Breaching the Threshold: Wildlife Biologists Sound Alarm Over Buncombe’s Home-Invading Bears as City Grapples with Cart Deficits
Marge Farrington•October 28, 2026News
View AllNewsBreaching the Threshold: Wildlife Biologists Sound Alarm Over Buncombe’s Home-Invading Bears as City Grapples with Cart Deficits
Buncombe County -- October 28, 2026: For generations of families living in the Blue Ridge, spotting a black bear ambling along a wooded ridge or grazing on summer berries has been a cherished hallmark of mountain life. We learn early on to give them room, admire their presence, and respect the wild nature of the Southern Appalachians.
North Carolina Holds Nation’s Lowest Gas Prices as State Gas Tax Holiday Continues Through November
Raleigh -- October 28, 2026: For the second consecutive week, North Carolina drivers are finding the lowest fuel prices in the entire country as pumps continue to reflect the temporary suspension of the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon motor fuels tax.
October 28, 2026
Buncombe County Sheriffs Office Identify Two Men Killed in Arden Double Homicide
Buncombe County -- October 26, 2026: Authorities have released the names of two men found dead early Saturday morning following a reported shooting in southern Buncombe County.
October 26, 2026
Manhunt Underway in Arden After Daytime Break-In Suspect Flees Deputies
Arden -- October 26, 2026: A massive ground and aerial search is underway in south Buncombe County after a suspect wanted on multiple violent felony charges fled from a home during a break-in Monday afternoon.
October 26, 2026
Governor Stein Announces $149.7 Million Expansion for US Conec in Hickory, Adding 224 New Jobs
WNC News -- October 26, 2026: Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that US Conec Ltd., a global leader in high-density optical interconnects, is set to expand its operations in Catawba County. The company plans to invest more than $149.7 million to construct a state-of-the-art facility in Hickory, creating 224 new jobs for the area.
October 26, 2026Sports
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SportsWNC High School Football Scores Week 10
WNC Sports -- October 24, 2026: Week 10 of Western North Carolina high school football brought high drama, nail-biting finishes, and commanding statement wins under Friday night lights. With postseason positioning on the line, several matchups came down to a single point, while powerhouse offenses lit up scoreboards across the region.
Beyond Friday Night Lights: WNC Fall Sports Head Into Championship Stretch
WNC Sports -- October 17, 2026: October brings conference titles, standout performances and postseason opportunities across Western North Carolina.
October 17, 2026
WNC High School Football Scores Week 9
WNC Sports -- October 17, 2026: Week 9 of Friday Night Football brought another thrilling night of gridiron action under the lights across Western North Carolina. Teams across the mountains battled through key conference clashes, statement shutouts, and high-scoring showdowns.
October 17, 2026
WNC Gridiron Shocks: Week 6 Delivers Unexpected Upsets
WNC Sports -- October 10, 2026: Western North Carolina high school football brought another action-packed slate of Friday night matchups across the region, featuring crucial conference battles, rivalry showdowns, and high-scoring finishes.
October 10, 2026
Dominance on Display: WNC's Top Teams Light Up Friday Night
WNC Sports -- October 4,2026: Friday night's Week 7 high school football slate across Western North Carolina featured a series of dominant performances and high-scoring contests, with several teams asserting their authority on the field. T
October 4, 2026Business
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BusinessGovernor Stein Announces $2.2 Million in Rural Development Grants Across North Carolina
Raleigh -- October 19, 2026: North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved $2.236 million in grants for nine local government projects, including the reuse of a manufacturing building in Shelby, Gov. Josh Stein announced Oct. 15.
Data-Center Demand Drives Nuclear Restart Deals at Three Mile Island and Duane Arnold
Business News -- October 18, 2026: Technology-company power contracts and billions in federal financing are helping revive retired reactors, bringing ...
October 18, 2026
NC Governor Stein Announces Catawba County to Gain 105 Jobs With Utili-Serve’s $24.8 Million Expansion
Catawba County -- October 15, 2026: Catawba County will gain 105 new jobs as Utili-Serve LLC invests more than $24.8 million to expand its Conover headquarters and construct a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Gov. Josh Stein’s office announced Oct. 14.
October 15, 2026
Former Industrial Hub Finds New Life: Ballcrank Pickleball Club to Open in Weaverville
WNC Business -- October 12, 2026: A prominent manufacturing property in northern Buncombe County has officially completed its initial transformation from an industrial production plant into a commercial recreation and hospitality destination.
