Sarah Dudzic, the new executive director of PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro, plans to ensure the organization's sustainability during a time when food insecurity is on the rise — over 85 percent of PORCH clients have reported loss of income since the pandemic began, and 77 percent of clients worry about having enough food for their families.
These chemicals, called GenX, are present in the Cape Fear River and could be putting residents at risk by suppressing their immune systems and causing other health issues. GenX is a member of a family of human-made chemical compounds known as PFAS. GenX exposure is associated with increased risk of health problems in animal studies, including issues in the kidney, liver, immune system and others. Research has shown from human and animal studies that PFAS exposure may reduce antibody response to vaccines and may reduce infectious disease resistance.
Chapel Hill Poet Laureate CJ Suitt has had to adapt his work due to COVID-19. Recently, he released a poem called "In the Aftermath" about what the community can look forward to when the pandemic is over.
In 2013, the Town of Chapel Hill discovered a coal ash site under the Chapel Hill Police Station, which some say could pose a threat to the drinking water of nearby residents. The Town’s Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment will more completely characterize the risks and help determine the remediation plan. There are 50 coal ash disposal sites in North Carolina. Coal ash contains a toxic mix of heavy metals that can damage human and ecological health.
Despite the N.C. State Fair being canceled, local vendors are still coming together to bring fair food to Raleigh. The N.C. State Fair Division is holding an 11-day fair food event with a collection of local food vendors from Oct. 15 to 25. The event will take place at gate nine of the N.C. State Fairgrounds every day from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
College students in North Carolina are able to request free stamps from this organization trying to help students vote in November.
After consulting health officials, Orange County Schools made a decision about returning to in-person learning for the rest of semester.
Wegmans Food Markets is set to arrive in Chapel Hill by spring 2021, but concerns about traffic and community impact remain.
Local pollinator organizations have had to adjust due to COVID-19, but there are still many ways for North Carolinians to educate themselves about bees and native plants.
