Community News
Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Smithfield
Guard Mobilizes as Western NC Battles Spring Wildfire Season
The North Carolina National Guard has activated personnel and heavy equipment to support local fire departments battling wildfires across the state's western mountains. The deployment marks the latest in a series of emergency responses that have tested the Guard's disaster relief capabilities over the past eighteen months.
NC Coastal Communities Secure Millions in Helene Recovery Funds
North Carolina's coastal towns battered by Hurricane Helene are receiving a wave of state and federal funds to rebuild resilient infrastructure. From $685 million in water system grants to beach renourishment projects, eastern counties are prioritizing flood defenses and public access. These investments signal a long-term push against future storms in the fragile barrier islands.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
NC Rep. Edwards Denies Affair Allegations in Ethics Probe
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, the Republican voice for Western North Carolina's mountains, faces a House Ethics Committee investigation over claims of sexual misconduct with a former aide. The probe, sparked by a witness's account of improper behavior, has roiled his Asheville-based office and drawn national scrutiny. Edwards flatly denies wrongdoing, calling the accusations politically motivated as he seeks re-election.
Saturday, May 2, 2026