Fire Crews Respond to Fully Involved RV Fire on I-26 East Near Brevard Road Exit
Marge Farrington•May 18, 2026News
View AllNewsFire Crews Respond to Fully Involved RV Fire on I-26 East Near Brevard Road Exit
Asheville -- May 18, 2026: A dramatic vehicle fire caused major traffic delays this afternoon after a motorhome burst into flames on Interstate 26 East, forcing a temporary shutdown of all eastbound lanes near the Brevard Road exit.
Beans Fire Monday Update
Mitchell County -- May 18, 2026: The brush fire burning in the Beans Creek area of Mitchell County has expanded overnight. Local emergency and state forestry officials have provided the following status update as of Monday morning:
May 18, 2026
Kin-First' Foster Care Gains Ground in NC: What Families Need to Know About New Stipends and Ongoing Legislative Battles
North Carolina -- May 18, 2026: A sweeping shift in North Carolina’s child welfare system is fundamentally changing how local communities care for children in crisis. Driven by recent legislative reforms, the state is increasingly prioritizing "kinship care"—placing children who must be removed from their homes with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close family friends rather than sending them into traditional foster care with strangers.
May 18, 2026
Buncombe County Finances Hold Strong Through Q3: Revenues Surge as Spending Stabilizes
Buncombe County -- May 18, 2026: Buncombe County is heading into the final stretch of the fiscal year on solid financial footing. According to the county’s latest third-quarter financial report, a powerful combination of rising property values, resilient consumer spending, and savvy investing has driven revenues up 7.5% compared to this time last year.
May 18, 2026
Beans Creek Fire Grows: Mitchell County Residents Urged to Prepare
The Beans Creek brush fire has expanded to 15 acres with no containment, prompting Mitchell County officials to advise residents in Shoot Out Mountain and Melton Branch Road to prepare for potential evacuation. This article details the current fire status and provides essential steps for families to pack go-bags, ready vehicles, and finalize emergency plans.
May 17, 2026Sports
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SportsMountain 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.
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, 2026
Asheville Tourists to Honor Local Service Workers at 4th Annual Travel & Hospitality Night
HomeTrust Park hosts its 4th annual Travel and Hospitality Night on May 5, offering local industry professionals a discounted evening of baseball. This event is a special thank you to those who keep Asheville's tourism thriving, with tickets just $5 including all fees.
May 4, 2026Business
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BusinessKudzu 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.
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, 2026
Asheville and North Carolina Breweries Shine at 2026 World Beer Cup
Asheville -- April 30, 2026: Asheville's reputation as a premier brewing destination received significant international validation this week, as local breweries secured prestigious medals at the 2026 World Beer Cup. Diatribe Brewing Company, Wicked Weed Brewing, and Hi-Wire Brewing were honored at the globally renowned competition, underscoring the city's brewing prowess on a world stage.
April 30, 2026
Hendersonville Business Growth: Legacy Markets Expands and HiViz LED Invests Millions
Hendersonville Business News -- April 30, 2026: The Hendersonville business landscape is seeing significant movement this week, marked by a major acq...
April 30, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentWNC 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.
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, 2026
Lend a Hand to Our Local Misfits at the Boho Hippie Festival
Maggie Valley -- Ready to soak up some sun and good vibes for a great cause? Misfit Mountain is officially recruiting volunteers for the 2026 Boho Hippie Festival! Located right in our backyard at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, this event is a vital way for this 501(c)3 rescue to connect with the community.
April 21, 2026
Braden Rumfelt Hits the Top 7: The Murphy Native Keeps Moving
American Idol -- April 21, 2026: The lights on the American Idol stage are a long way from Murphy, but Braden Rumfelt is looking more at home there every week
April 21, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleCharlotte-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.
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, 2026
Ticks in the Trees: Lyme Disease is Firmly Established in Biltmore Forest
Bilmore Forest -- May 17, 2026: For years, a common piece of folklore in Western North Carolina was that while our woods were full of ticks, we didn’t...
May 17, 2026
Paying it Forward: Brother Wolf Turns Community Support Into $500K for Animals
Asheville -- May 15, 2026: Animals shape human lives in such beautiful ways. They steady us. They give rhythm to our days. They provide a deep and safe connection. They bring us joy. They ask for very little and return something that is difficult to name, yet easy to recognize the moment it’s gone. To care about animals is, in a very real way, to care about one another.
May 15, 2026
Empower Your Community: Join the Asheville Fire Department’s CERT Program
Asheville -- May 11, 2026: As Hurricane Preparedness Week comes to a close, the focus shifts toward a vital question: are you ready to help your neighbors when it matters most? While we often think of disaster response as the job of professionals, the Asheville Fire Department is offering a way for residents to play a hands-on role in community safety through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
May 11, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsIncreased 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.
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
Stewardship in the Pisgah: Balancing Flood Risk with Forest Health
Pisgah Forest -- April 23, 2026: In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the landscapes of the Appalachian Ranger District in the Pisgah National Forest wer...
April 23, 2026
Your Guide to the 2026 Synchronous Firefly Lottery
Great Smoky Mountains -- It is one of nature’s most exclusive "light shows," and for many in Western North Carolina, it’s a bucket-list experience. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has officially confirmed that the 2026 synchronous firefly viewing event at Elkmont will run from May 20 through May 27.
April 22, 2026