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View AllNewsRoy Cooper Continues “Make Stuff Cost Less” Tour in Asheville
Raleigh -- June 27, 2026: Press Release Roy Cooper for North Carolina: Today, Roy Cooper continued his “Make Stuff Cost Less” tour, holding an event in Asheville to discuss how he will continue his work in the U.S. Senate to make life more affordable for working North Carolinians.
Storms Return to Western North Carolina This Weekend as Hotter Weather Builds Next Week
WNC -- June 26, 2026: Residents across Western North Carolina should prepare for a return of afternoon and evening thunderstorms this weekend, followed by a significant warming trend that is expected to push temperatures into the 90s by the middle of next week.
June 26, 2026
NC State Fire Marshal Urges North Carolinians to Leave Fireworks to the Professionals This Fourth of July
North Carolina -- June 26, 2026: As communities across North Carolina prepare to celebrate Independence Day and America's 250th anniversary, state officials are reminding residents that fireworks can quickly turn a celebration into an emergency.
June 26, 2026
Trail Buddies Launches Friday with Community "Launch Pawty" in Spruce Pine
Spruce Pine -- Shelter life can be incredibly challenging for dogs, but a new initiative in Western North Carolina is looking to change that, one adventure at a time. Mitchell County Animal Rescue (MCAR) has announced the official launch of its "Trail Buddies" program, a volunteer-driven initiative designed to give adoptable dogs a much-needed break from kennel life while boosting their visibility in the community.
June 25, 2026
Convicted Sex Offender Arrested in Arden for Burglary, Indecent Exposure
Buncombe County -- June 25, 2026: Terry Lee Branks has been arrested in Arden, facing multiple felony charges including: first-degree burglary and indecent exposure. The arrest follows incidents reported in a Buncombe County neighborhood.
June 25, 2026Sports
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SportsBig News for WNC Sports Fans: National Championships, New Venues, and Rivalry Matches
WNC Sports -- June 25, 2026: It has been an action-packed week for the Western North Carolina sports scene. From massive announcements by national governing bodies to a groundbreaking new local business on Asheville’s South Slope, our mountain communities continue to prove they are a powerhouse for both competitive sports and fan culture. Here are the top stories shaping the local sports landscape this week.
WNC Sports Icon Kent Briggs Passes Away at 68
Cullowhee -- June 22, 2026: The Western North Carolina sports community is mourning the loss of a true local legend. Kent Briggs, a former Western Carolina University quarterback who went on to serve his alma mater as both an assistant and head football coach, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026, at the age of 68.
June 22, 2026
PGA TOUR Returns to the Mountains: Tickets on Sale for Inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville
Asheville -- June 18, 2026: PGA TOUR Returns to the Mountains: Tickets on Sale for Inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville Professional golf is officially returning to Western North Carolina this fall for the first time in more than 80 years. Tournament organizers announced that tickets are officially available for the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville, scheduled for September 17–20, 2026.
June 18, 2026
Play Ball! Pro Baseball Returns to HomeTrust Park, Plus Regional Tennis, Lacrosse, and Outdoor Sports Across WNC
WNC Sports -- June 16, 2026: Action is heating up across the Western North Carolina sports scene. From minor league baseball homestands and historic clay-court tennis showdowns in the heart of downtown Asheville to massive youth regional tournaments taking over Buncombe County fields, there is plenty for local sports fans to track. Further west, mountain biking trails offer prime recreation.
June 16, 2026
North Carolina Celebrates “Summer of Soccer” with Major Events Investments Across the State
Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Joshe Stein's Office Press Release Jun 3, 2026: As thousands of fans gathered in Charlotte over the weekend for the U.S. Men’s National Team Send-Off Match ahead of the FIFA World Cup, North Carolina stepped further into the global soccer spotlight through a series of major events and international team partnerships supported by the state’s Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund (MEGA Fund).
June 7, 2026Business
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BusinessWNC Nonprofits: Apply Now for Pisgah Health Foundation Grants Up to $25K
WNC -- June 23, 2026: The Pisgah Health Foundation is set to open its 2026 grant cycle on July 1, making $250,000 available to nonprofit organizations serving Transylvania, Haywood, and Madison counties. Grants will be awarded for initiatives aimed at improving health and well-being, with individual awards reaching up to $25,000.
Off the Bench: Summer Vendor Festival in Asheville
Asheville -- June 20, 2026: City of Asheville Press Release Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) offers hundreds of educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities throughout the year led by experts in the field. However, an upcoming festival invites community members to explore the entrepreneurial spirit of the area’s local creative communities at Summer Vendor Festival at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center. Created by Facility Manager Tameka Hill, the event provides a unique platform for local small businesses to showcase their work to a larger audience.
June 20, 2026
UNC Health Eyes $747M Asheville Hospital Expansion at Westgate Shopping Center
Asheville Business -- June 19, 2026: A massive commercial shift is brewing on Patton Avenue. UNC Health has officially filed a Certificate of Need (CON) application with state regulators for a proposed 92-bed acute care hospital, dubbed UNC Health West. While the medical expansion is a major healthcare story, the real estate strategy behind it is shaking up the local business community: the health system is targeting the prominent Westgate Shopping Center site.
June 19, 2026
Underground Threat Imperils North Carolina’s Multi-Million Dollar Blueberry Industry
North Carolina -- June 17, 2026: A decades-old agricultural mystery unfolding beneath the soil of North Carolina’s premier blueberry farms has finally been solved. Researchers at North Carolina State University have officially identified a native "mystery bug" that has been quietly decimating crops: Prionus imbricornis, commonly known as the tile-horned Prionus beetle.
