The Lead Story

WNC Election 2026 results and upsets

Cooper, Ager and Womack win federal races, while local voters choose sheriffs, commissioners and town leaders. Democrats won control of Congress, but Republicans remained the clear choice in most major local races in Rutherford and McDowell counties. Democrat Roy Cooper won North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race against Republican Michael Whatley. Democrat Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom in the 11th Congressional District, and Democrat LaKesha Womack won the seat a

Annie Dance

36 minutes ago4 min read

Latest News

Rutherford Airport advances 'land acquisition' under 'race conscious' rules

The Rutherford County Airport Authority approved work Nov. 2 toward acquiring nearly 23 acres near Runway 19 and adopted higher aircraft rental and parking fees effective Jan. 1. The land acquisition is part of a broader effort to control property along the runway’s approach. Airport Director Devon Raisch said the airport is starting with a property owner interested in selling. “Our goal is to find folks that are amenable to selling their property,” Raisch said. Documents acc

3 min read

WNC Election 2026 results and upsets

Cooper, Ager and Womack win federal races, while local voters choose sheriffs, commissioners and town leaders. Democrats won control of Congress, but Republicans remained the clear choice in most major local races in Rutherford and McDowell counties. Democrat Roy Cooper won North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race against Republican Michael Whatley. Democrat Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom in the 11th Congressional District, and Democrat LaKesha Womack won the seat a

4 min read

Julia Stacey Lovelace

Julia Stacey Lovelace, age 79, of Cowpens, formerly of Forest City, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 2nd at the Woodruff Manor in Woodruff, SC.

1 min read

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Local News

Rutherford Airport advances 'land acquisition' under 'race conscious' rules

The Rutherford County Airport Authority approved work Nov. 2 toward acquiring nearly 23 acres near Runway 19 and adopted higher aircraft rental and parking fees effective Jan. 1. The land acquisition is part of a broader effort to control property along the runway’s approach. Airport Director Devon Raisch said the airport is starting with a property owner interested in selling. “Our goal is to find folks that are amenable to selling their property,” Raisch said. Documents acc

3 min read

WNC Election 2026 results and upsets

Cooper, Ager and Womack win federal races, while local voters choose sheriffs, commissioners and town leaders. Democrats won control of Congress, but Republicans remained the clear choice in most major local races in Rutherford and McDowell counties. Democrat Roy Cooper won North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race against Republican Michael Whatley. Democrat Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom in the 11th Congressional District, and Democrat LaKesha Womack won the seat a

4 min read

Marion woman charged with burglary after reported attempt to take dog

Ashley Amanda Hughes was arrested Oct. 18 and initially denied bond, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office. A Marion woman faces a felony first-degree burglary charge after deputies say she entered a home without permission and attempted to take one of the homeowner’s dogs. Ashley Amanda Hughes, 38, was charged following an investigation by Deputy Zeb Vance, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office. Vance responded to a Marion residence Sept. 24 after a r

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Regional News

Rutherford Airport advances 'land acquisition' under 'race conscious' rules

The Rutherford County Airport Authority approved work Nov. 2 toward acquiring nearly 23 acres near Runway 19 and adopted higher aircraft rental and parking fees effective Jan. 1. The land acquisition is part of a broader effort to control property along the runway’s approach. Airport Director Devon Raisch said the airport is starting with a property owner interested in selling. “Our goal is to find folks that are amenable to selling their property,” Raisch said. Documents acc

3 min read

WNC Election 2026 results and upsets

Cooper, Ager and Womack win federal races, while local voters choose sheriffs, commissioners and town leaders. Democrats won control of Congress, but Republicans remained the clear choice in most major local races in Rutherford and McDowell counties. Democrat Roy Cooper won North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race against Republican Michael Whatley. Democrat Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom in the 11th Congressional District, and Democrat LaKesha Womack won the seat a

4 min read

USDOT Awards $36 million for Future WNC Rail Service

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the N.C. Department of Transportation approximately $36 million as the state works to improve safety while reconnecting western North Carolina by rail. The announcement of $35.8 million in federal funding is for the project’s development, final design and construction and includes activities to support the upgrade of more than 40-highway-rail crossing signal systems between Salisbury and Hickory. The project will enhance rail saf

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Business News

Rutherford Airport advances 'land acquisition' under 'race conscious' rules

The Rutherford County Airport Authority approved work Nov. 2 toward acquiring nearly 23 acres near Runway 19 and adopted higher aircraft rental and parking fees effective Jan. 1. The land acquisition is part of a broader effort to control property along the runway’s approach. Airport Director Devon Raisch said the airport is starting with a property owner interested in selling. “Our goal is to find folks that are amenable to selling their property,” Raisch said. Documents acc

3 min read

USDOT Awards $36 million for Future WNC Rail Service

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the N.C. Department of Transportation approximately $36 million as the state works to improve safety while reconnecting western North Carolina by rail. The announcement of $35.8 million in federal funding is for the project’s development, final design and construction and includes activities to support the upgrade of more than 40-highway-rail crossing signal systems between Salisbury and Hickory. The project will enhance rail saf

1 min read

From the White House to Main Street: Trump targets housing costs, federal fraud

New directives seek to reduce mortgage expenses and duplicative housing requirements, with potential implications for Western North Carolina. President Donald Trump is directing federal agencies to reduce certain homeownership costs and streamline manufactured housing requirements, changes that could matter to Western North Carolina residents buying or replacing homes. The administration also launched a fraud reporting incentive program aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars. B

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Obituaries

Julia Stacey Lovelace

Julia Stacey Lovelace, age 79, of Cowpens, formerly of Forest City, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 2nd at the Woodruff Manor in Woodruff, SC.

1 min read