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View AllNewsFelony Kidnapping Charge Added in Bent Creek Trail Attack Case
Buncombe County -- May 26, 2026: A new felony kidnapping charge has been filed against Dillion James Curtis, 29, in connection with an alleged attack on an Asheville-based outdoor content creator, Emily Sutherland, in the popular Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
Charlotte Highway Completely Shut Down Near County Line: Gerton Fire Department Issues Urgent "Stay In" Warning
Henderson County -- May 26, 2026: Severe storms moving through Henderson County this morning have caused widespread flash flooding, severe road damage, and a massive roadway washout that has completely severed a major travel artery between Gerton and Fairview.
May 26, 2026
State Approves Vaya Health, Partners Health Management Merger for Fall 2026
Raleigh -- May 25, 2026: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Devdutta Sangvai has approved the merger of Vaya Health and Partners Health Management, a move set to create the state’s largest publicly governed behavioral healthcare entity. This consolidation, scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2026, following a successful readiness review, will significantly reshape how behavioral health care, intellectual and developmental disability services, and substance use support are managed for residents across 47 counties. This includes its continued management of Western North Carolina communities such as Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood counties.
May 25, 2026
UNC Health Pardee Integrates Oncology Physical Therapy at Hendersonville Cancer Center
Hendersonville -- May 25, 2026: NC Health Pardee has significantly enhanced cancer patient support in the Greater Asheville Area by introducing on-site oncology physical therapy directly within its Cancer Center in Hendersonville. This integration aims to streamline recovery and make vital rehabilitation services more accessible for patients undergoing and recovering from cancer treatment.
May 25, 2026
Buncombe County Launched Survey for Residents Input on Early Voting Plan
Buncombe County Government : Do you want to have a voice in how Early Voting works for the 2026 General Election? Take our five-question survey so your voice can be heard. The Buncombe County Board of Elections will take feedback into consideration when determining the number of locations and weekend hours for early voting.By taking part in a recently launched survey,
May 25, 2026Sports
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SportsSummer 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.
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, 2026
Remembering Brandon Clarke: A Legacy of Grit and Kindness
Memphis -- May 12, 2026: The sports world and the Memphis community are in shock following the sudden passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. News of his death at age 29 was confirmed earlier today, Tuesday, May 12, leaving teammates, fans, and the basketball community at large reeling from the loss of a man widely regarded as a "gentle soul."
May 12, 2026
Friday Night Lights Get a New Look: Girls’ Flag Football is Officially Sanctioned in NC
NC -- May 12, 2026: Last Wednesday, May 6, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) made a historic call: Girls’ Flag Football is now an officially sanctioned varsity sport. This isn’t just a club or an exhibition anymore—starting in the fall of 2026, high school girls will be competing for official NCHSAA State Championship trophies.
May 12, 2026
Weaverville’s Karlyn Pickens Selected No. 1 Overall in 2026 AUSL Draft
Weaverville -- May 5, 2026: Weaverville native Karlyn Pickens, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) College Draft. Her selection by the Carolina Blaze on Monday, May 4, 2026, marks the culmination of a journey that began on local fields in Western North Carolina.
May 5, 2026Business
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BusinessHCC 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.
Buncombe County Moves Forward on Multi-Million Dollar Storm Recovery Grants for Commercial Districts
Buncombe County -- May 19, 2026: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold its first formal public hearing Tuesday evening on a sweeping federal disaster recovery proposal aimed at pumping millions of dollars into storm-damaged commercial corridors.
May 19, 2026
Kudzu Brands Launches Pro-Bono ‘Summer Brand Camp’ for WNC Nonprofits and Minority-Owned Businesses
Asheville -- May 18, 2026: Kudzu Brands, a leading branding and marketing agency in Western North Carolina, has announced the launch of its newly reimagined annual giveaway initiative: Kudzu Brands Summer Camp.
May 18, 2026
Economic Resilience and Strategic Recovery: The State of WNC Business in May 2026
WNC Business -- May 13, 2026: Across the ridge lines of Western North Carolina this May, the narrative is shifting from emergency response to strategic economic "reset." While the outdoor recreation sector has long been the calling card of the Blue Ridge, it is now serving as the primary engine for the region’s broader business recovery.
May 13, 2026
Honoring Resilience: Small Business Week Spotlight on WNC
North Carolina -- May 4, 2026: Governor Josh Stein has officially proclaimed May 3–9, 2026, as Small Business Week in North Carolina. This week-long celebration honors the more than one million small businesses that form the backbone of the state's economy, with a particular focus this year on the grit and resiliency of entrepreneurs in Western North Carolina (WNC).
May 4, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentSummer'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.
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, 2026
WNC Let’s Go to the Movies: April 25 – April 30, 2026
WNC -- Spring is in full swing across the Blue Ridge, but the real heat is happening inside our local theaters this week. From the high-energy debut ...
April 25, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleA New Chapter: Brother Wolf Secures Future Site for Rebuilt Asheville Adoption Center
Asheville -- May 20, 2026: In a powerful testament to regional resilience, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue has officially secured the future site for its rebuilt adoption center. The announcement marks a monumental milestone for the organization, which lost its entire Glendale Avenue campus to the catastrophic floodwaters of Hurricane Helene.
Your WNC Lifestyle Guide to Memorial Day Weekend
WNC -- Memorial Day Weekend -- Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to summer in the mountains, and communities across Western North Carolina are celebrating with a packed lineup of family-friendly, all-ages activities. Whether you are looking to stroll through vibrant garden displays, step back into living history, or take part in a meaningful community remembrance service, there is plenty to do across our beautiful region.
May 19, 2026
Pack Memorial Paint Days Today and Tomorrow
Asheville -- May 19, 2026: Pack Memorial Library: For week 2, we'll be hosting two community paint days on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19 & May 20. Pop into the library from 2-4 PM and sign in.
May 19, 2026
Charlotte-Area Destination: Drought Delays Memorial Day Opening of Lake Norman’s Ramsey Creek Beach
Cornelius -- May 18, 2026: Memorial Day weekend plans for thousands of regional families will look a little different this year. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation has announced that the swimming beach at Ramsey Creek Park will not open as scheduled for the holiday weekend due to persistent, severe drought conditions across the Catawba River Basin.
May 18, 2026
Tracking the Threat: The Growing Reality of Tick-Borne Illness in Western North Carolina
WNC -- May 17, 2026: For decades, residents and visitors enjoying the Blue Ridge Mountains operated under a comforting piece of local folklore: while our woods were full of ticks, the deep South didn't have to worry much about Lyme disease.
May 17, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsBlue 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!
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
Increased Bear Activity in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area: Be BearWise
Asheville -- May 18, 2026: U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina (Nantahala Pisgah Uwharrie Croatan)There have been several recent reports of increased bear activity in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, specifically at the campsites on Shortoff Trail and at the Shortoff Trailhead on Wolf Pit Rd.
May 18, 2026
Nature’s Neighborhood: Why Local Parks Are WNC’s Best Kept Secret
WNC -- May 12, 2026: When we think of outdoor adventure in Western North Carolina, our minds often jump to the grand vistas of the Blue Ridge Parkway or the deep wilderness of the Great Smokies. However, we often overlook the incredible gems right in our own backyards. Local parks are the unsung heroes of our communities—they are accessible, budget-friendly, and require no advanced planning or expensive gear.
May 12, 2026
Canton's Riverfront Renaissance: Pigeon River Beckons Summer Fun
Canton -- While the French Broad often gets the regional spotlight, the Pigeon River offers a more intimate, community-focused summer experience. From the quiet headwaters at Lake Logan to the bustling activity at Canton Recreation Park, the river is fully open for the season and ready for adventure.
May 3, 2026