NCPRA

A firefighting aircraft drops water over the Jumping Branch Fire in McDowell County, where crews are working in steep, debris-filled terrain to contain the growing wildfire.

Statewide burn ban in effect as wildfires burn across Western North Carolina

Helen Chickering

Crews battle active fires in McDowell and counties across the region as drought conditions raise risk statewide.

Early voting at the UNCC Belk Gymnasium, 2020.

Young Latino voter turnout jumps in Mecklenburg, as campaigns, issues drive engagement

Julian Berger

Young Latino voters in Mecklenburg County turned out in higher numbers in this month’s primary election, but participation is still low in the Latino community as a whole.

Central Prison, a state-run prison in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Q&A: NC's prison system is struggling to pay its bills and keep a safe staffing level

Colin Campbell

The legislature’s budget stalemate has hit North Carolina’s prison system hard, making it difficult to pay bills and keep enough staff to safely operate its 55 facilities.

Children armed with dip nets scour Porter Branch Creek in the McDowell Nature Preserve.

Explore the climate solution in your backyard during Creek Week

Zachary Turner

Over 3,000 miles of streams snake through Mecklenburg County. These waterways protect communities from climate impacts in more than one way.

Bathymetric view of U.S.S. Monitor, looking at the bow and forward section of the wreck captured by Northrop Grumman using μSAS™.

Legendary ghost of Civil War emerging from depths of the Atlantic in 3-D after recent research effort

Annette Weston

In partnership with NOAA, aerospace and defense technology company Northrup Grumman has used autonomous underwater drones equipped with sonar to capture the most detailed 3D digital models of the wreck to date.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is planning to widen I-77 from uptown to the South Carolina line. This is the proposed new interchange of I-77 and the Belk Freeway.

Board members skeptical of I-77 toll lanes — but with Charlotte's backing, project stays on track

Steve Harrison

Charlotte City Council and CRTPO member Ed Driggs wants the I-77 project to move forward.

Gaston County gives schools $10 million to prevent layoffs

James Farrell

Gaston County Commissioners voted Tuesday to transfer $10 million from its fund balance to Gaston County Schools, after the school district revealed it was facing a $10 million hole in its current budget.

Brining the proposed Silver Line to Matthews would cost $2.4 billion, according to the consultant, WSP.

Bringing the Silver Line to Matthews would require another new sales tax

Steve Harrison

The new Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority is looking for ways to extend the proposed Silver Line to Matthews.

Erica Shanks says the project of planting trees along Western North Carolina's rivers is an emotional one as well as a scientific one — helping people feel like they recognize their home again.

How to heal WNC rivers after Helene? Plant thousands of trees.

Katie Myers

All winter, local nonprofits have been cleaning debris, planting trees, and restoring streambanks across 11 counties hurt by Hurricane Helene.

Utility Commissioner Donald van der Vaart interrupted the hearing to ask audience members to lower their anti–data center signs.

‘Nobody wants it here’: Rowan County residents rail against data centers at Duke Energy hearing

Zachary Turner

State regulators held a hearing Tuesday night at the Rowan County Courthouse in Salisbury. Several residents attended, carrying anti–data center signs.