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In today’s Port City Pulse:

• NC State Sues Monsanto

• North Carolina Beekeepers Lead Massive Hive Rebuild

NC State Sues Monsanto Over PCB Contamination at Poe Hall

Carolina Journal — NC State University has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto over Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in Poe Hall, a building constructed in 1971. PCBs are synthetic chemicals once widely used in construction materials like caulking and paint; they were banned in the U.S. in the late 1970s because they are toxic, persistent in the environment, and can accumulate in humans, potentially causing cancer and other health issues. Testing in 2023–2024 revealed PCB levels exceeding EPA standards in the building’s HVAC system. NC State seeks hundreds of millions for remediation, punitive damages, and liability for any future health claims, while already beginning cleanup to protect students and staff.

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One Year After Helene, North Carolina Beekeepers Lead Massive Hive Rebuild

Spectrum News — A year after Hurricane Helene decimated honeybee colonies across western North Carolina, beekeepers have rebuilt nearly 1,000 hives to save the state’s farms and ecosystems. Led by the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association and the WNC Bee Relief Program, the recovery effort replaced lost colonies and supplied new equipment to hard-hit regions like Buncombe County. With pollination crucial to local crops, the initiative is vital for restoring agricultural balance and biodiversity. A new grant-backed program aims to raise stronger, regionally adapted queen bees — ensuring North Carolina’s bees (and farmers) are better prepared for the next storm.

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News Roundup

Local News

Law enforcement agencies across North Carolina have launched “Operation Crash Reduction,” a statewide campaign to crack down on speeding and distracted driving in an effort to prevent deadly crashes during October — one of the most dangerous months on state roads. WECT

What You Should Know

South Carolina Judge Diane Goodstein’s $1.5 million beach home was destroyed in a suspected arson attack just weeks after she ruled against the Trump administration in a voter data case; investigators are probing possible motives as reports surface of death threats she received. Daily Mail

Former President Trump said he is considering invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops to Portland, Oregon, amid ongoing protests and legal pushback from state and local officials. The Hill

What Might Surprise You

The CDC has stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for all Americans, instead leaving the decision up to individuals after adopting guidance from a new advisory panel appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The move marks a major shift from previous policy and has drawn criticism from medical groups that continue to support vaccines for high-risk populations. WECT

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