Ryan Shaffer
News ReporterRyan is an Arkansas native and podcast junkie. He was first introduced to public radio during an internship with his hometown NPR station, KUAF. At the station, he managed KUAF’s social media and produced stories for Ozarks at Large. Ryan is a graduate of Tufts University in Somerville, Mass., where he studied political science and led the Tufts Daily, the nation’s smallest independent daily college newspaper. At the Daily he gained experience in a variety of journalistic fields: copy editing, news, features, and audio. In his spare time, Ryan likes to embroider, attend musicals, and spend time with his fiancée. Ryan can be reached at rshaffer@publicradioeast.org or 252.638.7262.
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Fifty-two out of the state's 58 community colleges saw enrollment increases last year, with an average growth of 5.4% across all institutions. This surge comes at a critical time as the system, which serves approximately 600,000 students annually, rebounds from pandemic-related disruptions and as the state increasingly looks to community colleges to help meet workforce demands. -
While the new ordinance maintains a focus on safety and noise mitigation, it has several key changes based on feedback from stakeholders. A public hearing for the new ordinance is scheduled for September 3. -
The reception will honor eight local women who make significant contributions to their community. -
The event regularly attracts over 1,000 cyclists and raises more than $1 million. -
A quick look at some of the stories coming out of town halls and board rooms across Eastern North Carolina. -
The event will be live-streamed, with both candidates answering the same set of questions about their vision for public education. -
Governor Cooper announced the release of the Reentry 2030 Strategic Plan was approved last week, which directs a “whole-government” coordination to improve reentry for formerly incarcerated people through 26 measurable objectives. Local reentry programs are eager to see the initiative in action. -
North Carolina's oyster farmers are facing a critical challenge as mass mortality events threaten their crops, with researchers across the state investigating the genetic and environmental factors behind these devastating losses. -
A suspected tornado touched down in the early hours Thursday in Greene County, causing damage just northwest of Snow Hill. The tornado touched down around 2:30 AM, striking five homes and two farms in the process.
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Despite consistent rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby, roadways east of I-95 have avoided any major closures.
