains tag-rural tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-nc category-education type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/66343/western-nc-college-programs-adjust-after-disruption-of-helene/" rel="bookmark">Western NC college programs adjust after disruption of Helene</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-10-09T14:20:00">October 9, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-10-10T11:33:19-04:00">October 10, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="65944" class="tag-amdaily tag-asheville tag-buncombe-county tag-catawba-county tag-rutherford-county tag-schools tag-tropical-storm-helene tag-western-nc category-education type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/65944/school-systems-western-nc-adapt-helene/" rel="bookmark">NC school systems in storm’s wake struggle to adapt</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-10-01T23:44:03">October 1, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-10-02T11:08:02-04:00">October 2, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="62305" class="tag-amdaily tag-lgbtq tag-rural tag-western-nc tag-yancey category-education category-weekly type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/62305/yancey-county-pride-display-sparks-wider-debate-over-book-bans-and-lgbtq-representation-in-libraries/" rel="bookmark">Yancey County Pride display sparks wider debate over book bans and LGBTQ representation in libraries</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2023-11-20T00:25:29">November 20, 2023</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-03-04T19:28:01-05:00">March 4, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-4 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below" id="environment"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/category/environment/">Environment</a></h2> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha show-image image-aligntop ts-3 is-3 is-square is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="68167" class="tag-amdaily tag-asheboro tag-central-nc tag-greensboro tag-rural tag-statewide tag-toxic-waste category-environment type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68167/chemical-dumped-nc-cities-haw-deep-rivers-toxic/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="600" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-intermediate size-newspack-article-block-square-intermediate wp-post-image" alt="Cities are dumping this chemical in NC rivers — and getting paid to do it" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?zoom=2&resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-attachment-id="68238" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/hawriver3-copy/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?fit=1354%2C710&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1354,710" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="hawriver3 copy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>The Haw River has become a dumping ground for 1,4-dioxane. Studies have shown that exposure to the chemical may be deadly. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t gone that far just yet. Haw River Assembly / Provided</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hawriver3-copy.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68167/chemical-dumped-nc-cities-haw-deep-rivers-toxic/" rel="bookmark">Cities are dumping this chemical in NC rivers — and getting paid to do it</a></h2> <p>Is 1,4-dioxane dangerous? Opinions vary. But that hasn’t stopped cities from releasing the chemical into the drinking water of communities.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/">Jane Winik Sartwell</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-28T09:00:00">January 28, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-28T06:44:17-05:00">January 28, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="68103" class="tag-amdaily tag-charlotte tag-duke-energy tag-federal tag-flooding tag-rural tag-statewide tag-tropical-storm-helene category-environment type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68103/duke-energy-catawba-river-flooding/" rel="bookmark">Liquid courage: Duke Energy not asking for forgiveness following flooding fiasco</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-23T09:45:00">January 23, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-23T08:33:18-05:00">January 23, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67881" class="tag-amdaily tag-eastern-nc tag-rural category-environment type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67881/drought-in-eastern-nc-impact-environment-economy/" rel="bookmark">Dry run: A lengthy drought in Eastern NC hasn’t led to panic — yet</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-14T09:59:15">January 14, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-14T09:59:24-05:00">January 14, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67607" class="category-environment type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67607/finding-new-homes-for-nc-mountain-hellbenders-republish/" rel="bookmark">Finding new homes for NC mountain hellbenders</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-12-23T19:01:45">December 23, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-01T08:26:29-05:00">January 1, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below" id="health"><a href="/category/healthcare/">Health</a></h2> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha show-image image-aligntop ts-3 is-3 is-square is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="67688" class="tag-amdaily tag-state-employees tag-statewide category-healthcare type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67688/uncomfortable-things-necessary-to-fix-nc-health-plan-new-treasurer-says/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="400" height="400" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-small size-newspack-article-block-square-small wp-post-image" alt="‘Uncomfortable things’ necessary to fix NC Health Plan, new treasurer says" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="67694" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67688/uncomfortable-things-necessary-to-fix-nc-health-plan-new-treasurer-says/bradbriner/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?fit=765%2C560&ssl=1" data-orig-size="765,560" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="bradbriner" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Brad Briner is the new North Carolina State Treasurer. Provided</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bradbriner.jpeg?fit=765%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67688/uncomfortable-things-necessary-to-fix-nc-health-plan-new-treasurer-says/" rel="bookmark">‘Uncomfortable things’ necessary to fix NC Health Plan, new treasurer says</a></h2> <p>In a break with previous administration, new NC Treasurer Brad Briner says higher premiums, not legislative fixes, needed for NC Health Plan.