North Carolina tackles toxic firefighting foam — and what it left behind

by Will Atwater, North Carolina Health News April 8, 2026 By Will Atwater Within months of becoming chief of Double Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue in November 2025, Jimmy Brown received sobering news: His station’s well water was contaminated with PFAS at levels that exceeded federal limits. The station

Fairfax Co. Police say Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax kills wife, then himself Thursday morning

Under bill passed by state Senate, New Orleans’ elected court clerk might not be able to take office

Extreme drought expands in North Carolina

The N.C. Forest Service’s ban on all open burning remains in effect until further notice. 

When the Crowd Gets Quiet: The Hidden Pressure of College Athletics

By Natalie Dempsey (Queens University News Service) Publication Date: March 19, 2026 On game nights at Queens University of Charlotte, Curry Arena is alive. Students jump to their feet, music pumps through the gym and every made 3-pointer is met with a cheer. That energy was even higher earlier this

We teach at a Florida university that agreed to cooperate with ICE – and we worry that it is making our students feel less safe

At least 15 Florida state universities and colleges have signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that authorize campus police to carry out immigration enforcement.

SCC approves Loudoun transmission line, nixes undergrounding; final route to be determined

By Shannon Heckt (Virginia Mercury) Published: April 10, 2026 After months of fierce debate and community rallies, the State Corporation Commission on Thursday approved the above-ground construction of the Golden-Mars high-voltage transmission line in Loudoun County.  There are two options for the final route of the line, and it will

RAWtools South Turns Guns Into Garden Tools in the Mountain South

In Asheville, North Carolina, RAWtools South brings together blacksmiths, gun owners, and faith communities to transform surrendered guns into art.

Labor shortage expected for construction season after immigration enforcement in Minnesota

ECU Health’s plan to reopen hospital offers hope to an eastern NC county; Arizona universities quietly altered DEI offerings after the current U.S. president threatened funding cuts; After four patients died, Idaho governor approves restoring cut Medicaid mental health programs.

Emergency crews responding to forest fire in Brunswick County

Down Ballot Staff Reports Emergency crews are responding to an active forest fire in the area of Funston Road and Old Mill Creek in Winnabow, according to a news release from Brunswick County. This is an evolving event and conditions are subject to change. Brunswick County is in southeastern North

Durham tenants form unions to fight for repairs, respect from NC landlords

By Greg Childress (North Carolina Newsline) Published: March 27, 2026 Residents of Willard Street Apartments and nearby Ashton Place in downtown Durham formed tenant unions Thursday to fight against what they contend are poor management and shoddy building maintenance practices. The newly formed Willard Street United and Ashton Seniors in

Georgia’s New Public Service Commissioner Says She Will Put Affordability and Transparency First

Alicia Johnson, the first Black woman ever elected to statewide office in Georgia, discusses rate hikes, transparency and her priorities for the Georgia Public Service Commission. By Ryan Krugman April 2, 2026 This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and

Federal Rural Health Funding Could Trigger Service Cuts

Mardi Gras clean-up workers paid late once again; Housing program in Massachusetts helps break generational poverty by promoting self-sufficiency; Clean water was a top issue for McDowell County, WV voters in 2024. They’re still waiting for help.