Gov. Josh Stein has changed the amount of aid he’s requesting from Congress for ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. 

Stein traveled to Washington, D.C., along with state Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) to speak with North Carolina’s congressional delegation to offer details on his ask. The previously requested amount was $13.48 billion, a number that Stein lowered to $10.17 billion in a letter he sent to the delegation the day of their meeting. 

Even as it sees its own demise over the horizon, the Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees is moving fast to make its agenda into policy. 

James Tyler Lynch, 23, of Asheville, was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release last Thursday for assault with intent to commit murder and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence stemming from a shooting incident that occurred on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Jackson County Board of Elections member Jay Pavey described his choice of two potential Cullowhee early voting sites to be a “no brainer.”

When compared to the “approximately 300 square foot” space at the Cullowhee Recreation Center, Pavey, a Republican, said the “1,100, 1,200 square feet” at Western Carolina University’s satellite Health and Human Sciences building — 1.7 miles from campus but accessible to students through WCU’s Cat-Tran transportation system — is substantially better for Jackson County residents.