North Carolina Leads Nation as Mail-in Ballots Begin Distribution
Marge Farrington•September 6, 2026News
View AllNewsNorth Carolina Leads Nation as Mail-in Ballots Begin Distribution
North Carolina -- September 6, 2026: Early Statutory Calendar: State law places North Carolina ahead of other states by requiring absentee ballots to be prepared and distributed weeks in advance of the general election, establishing one of the earliest operational voting periods in the United States,
NC Drinking Water: AG Jackson Pushes for Microplastic Tests
Raleigh -- September 5, 2026: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is spearheading a multistate effort urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mandate testing for microplastics in public drinking water systems.
September 4, 2026
Parole Violator Shot by Madison Co. Deputies in Marshall
A suspect wanted for federal parole violation and and felony flee to elude was shot by Madison County deputies while attempting apprehension. The incident highlights the inherent dangers law enforcement faces when serving warrants for serious offenses in the WNC community.
September 4, 2026
Dangerous Heat, Strong Storm Potential; Labor Day Weekend Weather Alerts in WNC
WNC Weather Warning -- September 4, 2026: Western North Carolina residents and visitors planning outdoor activities this weekend should prepare for a potent combination of oppressive heat and sudden severe storms. Regional forecasters have issued weather alerts across the mountains as an encroaching frontal boundary collides with an unseasonably hot, humid air mass.
September 4, 2026
Overdoses Drop in Buncombe County as WNC Puts Opioid Settlement Funds to Work
WNC News -- September 3, 2026: Buncombe County Government has released updated public health figures revealing significant declines in both fatal overdoses and emergency room encounters, marking a measurable turning point in Western North Carolina’s response to the opioid crisis.
September 3, 2026Sports
View All
SportsBeyond the Gridiron: Mountain High School Athletes Shine Across Fall Sports
WNC High School Sports -- September 5, 2026: Friday night lights capture the headlines, but high school athletes across Western North Carolina have sp...
WNC High School Football Week 3
WNC High School Football -- September 5, 2026: September 8, 2026: Week 3 of the high school football season delivered another action-packed night of gridiron drama across Western North Carolina
September 5, 2026
WNC High School Football Week 2: Scores, Thrillers and Rivalry Wins Across the Mountains
WNC HIgh School Football -- September 1, 2026: Week 2 of the high school football season brought another exciting weekend under the lights across Western North Carolina.
September 1, 2026
Friday Night Lights Return: WNC High School Football Kicks Off 2026–2027 Season
WNC Sports -- August 22, 2026: High school football made an emphatic return across Western North Carolina this weekend, opening the 2026–2027 season ...
August 22, 2026
Blue Ridge Pickleball Takes Center Court at Harrah's Cherokee Center
WNC Sports News -- August 10, 2026: Downtown Asheville is gearing up for a major sports gathering as Blue Ridge Pickleball takes over Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville from Wednesday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 16. The five-day event offers something for players of all ages and skill levels, featuring introductory clinics, open play sessions, tournaments, and community activities.
August 10, 2026Business
View All
BusinessState Grants Support Nearly $15 Million in WNC Manufacturing and Healthcare Projects
WNC Business -- September 5, 2026: Western North Carolina communities are seeing direct economic and medical investment through state-backed infrastructure programs designed to revitalize existing properties, attract private capital, and create jobs.
Henderson County Tourism Surges to $453 Million in Post-Storm Economic Rebound
Henderson County -- September 4, 2026: Henderson County’s travel and hospitality sector posted robust gains in 2025, overcoming storm-related recovery headwinds to generate $453.34 million in visitor spending.
September 4, 2026Weaverville's Ballcrank Pickleball Club: 12 Courts Open Soon!
Get ready, WNC pickleball enthusiasts! Ballcrank Pickleball Club is set to open in Weaverville by early October, offering 12 state-of-the-art indoor courts. This article will detail the club's amenities, including a pro shop, showers, and an outdoor patio, providing a much-needed dedicated space for the sport.
August 29, 2026
Henderson County Tourism Reaches Record $453 Million as Regional Economy Surges
WNC Business -- Tourism spending across Henderson County grew by 3.6% in 2025, reaching a record $453.34 million and cementing the county’s position spot as the 17th largest tourism economy of the 100 in NC.
August 19, 2026
Cash App to Pay Up to $175 Million in Federal Settlement
Business News -- August 19, 2026: Block, Inc., the technology company operating Cash App, has entered into a formal consent order with the Consumer Financial Protecton Bureau.
August 19, 2026Entertainment
View All
EntertainmentAsheville & WNC September Concert Calendar: Open-Air Stages to Late-Night Clubs
WNC Entertainment -- Sepetmber 1, 2026: September brings an extensive lineup of live performances across Asheville and Western North Carolina. From open-air park stages to club rooms and downtown venues, here is your guide to live music across the region this month
Remembering Tim Curry: The Master of Mischief, Menace, and Magnetism
On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the entertainment world lost one of its most versatile and electric performers. British actor and singer Tim Curry passed away at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 80. While global news was dominated by the passing of music legend Dolly Parton on the exact same date, Curry leaves behind a brilliant, singular legacy spanning more than five decades across film, theater, television, and voice acting.
