N.C. Farmers Start Euthanizing 1.5M Chickens Amid Pandemic

Coronavirus outbreaks at meat processing plants are forcing North Carolina farmers to euthanize 1.5 million chickens, according to a state official.

Assistant Agriculture Commissioner Joe Reardon told The News & Observer that this is the first time during the pandemic that North Carolina farmers have had to euthanize their animals. Roughly a third of the 1.5 million chickens already had been killed, Reardon said.

Agriculture officials said Thursday that 2,006 workers in 26 processing plants across the state have tested positive for coronavirus. Workers and their advocates said the meat industry was slow to provide protective equipment and take other coronavirus-related safety measures.

Chicken and hog farmers in other states also have been euthanizing millions of animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, for example, the Baltimore Sun reported that coronavirus-related staffing shortages at chicken processing plants will lead farms in Maryland and Delaware to destroy nearly 2 million chickens.

North Carolina hog farmers have not taken steps to euthanize their animals, Reardon said.

Photo via Woodley Wonderworks.

‹

CHCCS, Orange County Schools Among Those Awaiting State Guidance After Data Breach

A data breach of a nationally-used ed tech software has both Orange County school districts awaiting more information on who was affected.

Japan Prime Minister's Spouse Visits Chapel Hill High School Class During NC Tour

The spouse of the Japanese Prime Minister visited Chapel Hill High School on Friday and spoke to students learning the Japanese language.

Chapel Hill High's Kimberly Jones Wins 2023 North Carolina Teacher of the Year

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund named Kimberly Jones, a teacher at Chapel Hill High School, its 2023 North Carolina Teacher of the Year — marking the second time in three years a Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools educator has won the honor. Jones’ selection was announced during a ceremony Friday afternoon hosted by the state Department of […]

NC Teachers Group Critical of Proposed License, Pay Overhaul

Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Members of North Carolina’s leading teacher advocacy group criticized on Tuesday a proposed overhaul of public school instructor pay and licensing, saying that implementing such changes would make existing classroom staffing challenges even worse. The state Department of Public Instruction released to the State Board of Education in April a “sample” […]

CHCCS To Offer In-Person Instruction in March Following New State Guidance

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will be returning students to the classroom ahead of schedule following new guidance from the state health department and State Board of Education. Thursday night, CHCCS’ Board of Education voted unanimously to move up its hybrid learning model to March 22. The district initially planned to allow for some in-person learning beginning […]

UNC Health Experts Reflect on Pandemic 1 Year Later

One year after the first COVID-positive patient was identified in North Carolina, UNC Health experts gathered for a panel discussion to reflect on lessons learned and look ahead to what’s next.

Chapel Hill Nonprofit Works To Make Sex Ed More Inclusive of LGBTQ Students

One Chapel Hill nonprofit is working to make sexuality education more LGBTQ inclusive for local high school students.

CHCCS Board Hears Potential Hybrid Reopening Plan, Waits to Approve

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education heard a recommended plan from its interim superintendent to have some students begin a hybrid learning model in January. The plan, presented by Interim Superintendent Dr. Jim Causby on Thursday, would allow the CHCCS system to prepare for a transition to Phase 2, which would include in-person […]

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Extends Online Learning Through January 2021

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools students will be learning online until at least January 15, 2021, the school board decided Thursday evening. The district’s Board of Education unanimously voted in favor of interim Superintendent Jim Causby’s recommendation to extend virtual classes through the end of the semester. This is yet another change in the school district’s plan […]

N.C. Farmers Start Euthanizing 1.5M Chickens Amid Pandemic

Coronavirus outbreaks at meat processing plants are forcing North Carolina farmers to euthanize 1.5 million chickens, according to a state official. Assistant Agriculture Commissioner Joe Reardon told The News & Observer that this is the first time during the pandemic that North Carolina farmers have had to euthanize their animals. Roughly a third of the […]

›