News
House Ethics Committee confirms it's investigating Rep. Chuck Edwards for alleged sexual harassment
2+ day, 18+ hour ago (245+ words) The House Ethics Committee publicly confirmed that it is investigating Rep. Chuck Edwards, amid reports of alleged inappropriate behavior by the Republican congressman toward female staff members. "The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), is reviewing allegations that Representative Chuck Edwards…...
Lake Lure to reopen this weekend after a 20-month recovery
2+ day, 13+ hour ago (375+ words) The Town of Lake Lure is welcoming back tourists, boaters and swimmers this weekend as officials announced it's reopening one week earlier than anticipated, Lake Lure has been closed ever since Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina 20 months ago. Helene…...
In Canton, Gov. Stein calls for more federal funding for water infrastructure post-Helene
2+ day, 18+ hour ago (419+ words) Governor Josh Stein on Thursday called on Congress to send more money to western North Carolina to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Helene. Standing in front of the former Pactiv Evergreen paper mill site in Canton, Stein highlighted…...
New grassroots organization demanding Congress overhaul VA presumptive conditions list
4+ day, 2+ hour ago (207+ words) A new grassroots movement led by a Marine family is demanding Congress overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs presumptive conditions list. The group is exposing systemic gaps in how the government handles victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination disaster....
Community frustration grows around IPEX's post-Helene plastic pollution in the French Broad River
4+ day, 13+ hour ago (502+ words) A year and a half after Helene flooded the IPEX plastic plant, there's still a lot of PVC pipe in the French Broad River. On Tuesday, residents, officials and advocates gathered in the town of Woodfin to discuss the longstanding…...
Asheville Council accepts police tech funding, hears budget proposal
4+ day, 17+ hour ago (687+ words) Almost seven hours after the start of Asheville City Council's Tuesday meeting, the Council Chamber was still full to capacity. Residents stayed to share their concerns over a $1. 14 million federal grant to the Asheville Police Department, which would support a…...
After rebuilding in WNC, Ukrainian newcomer fears being uprooted again
5+ day, 14+ hour ago (1541+ words) When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyrylo Gencho was at home in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city located near the Russian border. Before the war, Gencho says he owned a clothing factory and lived what he described…...
Saluda Grade Trail organizers share latest updates at Spring Forum
6+ day, 13+ hour ago (489+ words) If you walk through downtown Saluda in Polk County or the nearby town of Tryon, you'll see one storefront after another displaying signs supporting the Saluda Grade Trail. The rails-to-trails project is inching closer to reality. Organizers recently shared the…...
Why a lower Guilford County tax rate may not mean lower tax bills
6+ day, 15+ hour ago (183+ words) Guilford County plans to cut its tax rate this year, but that may not translate to lower overall tax bills for residents. County Manager Victor Isler is proposing a rate of 61. 9 cents per $100 of assessed value. "Which is an 11. 5 cent…...
FEMA greenlights more than 140 buyouts in Buncombe County
6+ day, 15+ hour ago (401+ words) The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved 142 buyouts in Buncombe County on Friday, bringing the total number of approved properties up to 189 in the county. The agency allocated a total of $59 million, which will also support the acquisition of 11 properties in…...