Latest news with #WLOS
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Security camera captures incredible footage of bear making itself right at home: 'They just have nowhere to go'
Security camera captures incredible footage of bear making itself right at home: 'They just have nowhere to go' This homeowner's patio may have been cat-proof, but it certainly wasn't bear-proof. What happened? A homeowner in South Carolina was shocked to see a black bear helping itself to cat food on their porch. WLOS (@wlos_13) shared the footage of the bear happily chomping away on some kibble. The remnants of a door screen were visible in the background. While the fuzzy friend on the porch is certainly cute, the black bear's behavior is a sign of a bigger problem: habitat loss. "These poor babies, they just have nowhere to go cause we're building on all of their homes," a commenter said. Like most animals, bears are facing significant habitat loss due to "development, logging, mining, and road construction [that] can fragment bear habitat into smaller, disconnected areas that don't offer sufficient space or food," according to the National Park Service. With less space and less food, hungry bears seek out a reliable source of food: human-populated areas. Why is this behavior concerning? Bears are opportunistic feeders — they eat many different types of food and will snack on what's readily available. Unfortunately, this is often human food waste found at campgrounds and in dumpsters. Bears learn to associate people with access to food, and as the saying goes, "a fed bear is a dead bear." Bears that are no longer afraid of humans are dangerous and considered a safety risk and oftentimes must be euthanized to prevent harm. As habitats continue to be destroyed, the potential for human-animal conflict rises, putting both humans and wildlife at risk. What's being done to prevent these interactions? To avoid attracting bears to your own backyard, properly dispose of trash in bear-proof bins. Avoid leaving any food — including pet food — outside or unattended. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Bear-proofing is a short-term solution, and it doesn't address the real problem. Habitat restoration is necessary to reduce the increasing number of wandering, hungry bears. Thankfully, several conservation groups are working toward ensuring adequate habitat for bears, from grizzly bears in the Northwestern United States to black bears in Florida. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Cedar News
10-07-2025
- Cedar News
AMBER ALERT: 13-Year-Old Valeria Jackeline Gonzales Hernandez Reported Missing in Surry County, NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) – Authorities in Surry County have issued an Amber Alert for 13-year-old Valeria Jackeline Gonzales Hernandez, who has been reported missing, according to a news release issued at 6 p.m. by the Surry County Sheriff's Office. Valeria is described as: Age: 13 Height: 4'11' Weight: Approximately 180 lbs Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Ethnicity: Hispanic She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and white sneakers. 🚨 If you have any information regarding her whereabouts, you are urged to call the Surry County Sheriff's Office at (336) 401-8900 or dial 911 immediately. Stay tuned for updates as authorities continue their search. Every second counts in locating a missing child.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Heartbreaking new report reveals ongoing hurricane devastation across multiple US states — here's what's happening
Some communities are still reeling from the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to North Carolina and other southeastern states in the U.S. As ABC affiliate WLOS detailed, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) published a report highlighting the widespread impact of damages caused by Hurricane Helene on farming in Western North Carolina. About 900 small-scale, family-owned farms that grow food for local markets were the focus of the report, and the findings paint a bleak outlook. According to the ASAP report, 86% of these farms suffered physical damage, 70% of which reported damage to their land or waterways. While the report stated that the varying physical damage levels from farm to farm didn't exceed 25% of their operations, these farms were facing an average cleanup and recovery cost of $40,000. In 2024, the total lost sales per farm averaged $30,000, but that number is estimated to fall only slightly to $28,000 in 2025. In all, the ASAP report determined that damages and losses accounted for a whopping 88% of the average Western North Carolina farm's gross annual sales. Hurricane Helene was a Category 4 storm that caused catastrophic damage across multiple states, bringing heavy rains, high winds, extreme flooding, and landslides. According to the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, "Helene was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Maria (2017), and the deadliest to strike the U.S. mainland since Katrina (2005). Helene's total costs were $78.7 billion." The intensity of Hurricane Helene was fueled by the rising ocean temperatures, which are the result of a warming planet. Human-induced global heating creates more favorable conditions for extreme weather events, making them more frequent and dangerous to areas across the country — including areas that aren't typically prone to them. Do you think your house could withstand a hurricane? No way Maybe a weak one I'm not sure It definitely could Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The impact on farming communities could lead to significant economic losses and affect those who depend on agriculture to make a living. There are organizations and companies working hard to help people become more resilient to extreme weather events. To help, individuals can consider exploring critical climate issues and donating to groups committed to aiding in recovery efforts. One way to prepare yourself and your home for extreme weather events is by installing solar panels in conjunction with a battery system to avoid losing power during extended grid outages — which can also bring down the cost of energy bills. If you're interested in adding solar power to your home, EnergySage offers an easy way to compare quotes from vetted local installers and can save customers up to $10,000 on solar installations. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC GOP lawmakers demand transparency over Helene recovery fund delays
Some North Carolina Republican lawmakers are calling for more transparency when it comes to the team created to oversee the distribution of millions of Helene funds. The Governor's Recovery Office for Western North Carolina is an entity set up by Governor Josh Stein. However, it is now facing scrutiny due to delays in distributing recovery funds, according to reports from WLOS. ALSO READ: Stein announces 2nd Helene budget proposal Grow NC Director Matt Calabria said the officers coordinate rather than control the funds. 'They have been up into the mountains, they have spoken with many communities, and they have said, 'This is who's going to redo this. We are going to redo this the correct way.' But they have still not gotten any of the money out that we gave them in March,' said Calabria. Grow NC said 80% of the money has been approved and distributed. They said they are working to get the rest of the money out as quickly as possible. VIDEO: Stein announces 2nd Helene budget proposal
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Asheville getting another $225M for Helene recovery
Asheville is set to get another $225 million in recovery funds for Hurricane Helene after the federal government approved the city's revised action plan. The revised plan says about $125 million of the new plan will go toward infrastructure, $52 million is for economic revitalization, and $31 million is going to housing. Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina and caused billions of dollars in damage last fall. Since then, the city of Asheville and surrounding communities have relied on federal and state assistance to rebuild. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will review Asheville's 'financial, procurement, and grant management practices' before being certified, according to our partners at WLOS. You can see the approved plan by clicking this link. (VIDEO >> Helene 6 months later: Asheville businesses work to bring back visitors)
