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Wildfire season 2023: live updates

After months of dry weather, drought is translating into wildfires and burn bans.

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Medicaid expansion is here; Pisgah Legal offers free advice on gaining access

More than 500,000 North Carolinians stand to gain free health coverage in the coming months. 

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Rudow announces congressional bid in Western North Carolina

The 2024 election season isn’t quite yet officially underway, but one Democrat isn’t waiting for Dec. 4 to get into the race for Western North Carolina’s congressional seat currently held by Hendersonville Republican Chuck Edwards. 

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Burn bans lift and wildfires wind down following rain

Burn bans have been lifted and wildfires contained after steady rains Tuesday, Nov. 21, put a pause in a relentless drought that has been growing since an abnormally dry weather pattern emerged in September. 

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Cherokee man arrested in cold case murder

Nearly a decade after 26-year-old Marie Walkingstick Pheasant’s body was found in a burned-out vehicle in Cherokee’s Big Cove community, her husband Ernest Dwayne Pheasant, 46, has been arrested for her murder. 

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No county property for proposed Franklin Social District

Without discussion or stated reasoning, Macon County commissioners decided not to allow Franklin to use county property for its proposed social district. 

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Arson investigations follow some wildfires

Arsonists were responsible for some of the wildfires first responders have battled over the past month, with one arrest made and multiple investigations ongoing. 

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The state of emergency services: Macon’s EMS Director highlights transport and staffing concerns

Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe came before the Board of Commissioners this month to outline problems his department is having with staffing and interfacility transportation.

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Macon signs resolution to restructure commission elections

Macon County Commissioners are divided over a resolution in support of revising the system to elect county commissioners in order to allow for two at-large members. 

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