Latest news with #WRALNews
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kentucky Woman Finds Missing Wedding Dress Lost in Recent Tornado Thanks to Good Samaritan on Social Media
A Kentucky woman is reunited with her lost wedding gown following a recent tornado The woman's neighbor discovered the white gown in the rubble of her yard 'When you lose everything, anything means something,' Jessica Hensley told WRAL NewsA Kentucky woman gets her post-wedding day miracle. Jessica Hensley and her family are counting their blessings after their home was struck by a tornado in Laurel County during a storm on May 16. The entire Hensley family is safe, but their home suffered severe damage. As Hensley began searching through what is left of her family's beloved home, she found items that survived the devastating storm. 'When you lose everything, anything means something,' Hensley told WRAL News. What Hensley wasn't expecting to find was her gown from her wedding day. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Following the storm, Hensley's neighbor, Lindsay Antos, was out in her yard looking through the rubble when she spotted something white amidst the debris. 'My dad sees me carrying this big white thing and he's like, 'Is that a wedding dress, Lindsay?' ' Antos told the news station. Antos then made it her mission to discover who the prized possession belonged to and return it. Through the help of a lost and found Facebook group, Antos found Hensley and returned the wedding gown to her. The two women met up Wednesday, May 21, for the first time, and celebrated the wedding dress miracle. 'I figured it was wrapped around a tree, tangled ripped, you know. I didn't think it was even possible that it survived,' Hensley said about her dress surviving the storm. As Hensley continues to search through the debris of her home, she's finding other small but meaningful keepsakes, such as a card from her grandmother. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Federal government blocks cleanup funds as city officials scramble to contain toxic water crisis: 'There are known health effects'
When companies expose the public to dangerous chemicals, there should be remedies to clean up the toxins and ensure safety. This is not happening for residents of Fayetteville, North Carolina, who are facing a potential utility rate hike and an ongoing threat to public health after an executive order froze funds meant to clean up the city's PFAS exposure, WRAL News reported. Fayetteville's water has been contaminated with PFAS for years. One of the notable causes is the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant, which dumped the chemicals into the Cape Fear River. The Public Works Commission was supposed to receive $60 million in federal funding to install a new filtration system to address the contamination. That funding would have come through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and included a low-interest loan with partial principal forgiveness from the state Division of Water Infrastructure. However, in March, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14154, pausing disbursement of funds from the BIL and Inflation Reduction Act. Now, the Fayetteville PWC has no way to fund the vital infrastructure upgrade except through rate hikes to residents, who are already having their rates raised by almost 11% over the next two years. "These funds are needed to construct the granular activated carbon filtration system that we're working on," said Chris Davis, chair of the PWC board, during a recent city council meeting, per WRAL. "If the federal funding support goes away, it's apparent that PWC's only option is to look at rates." PFAS, also called "forever chemicals," are a class of chemicals used in a variety of products, including many with nonstick, stain-resistant, and water-resistant properties. PFOA and PFOS are two examples of PFAS. They are called forever chemicals because they don't break down, even over a prolonged period of time. "These are a class of compounds that persist," said Ralph Mead, a PFAS researcher from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, per WRAL News. "They don't break down. They build up in your body over time. And the ones we know the most about, there are known health effects." Those effects include cancer, liver damage, immune system damage, and developmental problems. While the funding may be on hold, officials say the PWC operations are not affected. There is some uncertainty about whether the filtration system will be in place to comply with new federal limits that go into effect in 2029, but it appears the project will go forward. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Jean Zhuang, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, questioned the legality of the executive order that halted the funds. It's possible it could be overturned if a legal challenge moves forward. 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
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Industry leaders call for urgent overhaul of power plant rules: 'These regulations ... threaten the reliability of the power grid'
