The Lead Story

Governor Stein Launches Rural Listening Tour in Western North Carolina

Josh Stein kicked off a statewide rural listening tour on March 16, meeting with business leaders, local officials, and community members to hear concerns and discuss priorities for strengthening rural communities.

Annie Dance

47 minutes ago2 min read

Latest News

Mckinney Charged for Assaults on Female and MCSO Lieutenant

Deputy Caleb Baliles with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged 49-year-old Christopher Robert McKinney of Marion with felony Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer Inflicting Serious Injury; misdemeanor Assault on a Female and misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer. He was initially denied bond due to the incident being domestic violence-related. On March 4, Lieutenant Gioia Holland responded to a domestic violence call at a residence in Old Fort. While on scene, McKinn

1 min read

Prank at Crest Compounded by Tornado Warning, Law Enforcement Praised for Swift Response; Caller in Custody

CREST HIGH SCHOOL – A potential gunman at a school or a tornado; either one would frighten students, teachers and parents alike, but for both to happen at the same time, is both scary and yet a sigh of relief, once it was discovered the incident at Crest was a false alarm.

3 min read

EXCLUSIVE: Rutherford County Case Lists ‘None’ as Plaintiff; Order Tied to Senior Judge

A newly filed Rutherford County court case involving a local attorney is raising questions after records showed no named plaintiff, while the initiating order can be traced to the district’s senior judge.

3 min read

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Local News

Mckinney Charged for Assaults on Female and MCSO Lieutenant

Deputy Caleb Baliles with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged 49-year-old Christopher Robert McKinney of Marion with felony Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer Inflicting Serious Injury; misdemeanor Assault on a Female and misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer. He was initially denied bond due to the incident being domestic violence-related. On March 4, Lieutenant Gioia Holland responded to a domestic violence call at a residence in Old Fort. While on scene, McKinn

1 min read

Prank at Crest Compounded by Tornado Warning, Law Enforcement Praised for Swift Response; Caller in Custody

CREST HIGH SCHOOL – A potential gunman at a school or a tornado; either one would frighten students, teachers and parents alike, but for both to happen at the same time, is both scary and yet a sigh of relief, once it was discovered the incident at Crest was a false alarm.

3 min read

EXCLUSIVE: Rutherford County Case Lists ‘None’ as Plaintiff; Order Tied to Senior Judge

A newly filed Rutherford County court case involving a local attorney is raising questions after records showed no named plaintiff, while the initiating order can be traced to the district’s senior judge.

3 min read

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Regional News

Governor Stein Launches Rural Listening Tour in Western North Carolina

Josh Stein kicked off a statewide rural listening tour on March 16, meeting with business leaders, local officials, and community members to hear concerns and discuss priorities for strengthening rural communities.

2 min read

NRC: McGuire Nuclear Station Earns Top Safety Rating in Federal Review

Federal regulators say the McGuire Nuclear Station remains in the highest safety performance category after a year-long review of operations at the two-reactor facility in Huntersville.

3 min read

NRC Allows Duke Energy to Keep Some Nuclear Safety Details Secret

Federal regulators have agreed to keep certain technical information secret as Duke Energy seeks approval to update safety analysis methods for two nuclear power plants serving the Carolinas.

2 min read

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Business News

Supreme Court Voids Trump Emergency Tariffs

The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 20 struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs imposed under a federal emergency powers law, ruling 6-3 that the Constitution gives Congress — not the president — the power to levy import taxes.

2 min read

Report: Tariffs are $695M Risk to North Carolina Farmers

Plausible reductions in agricultural exports because of retaliatory trade policies stemming from aggressive U.S. tariffs could cost North Carolina farmers $695 million, a new report says.

3 min read

North Carolina Tops Nation for Workforce Development

North Carolina has been named the number one state for workforce development in 2026 by Site Selection magazine, following its 2025 ranking as “America’s Top State for Business.”

2 min read

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Obituaries

Cathy Bradley

Cathy Bradley, age 78, of Forest City, passed away Monday, March 16, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills. Cathy was born Tuesday, September 9, 1947 in Cleveland County to the late Morgan Leroy White and Addie Bell Smith White. She worked for Cone Mills-Avondale Plant for over forty years. Cathy was a longtime and faithful member of Grace Chapel (formerly Forest City Foursquare). One of her greatest joy’s was spending time with her best friend, Brenda Goode. Her servant’

2 min read

Pat Hembree

Pat Hembree, age 74, of Ellenboro, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Pat was born Friday, September 28, 1951 in Charleston, SC to the late Marion Owens and Mae Bell Owens Kiefer. She was a graduate of Walterboro High School, class of 1969. She worked in the bakery at Winn-Dixie for several years. Later she worked at J.C. Cowan and then for Aeroquip/Eaton Manufacturing. She was a faithful and active member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. She wa

2 min read