News
View AllNewsMacon County Man Faces Multiple Drug Charges
Macon County Sheriff's Office News Release June 5, 2026: Deputies with the Macon County Sheriff's Office Criminal Interdiction Unit were patrolling US 64 West when they observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation. Following a traffic stop, deputies conducted a search that resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Fights to Save NCFamilies Nearly $1.4 Billion on Duke Energy Carolinas Bills
Raleigh -- Attorney General Jeff Jackson is fighting Duke Energy Carolinas’ (Duke or DEC) proposed rate increase. If approved, the increase would cost ratepayers nearly $1.4 billion in unnecessary rate hikes over the next two years.
June 6, 2026
Governor Stein Reacts to Override of House Bill 87 Veto
Raleigh -- Press Release June 3, 2026: North Carolina John Stein's Office: oday Governor Stein released the statement below in reaction to the override of his veto on House Bill 87: “I vetoed House Bill 87 because at the time we were awaiting sound guidance from the federal government before opting in. Despite not receiving that guidance yet, the General Assembly decided to opt the state into the program.
June 6, 2026
State Recommends Open Market Sale for Craggy Prison Property, Bypassing County Transfer
Buncombe County -- June 6, 2026: IIn a pivotal recommendation that could dramatically reshape a prominent stretch of local riverfront real estate, state officials are pushing to put the Craggy Correctional Center property up for sale on the open market. If finalized, the move would effectively rule out a direct property transfer to Buncombe County, steering the multi-acre site toward competitive private bidding instead.
June 6, 2026Attorney General Jeff Jackson Warns North Carolinians of Workers’ Compensation Fraud Scheme
Raleigh -- June 6, 2026: Press Release: Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning North Carolinians who file workers’ compensation claims of a fraud scheme impersonating government and judicial officials to steal people’s money.
June 5, 2026Sports
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SportsMountains on the Move: Upcoming Local Sports & Outdoor Events in WNC
WNC Sports -- June 7, 2026: While the professional and collegiate sports calendar takes a brief summer breather, Western North Carolina’s outdoor venues and community spaces are gearing up for a busy stretch. From local cycling meetups to massive regional youth tournaments, the mountains are coming alive with athletic energy this June.
WNC Sports Action Coming Up This Weekend
WNC Sports -- June 3, 2026: With high school and collegiate spring seasons officially in the rearview mirror, Western North Carolina sports enter their distinct summer rhythm. While the traditional regional stadium lights may be quieter, the upcoming weekend (June 5–7) proves the mountain sports scene has plenty on the calendar. From historic milestones on the diamond to grueling mountain endurance tests, here are the top sports events to watch across WNC this weekend.
June 3, 2026
WNC Sports Roundup: Champions Rising, Stadium Upgrades, and Summer Legacies
WNC -- May 28, 2026: It is officially that beautiful, chaotic sweet spot of the mountain sports calendar. High school legends are cementing their legacies, local fields are getting massive facelifts, and summer league culture is officially heating up across Western North Carolina. From the track to the diamond, here is what’s making waves in our neck of the woods this week.
May 29, 2026
Summer Tradition: How Asheville City SC Unified Mountain Soccer Culture
Asheville -- May 23, 2026: When the high school gymnasiums lock their doors for the summer and regional collegiate programs enter their offseason, sports fans across Western North Carolina traditionally face a quiet stretch.
May 23, 2026
Mountain Sports Report: Big South Tourney Hits Asheville, High School Postseason Ignites
WNC Sports News -- May 18, 2026: Western North Carolina is the epicenter of regional sports action this week. From crucial high school series to Division I collegiate baseball championship tournament play right in downtown Asheville, sports fans have a packed calendar to follow.
May 18, 2026Business
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BusinessBuncombe TDA Proposes $27 Million Post-Helene Recovery Budget; Heavy Focus on Marketing
Buncombe County -- June 6, 2026: The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) has unveiled a proposed $27.05 million operating budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Presented by Ed Silver, Vice President of Business Development for Explore Asheville, the spending plan pivots financial strategy toward regional economic recovery following Tropical Storm Helene. The proposal represents an increase from the previous year’s $25.9 million budget, placing an aggressive emphasis on rebuilding the region's hospitality sector.
National Park Service Announce a Leasing Opportunity for Bluffs Lodge at Doughton ParK
Blue Ridge Parkway -- June 3, 2026: The Blue Ridge Parkway announced today a leasing opportunity for the Bluffs Lodge, a historic motor lodge located at milepost 241.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Laurel Springs, N.C. The Request for Proposals process invites interested individuals, businesses and organizations to submit proposals for the rehabilitation and long‑term operation of this property.
June 3, 2026
Help Shape Future Funding: Final Post-Helene WNC Business Response Survey Now Open
City of Asheville -- May 31, 2026: Asheville businesses, Riverbird Research, a division of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, is conducting a final assessment of our region’s economic landscape.
May 31, 2026
'Biz Hero Solutions Lab' Comes to Asheville to Offer Heavy-Hitting Strategy Over Standard Networking
Asheville -- If you are a Western North Carolina entrepreneur or nonprofit director, you already know the routine: you attend a networking mixer, exchange a few business cards, chat about the weather, and head home with the exact same operational headaches you had when you walked in.
May 27, 2026
HCC receives $25,000 Workforce Development Grant from Duke Energy
Haywood County -- May 20, 2026: Haywood Community College was recently awarded a $25,000 grant to increase awareness about their electrical and trades programs through additional marketing and outreach from a generous Duke Energy grant.
