The Black Cove and Fish Hook fires started because of downed power lines after strong winds last week. The cause of the Deep Woods fire is still under investigation in Polk County.

This month marks five years since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world. BPR is taking a look back at the effects of the pandemic in Western North Carolina through our COVID in Appalachia Oral History project.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week shifting responsibility for disaster preparations to state and local governments. U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, who represents the state’s 16 westernmost counties, told BPR he “fully supports the decision.”

Three fires continue to burn, fueled by debris and dry conditions.

About one in five Americans is on Medicaid. In North Carolina, more than 3 million people are enrolled in some form of the program.

For farmers in WNC, the federal funding cuts are another financial hurdle as they try to recover from Hurricane Helene.

Dry conditions increase wildfire risk across North Carolina.

Live coverage of town hall gathering from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ferguson Auditorium on Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College's campus. Rep. Lindsey Prather, Rep. Brian Turner, Rep. Eric Ager, and Senator Julie Mayfield are expected to speak.

The largest allocation from the state legislature for Hurricane Helene relief was passed Wednesday night. Lawmakers promise more funding soon.

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene, Asheville is still rebuilding. Mayor Esther Manheimer discusses business recovery, the city’s budget challenges, the lessons learned from disaster response, and the recent removal of DEI language from the city’s federal disaster aid request.