News

An underwater fishing tournament takes place later this month.  Divers are hoping to snag as many non-native, invasive lionfish as they can for a chance at winning some prize money.

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO LISTEN TO THE 2009 LIONFISH ROUNDUP.  

The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame will enshrine its 2013 inductees tonight in Raleigh. George Olsen has more.

AAA Carolinas reports it will cost North Carolinians less to drive this year than last. George Olsen has more.

We talk to a local scientist who developed a new method of rapidly detecting polluted water that’s likely to become the standard in the United States. 

For information on current swimming advisories, chick [here].

Public Radio East is adding The Evening Concert to its classical programming.   Starting May 6th, the show will highlight concerts from some of the world's best orchestras and will be broadcast Monday through Friday evenings at 7-9 pm on The Classical Network, 89.3 fm.  The line up includes:

Monday- Royal Concertgebouw

Tuesday- The New York Philharmonic

Wednesday- Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Thursday - Cleveland Orchestra

Friday - San Francisco Symphony

A vacant property in Greenville could become a new DNA processing facility.  Jared Brumbaugh has more.

The company wanting to purchase the facility has asked to remain anonymous.  The 68-hundred square foot building is located near Vidant Medical Center.  Existing Industries Coordinator with the Pitt County Development Commission Scott Poag says they’re seeking a $60,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center to facilitate renovations.  He adds the grant amount is based upon how many jobs are created.

A new music park has broken ground in Kinston and will be the centerpiece for the eight county African American Music Trail.  Construction has started at the site, which is located on the corner of South Queen and Springhill streets.  When finished, the music park will feature a 12-foot high by 23-foot wide sculpture documenting famous local musicians such as Maceo and Melvin Parker.  Executive Director of the Kinston Community Council for the Arts Sandy Landis says the park will also have a place where musicians can perform impromptu shows.

In early April, the Ferry Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation began installing new toll booths at three ferry terminals along the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. In preparation for new ferry tolls going into effect July 1st, the Ferry Division began installation on Monday along the Bayview-Aurora and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferry routes.  Steve Abbott, Communications Officer for the Ferry Division, says they lowered the cost of the installation by constructing the toll booths themselves.

Following a 6 month break in construction of the Buddy Phillips Bridge, the project is back on track.The 12 million dollar bridge replacement crosses the New River on US 17 business in downtown Jacksonville. The 800 foot, 4-lane bridge replacement was halted because the original contractors, Intercoastal Contracting of Castle Hayne, filed for bankruptcy.  Smith-Rowe LLC is being subcontracted to finish the last leg of work. Project Manager for the Buddy Phillips bridge Thomas Barton says construction started last month.

A charter school serving close to 200 students in an economically depressed area of Kinston is facing closure.  The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has recommended Children‘s Village Academy’s charter be revoked because of cash flow problems and increasing school debt.  Find out what Children‘s Village Academy is doing to stay open.

We speak with a Goldsboro High School teacher who received a prestigious technology award for UV radiation and bacterial cell growth research.

Native American descendants from New York state and eastern North Carolina honored their ancestors at a recent ceremony in Snow Hill.  We talk about the Battle of Nooherooka fought between settlers and the Tuscarora people in the 1700’s.

We report on the recent proposal to send fracking waste water to eastern North Carolina for storage.

An unusual number of arctic birds called dovekies are turning up along the coast often injured and malnourished.  We speak with a local wildlife sanctuary about this phenomenon and why the birds are dying after being rehabilitated.

Just in time for Easter, Eddy Browning shares an authentic southern recipe that you may never heard of.

A feature report on the latest advancements in the treatment of strokes.

Stroke – it’s feared, its deadly, and it’s debilitating.  As far as statistics are concerned, you’re more likely to have a stroke if you live in the South.  In fact, stroke is the third leading cause of death in North Carolina.  And our state is considered to be the ‘buckle’ of the stroke belt, which includes several states in the southeast part of the country where stroke death rates are significantly higher than the rest of the United States.