A friend alerted me to this tweet that the News & Observer sent out this afternoon, prominently featuring Hallie:
Hallie represents tenacity in the N&O top stories list.
It turns out her lawsuit story was the second most-read story on the N&O website. Pretty stunning, especially coming so late in the year.
We’re all still a bit surprised that Hallie’s activism has gotten as much attention as it has. If it helps change minds and get the state moving in the proper direction again this would be enough.
Our countdown of The News & Observer’s most-read stories of 2015, as measured by digital page views, wraps up with the top five — stories of tribute, Trump, triumph, tenacity and a tragedy that resonated around the world. Stories 5 through 1:
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2. Wake judge rules against teen facing off against NC on climate change
By Anne Blythe, Nov. 27
The story: It’s not every day that an eighth-grader takes the government to court. Hallie Turner, 13, who attends Ligon Middle School in Raleigh, did — but lost her bid to get the N.C. Environmental Management Commission to mandate a reduction in greenhouse gases. The commission had dismissed her petition on procedural and legal grounds, and a Wake judge upheld the dismissal.
The rest of the story: Hallie, who has been working to address global climate change since the fourth grade, says the fight isn’t over. She spoke Dec. 17 at a hearing the EMC held to get input on how to respond to the proposed federal Clean Water Plan. Her options in the court case include an appeal of the judge’s ruling, or a new petition to the commission.