As of the end of 2025, more than 97% of the state-maintained roads damaged by Helene have reopened. Residents who live near the remaining 3% are still waiting for repairs.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson said North Carolina will “get back the $17 million that Congress promised.”

The community bookstore and co-op hopes a new solar battery will help it serve as a disaster relief hub in the future

The state has extended the deadline for the Renew NC program to Jan. 31, citing a need to give residents more time during the holiday season.

Nearly five-dozen water and septic system projects in 26 western counties will receive funding through the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The county’s unemployment rate was 3.7% in September. But the leisure and hospitality industry is still struggling.

If property owners commit to keeping units affordable for ten years, the state will pay for Helene-related repairs.

Over a hundred attended a public session in the Big Ivy last week, highlighting a growing debate over the scale and speed of proposed forest recovery projects.

Over the last few months, state officials have raised concerns about FEMA’s response time and its commitment to moving the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program program forward. The agency has not awarded money for any home buyouts yet.

The city is hosting an open house on Wednesday and opened a survey that runs through Dec. 19.