June 17, 2026
Chapel Hill’s Iconic Carolina Coffee Shop Named North Carolina’s Oldest Restaurant by Country Living
Chapel Hill -- The secret has been out on Franklin Street for over a century, but now the rest of the nation is taking note. Country Living magazine...
June 17, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentAsheville's Weekend Pulse: Your Guide to Fun & Entertainment
Asheville Entertainment News -- June 24, 2026: Summer is in full swing across the mountains, and this weekend brings an incredible lineup of live music, outdoor celebrations, and community gatherings right to our doorstep. Whether you want to browse local art, dance under the stars, or catch a great comedy show, here is your curated guide to the best entertainment options around town from Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Celebrate Dad: Top Father's Day Weekend Events Across Western North Carolina
Western NC -- Father’s Day is just around the corner, and communities across Western North Carolina are pulling out all the stops to celebrate dad. Whether he’s an art enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, a comedy fan, or a foodie, the region has an incredible lineup of events running this Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21, 2026.
June 18, 2026
Laughter in the Mountains: Two Massive Comedy Acts Heading to WNC This Weekend
WNC Comedy Shows -- If your weekend plans involve nothing more than staring at a wall or arguing with the TV, it is time for a serious upgrade. Western North Carolina is getting a double-dose of world-class comedy this Friday night. Whether you want to head into the heart of Asheville or take a scenic drive over to Cherokee, you have two incredible (but completely different) reasons to get out of the house and laugh until your stomach hurts.
June 16, 2026
Remembering Diana Wortham: A Legacy of Quiet Generosity
Asheville -- June 13, 2026: The Asheville community is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated yet unassuming benefactors. Diana Gayle Wortham passed away peacefully at her home on June 7, 2026, at the age of 82.
June 13, 2026
Mountain Sunshine & Main Street Magic: Your Ultimate Guide to WNC’s Packed Summer Weekend
WNC Entertainment News -- The mountain summer is out in full force, and the weekend of June 12–14, 2026, is serving up a spectacular lineup of open-air events. If you are looking to map out a perfect road trip, WNC’s small towns are stepping into the spotlight with everything from traditional Appalachian strings to out-of-this-world street festivals.
June 8, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleThe Mother of Invention: How a Safe, Chemical-Free Kitchen Remedy Became a Scientific Tick-Fighting Breakthrough
Lifestyle News -- June 24, 2026: If you’ve ever spent an afternoon exploring our beautiful mountain trails or simply tending to your backyard garden, you know that the outdoor lifestyle comes with one major, unwelcome tagalong: ticks.
City of Asheville Announces Design Concept for New Fire Station 9
Asheville -- City of Asheville Press Release: The City of Asheville is pleased to share the latest design concept from ADW Architects for the new Fir...
June 23, 2026
Terpsicorps Launches Summer Season July 9 Fundraiser Benefiting MANNA, Featuring River Guerguerianssf
Asheville -- Movement for MANNA will feature internationally acclaimed percussionist River Guerguerian, live dance, local food tastings, and the debut of the Asheville Foodie Raffle
June 18, 2026
New 12-Court Indoor Pickleball Facility Coming to Weaverville This Late Summer
Weaverville -- June 16, 2026: A massive piece of Weaverville’s industrial history is getting a modern, high-energy makeover. A 132,000-square-foot industrial facility located just minutes from downtown Weaverville is being transformed into a sprawling sports and entertainment hub, headlined by the upcoming Ballcrank Pickleball Club (BPC).
June 17, 2026
Honoring Freedom: Your Guide to Juneteenth Celebrations Across Western North Carolina
WNC Juneteenth -- Honoring Freedom: Your Guide to Juneteenth Celebrations Across Western North CarolinaWestern North Carolina is playing host to a po...
June 16, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsBefore You Head Outdoors: Sunscreen Could Be the Most Important Thing You Pack
Hot Fun in the Summertime! -- Whether you're hiking a trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway, fishing your favorite mountain stream, working in the garden, or spending an afternoon at the lake, sunscreen deserves a place on your outdoor checklist just as much as water and sturdy shoes.
WNC Tourism Comeback: What You Need to Know for Independence Day in the Smokies
WNC Travel and Outdoor Fun -- June 25, 2026: Planning to celebrate Independence Day weekend in the mountains? With America celebrating its historic 250th anniversary this year, there is an incredible energy in the air—and the absolute best way to celebrate our nation's resilience is right here in Western North Carolina!
June 25, 2026
Sun & Sounds: Your Weekend Guide to Outdoor Events Across WNC
WNC Outdoor Fun -- June 12, 2026: Sun & Sounds: Your Weekend Guide to Outdoor Events Across WNC With summer weather settled firmly into the ridges and valleys of Western North Carolina, the weekend calls for open-air adventures, mountain tunes, and community gatherings. From the banks of the Pigeon River to the farmlands of Henderson County, our mountain communities are bustling with ways to step outside, support local artisans, and soak up the fresh air.
June 12, 2026
Profile Trail on Grandfather Mountain Reopens!
Banner Elk Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Jume 7, 2026: The Reopening of Profile Trail on Grandfather Mtn on June 6, 2026. Happy National Trails Day! Start at the Grandfather Mtn State Park Parking Area and restrooms on NC 105 (across from The Pedalin' Pig). The trail and parking area closed after damages from Helene.
June 8, 2026
Redesigning Owen Park Workshop: Community Invited to June 16 Workshop
Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Press Release: Buncombe County Parks & Recreation invites residents to review conceptual design alternatives for Charles D. Owen Park. The drop-in style workshop will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16 at the Bee Tree Fire Substation in Swannanoa.
June 8, 2026