North Carolina
Drought worsens in central, NC farmers and rural communities feeling strained
LOUISBURG, N.C. (WTVD) — Drought conditions across central North Carolina are creating growing challenges for farmers as they prepare to harvest some crops and plant others, raising concerns about yields and long-term economic impacts.
Fields in Franklin County show signs of prolonged dryness as farmers work through a critical point in the growing season. One farmer planting corn on Thursday said it is the driest he has seen in quite some time.
“Sometimes I just wonder how we do make it,” said Travis Nelms, a fourth-generation farmer at N&N Farms in Louisburg.
Nelms is among many farmers facing multiple pressures at once. Rising fuel and fertilizer prices have already increased production costs, and the dry conditions are adding further strain. Despite that, he said optimism remains part of the job.
“It kind of goes back to that farmer’s optimism. We’re optimistic folks because here we are in a drought like this, and trying to plant seed in the ground to make a crop in the dry time,” Nelms said.
The lack of moisture is evident in the soil itself. As Nelms planted, he pointed to uneven, clumped earth caused by the dryness.
“You can see all around out here, it just came up clumpy. This is just extremely dry right now,” he said.
The drought is also affecting crop yields. Nelms said wheat fields are already showing signs of reduced production.
“Right now it’s looking to be a 35-to-40-bushel crop. I’m about a half a crop is what I’m looking at right now,” he said.
Agricultural economists say farmers are being forced to make difficult decisions about whether to plant without enough moisture in the ground.
“It’s time to be planting crops, and so a lot of farmers are probably considering, should I plant? Do I have enough moisture? Will the plants germinate?” said Jeffrey Dorfman, an agricultural economics professor at NC State.
Dorfman said the drought compounds financial challenges many farmers already face.
“They’re getting less for their crops, and it’s costing them 65% more to grow them. It’s not a good situation. This is just sort of an insult to injury,” he said.
For now, farmers like Nelms say they are relying on hope for rain to arrive soon.
“As always, we just hope it rains in a timely manner. And if it don’t get a good staying, I don’t know what we’ll do,” he said.
Experts warn that if dry conditions continue, the effects could extend beyond farms. Less crop production can mean less income for farmers, which can reduce spending in rural communities and impact local economies across the region.
SEE ALSO | Lawn care companies navigate drought and rising fuel costs
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The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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