Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning. Click here to sign-up.
GenX Compound Now Detected In Food Product In NC
The unregulated compound found in more than 80 wells near a chemical company's manufacturing facility in North Carolina has been found in a food product for the first time.
The StarNews of Wilmington reports that honey collected by a Robeson County farmer has tested for levels of the potentially harmful GenX compound nearly 15 times higher than the health goal set by state officials. The farm is southwest of the Chemours Co. plant.
The director of the state Department of Environmental Quality's division of waste management, Michael Scott, told the state Secretaries' Science Advisory Board on Monday that the farmer doesn't sell the honey.
Officials are unsure if the viscosity of honey could have affected the test results, and have asked the Environmental Protection Agency for guidance.
Trials Start In April For Nuisance Cases Targeting Hog Farms
Trials that could alter the operations and profitability of eastern North Carolina's hog farms and pork industry will start in April.
U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt said Monday that deciding lawsuits filed by more than 500 neighbors of industrial-scale hog operations will begin with two test cases. The neighbors contend waste smells, noise and clouds of flies caused by tens of thousands of animals create intense nuisances.
An initial trial will involve eight to 10 households with similar complaints. The second case will focus on the experience of a single household. Lawyers for livestock company Murphy-Brown say that's needed to understand potential liability.
More Counties Pursue, Consider Suing Amid Opioid Crisis
A North Carolina county is suing drug manufacturers and distributors it says caused the local opioid crisis, while another county may pursue legal action as well.
Yadkin County filed a lawsuit naming 24 defendants in U.S. District Court on Dec. 1. Officials are requesting a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages to cover the medical care of patients suffering opioid-related addiction.
The StarNews of Wilmington reports that Brunswick County Commissioners declared the opioid crisis a public nuisance on Monday, authorizing county staff to pursue any necessary measure to abate the nuisance, including retaining legal counsel.
Local and state governments across the country have filed litigation amid the opioid crisis, including North Carolina's Buncombe County in November.
North Carolina Lottery Looking At Online Scratch-Off Sales
North Carolina's state-run lottery is considering whether it makes sense to offer online games of chance to generate more profits for education.
The state lottery commission meets Tuesday to hear more about digital instant games that players would buy on the lottery's website, probably with a debit card or checking account. Players would reveal numbers or letters on their desktop or mobile phone to see if they've won.
Three other states already sell online games, which are considered a way to attract younger players and potentially $130 million in revenues over five years in North Carolina. Groups representing state retailers and Christian conservatives are worried about the idea.
Arena Football Coming Back To Greensboro
Professional arena football is returning to Greensboro in 2018.
The Carolina Cobras will play at the Greensboro Coliseum beginning next year, according to National Arena League officials.
The team is part of an expansion of the young league, which is only in its second year as the NAL.
Previously, it was known as the Arena Developmental League, which was intended as a farm system for bigger stages like the NFL, CFL, and Arena Football League.
Greensboro has previously hosted two other arena teams: the Prowlers and the Revolution. Neither team proved to be financially viable and folded within a few years.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad