News
Helene debris raises wildfire fears
Recovery officials warn western NC faces years of elevated fire risk as timber markets, housing and workforce pressures complicate rebuilding.
News
New flood damage renews questions about WNC recovery
Washed-out highway near Henderson County line underscores continuing infrastructure risks as mountain communities brace for more rain.
Opinion
Hospitals should battle in the marketplace, not the courtroom
Are there issues with Medicaid reimbursement rates hurting hospital bottom lines? Sure. But these costs should be out in the open so they can be dealt with honestly, not hidden behind monopoly schemes.
News
Go tell it on the mountain: Folklorist dishes on Appalachian Easter
Tipper Pressley has dedicated the past 18 years to archiving the unique customs of mountainfolk and sharing them with an ever-growing audience.
News
State fire marshal warns of escalating wildfire risk
The debris left by Helene is already altering wildfire behavior. Fires are burning hotter, spreading unpredictably, and lasting longer — even outside the state’s typical fire season.
News
GROW NC panel weighs disaster investment zones
Under current federal rules, states can designate certain low-income census tracts as opportunity zones, allowing investors to receive tax benefits for investing in businesses or real estate projects in those areas.
News
Helene recovery hindered by water funding gap
Officials said repairing drinking water and wastewater systems remains one of the most expensive and complex challenges facing the region.
News
GROW NC subcommittee outlines workforce, housing priorities
The subcommittee plans to continue refining its recommendations in the coming months, with future discussions expected to focus on education, health care, and strategies to attract private investment to the region.
News
Spruce Pine reminds western NC ‘we’re in this together’
Relief funding from the General Assembly has helped to carry some of the burden as towns wait for FEMA reimbursements.
News
Boliek sworn in as state auditor, says he’ll start with audit of DMV
On Wednesday, Dave Boliek was sworn in as the new state auditor of North Carolina and announced his hires for senior staff and says he will start work with an audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Opinion
The road ahead for western North Carolina
Our bipartisan legislation, the RELIEF Act, would provide an immediate infusion of funding to restart the SBA’s lending lifeline.
Opinion
Four post-Helene election lessons
From precinct officials, early voting workers, and county election officials to the General Assembly and the SBE, all are rising admirably to the challenge Hurricane Helene imposed on them.
