Well, we did not see this coming at all. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality announced this afternoon that Secretary Donald van der Vaart “made the science-based decision” to “discontinue the SolarBee project after 21 months of data indicated no significant improvement in water quality.” Here’s the full press release: RALEIGH Thursday, May 5, […]
Jane Porter
Jane Porter is Wake County editor of the INDY, covering Raleigh and other communities across Wake County. She first joined the staff in 2013 and is a former INDY intern, staff writer, and editor-in-chief, first joining the staff in 2013.
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Jordan Lake Report Revised, Criticism of SolarBees Removed
Remember the Department of Environmental Quality’s March report that essentially said SolarBees weren’t working to clean up nutrient pollution in Jordan Lake, a drinking water source for more than 300 thousand people in the Triangle? Well the report is back, and it got a makeover. The new report from DEQ has been stripped of all […]
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The Morning Roundup: About Those Teacher Raises…
Good morning, everyone! We got news. 1. Republican leaders in the state House and Senate have agreed to a $22.225 billion spending limit for the next fiscal year, a 2.26 percent increase over current spending and meaning the short legislative session probably won’t drag on for weeks and weeks and weeks like it did last […]
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Ruffin Hall Is Raleigh’s Most Powerful Person You’ve Never Heard Of
The key is finding a balance. That’s the strategy Ruffin Hall, Raleigh’s good-humored city manager, says he’s sought to apply to the thorniest issues he’s faced since starting in November 2013. And he’s faced many of those issues, especially downtown. “Raleigh is growing and evolving from a big small town to a smaller big city,” […]
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Southeast Raleigh Residents Want the City to Finally Fix Chavis Park
At ninety-eight, Milly Dunn Veasey is undeniably frail. But speak with her, and it becomes clear that her memory is vivid, her mind still sharp. Veasey, who served as an army secretary in World War II, was born in a wooden cottage on South East Street bordering John Chavis Memorial Parkthe home of her grandparents, […]
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The General Assembly Doesn’t Want You to Know What’s in Your Water
Remember when North Carolina’s health department told people their coal ash-contaminated water is now totally fine to drink, because the state changed the standard of what it considers “acceptable” levels of chemicals hexavalent chromium and vanadium? Yeah, expect more of that. Last week, lawmakers introduced legislation that would prohibit state and local health departments from […]
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The Ongoing Chronicles of Kay Daly: Kay Daly Is Unapologetically Getting Into It With Montel Williams
Lifelong conservative activist (but like, New York conservative) and television personality Montel Williams has taken an interest in North Carolina politics recently. Kay Daly has taken an interest in Montel Williams. And Montel Williams has taken an interest in Kay Daly. Here’s Kay Daly: Now celebrity talk show host Montel Williams has gone ballistic and […]
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The Morning Roundup: This HB 2 Referendum Thing Might Really Happen
It’s Thursday and all is well! Here’s your news. 1. When Sen. Tom Apodaca suggested it, we rolled our eyes because come on. But North Carolina Republicans—realizing just how severe a disaster HB 2 is and not being successful in shifting the blame for it onto the Charlotte mayor and city council—really seem to be […]
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N.C. State Christian Student Group Sues University Over Speech Permit Policy
A group of Christian students at North Carolina State University filed a federal lawsuit against school officials Tuesday over the university’s policy requiring a permit for any kind of student speech or communication that takes place on campus. The lawsuit claims that public universities can’t require permits for speech on campus and can’t enforce speech […]
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On the Scene: Dueling HB 2 Rallies Outside the General Assembly
As the sun blazed down on the legislative building on Jones Street Monday afternoon, a short-haired woman argued passionately with two men wearing white T-shirts with “HB 2” crossed out in red. “This isn’t about discrimination, it’s about protecting her,” the woman said, motioning toward an elementary-school-aged girl holding a sign that read, “Stand With […]