‘It’s Real:’ Tennessee Department of Tourist Development launches anti-AI campaign

By Anne Braly (Tennessee Lookout) Published: July 6, 2026 It’s easy to be fooled by AI photos, so in an effort to help Tennessee travelers verify where online photos were taken, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has launched its new “It’s Real” campaign. It’s a program

When the helpers ‘feel helpless’: First responders get a boost in mental health support

by Amanda Watford, Stateline May 5, 2026 Ty Wooten didn’t realize the weight of answering his first 911 call — until more than a decade later. A woman had dialed 911 to report that her husband had shot himself in front of her and their 7-year-old son, on

North Carolina passed a budget

Louisiana Supreme Court frees death row prisoner; Martin County, NC residents keep pressing state officials for funding to reopen hospital; A Heat Wave is Hitting New York. Know Your Rights Ahead of Soaring Temps. Chemours must cut Ohio River ‘forever chemical’ pollution under new settlement.

The Appalachian Cities that Never Sleep

by Donavyn Coffey, The Daily Yonder June 24, 2026 Mandy Withers was in her late 20s when she first realized she was more than tired. Then, a young mom of three, just out of graduate school, and training for her new position as a pulmonary and sleep medicine nurse practitioner,

Chemours looks to settle federal PFAS case for $450 million. NC wasn’t at the table.

by Rose Hoban and Will Atwater, North Carolina Health News June 25, 2026 By Rose Hoban and Will Atwater Key takeaways: * The U.S. Department of Justice seeks hundreds of millions from Chemours in a federal complaint over years of PFAS contamination in three states, including North Carolina.  * Despite housing

U.S. Homes Show Three-Decade Decline in Indoor Water Use

by Brett Walton, Circle of Blue June 21, 2026 Decades ago, before it was much of a concern, water moved through the average U.S. home in enormous quantities. Toilets pulled 3.5 gallons per flush or more. Washing machines filled like tiny swimming pools. Water flowed and flowed. Things

Haiti jersey ban echoes campaign to discredit its revolution

New Orleans nonprofit can help you pay for medication, food, rent and more; A growing community of recovering gamblers lifts each other up as formal resources lag; Stepping back from brink of financial disaster in Rocky Mount

Telehealth access to abortion pill is lifesaving for domestic violence survivors, some say

By Kelcie Moseley-Morris (Stateline) Published: June 5, 2026 Carrie Frail was in the process of leaving an abusive relationship when she discovered she was pregnant. Her partner told her he could hit her in the stomach until she had a miscarriage, and it would save some money. “I firmly

Embezzlement probe in small NC town continues as leaders seek to move forward

by Mackenzie Thomas, Carolina Public Press June 12, 2026 With the former town manager of Pilot Mountain facing felony charges for embezzlement following the release of a state audit last month, town leaders are working to move forward while the investigation continues. James Michael Boaz, the former town manager of

NM investment in mental health has yet to create an impact

FBI probe of Ohio voting rights group expands to include an affiliated national advocacy network; Extreme heat could be a player during this summer’s World Cup; Small Water Systems Lose Ground as Federal Support Wavers

Spartanburg County Council to meet Monday regarding data centers

Down Ballot Staff Reports Spartanburg County Council called a special meeting for Monday, June 22 at 9:00 am to possibly give a first reading of a data center moratorium ordinance, according to the agenda.

Tennessee health department warns parents their children will be reported to immigration officials

By Anita Wadhwani (Tennessee Lookout) Published: June 11, 2026 Pediatricians and public health care providers on Wednesday said they feared life-threatening consequences for children with critical illnesses who rely on a specialized public health care program as Tennessee moves forward with a directive to verify and report their immigration