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/jane-winik-sartwell/">Jane Winik Sartwell</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-06T09:24:13">January 6, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-08T12:51:18-05:00">January 8, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="67539" class="tag-amdaily tag-audit tag-dhhs tag-long-term-care tag-nursing-homes tag-statewide category-healthcare type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67539/scathing-audit-for-nc-oversight-of-nursing-homes/" rel="bookmark">Scathing audit for NC oversight of nursing homes</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-12-19T00:01:21">December 19, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-01T08:28:59-05:00">January 1, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67434" class="tag-amdaily tag-federal tag-statewide category-healthcare type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67434/nc-hospitals-push-back-on-advocacy-group-report-on-price-transparency/" rel="bookmark">NC hospitals push back on advocacy group’s report on price transparency</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-12-09T10:54:09">December 9, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-12-11T17:52:19-05:00">December 11, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67146" class="tag-amdaily tag-hospitals tag-lawsuit tag-rural tag-statewide category-healthcare type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67146/certificate-of-need-law-nc-lawsuit-why-it-matters/" rel="bookmark">Why legal challenge to NC medical provider regulation matters</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-11-15T01:31:59">November 15, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-11-15T01:41:57-05:00">November 15, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading heading--rule-below" id="politics-government"><a href="/category/politics/">Politics & Government</a></h2> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha show-image image-aligntop ts-3 is-3 is-square is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="68194" class="tag-amdaily tag-budget tag-general-assembly tag-josh-stein tag-statewide tag-tropical-storm-helene category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <figure class="post-thumbnail"> <a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68194/legislative-session-helene-relief-budget-education/" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <img decoding="async" width="800" height="800" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1" class="attachment-newspack-article-block-square-medium size-newspack-article-block-square-medium wp-post-image" alt="NC lawmakers to focus on Helene, the budget and, some predict, cooperation" data-hero-candidate="1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1&w=370 370w, https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1&w=400 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="27750" data-permalink="https://carolinapublicpress.org/27853/budget-change-heats-up-municipal-charter-school-debate/north-carolina-leglslature-building/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?fit=1528%2C886&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1528,886" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"SM-G950U","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1519394446","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.25","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.000641025641026","title":"","orientation":"3"}" data-image-title="State Leglslative Building" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. File / Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/North-Carolina-Leglslature-Building-e1527886537542.jpg?fit=766%2C404&ssl=1" /> </a> </figure> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68194/legislative-session-helene-relief-budget-education/" rel="bookmark">NC lawmakers to focus on Helene, the budget and, some predict, cooperation</a></h2> <p>As a new legislative session begins, Democrats and Republicans find themselves faced with old issues and an all too familiar power divide.</p> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="byline"> <span class="author-prefix">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/author/sarah-michels/">Sarah Michels</a></span> </span> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-27T09:00:00">January 27, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-27T09:10:55-05:00">January 27, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 is-style-borders has-text-align-left" style="" > <div data-posts data-current-post-id="36914"> <article data-post-id="68169" class="tag-amdaily tag-election-2024 tag-federal tag-state-board-of-elections tag-statewide category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68169/election-protests-griffin-nc-supreme-court-ruling/" rel="bookmark">Request denied: NC Supreme Court returns Griffin case to lower court </a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-24T00:01:00">January 24, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-24T09:12:59-05:00">January 24, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="68016" class="tag-pmdaily tag-state-board-of-elections tag-statewide tag-tropical-storm-helene category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/68016/election-directors-nc-reflect/" rel="bookmark">Election directors in NC are glad to finally get a break — for now</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-17T11:03:23">January 17, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-17T11:11:00-05:00">January 17, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> <article data-post-id="67951" class="tag-cooper tag-elections tag-lawsuit tag-pmdaily tag-state-board-of-elections tag-statewide tag-stein category-politics type-post post-has-image" > <div class="entry-wrapper"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/67951/elections-case-nc-political-future/" rel="bookmark">Not just about one seat. NC court’s role in shaping future ‘political power’ looms large in Griffin case.</a></h2> <div class="entry-meta"> <time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-01-15T15:51:52">January 15, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-01-15T15:52:02-05:00">January 15, 2025</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"></div> <p></p> </div> </article> </main> </section> </div> <footer id="colophon" class="site-footer"> <div class="footer-branding"> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="footer-logo-link" href="https://carolinapublicpress.org/" rel="home"> <img width="400" height="99" src="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-CPP-new-temp-white-1-1-3-1.png?fit=400%2C99&ssl=1" class="footer-logo" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-CPP-new-temp-white-1-1-3-1.png?w=400&ssl=1 400w, 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