News
View AllNewsHendersonville Woman Denied Bond in Poisoning Murder Case
A Hendersonville judge today denied bond for a local woman accused of poisoning murder, ensuring she remains in custody. This decision underscores the serious nature of the charges and the court's assessment of potential flight risk or danger.
Lake Lure Kicks Off Historic Memorial Day Comeback After 20-Month Recovery
Town of Lake Lure -- Nearly 20 months after Hurricane Helene fundamentally altered the landscape of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure is officially welcoming back the public for a monumental Memorial Day weekend. The holiday weekend marks the grand, phased reopening of the iconic 100-year-old lake, signaling a major economic and emotional milestone for the tourism-dependent community.
May 20, 2026
Governor Stein Signs Executive Order Aimed at Increasing Housing Opportunities and Affordability Across North Carolina
Raleigh -- May 19, 2026: Press Release North Carolina Governor Josh Stein's Office: Today Governor Stein signed an executive order to increase housing opportunities and affordability for all North Carolinians. Executive Order No. 36 directs cabinet agencies to work together to increase housing supply, affordability, and access and to use technology to deliver data-driven solutions
May 20, 2026
McDowell County Woman Faces Burglary Charges from 2020 and 2023
McDowell County -- May 20, 2026: The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office News Release: Recently solved two burglary cases dating back to 2020 and 2023 th...
May 20, 2026
Breaking the Bottleneck: New Asheville Outpatient Center Tackles Youth Medicaid Care Deficit
Asheville -- May 20, 2026: Western North Carolina’s youth mental health safety net is experiencing a severe structural strain, leaving vulnerable mountain families trapped between a rising tide of emotional crises and a shrinking supply of accessible local care.
May 20, 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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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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EntertainmentLive & 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.
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, 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, 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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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