Western North Carolina
Briefs: North Carolina Launches Clean Energy Microgrid Initiative
Public invited to comment on draft air quality permit modification for plywood manufacturing facility in McDowell County
Ben Ledbetter
Ben Ledbetter is a former journalist and has an MPA. Down Ballot covers local and state news in the U.S.
Mitchell County
NC DEQ obtains preliminary injunction against illegal mining operation in Mitchell County
Horizon 30, LLC, has been illegally mining at the Carter Quarry along the Nolichucky River near Poplar in Mitchell County
Education
How a 10-Year-Old Farmer Got a Full-Ride Scholarship
Atlanta resident received full scholarship to SC State
Texas redistricting
Abbott pushes for expulsion in Texas
El Paso Representative Joe Moody staying in Austin; New NC law makes regulating polluters much more difficult
Environment
NCDEQ to hold public hearing on draft water discharge permit for former Alcoa aluminum facility in Stanly County
Hearing is Aug. 19 in Stanly County
Immigration
South Carolina ICE agreements jumped from 3 in 2024 to 15 in 2025
S.C. Law Enforcement Division entered a Task Force model agreement on March 7
Environment
Briefs: NC DEQ accepting comments for air quality permit for Guilford Co. business; public hearing set for pipeline proposal in Rockingham Co.
Stretch of Wilmington's River Road to close on Sunday, August 18 for roundabout construction
Brunswick County
Board appointments part of agenda for Brunswick County, NC Commissioners meeting on Monday Aug. 4
Union County, N.C.’s property tax bills due Sept. 1; Other counties meeting Monday include Franklin and Haywood
Wrightsville Beach
Tensions Swell Over the Price of Parking in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.
Louisburg, N.C. leaders decry surprise election change passed without local input; Pennsylvania broke decades of promises to build a better system for people with mental illness; Mississippi broadband expansion moves forward despite federal changes.
new hanover county
Parking deck at 2nd Street closing for repairs starting Monday, August 4
New Hanover County, N.C. parking deck closure aligns with the last day of operation of the main library in downtown Wilmington
Environment
NCDEQ to hold public hearings on water quality impacts from Transco’s proposed pipeline expansion
2 public hearings in September will be in Rockingham and Forsyth counties
Emergency Management
Brunswick County, N.C. urges residents to sign up for emergency alerts
Southeastern North Carolina county urges residents to register for alerts with the peak of hurricane season approaching
