News
View AllNewsFederal Aid on the Line: Department of Education Threats
News -- August 26, 2026: The U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice have issued enforcement directives warning that K-12 school districts, state education agencies, and colleges maintaining race- or sex-conscious programs face federal civil rights investigations, compliance reviews, and the potential loss of federal education funding.
Swain County Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of 3 People
Swain County -- August 36, 2026: Swain County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Aug. 22, which led to the seizure of approximately 30.5 g.rams of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, resulting in three people being taken into custody.
August 26, 2026
Get Ready for Thrills: New Rides Debut at NC Mountain State Fair
The NC Mountain State Fair returns to Fletcher in 2026 with exciting new attractions. Discover four brand-new rides, including The Dairy and Horror Hotel, promising fresh thrills for all ages.
August 26, 2026
Asheville Nurses to Protest Palantir Scheduling Tool at Pack Square Park
Asheville nurses are set to protest Palantir's involvement with HCA Healthcare, citing concerns over the Timpani scheduling platform and its potential impact on patient care. The demonstration at Pack Square Park West highlights fears of automation overriding professional judgment in healthcare.
August 26, 2026
Buncombe County Detention Facility Detainee Dies; SBI Reviewing Circumstances
A 33-year-old man being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility died Tuesday after being found unresponsive in his cell a day earlier, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
August 26, 2026Sports
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SportsFriday 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 ...
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, 2026
Friday Night Lights Return: Western North Carolina Gears Up for the 2026 High School Football Season
WNC Football News -- Auguset 9, 2026: The lights are coming back on across Western North Carolina. High school football teams throughout the mountains are returning to practice fields, coaches are preparing their players, and communities from Asheville to the far western counties are getting ready for another season of Friday night football.
August 9, 2026
Weaverville's Karlyn Pickens Continues to Shine as Professional Women's Softball Reaches New Heights
WNC Sports -- August 3, 2026: Professional women's softball continues to gain momentum across the United States, and one of Western North Carolina's own is helping lead that rise. Weaverville native Karlyn Pickens has quickly become one of the brightest young stars in professional softball after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026
August 3, 2026
Western North Carolina August Mountain Sports & Races Guide
WNC Sports News -- July 28, 2026: August brings prime mountain weather across Western North Carolina, making it one of the most action-packed months on the regional sports calendar. From dog-friendly greenway runs and high-elevation road races to epic endurance mountain biking and city-wide cycling celebrations, outdoor athletes of all experience levels can find an event in the Blue Ridge.
July 28, 2026Business
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BusinessHenderson 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.
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, 2026
Henderson County Economic Development Partnership Brings New Children’s Book to Local Classrooms
Hendersonville -- August 8, 2026: A new children’s book created in Henderson County is taking an early approach to workforce development by introduci...
August 8, 2026
Raccoon Creek Bike Park Expected to Bring Families, Visitors and Business to Haywood County
Haywood County -- August 3, 2026: Haywood County is making a long-term investment in both its residents and its economy with the opening of Raccoon Creek Bike Park, a new outdoor recreation destination designed to serve local families while attracting visitors from across the region.
August 3, 2026
Starbucks and JD Sports Now Open at Tanger Outlets Asheville
Asheville Business News -- July 22, 2026: ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Tanger Outlets Asheville has expanded its lineup of retailers and dining options with the...
July 22, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentCountdown 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.
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, 2026
Remembering Hayden Panettiere: ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ Star Dies at 36
August 17, 2026: Actress Hayden Panettiere, who captivated television audiences for decades from her teenage breakout in Heroes to her critically acclaimed performance in Nashville, passed away on Sunday, August 16. She was 36 years old.
August 17, 2026
Asheville, Buncombe County & Regional Weekend Event Guide (Aug 14–16)
Entertainment News -- August 12, 2026: As late summer rolls through Western North Carolina, the mountain region is filling up with live music, art studio tours, evening light installations, and outdoor community gatherings. Whether you are staying close to downtown Asheville or taking a scenic weekend drive into neighboring Haywood, Henderson, or Macon counties, there are plenty of verified daytime activities and evening shows happening from Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16. Below is your complete weekend rundown.
August 12, 2026
Grammy-Winning Producer William Orbit Dies at 69
Entertainment News -- August 8. 2026: William Orbit, the Grammy-winning British producer and electronic music pioneer whose work helped shape some of the most recognizable pop and alternative music of the past four decades, has died at the age of 69.
August 8, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleWestern 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 ...
The Fall Makeover: Cozy Up Your Mountain Home Without Breaking the Bank
WNC Lifestyle -- August 23, 2026: As crisp evening breezes roll off the Blue Ridge ridges, the urge to nest indoors takes over. Giving your home that...
August 23, 2026
Reimagining Owen Park: Buncombe County Invites Community to Review Final Redesign Draft
Swannanoa -- August 21, 2026: In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, few public spaces in Buncombe County felt the storm's fury quite like Charles D. Owen Park.
August 21, 2026
Celebrating Our Roots: Inaugural Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition Festival Comes to Memorial Stadium
Asheville -- August 20, 2026: Asheville is set to host a powerful cultural celebration as the Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition presents its inaugural, ...
August 20, 2026
Fall Yard Preparation in Western North Carolina: What to Do Starting in August
Prepare now and enjoy fall later with practical lawn, planting and landscaping tips for Western North Carolina — including ideas for small yards and homeowners on a budget.
August 9, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsOutdoor 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.
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
When Bees Hijack the Hummingbird Feeder: Understanding the Mid-Summer "Nectar Dearth"
WNC Outdoors -- July 27, 2026: If you’ve stepped out onto your porch or into your garden in Western North Carolina recently to check on your hummingbird feeder, you might have noticed some uninvited guests: bees. Dozens of them, swarming the red plastic ports, jostling with the hummingbirds, and leaving many outdoor enthusiasts wondering what on earth is going on.
July 27, 2026
Washburn Marina Reopens - A Major Milestone in Lake Lure's Recovery!
Lake Lure -- July 16, 2026: Update Town Of Lake Lure" We are excited to announce that the Town of Lake Lure, NC has received all required Town and Rutherford County approvals for the newly rebuilt Washburn Marina. The Certificate of Occupancy (CO) was issued this afternoon, and seasonal slip renters may now begin using their boat slips!
July 16, 2026