A Duke Health study indicates a potential carcinogen is present in high levels in some e-cigarette and smokeless tobacco products. The study indicates that pulegone is contained in menthol and mint flavored e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. Pulegone was banned last year by the U-S Food and Drug Administration as a food additive because of its carcinogenic properties. The agency, however, does not regulate the chemical’s presence in e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

A statewide apprenticeship program is growing. A press release from the state Community College system says the number of people in the state’s apprenticeship program increased nearly one-third during fiscal year 2019. ApprenticeshipNC, which registers apprentices and pre-apprentices, had 11,399 people in the program during the fiscal year that ended June 30. The prior fiscal year saw 8679 people in the program, which was transferred to the community college system two years ago. Apprenticeship is an employer-driven training model that combines work with related classroom instruction.

The public will have the opportunity to see demonstrations of newly certified voting systems this month. A press release from the state Board of Elections says the demonstrations will take place at five locations across the state, beginning Thursday in Haywood County. Demonstrations later this month include next Tuesday in Leland in Brunswick County and then Wednesday the 18th at the Pitt County Agricultural Center in Greenville. There will also be demonstrations in Guilford and Mecklenburg Counties.

Eastern North Carolina farmers may be eligible to receive part of a $3 billion disaster relief package from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus beginning Wednesday. According to a news release from the USDA, the disaster relief package, passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in June, helps farmers offset losses from natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian.