Flu-Like, COVID-Like ER Visits Tick Up in Western North Carolina
Marge Farrington•November 3, 2026News
View AllNewsFlu-Like, COVID-Like ER Visits Tick Up in Western North Carolina
Raleigh -- November 3, 2026: State health officials report modest increases in the Asheville region while broader respiratory activity remains low st...
Joy’s House: Helpmate Doubles Emergency Shelter Capacity for Buncombe County Domestic Violence Survivors
n Asheville-based nonprofit dedicated to shielding domestic abuse survivors is preparing to more than double its emergency housing capacity as it moves into a newly built, modern facility.
November 2, 2026
I-26 Connector Work Brings Nighttime Detours and Daytime Flagging Through Nov. 6
Asheville -- Novemeber 1, 2026: Commuters and freight traffic navigating the heart of Buncombe County face a fresh round of traffic shifts, ramp closures, and flagging operations this week as construction presses forward on the multibillion-dollar Interstate 26 Connector project.
November 2, 2026
Buncombe County Sets All-Time Midterm Early Voting Record as Final Days Approach
Buncombe County -- October 29, 2026: Voter turnout across Buncombe County has officially surpassed previous midterm records, with local election officials reporting that early voting totals climbed past historic highs midway through the final week.
October 29, 2026
Unlabeled Degreaser Mistaken for Salt Led to Chemical Burns at Forest City Chili’s
Forest City -- October 29. 2026: An unlabeled container of industrial degreaser mistakenly identified as margarita salt led to chemical burns for three customers and two employees at the Forest City Chili’s Grill & Bar, according to preliminary investigative findings from the Foothills Health District first reported by WLOS News 13.
October 29, 2026Sports
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SportsWNC High School Football Scores Week 11
WNC High School Football -- November 1, 2026: Western North Carolina high school football teams wrapped up the regular season Friday night, Oct. 30, with Week 11 matchups settling final conference standings and playoff spots across the region.
WNC 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.
October 24, 2026
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, 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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LifestyleHoliday Ice Rink Returns to Downtown Asheville for Extended 2026–27 Season
Downtown Asheville is gearing up for the return of a popular winter tradition as Asheville Yards announces the upcoming opening of its outdoor Holiday Ice Rink for the 2026–27 season. Located at 75 Coxe Avenue on the South Slope, the open-air rink will officially open on Friday, November 20, 2026, and run through Monday, January 18, 2027. This year’s schedule extends the skating calendar by an extra full week compared to last season, providing families, residents, and visitors more time to get out on the ice through the mid-January holiday weekend. The venue features a real outdoor ice surface complete with holiday lights, warming fire pits, festive music, hot cocoa, food vendors, and local craft beverages. In addition to open public skating, the venue is bringing back its weekly event schedule: Tuesdays: Locals Family Skate nights featuring half-price admission. Wednesdays: Old-Time Christmas concerts highlighting regional mountain musicians. Thursdays: Holiday movie nights on the outdoor big screen. General entry into the Asheville Yards grounds remains free throughout the season for spectators, shoppers, and non-skaters. Skating admission includes skate rentals and a 75-minute session on the ice. Because each session has a set capacity to keep the ice comfortable, advance online registration is strongly recommended. For complete operating hours, skate bookings, and private party inquiries, visit AshevilleIceRink.com.
Stitched 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.
October 28, 2026
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, 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