President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, marking a major shift in U.S. energy and environmental policy. The move, paired with his declaration of a “national energy emergency,” signals a return to fossil fuel-focused strategies that could have significant implications for North Carolina’s renewable energy sector. “We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said during his inauguration speech, doubling down on a campaign...

Outdated FEMA flood maps labeled thousands of North Carolina homes as “low risk,” leaving residents blindsided when Hurricane Helene flooded their communities. One survivor’s story reveals why accurate flood risk data is more urgent than ever. Melinda Williams once found solace in the peaceful river winding past her property in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Today, after Hurricane Helene’s destruction, the river is a source of dread—a reminder of the force that tore her life apart. Last month,...

Prospective homebuyers in North Carolina are facing new challenges as climate change significantly impacts real estate decisions. Zillow and other apps have launched features to detail climate risk, including predictions for flooding, fire and extreme weather events. As climate change increasingly impacts North Carolina, prospective homebuyers face a daunting new reality: understanding and navigating the risks associated with property ownership. From the Outer Banks, where coastal erosion is...

The North Carolina Supreme Court has revived Dobbins Heights' challenge against a CSX industrial plant, reopening a legal battle over potential water contamination risks in Richmond County. The North Carolina Supreme Court has reversed a lower court decision in a high-stakes battle over water safety in Richmond County. The Oct. 18 ruling revives the appeal of the town of Dobbins Heights, allowing it to challenge the county's approval of a proposed CSX industrial plant near a vital drinking...

Raleigh's first freeze arrives nearly three weeks later than in 1970, a shift linked to rising temperatures and significant climate change impacts. As temperatures continue to rise, Raleigh residents are experiencing the effects of climate change, with fall becoming warmer and the first freeze of the season arriving nearly three weeks later than it did in 1970, according to Climate Central. The first freeze, now 18 days later on average, signals significant shifts in seasonal patterns that...