Zachary Turner

3 days ago | wfae.org | Zachary Turner

Nine months after Hurricane Helene, western North Carolina is bracing for another hurricane season. Residents are speaking out about the dangers of climate change-fueled severe weather in the face of recent federal regulation rollbacks. More than 30 speakers including firefighters, teachers and small business owners gathered at Highland Brewing. They shared their experiences during Helene, recording public comments to be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency.

4 days ago | wfae.org | Zachary Turner

The heat index Tuesday is predicted to reach the mid 100s as a high pressure system moves in from the Midwest, coinciding with a high relative humidity. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States — every year, high temperatures drive hundreds of people to the emergency room in Mecklenburg County, and is among the counties with the most heat deaths. Yet, the state and county offer limited resources for relief for those who don't have access to air conditioning.

1 week ago | wfae.org | Zachary Turner

June 20 is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the official start to the summer season. To kick it off, the first summer heat wave is heading toward the Carolinas this weekend. The National Weather Service has forecasted a heat wave in the North Carolina Piedmont starting Saturday. Meteorologists are projecting that it will last until Thursday, with temperatures rising toward the upper 90s and low 100s.

1 week ago | wfae.org | Zachary Turner

Recycling gets a bad rap. Some think it’s a hoax. Some can’t decide what goes in which bin. And yet, Mecklenburg County’s recycling program diverts more than 100,000 tons of materials from landfills each year — and it’s about to get an upgrade. The new Pence Road Materials Recovery Facility will process the county’s recyclables, while the old facility on Amble Drive is being upgraded with new material separators.

1 week ago | wfae.org | Julian Berger |Zachary Turner

Thousands of people gathered Saturday in uptown Charlotte to protest the Trump administration. The “No Kings” protest was part of a nationwide movement in more than 2,000 cities. Participants called for the protection of democracy and the rejection of authoritarianism. They also called for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and mass deportation. Protesters rallied at First Ward Park before marching through uptown. Pastor Megan Argabrite of Amity Presbyterian Church was one of them.