Category: Environment

Crowd listens to an NCDOT consultant as he talks about the Potts-Sloan-Beaty road project at Ada Jenkins Center.

NCDOT meeting addresses concerns about asbestos, traffic in Davidson’s Potts-Sloan-Beaty project

December 9, 2025

NCDOT officials say asbestos cleanup will by the end of this week or early next week on the planned Potts Street-Sloan Street connector, in Davidson’s west side neighborhood. The cleanup should take about a month, officials told about 50 people at a community meeting at Ada Jenkins Center Monday night. … More NCDOT meeting addresses concerns about asbestos, traffic in Davidson’s Potts-Sloan-Beaty project

Hog farm and hog waste lagoons from the air

CAFO Country on WHQR: A closer look at concentrated animal feeding operations

November 18, 2025

WHQR’s “The Newsroom” podcast features my environmental series “CAFO Country” produced for WHQR in Wilmington, NC. It’s a deep dive into North Carolina’s hog and poultry industry. … More CAFO Country on WHQR: A closer look at concentrated animal feeding operations

Rising Waters on WHQR: How climate change and sea-level rise are trouble for the NC coast

September 3, 2024

In this 3-part series for WHQR in Wilmington, NC, I take a look at a range of climate-related issues, from beachfront structures falling into the ocean to the rising cost of stabilizing North Carolina beaches to the increasing frequency of high-tide flooding. … More Rising Waters on WHQR: How climate change and sea-level rise are trouble for the NC coast

Time for a career move

February 23, 2024

Hey followers: I left WFAE in January 2024. I’m calling it “retirement” since worked there 17 years – first as a weekend announcer then full-time since 2016. I plan to continue covering the environment and climate change and other issues as an independent reporter. Stay tuned for updates. I’ll also be doing photography, traveling and who … More Time for a career move

Report says laws have helped improve region’s air

April 21, 2017

An annual report out this week shows air quality in North Carolina and other southeastern states is continuing to improve. Federal and state laws have made the difference, but there’s concern lawmakers may try to weaken those rules.  The 18th annual State of the Air report from the American Lung Association shows ozone and particle … More Report says laws have helped improve region’s air

Mowing lawns in white suits, as Davidson asbestos cleanup gets underway |WFAE

April 19, 2017

There was a strange sight in Davidson a few weeks ago – workers in white suits mowing lawns. It’s part of a $3 million asbestos cleanup by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at about 20 homes and other properties around an old mill.  The asbestos came from the old Carolina Asbestos factory, which operated nearby from … More Mowing lawns in white suits, as Davidson asbestos cleanup gets underway |WFAE

Curious about asbestos and health? NC officials offer info Tuesday in Davidson

February 20, 2017

N.C. Division of Public Health announcement The Health Assessment, Consultation and Education Program within the N.C. Division of Public Health will hold a community meeting to provide asbestos-related health education Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, from 4-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Davidson United Presbyterian Church, 116 Depot St., Davidson.

Green "filter socks" are designed to control runoff behind the old Carolina Asbestos plant in Davidson. The trees will be removed and the hill full of asbestos covered starting next week. (David Boraks/WFAE)

Work begins Mon. on asbestos site; EPA cleanups still on track | WFAE

January 25, 2017

Despite the Trump administration’s freeze on new Environmental Protection Agency contracts, a federal cleanup of asbestos found at homes in Davidson remains on track. Meanwhile, state officials say work will start next week to cap asbestos that spilled near an old factory in the neighborhood.  Here’s my latest story at WFAE, with details on next week’s … More Work begins Mon. on asbestos site; EPA cleanups still on track | WFAE

Davidson mill redevelopment unearths asbestos, old tensions | WFAE

January 18, 2017

I’ve been spending time in recent weeks talking to people about the Metrolina Warehouse in Davidson, which lies between downtown and the West Side. A new redevelopment plan – a four-story building with 183 apartments – is farther along than any in the 24 years since I’ve lived in Davidson. But there’s still the problem … More Davidson mill redevelopment unearths asbestos, old tensions | WFAE