Agriculture

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: Farm bill passing NC Senate includes new biogas permits
The annual farm bill pushed by Senate Republicans won the full chamber’s approval Tuesday, including a provision that would likely make it easier upon North Carolina livestock operations to secure permits to convert liquid waste into natural gas.

SPECTRUM NEWS: Drought conditions have returned to North Carolina
After a wet winter, the last couple of months have been quite dry, especially in the eastern half of our state. Some spots in central and eastern North Carolina, including Raleigh and Wilmington, measured less than an inch of rain during the entire month of April. 

OBX TODAY: Independent seafood processors can apply for grant to improve production, efficiency, capacity
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has opened the application period for the third phase of its Increasing Meat Production, Efficiency and Capacity (IMPEC) grant program, which is geared to independent state meat and seafood processing facilities.

Education

WRAL: Research supports masks in schools as children remain unvaccinated, health experts say
North Carolina children must continue to wear masks in school, based on existing research that shows masks are pivotal in preventing COVID-19 spread during daily, in-person learning.

Government

THE NEWS AND OBSERVER: NC Gov. Cooper lifts most coronavirus mask, distancing requirements
North Carolinians can feel free to move about without wearing masks in most settings, inside and outside, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ease, Gov. Roy Cooper said Friday.

Healthcare

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: Enrollment for North Carolina Medicaid managed care ending
North Carolina Medicaid recipients are running out of time to ensure they’ll have no trouble getting the doctor they want when the program makes a significant shift soon.

WRAL: With only 36% of NC population fully vaccinated, shoppers split on whether to mask or unmask
Gov. Roy Cooper's announcement that North Carolina no longer requires social distancing or masks gave many people cause for celebration – but not everyone is comfortable with the eased restrictions. New COVID-19 cases are averaging about 1,300 each day, and only 36% of the total state is fully vaccinated – leaving a large percentage still feeling unprotected.

Transportation

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: Seasonal speed limits in effect for parts of N.C. Highway 12
Motorists using the only link between North Carolina's Outer Banks and the mainland will have to slow down as travel season begins. The N.C. Department of Transportation says in a news release that workers began changing speed limit signs along sections of N.C. Highway 12 on Thursday in parts of Currituck and Dare counties. The work continued on Friday.

THE NEWS AND OBSERVER: North Carolina DMV resumes Saturday hours at 16 offices
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is opening some of its offices on Saturdays, a move coming one week after it resumed regular road testing after a year’s absence.