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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PINE KNOLL SHORES, Carteret County — A longtime Pine Knoll Shores public servant is preparing to begin a new chapter after nearly two decades with the town.
Ryan Thompson announced he will leave his full-time role with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores on August 12 after 18 years of service.
Thompson said he first came to Pine Knoll Shores in 2008 and has served the town in several roles, including police officer, chief of police, assistant town manager and most recently interim town manager.
In a message shared by the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department, Thompson said serving the community has been the greatest honor of his professional career.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores announces Ryan Thompson to depart after 18 years
He reflected on working alongside first responders through several hurricanes and coastal emergencies over the years, including Irene, Arthur, Matthew, Florence, Dorian, Isaias, Ophelia and Debby.
Thompson also highlighted the community’s response after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina in 2024. He said Pine Knoll Shores helped raise nearly $20,000 to support people impacted by the storm.
Thompson said Pine Knoll Shores has also been a special place for his family. His son served as a part-time firefighter with the Pine Knoll Shores Fire Department, and his wife served as the town’s tax collector.
Although he is leaving his full-time role, Thompson said he is not saying goodbye to the town.
He will begin serving as a public safety risk management consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He said the new role will allow him to work with cities and towns across the state to help support public safety and local governments.
Thompson also said he will remain with the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department as a part-time police officer.
He said he will also continue helping the town during its transition as Pine Knoll Shores begins the search for its next police chief and works through the town manager transition.
Captain Eric Tellefsen will become interim chief of police after Thompson’s departure.
Thompson said he is confident in the department’s leadership team and thanked the Pine Knoll Shores community for its trust, support and friendship over the past 18 years.
North Carolina
Key Raleigh real estate figure who helped bring Hurricanes to North Carolina has died
RALEIGH — E. Stephen Stroud, an influential Triangle real estate figure who was a key player in the Carolina Hurricanes’ move from Connecticut to Raleigh, has died.
Stroud was involved in several key developments across Raleigh and Wake County, including the Crossroads development in Cary, Imperial Center office park in Durham, Brier Creek and office parks at Highwoods and around Rex Hospital in Raleigh.
The Centennial Authority announced his death.
“Steve Stroud was a true visionary whose dedication and tireless efforts made the Lenovo Center a reality,” said Philip Isley, current chairman of the Centennial Authority. “Steve’s leadership during the arena’s construction laid the foundation for one of the premier sports venues in the country. We are deeply grateful for his service and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
Stroud chaired the Centennial Authority, which oversees the arena that is home to the Hurricanes and NC State’s men’s basketball team, in its early years, guiding the planning, financing and construction of the arena. He worked with local and state leaders to help attract the National Hockey League’s Hartford Whalers to Raleigh, helping convince then-owner Peter Karmanos to move to North Carolina.
The Hurricanes have won two Stanley Cup championships since moving to North Carolina in 1997, including in June. Stroud served on the authority until 2002.
His work began in the mid-1980s as NC State sought a new basketball arena, but eventually became the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Raleigh. It is known as Lenovo Center today.
“It has done so much for the city.” Stroud told the News & Observer in 2019 when the arena turned 20. “I personally think the building is why national TV folks refer to us as ‘Raleigh’ instead of ‘Raleigh, North Carolina.’ It has helped us raise the identity of this city. Everyone knows where Raleigh is.”
The road in front of the main entrance to the Lenovo Center is named E. Stephen Stroud Way.
Stroud was raised in Rutherford County before moving to Raleigh in 1961 to attend North Carolina State University. Stroud left NC State during his junior year after getting married and began a real estate career in 1965. He founded Carolantic Reality in 1972 and merged the company, then called NAI Carolantic Realty, with Tri Properties in 2020.
Stroud was named CEO of the year by the Triangle Business Journal in 2016, one of many awards he won in his long career.
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