October 12, 2026
Digital Price Tags vs. Corporate Pledges: Inside Walmart’s Dynamic Pricing Debate
WNC Business -- October 12, 2026: As major retailers transition from paper shelf tags to digital displays, consumer watchdogs and retail leadership are clashing over the future of in-store pricing.
October 12, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentAsheville This Week: Live Music, Grateful Dead Classics and a Spooky Night of Stories
Asheville Events -- October 18, 2026: An acoustic celebration of the Grateful Dead, a free evening of Phish favorites and a Halloween-season gathering of poetry and prose are among Asheville’s entertainment options for October 18–24, 2026. From touring acts at The Orange Peel to smaller performances around town, the calendar offers plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the city.
Haywood County Fall Events: Festivals, Crafts, Bluegrass and Halloween Fun
Haywood County -- October 7, 2026: Autumn is underway across Western North Carolina, bringing arts and crafts festivals, harvest celebrations, live bluegrass and Halloween activities to Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Canton.
October 7, 2026
Autumn in the High Country: The WNC Fall Mountain Festival Circuit
When the ridgelines shift from lush green to brilliant amber and scarlet, Western North Carolina enters its most spirited season. Autumn in the mountains isn’t just a scenic backdrop; it is a full sensory experience defined by bubbling copper apple butter kettles, the rhythmic resonance of bluegrass banjos, and town streets lined with generational craft traditions.
September 23, 2026
Weekend Highlights: Fairs, Festivals, and Mountain Fun Across Western North Carolina
WNC Entertainment -- September 18, 2026: Western North Carolina comes alive this weekend with outdoor festivities for all ages. Whether you are looki...
September 18, 2026
Raising Cane': New Documentary Explores the Cultural and Ecological Power of Cherokee Rivercane
WNC Entertainment News -- September 16, 2026: For centuries across the American Southeast, native rivercane formed vast, unbroken canebrakes along ri...
September 16, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleStitched in Democracy: Buncombe Register of Deeds Unveils Appalachian Quilt Gallery
Asheville -- October 28, 2026: In an era dominated by rapid-fire digital feeds and ephemeral media, the Buncombe County Register of Deeds is slowing down the civic conversation—one careful stitch at a time.
Medicare Drug Premium Protections Ending; Some Seniors Face Hundreds More in Annual Costs
Washington, DC -- October 26, 2026: Millions of Medicare beneficiaries will face new or higher monthly prescription insurance premiums in 2027 as the Trump administration ends a temporary program that helped hold down costs for standalone drug plans.
October 26, 2026
Historic SS United States Set to Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef Off Florida
Florida -- Ocotber 26, 2026: The SS United States, an ocean liner celebrated for its record-breaking speed, is scheduled to be sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast in November, beginning a new chapter as an artificial reef and underwater attraction.
October 26, 2026
From Ancient Bonfires to Porch Pumpkins: Samhain’s Place in Our Mountain Halloween
WNC Lifestyle -- October 20, 2026: A carved pumpkin on the porch seems like an ordinary part of October. So does a costume party or a spooky story told after dark. But each belongs to a holiday with a history that stretches across countries, religions and generations.
October 20, 2026
Asheville Veganfest Fall Brings Food, Music and Local Makers to Pack Square Park Oct. 25
Asheville Events -- October 18, 2026: An afternoon of plant-based comfort food, seasonal treats and local shopping is coming to downtown Asheville when Asheville Veganfest Fall returns to Pack Square Park on Sunday, Oct. 25.
October 18, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsCity of Asheville Announces Playable Sound Sculpture to be Unveiled on Reed Creek Greenway
Asheville -- October 11, 2026: The City of Asheville is excited to announce the installation of a new, interactive piece of public art where the Reed...
Fall Air and Full Calendars: Outdoor Weekend Adventures Across WNC (Oct. 2–4)
WNC Outdoors -- October 1, 2026: Cooler mountain air and early traces of autumn color are setting the stage for a busy weekend across Western North Carolina. From open-air heritage gatherings and street celebrations to working orchard trails and athletic matches, outdoor opportunities span the region from the high plateau to the valley towns.
October 1, 2026
Welcome October Outdoors: Simple Mountain Activities to Savor the Season
WNC Outdoors -- September 23, 2026: As October arrives across Western North Carolina, the mountains settle into that classic autumn rhythm.
September 23, 2026
Eliada 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.
August 30, 2026
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