A coalition of utilities from across the country is pushing to weaken federal rules meant to control toxic coal ash, WRAL News reported. In North Carolina, where coal ash is already a widespread feature of the landscape, residents and advocates say the outcome could shape public health for generations. North Carolina utility Duke Energy is the largest among 10 power companies that recently signed a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency urging the rollback of environmental rules. The companies argued that regulations under the former government expanding federal oversight of coal ash disposal exceeded the EPA's authority and placed an undue burden on operations. They also opposed rules requiring carbon-capture technology at existing coal-fired and new gas-fired plants, saying the tech is not ready and would be too costly. "These regulations, individually and collectively, threaten the reliability of the power grid, jeopardize national security, are a drag on economic growth, increase inflation, and hinder the expansion of electric power generation," the group wrote, per WRAL News. Environmental advocates strongly oppose the proposal. As reported by WRAL News, they warn that rolling back safeguards would leave communities, especially those near coal ash sites, exposed to greater health risks. Coal ash is the waste left behind when coal is burned. It contains harmful heavy metals, including arsenic and mercury, and is now classified as carcinogenic. For years, it was used as a cheap fill material in construction. Today, 72 documented sites across North Carolina hold at least 8.85 million tons of coal ash. Although the EPA does not classify coal ash as hazardous waste, it acknowledges that improper handling poses serious health risks. Weakening federal rules could make it easier for utilities to delay cleanup and continue relying on coal and gas for power. Even if national rules are rolled back, North Carolina's cleanup is protected under a 2020 consent order. Duke Energy must excavate 80 million tons of ash from six major sites, a process already underway. Duke previously pleaded guilty to criminal negligence and was hit with $102 million in fines for a 2014 coal ash spill into the Dan River. The company has also faced additional enforcement under the Clean Air Act. Current EPA rules require coal plants to retire by 2032 or install systems that cut air pollution by 90%. Industry leaders say those options are currently unrealistic. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Environmental groups are urging the EPA to defend the current rules in court. They say weakening protections would reverse progress and put more people at risk. What happens next carries real urgency. Whether the EPA holds firm may decide how long coal ash continues to shape communities across the country. 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
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Debra Morgan Leaving WRAL in Raleigh After 32 Years
Debra Morgan is leaving the WRAL anchor desk in May after working at the station for 32 years. She joined the Raleigh, N.C. NBC station in 1993 after working in Toledo, Ohio and Jacksonville, Florida. 'It's hard to express how thankful I am for those of you who have welcomed me into your homes,' she said. 'You've made me feel like part of your family as we've experienced the many challenges and joys in our neighborhoods over these past three decades. It's been an honor and blessing. I'm forever grateful for your trust and for sharing this journey with me." "Debra's work has helped create the very fabric of trust and integrity that WRAL News symbolizes in the Triangle,' said WRAL news director Mike Friedrich. "She has consistently stood for truth and has been a strong advocate for our communities. Debra has also played a key role in mentoring fellow journalists, upholding WRAL's high standards to ensure that North Carolinians can trust everything they see - on air, online and across all of our platforms." "Debra's contributions to WRAL and our community are immeasurable," said Heather Gray, vice president and general manager of WRAL-TV. "Her dedication to storytelling and journalistic integrity have set a high standard, and we are deeply grateful for everything she has given to our station and our community.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC lawmakers consider bill that would ban social media for some teens
North Carolina lawmakers will debate a bill Tuesday that would ban social media accounts for kids under the age of 14. To create an account, WRAL News reports companies that own social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram already have a minimum age of 13, in compliance with federal law. House Bill 301 would require parental permission for kids who are 14 or 15, WRAL says. ALSO READ: Man accused of trafficking teenage girl he met on social media, investigators say The bill would hold social media companies responsible for stopping kids who are too young from getting an account. If they fail to do so, they could face a $50,000 fine for each instance. Parents would also be able to sue for up to $10,000. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in a House committee Tuesday, WRAL reports. Citing the Pew Research Center, WRAL says some 95 percent of kids ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report using a social media platform. More than one-third saying they use social media 'almost constantly,' Pew researchers add. WATCH BELOW: Why you should avoid sharing too much about your children on social media
