Articles for Western North Carolina

Federal block grants of $1.65B awarded to North Carolina governments for Helene recovery
3 days, 10 hours ago

Federal block grants of $1.65B awarded to North Carolina governments for Helene recovery

Associated Press  

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina governments are receiving over $1.65 billion in federal block grant money to help address historic levels of damage caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. The money — $1.43 billion for North Carolina state government and $225 million for the city of Asheville — is from Community Development Block Grant funds. U.S. Sen. Thom …

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New North Carolina governor issues orders on private road repairs, housing after Helene
1 week, 1 day ago

New North Carolina governor issues orders on private road repairs, housing after Helene

Live Mint  

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — New North Carolina Gov. Stein, who took his oath of office on Wednesday to succeed fellow Democrat Roy Cooper, traveled to Asheville and — with legislators and officials from both parties behind him — announced he had signed five executive orders related to the historic flooding in late September in western North Carolina. More than 12,000 western …

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New North Carolina governor issues orders on private road repairs, housing after Helene
1 week, 1 day ago

New North Carolina governor issues orders on private road repairs, housing after Helene

Associated Press  

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — New North Carolina Gov. More than 12,000 western North Carolinians are displaced from their homes due to Helene, which also caused significant damage to more than 8,000 private roads and bridges, Stein’s orders said. “Western North Carolina — I want you to know that I hear you.” Another Stein order creates a new Governor’s Recovery Office for …

Housing North Carolina State Stein North Carolina Helene
Undocumented people are among most vulnerable to climate-infused disasters
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Undocumented people are among most vulnerable to climate-infused disasters

NPR  

Undocumented people are among most vulnerable to climate-infused disasters toggle caption Robert Willett/The News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Carmen, her husband and three children were sound asleep in their western North Carolina home when she heard her phone ring that late September morning. Sponsor Message Carmen is among the nearly estimated 2 million undocumented people who live …

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North Carolina GOP lawmakers enact a law eroding the incoming Democratic governor’s powers
4 weeks, 2 days ago

North Carolina GOP lawmakers enact a law eroding the incoming Democratic governor’s powers

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina lawmakers on Wednesday enacted a law over the governor’s veto that would diminish the powers afforded to his successor and other other Democratic statewide winners in the Nov. 5 elections. Many provisions within the 132-page law seek to diminish powers afforded to Gov.-elect Josh Stein, incoming attorney general Jeff Jackson, the next Democratic lieutenant governor …

Law Democratic North Carolina Democrats State House Stein
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in North Carolina, neighbors unite to ensure no one spends Thanksgiving hungry
1 month, 2 weeks ago

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in North Carolina, neighbors unite to ensure no one spends Thanksgiving hungry

CNN  

CNN — For weeks, David Burke couldn’t shake the haunting images of small mountain communities in western North Carolina unexpectedly pummeled by a historic storm. Angie Acree and Michael Keeter Bringing relief, one plate at a time After Helene roared across the state, causing historic flooding, downing trees, snapping power lines, decimating water infrastructure and leading to the deaths of …

Community Storm Thanksgiving Hurricane Neighbors North Carolina Cnn
The White House’s Christmas tree is a symbol of resilience for hurricane-hit North Carolina farms
1 month, 3 weeks ago

The White House’s Christmas tree is a symbol of resilience for hurricane-hit North Carolina farms

Associated Press  

NEWLAND, N.C. — The Cartner family had known since last year that one of their farm’s Christmas trees would be headed to the White House this winter. The official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, is seen at the Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. The official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot …

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Western North Carolina’s water system is finally back online after Helene
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Western North Carolina’s water system is finally back online after Helene

Associated Press  

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — More than 100,000 residents in western North Carolina were allowed to drink and bathe using water from their home faucets on Monday, nearly two months after Hurricane Helene destroyed much of the local water system. Clay Chandler, a spokesman for the city of Asheville’s Water Resources Department, said at a briefing Monday that water tests “were all …

Water North Carolina Western North Carolina
Hurricane Helene caused big losses for North Carolina's fall tourism industry
2 months ago

Hurricane Helene caused big losses for North Carolina's fall tourism industry

NPR  

Hurricane Helene caused big losses for North Carolina's fall tourism industry Tourists stayed away from western North Carolina this year after Helene swept through the area, and towns that depend on leaf lookers are bracing for big losses. AYESHA RASCOE, HOST: Western North Carolina continues to struggle after being hit by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Compounding the losses is …

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Asheville radio reporter covers Helene's impact for Spanish-speaking communities
2 months ago

Asheville radio reporter covers Helene's impact for Spanish-speaking communities

NPR  

Asheville radio reporter covers Helene's impact for Spanish-speaking communities toggle caption Gerard Albert III/BPR ASHEVILLE—Nearly six weeks after Hurricane Helene slammed into Western North Carolina, people in and around Asheville are still piecing together their lives. News anchor Jose Sandoval's daily Spanish-language broadcasts have been an essential lifeline for the small but growing Latino community in Western North Carolina, providing …

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Extremists posing as aid workers urge NC locals to tear down cell towers and hit military
2 months, 1 week ago

Extremists posing as aid workers urge NC locals to tear down cell towers and hit military

Raw Story  

A group of anti-government extremists who showed up in western North Carolina promising to provide disaster relief after Hurricane Helene is now threatening to destroy cell-phone towers and sabotage military vehicles. Over the past three weeks, members of the group, which falsely claims that Helene was caused by a “weather weapon,” have been making conspiracy-driven claims that the U.S. military …

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'Scandal' cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
2 months, 1 week ago

'Scandal' cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

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Allies urge battleground GOP-controlled legislatures to guarantee a Trump win
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Allies urge battleground GOP-controlled legislatures to guarantee a Trump win

Raw Story  

Far-right allies of former President Donald Trump are calling on the state legislature in North Carolina and other closely contested presidential battleground states where Republicans hold control to short-circuit the popular vote and directly award the state’s 16 electoral votes to Trump. Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security director and the event’s star attraction, introduced Raiklin as …

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Voters displaced. Polling stations destroyed. Will hurricane recovery depress voter turnout?
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Voters displaced. Polling stations destroyed. Will hurricane recovery depress voter turnout?