May 20, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentSound Waves in the Blue Ridge: Asheville's June 2026 Concert Lineup
Asheville Entertainment News -- June 2, 2026: Summer in Western North Carolina officially arrives this month, bringing warmer mountain nights and a packed live music calendar. From intimate listening rooms to major arena stages, downtown Asheville and the surrounding areas are hosting an eclectic mix of national touring acts and regional favorites.
Summer's Sneak Peek: The Ultimate WNC Entertainment Guide for May 29–31
WNC Entertainment -- The final weekend of May brings a spectacular transition to Western North Carolina. As spring melts completely into early summer, the mountain region is wide awake with major outdoor music festivals, open-air community concerts, local plant markets, and river adventures.
May 25, 2026
Live & Loud: Your WNC Memorial Day Weekend Concert & Music Guide
WNC Entertainment -- While community street festivals and heritage days fill the afternoon hours this Memorial Day weekend, Western North Carolina’s entertainment scene takes over when the sun goes down. From major outdoor stadium rock and indoor theater revivals to professional rodeos, roller derby bouts, and local creek-side picking sessions, here is your definitive regional guide to the evening live music and ticketed entertainment hitting stages across every single county in WNC this holiday weekend.
May 19, 2026
WNC Entertainment Guide: What’s Happening This Weekend (May 15–17)
WNC Entertainment -- From the heart of downtown Asheville to the rolling pastures of Fairview, Western North Carolina is alive with music, theater, and community spirit this weekend. Whether you are looking for a high-energy dance floor or a quiet afternoon of local craft, here is your complete guide to the best entertainment the mountains have to offer.
May 13, 2026
Braden Rumfelt Voted Out of American Idol Season 24
American Idol -- May 5, 2026: The lights dimmed on Braden Rumfelt’s American Idol journey during Monday night’s high-stakes episode, but the North Carolina native left the stage having reached an incredible milestone as a Top 5 finalist.
May 5, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleUnderstanding North Carolina’s Strict Rabies Mandate
When you take your pet to the veterinarian, you are usually presented with a comprehensive menu of recommended shots—distemper, parvovirus, bordetella, and leptospirosis, to name a few. To many pet owners facing rising veterinary costs, it can be tough to distinguish between a clinic's standard checklist and genuinely critical healthcare.
Asheville Regional Airport Invites Western North Carolina Artists to Create the Gateway to Home
Asheville -- June 4, 2026: Asheville Airport Press Release June 2, 2026: Asheville Regional Airport Invites Western North Carolina Artists to Create the Gateway to Home Two Landmark Public Art Commissions Available in New AVL Terminal — Submission Deadline June 22
June 4, 2026
Cook Presents Fourth Book in Series at Pre-Release Party
Asheville -- June 4, 2026: Tyler Cook, Asheville resident and author, will release his sixth book, ‘Remnant’, at a special release party on June 6 at 10 a.m. at the Avery’s Creek Community Center.
June 4, 2026
The Water-Wise Yard: Bulletproof, Low-Care Native Plants for the WNC Summer
WNC -- May 29, 2026: Summer is officially here in Western North Carolina, but it arrives with a serious challenge. Despite a few welcome, scattered Memorial Day weekend showers that briefly knocked back the state's "Exceptional Drought" labels, the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council confirms that the interior mountains remain locked in a stubborn, long-term Extreme Drought.
May 29, 2026
Beautiful Lake Lure - The Calm After the Storm - Maintaining Lake Levels
Town of Lake Lure -- May 27. 2026: Maintaining Beautiful Lake Lure: Town Officials continue to make assessments following the rain storm overnight. Note that the Town is not lowering the lake, but we are working to maintain lake levels at full pond which is 990.5 Mean Sea Level (MSL). The current lake level is 990.32 MSL.
May 27, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsThe Town of Waynesville Announces Grand Opening of Dog Park June 9, 2026
Waynesville -- June 5, 2026: The Town of Waynesville is proud to announce the grand opening of its newly rebuilt and relocated Dog Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The event marks a significant milestone in the community's ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene and the continued restoration of parks and recreation amenities impacted by the storm.
Redesigning Owen Park Workshop Buncombe County June 16, 2026
Buncombe County Government News -- May 31, 2026: 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.
May 31, 2026
A Milestone for Recovery: Historic Curtis Creek Campground Reopens in Old Fort
Old Fort -- May 27, 2026: In a major milestone for Western North Carolina’s outdoor community, the United States Forest Service has officially announced the reopening of the historic Curtis Creek Campground. Located in the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, the beloved recreation site is welcoming campers back exactly 20 months after suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Helene.
May 27, 2026
Blue Ridge Parkway Official Kickoff 2026 Season
Blue Ridge Parkway -- May 22, 2026: National Forestry Service: Today is the official kickoff of the 2026 visitor season! All campgrounds, visitor centers, and picnic areas that are operating in 2026 are OPEN and welcoming visitors!
May 22, 2026
Traveling Across the Ridges? What to Know About WNC’s Changing Air Quality
WNC -- May 21, 2026: As wildfire smoke moves across Western North Carolina, air quality officials have placed multiple areas into the "Code Yellow" (Moderate) category. However, because our mountain topography creates unique microclimates, what you breathe depends entirely on your elevation and the time of day.
May 21, 2026