One of the many critical issues in Helene’s aftermath is the impact it will have on mountain towns in western NC that rely on fall tourism to boost their local economies. In Boone, business owners are already having to grapple with that reality. The Associated Press apnews.com/article/hurric…

Despite the upcoming election, there’s a lot more on voters’ minds in western NC — and for good reason. In Watauga County, residents are more concerned with survival rather than politics. It may continue to be that way for weeks to come. The Associated Press apnews.com/article/hurric…

A bird’s-eye view of western North Carolina as National Guard members completed multiple missions earlier today. Most stops involved delivering necessities, with a growing focus on winter supplies as temperatures drop. Story to come The Associated Press

National Guard members from across the country are still delivering supplies to mountain towns that are still hard to reach nearly two weeks after Helene. Their daily tasks largely rely on local requests — but communities’ priorities are shifting. The Associated Press apnews.com/article/hurric…

New: Faculty expected to be “pretty much exempt” from the UNC System’s DEI repeal. That hasn’t been the case at ECU, where the Faculty Senate’s DEI committee was forced to rename itself — despite similar committees at UNCG and UNC-CH going unchanged: newsobserver.com/news/local/edu…

Senior year is already stressful. Students have a lot on their plate: college apps, making post-graduation plans and trying to make the most of their time with friends. But in Asheville, Helene’s devastation makes things even more complicated. The Associated Press apnews.com/article/hurric…

A look at how elections officials, poll workers and voters in Buncombe and Madison counties are still putting on and participating in elections after Helene. The Associated Press apnews.com/article/electi…

Ahead of Nov. 5, I want to highlight an incredible package of stories by the The Associated Press that explain the election process - everything from who votes, how ballots are counted, how voting machines work, what the The Associated Press's role is and much more. Check these out: apnews.com/hub/explaining…

With provisional votes in from Wake, Democrat Allison Riggs has taken the lead in the NC Supreme Court race by just over 100 votes. Her opponent, Jefferson Griffin, had been in the lead since Election Day. Several more counties still need to count their provisionals. #ncpol

North Carolina GOP bill would weaken next Democratic governor and attorney general #ncpol #election2024 apnews.com/article/b597d5…

NC General Assembly Opening Day photo of the Press Corps in the pressroom: #ncpol #ncga (Photo credit: Ethan Hyman) (There are more of us, it's just who was in here 15 minutes ago)

Dig through the debris from Hurricane Helene, and you’ll likely find beloved memories buried below. That’s been Jill Holtz’ mission in Swannanoa, N.C., as she finds lost belongings to reunite with their owners. Follow along on one of her searches The Associated Press: apnews.com/article/hurric…

I wrote a first person account of the firing squad. Here it is. It’s like seeing a unicorn in the wild. Might be the only first person story I’ve written professionally. apnews.com/article/south-…

As one of the top NIH-funded universities nationwide, Duke University would be among the hardest-hit institutions if NIH funding cuts proceed. The initial impacts at the School of Medicine are sweeping. Right now, it’s a time for “damage control.” The Associated Press apnews.com/article/trump-…

As some Republicans around the country are skipping out on town halls, Rep. Chuck Edwards forged ahead with his event in Asheville — a Democratic stronghold in NC’s mountains. It didn’t take long at all for tensions to erupt. Read more The Associated Press apnews.com/article/republ…

Angst pervades a pair of Republican town halls — one in Trump country, the other in a swing state. New for The Associated Press w/ Makiya Seminera & Tom Beaumont, featuring my Wyoming dispatch. apnews.com/article/republ…