LA Times  

All day, the phone rang inside the tiny Avery County elections office. “If the federal government can release $157 million to Lebanon,” she said, “they can release $157 million to the people of western North Carolina who are sitting with no water, no power.” Last week, Woodhouse claimed, two men walked into her county GOP office and told her they …

Voting Storm Trump Hurricane Democratic North Carolina Early Voting
Could updated building codes reduce risks from future storms? Some experts say yes
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Could updated building codes reduce risks from future storms? Some experts say yes

NPR  

Could updated building codes reduce risks from future storms? "The General Assembly and the North Carolina Home Builders Association have rewritten laws and rewritten the code that affect how a home is built and inspected," Wooten said. The North Carolina Home Builders Association exerts huge influence on both the Building Code Council and the Republican-controlled state legislature, which has blocked …

Building North Carolina Young Western Helene Johnson Code
Why North Carolinians probably won’t take the federal buyouts after Hurricane Helene
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Why North Carolinians probably won’t take the federal buyouts after Hurricane Helene

Politico  

“There was a western North Carolina that existed before this and there’s the one that comes after,” Smathers said in an interview. There’s not many other places nearby for people to go, he said, since Helene brought “apocalyptic” damage to all corners of western North Carolina, where housing affordability is a top concern. “There was a western North Carolina that …

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Devastated roads and bridges hinder recovery efforts in Western North Carolina
3 months ago

Devastated roads and bridges hinder recovery efforts in Western North Carolina

NPR  

Devastated roads and bridges hinder recovery efforts in Western North Carolina toggle caption Sean Rayford/Getty Images/Getty Images North America MARION, N.C. — Truck traffic is flowing once again to a critical factory that makes IV fluid bags after a bridge here was badly damaged by flooding in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “If you’ve been to western North Carolina, you …

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Busted: Bundy collaborator fueled FEMA conspiracy in Hurricane Helene aftermath
3 months ago

Busted: Bundy collaborator fueled FEMA conspiracy in Hurricane Helene aftermath

Raw Story  

Only 30 minutes after billionaire Elon Musk began publicly accusing the federal government of blocking his company from delivering the satellite internet components to the disaster zone in western North Carolina, another extraordinary claim popped up on X. “NC State Police issue statement that they will start arresting any federal employees trying to hinder rescue operations,” an Arizona man named …

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North Carolina residents affected by Helene likely to see some voting changes
3 months ago

North Carolina residents affected by Helene likely to see some voting changes

LA Times  

A makeshift cardboard sign leans up against campaign posters near a relief center on Oct. 3 in Vilas, N.C., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Voters in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene’s devastation may see several changes to how they can cast their ballots in the coming weeks after the state’s election board approved an emergency resolution that …

Elections Board Voting Resolution Election Changes North Carolina
North Carolina newspaper condemns Trump for ‘spreading lies’ about Helene
3 months ago

North Carolina newspaper condemns Trump for ‘spreading lies’ about Helene

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Trump was in Georgia last week to survey …

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A volunteer recovery effort is underway to reach isolated communities in North Carolina
3 months ago

A volunteer recovery effort is underway to reach isolated communities in North Carolina

NPR  

A volunteer recovery effort is underway to reach isolated communities in North Carolina To reach isolated communities in western North Carolina, officials rely on volunteers to rescue people and deliver aid. AYESHA RASCOE, HOST: Hurricane Helene knocked out power and cell coverage in western North Carolina and left many roads impassable. Zachary Turner from member station WFAE brings us this …

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Opinion: Helene destroyed my hometown. I don’t want climate change stories of false hope
3 months, 1 week ago

Opinion: Helene destroyed my hometown. I don’t want climate change stories of false hope

LA Times  

Last week, as I boarded a plane from the Gulf Coast to NYC Climate Week, I checked the weather for updates on the disturbance that would become Hurricane Helene and called my partner to go over our evacuation plan. I told him I work on climate change, and he didn’t bat an eye: “Yeah, it’s getting biblical.” The hurricane didn’t …

Climate Change Climate North Carolina Carolina Western North Carolina Ive Friend
Shovel by shovel, N.C. towns dig out from Helene mud and debris
3 months, 1 week ago

Shovel by shovel, N.C. towns dig out from Helene mud and debris

NPR  

Shovel by shovel, N.C. towns dig out from Helene mud and debris toggle caption Gerard Albert III/BPR News MARSHALL, N.C. – Everything in this riverside town is still covered in mud. toggle caption Gerard Albert III/BPR News toggle caption Gerard Albert III/BPR News “The people who built these houses, built this town, settled this area, they did some pretty tough …

Town Western North Carolina Little Sponsor Message Marshall Caption Albert
Helene’s Swath Of Destruction Could Include An Unexpected Casualty — Voting
3 months, 1 week ago

Helene’s Swath Of Destruction Could Include An Unexpected Casualty — Voting

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction as it moved across a string of Southern U.S. states last week, with an untold amount of property damage and at least 100 people dead. “Over the course of the last year, election officials across the country have raised serious questions about processing facility operations, lost or delayed election mail, …

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