August 28, 2026
Samuel Monroe Jr., ‘Menace II Society’ Character Actor, Dies at 52
Actor Samuel Monroe Jr., whose intense screen presence helped define a memorable era of 1990s urban cinema, has passed away at the age of 52. His moth...
August 28, 2026
Countdown to 40: Western North Carolina Prepares for the 40th Anniversary of ‘Dirty Dancing’
Lake Lure -- August 24, 2026: As August marks exactly one year until the milestone 40th anniversary of Dirty Dancing, Western North Carolina is geariing up to celebrate one of the most beloved films ever captured in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
August 24, 2026
Your Complete Guide to Western North Carolina Labor Day Weekend Festivals
WNC -- August 21, 2026: Labor Day weekend across Western North Carolina brings out the very best of our mountain communities. Explore what is happening across every corner of the mountains holiday weekend.
August 21, 2026Lifestyle
View All
LifestyleBringing the Garden In and Keeping the Outdoors Alive Until Thanksgiving
WNC Lifestyle -- September 6, 2026: As the mountain air turns crisp and the leaves start drifting down, the natural instinct is to close the screen doors and settle inside. But letting go of summer doesn’t mean your gardening days are done.
Heart, Spirit, and Steel: The Dedication and Talent Fueling Mountain High Schools
WNC High Schools -- September 5, 20226: Friday night lights command the autumn headlines across Western North Carolina, but an equally driven wave of students pours heart, discipline, and endless after-school hours into programs that define true mountain pride. From blacktops and scene shops to livestock barns, art studios, and community supply drives, these students are the real pulse of our schools.
September 6, 2026
Ready for Fall: A Guide to Indoor Recreation & Fitness Across Haywood County
Haywood County -- August 30, 2026: As cooler mountain temperatures roll in this fall, Haywood County residents have plenty of high-quality indoor facilities to maintain fitness, swim laps, and connect with the community. Leading the seasonal transition is welcome news for weekend schedules in Waynesville. Haywood County -- August 30, 2026: As cooler mountain temperatures roll in this fall, Haywood County residents have plenty of high-quality indoor facilities to maintain fitness, swim laps, and connect with the community. Leading the seasonal transition is welcome news for weekend schedules in Waynesville. Haywood County -- August 30, 2026: As cooler mountain temperatures roll in this fall, Haywood County residents have plenty of high-quality indoor facilities to maintain fitness, swim laps, and connect with the community. Leading the seasonal transition is welcome news for weekend schedules in Waynesville.
August 30, 2026
Asheville's 80th Holiday Parade: Embrace 'A Vintage Holiday' Theme
The Asheville Downtown Association invites community groups, businesses, and schools to participate in the 80th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade on November 21, 2026. This year's theme, "A Vintage Holiday," calls for nostalgic entries celebrating decades of local tradition.
August 27, 2026
Western North Carolina Fall Foliage Forecast: Your 2026 Elevation-by-Elevation Guide
WNC -- August 25, 2026: Western North Carolina is home to one of the longest and most vibrant autumn foliage seasons in North America. Spanning over ...
August 25, 2026Outdoors
View All
OutdoorsEliada Corn Maze Hits New Note with Live Music in Fall 2026
Asheville -- August 30, 2026: The Eliada Corn Maze is set to introduce a new feature for its 2026 season, adding live music to its popular fall attractions and transforming the event into a vibrant fall festival destination. Located at Eliada Home in Asheville, the maze will open on Sept. 26, 2026, offering a unique blend of agricultural fun and entertainment for all ages.
Gentle Outdoor Adventures: Easy, Family-Friendly Outings Across Western North Carolina
WNC Outdoors -- August 28, 2026: You don’t need to climb steep summits or navigate rocky terrain to experience the best of the Blue Ridge. Western North Carolina is filled with scenic spots featuring flat walking paths, paved loops, shady resting benches, and gentle activities tailored for older adults, grandparents, and families with young children.
August 28, 2026
Outdoor Entertainment Guide: Late Summer & September Events Across WNC
WNC Entertainment: August 10, 2026 -- Ready to make the most of late summer and early fall in the mountains? Western North Carolina’s outdoor event calendar is overflowing from now through September. From long-running traditions like Shindig on the Green and the NC Apple Festival to lively street concerts and community fairs, we’ve rounded up the top outdoor gatherings, music series, and festivals you won't want to miss.
August 10, 2026
Fire Towers You Can Visit in Western North Carolina
WNC Times Outdoor News -- August 3, 2026: After learning about the important role fire towers played in protecting North Carolina's forests, many readers may be wondering where they can see one for themselves.
August 3, 2026
What Are Fire Towers? The Historic Mountain Sentinels That Once Protected Western North Carolina's Forests
WNC Outdoors -- August 3, 2026 If you've ever hiked to the top of a mountain in Western North Carolina and discovered a tall steel tower rising above the trees, you've probably wondered what it was built for. These structures, known as fire towers or fire lookout towers, were once one of the most important tools for protecting North Carolina's forests from devastating wildfires.
August 3, 2026