Hurricane Helene Aftermath: Nearly two years after the storm, a sheriff’s office says human remains of a Helene victim were identified in East Tennessee, underscoring how long recovery and investigations can take. Western NC Recovery: Reporting from the mountains finds progress is uneven—some communities have major restoration work underway while others still face missing roads/bridges and limited travel access. Coastal Protection & Access: NC DEQ’s Division of Coastal Management launched a new online hub for The Topsail Nature Preserve, laying out public access, responsible recreation rules, and habitat stewardship as the site transitioned to DEQ management in May 2026. Outer Banks Safety: A Tuesday forecast flags dangerous rip currents along parts of the Outer Banks, with guidance to heed beach flags and avoid swimming when risks are high. PFAS Cleanup: North Carolina is moving forward on a major “forever chemicals” settlement, with Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva agreeing to $455M to resolve claims. Data Centers & Local Power/Water Strain: A new report says local moratoriums on data centers have surged nationwide, with North Carolina among states seeing the most restrictions—driven by electricity costs, grid capacity, and community impacts. Community College Funding: Lawmakers’ new Propel NC model shifts funding toward short-term job training in high-demand fields, aiming to better match workforce needs.