Morning Briefing: $29 million to combat PFAS, untested sexual assault kits, chance of strong storms
Good morning, North Carolina! Here's what you need to know today.
The Big Story
Forever chemicals: N.C. gets $29 million to combat PFAS after EPA announcement
The EPA set new limits on six PFAS substances, known as "forever chemicals," in drinking water Wednesday.
North Carolina has led the way in testing for PFAS and regulating drinking water contamination since a chemical called Gen-X was first found in the Cape Fear River in 2017.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who used to lead North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality, traveled to Fayetteville to make the announcement Wednesday.
Your Weather Planner
Rain showed up again on Wednesday, but temperatures recovered to above-average levels, especially east of I-95 where sunshine was a little more plentiful. We set the stage for a complex weather setup on Thursday that could produce severe storms.
The afternoon storm and severe weather chances will be highly dependent on the atmosphere destabilizing with more sunshine and daytime heating. At this point, it's a marginal chance that occurs. However, very strong winds at the surface and in the upper-levels will still mean a threat for thunderstorms that could produce damaging wind gusts and a quick spin-up tornado. No matter what, strong winds will impact the state almost all day Thursday. We'll have updates for you throughout Thursday in your Weather on the Ones forecast.
Any storms will clear the coast by late Thursday night and through overnight, and the cold front will swing through the state, bringing cooler and breezy conditions to us on Friday.
Around North Carolina
1. N.C. ends the backlog of untested sexual assault kits
Attorney General Josh Stein announced North Carolina has ended the backlog of untested sexual assault kits after more than 16,000 kits sat on the shelves for over two decades. In 2019, the state legislature enacted The Survivor Act, which prioritized the process of testing older kits.
2. Wife of Hamas hostage Keith Siegel speaks out; N.C. lawmakers visit Israel
Aviva Siegel, a former Hamas hostage, took part in an event with lawmakers Wednesday. Siegel's husband, Keith, a North Carolina native, is still being held by Hamas. On Wednesday, some of their family members gathered with a group of lawmakers, including Democratic Reps. Kathy Manning and Don Davis of North Carolina, at the U.S. Capitol.
3. 'Ever-increasing squeeze': N.C. farmers navigate predicted failing farm profits
Farmers across the United States have faced labor shortages, farmland loss and rising costs, but this year they may be facing another hurdle: a loss of income. The United States Department of Agriculture predicts that farms will face a 25% decrease in income this year.
Around The Nation
1. 3 shot and 5 in custody after gunfire disrupts Philadelphia Eid event, police say
2. Stocks fall after hot inflation report burns hopes for a June rate cut
3. New York appeals court rejects Donald Trump’s third request to delay Monday's hush money trial
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Editor's Pick - New program providing free education to get special education teachers in the classroom
In the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Winston-Salem State University, there are multiple categories, including birth to kindergarten teachers, elementary school and middle school, special education and health and physical education. WSSU’s RAMSES (Residency and Apprentice Model: Supporting Equity in Schools) program is helping students who already have an undergraduate degree achieve mentorship and instructional support while completing the North Carolina initial licensure through the school's Master of Arts in Teaching program for special education.