N.C. Environment News and In-Depth Reporting https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/ North Carolina's digital magazine on place and power Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:22:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.theassemblync.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cropped-TA_Mark_Black_Square-32x32.png N.C. Environment News and In-Depth Reporting https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/ 32 32 210991526 Looking Up in Chimney Rock https://www.theassemblync.com/place/chimney-rock-hurricane-helene-rebuilding/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=53313 Eleven months after Hurricane Helene devastated the mountain town, tourists are trickling back. ]]>

Eleven months after Hurricane Helene devastated the mountain town, tourists are trickling back.

]]> 53313 New Flood Maps Could Prevent Disasters. Why Are They So Outdated? https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/new-fema-flood-maps-disasters/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 01:28:13 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=53330 Many of the maps that dictate the riskiest flood zones in Western N.C. and elsewhere haven't been updated in years. ]]>

Many of the maps that dictate the riskiest flood zones in Western N.C. and elsewhere haven't been updated in years.

]]> 53330 The Cattle Con https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/agriculture/cattle-fraud-north-carolina/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:15:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=52434 The recent sentencing of a Surry County man sheds light on how the shady world of fraudulent cattle traders operates. ]]>

The recent sentencing of a Surry County man sheds light on how the shady world of fraudulent cattle traders operates. 

]]> 52434 A Test for Trump’s EPA: A Creek That Smells Like Death https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/epa-creek-contamination-durham-mcdougald-terrace/ Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=52286 The agency expressed alarm at contamination near a predominantly Black Durham neighborhood. Then the EPA eliminated its civil-rights office.]]>

The agency expressed alarm at contamination near a predominantly Black Durham neighborhood. Then the EPA eliminated its civil-rights office.

]]> 52286 N.C. Democrats Decry EPA Cancellation of Solar for All https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/energy/carolina-democrats-epa-solar-for-all/ Mon, 11 Aug 2025 19:46:12 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=52201 The program, which aimed to expand solar energy in low-income and disadvantaged communities, had awarded $156 million to a coalition in the state.]]>

The program, which aimed to expand solar energy in low-income and disadvantaged communities, had awarded $156 million to a coalition in the state.

]]> 52201 The Rapid Rise and Fall of N.C.’s Proposed Shrimp Trawl Ban https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/legislation/shrimpers-north-carolina-legislation/ Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=51958 A last-minute change to legislation prompted a swift rebuke from the state's shrimpers and their allies. Will it make a comeback?]]>

A last-minute change to legislation prompted a swift rebuke from the state's shrimpers and their allies. Will it make a comeback?

]]> 51958 FEMA’s Uncertain Future Leaves N.C. and Other States in Limbo https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/trump-fema-helene-storms/ Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:19:54 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=50482 Trump's shifting position on FEMA has created uncertainty for storm-prone southern states.]]>

Trump's shifting position on FEMA has created uncertainty for storm-prone southern states.

]]> 50482 ‘R’ You Ready to Eat Oysters All Year Long? https://www.theassemblync.com/culture/food/oysters-year-round-north-carolina/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 11:25:16 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=50382 Researchers and restauranteurs are trying to shuck the idea that you’re only supposed to eat oysters September through April. ]]>

Researchers and restauranteurs are trying to shuck the idea that you’re only supposed to eat oysters September through April. 

]]> 50382 Before Chantal Swamped Hillsborough, the Town Had Been Counting on FEMA https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/chantal-hillsborough-trump-fema-bric/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 02:41:21 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=50244 The Trump administration canceled a program that would have funded upgrades to protect the town from flooding. ]]>

The Trump administration canceled a program that would have funded upgrades to protect the town from flooding.

]]> 50244 Trump Has Systematically Cut Access to Natural Disaster Prevention Resources https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/trump-cuts-natural-disaster-prevention/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 01:33:10 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=50133 The administration has reduced states’ access to resources for natural disasters, frustrating local leaders—including many of the president's supporters. ]]>

The administration has reduced states’ access to resources for natural disasters, frustrating local leaders—including many of the president's supporters.

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