North Carolina
Tobacco, corn crops in North Carolina impacted greatly by changes in climate: 'I'm like Don Quixote'
NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — On Jackie Thompson’s farm on the Wake-Franklin County line, things have changed a lot over the years.
“Our area is being inundated by urbanization,” Thompson says.
But even as traffic and homes pop up around him, Jackie keeps his farming traditions alive.
“I tell people I’m like Don Quixote, he just kept charging the windmill,” he says.
But every Renaissance man has to pivot and adjust. His mainstay is his tobacco crop, with crews who still pick leaves by hand that will eventually go as far as Japan.
This year though, he decided to mix things up.
“This is something that for the first time in 20 to 30 years we decided we were going to try to plant some corn,” he says, “It was not a good decision because it was so dry and hot.”
The brutal heat has taken its toll on his cornfield. Thompson showed us some ears of corn with mold inside.
Too much rain can hurt you as much as not enough rain.
Just to keep it going, they’ve had to use water sources nearby to irrigate entire fields.
That can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Jackie estimates this summer alone, between the extra fuel and labor costs, he’s spent an extra $25,000.
And it’s not just heat that can create problems.
“Too much rain can hurt you as much as not enough rain,” he says.
Just in the past few weeks, a farm in Wilson County was devastated by the remnants of Hurricane Debby.
It’s like the erratic nature of how the climate is changing is a big deal.
Kent Burkey, Plant Physiologist
At an NC State facility in Clayton, scientists from the USDA are working to find solutions to keep our state’s agriculture industry thriving amid the chaos.
“I think one of the things that to keep in mind is the fact that these are extreme events that can happen very quickly. It’s like the erratic nature of how the climate is changing is a big deal,” says plant physiologist Kent Burkey.
They’re looking into new irrigation techniques, but they’re also investigating whether crops can be genetically modified to be more weather-resistant.
“From the point of view of a plant breeder, there’s so much genotypes, there’s so much germplasm out there that has never been tested. There’s probably all kinds of potential genes,” Burkey says.
Hoping science, and tradition can come together, so future crops can roll with the punches, just like Jackie does.
“I’m 73 years old right now, and I told people this summer I got 27 more years until I retire when I’m 100,” Thompson says.
SEE ALSO | Warmer planet creating supercharged storms that ravage NC communities, climatologist says
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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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