Thunder Pig

News and Weather Briefing for Monday, November 02, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 10:22:23 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

WEATHER SPONSOR

The weather is being sponsored by the Caleb for NC Campaign. Caleb is running for the NC House in District 120. Read more about his campaign at https://calebbrownfornc120.com. DAY SPONSOR

This space available

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FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

.TONIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

.WEDNESDAY....Mostly cloudy. Rain becoming likely by afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning. Chance of rain 70 percent.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms. Rain. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 90 percent.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast. [LINK]

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (2.3 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low range (0.9 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 82°F in Franklin in 1974
Lowest Temperature 16°F in Highlands in 1954
Greatest Rainfall 3.20 inches in Highlands in 1966
Greatest Snowfall 0.5 inches in Highlands in 1917

Record weather events for November in Macon County

Highest Temperature 83°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on Nov 4, 2003
Lowest Temperature -3°F in Highlands on Nov 25, 1950
Greatest Rainfall 4.69 inches in Highlands on Nov 29, 1914
Greatest Snowfall 6.0 inches in Highlands on Nov 28, 1922

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of November

Highest Temperature 89°F in Asheboro, Randolph County on Nov 7, 2024
Lowest Temperature -12°F in Grandfather Mountain, Avery County on Nov 15, 1969
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 9.70 in Lake Toxaway, Transylvania County on Nov 19, 2003
Greatest Snowfall 13.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Nov 1, 2014

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WNC News

• Agenda Packet for the November 2026 Franklin Town Council Meeting [The Franklin Press]
North Carolina program helps inmates build a path to addiction recovery (Swain County) | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

Should you leave a forest full of curved trees? | The Geo Models

• Early Voting Totals by Party Registration in Macon County [The Franklin Press]
• Early voting ends in North Carolina; what voters need to know for Election Day [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• CarePartners celebrates 30 years of serving Western North Carolina [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Grants awarded for classroom equipment [The Franklin Press]
• North Carolina joins ‘overcharging’ lawsuit against Dollar General [Macon Sense]
• Trout in crisis: Climate change adds to the strain on a mountain economy [ Smoky Mountain News ]
• Max Patch makes a comeback [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

Watch for deer: NC drivers urged to stay alert as deer season increases risk on roads | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Election Day is Tuesday. What you need to know to vote in NC’s 2026 midterms [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Democrats hold early voting lead in North Carolina, state data shows [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

Horrific and deadly plane crash in Florida ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Nov. 1, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Nov. 1 | NBC News

After Words: "The Art of the Obituary" with NYT Obituarist, Sam Roberts | C-SPAN

Nate Silver On What the Polls Say — And What His Gut’s Telling Him | The Ezra Klein Show

• The Final Polls Show a Blue Surge. Can We Trust Them? [New York Times ]
• Judge tosses DOJ’s lawsuit over Alaska Senate race [The Hill]
• El-Sayed’s primary opponent stuns Democrats by endorsing Republican opponent in Michigan Senate race [AP News ]
• Trump White House maps path to govern without Congress if Democrats win Yahoo News]

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Learjet Crashes in Florida

A Learjet 60 Crashed in Palm beach County, Florida on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Here are some articles and video describing what happened. Some of the articles and video may contain information and audio some readers find distressing.

• A Learjet 60, N722BD, impacted the ground in Greenacres, Florida [Aviation Safety Network]

Private jet crashes in Palm Beach County, Florida, with 9 onboard | ABC News

Initial Learjet Crash Analysis | Matthew Cappucci and MyRadar Weather Radar
9 on board Learjet killed in crash near Greenacres | WPBF-TV (Tequesta–West Palm Beach, FL)

• Portion of Military Trail closed, mobile home residents impacted after Learjet crash [WPBF-TV (Tequesta–West Palm Beach, FL)]

Learjet 60 Palm Beach Crash: Shocking Cause | Jeff Ostroff

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Financial News

A screening bot reads your resume before a person ever does | Yahoo Finance

Asia's Traders Weigh Tech Selloff, US Midterms | The Asia Trade 11/02/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Stock futures jump ahead of a monster week after a $5 trillion AI rout [Yahoo Finance]
• These Senate races may help determine the fate of Social Security [CNBC]

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World News

Why is the UK Prime Minister saying he's open to a slavery apology? | BBC News

What the Ship (Ep 150): Global Shipbuilding Boom, Dock Strike & Chokepoint Attacks | What's Going on With Shipping?

France reports largely peaceful protests | FRANCE 24 English

• Lee vows bold investment in AI, future growth engines for 'growth for all' [Yonhap News Agency]
• Bennett to recommend Eisenkot as prime minister, B'Yachad party says ahead of meeting with Herzog [Jerusalem Post]
• Live: Russia and Ukraine trade blame for cyber attacks as fragile ceasefire ends [France 24]
• Iran war live: Tankers hit in Hormuz; Trump again says conflict to end soon [Al Jazeera]
• India’s opposition parties stage new protest against the country’s election chief [AP News]

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Iran War News

Israel's political puzzle and what it could mean | DW News

• The Israel Netanyahu Made: Why Bibi’s National Security Vision Will Endure [Foreign Affairs]
• US warns allies to prepare for possible Iran strikes, retaliation after elections, AP sources say [AP News]
• Iran Update, October 28, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Trump says he approved Vance outreach over medical supplies [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Netanyahu's Likud maintains lead with 91% of votes in as counting of double envelopes continues [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

Russia’s Oil Nightmare Just Returned IN FORCE | Paul Warburg

Ukraine under fire ahead of planned Abu Dhabi talks | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine by attacking its energy grid, UN-backed inquiry says [AP News]
• Putin’s Strategy Is Working: Trump Could Salvage the Kremlin’s Objectives in Ukraine [Foreign Affairs]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 28, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Russia’s alleged sabotage campaign in Europe raises fears of escalation [Al Jazeera]
• Ukraine and Russia begin Oleshky ceasefire for aid mission [DW News]

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Science News

How Did We Miss This Massive Object in Our Backyard? | Anton Petrov

• Mars’ moon Phobos is destined to become a ring [Astronomy Magazine]
• TWiV 1370: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1371: How to Bat Away Marburg Virus [Microbe TV]
• New Research Resolves the Mystery Behind Van Gogh's The Starry Night [Universe Today]
• Even moderate drinking linked to cancer and early death, major study finds [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 30 – November 8 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

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Technology News

Americans Don't Want AI Data Centers Anymore. Here's Why. | Yahoo Finance

Apple and Meta's AI gamble: The end of data centres? | AI Decoded | BBC News

Most AI News Is Useless for Developers. These 3 Stories Aren’t. | Educative

• Flesh-eating screwworms spread to third state and are attacking pets [Ars Technica]
• NASA’s Begging the Commercial Space Industry to Save the Doomed Hubble Telescope [Gizmodo]
• Ex-Meta Researcher Torrented Pirated Books Dataset, Deleted It ‘Due to All This Litigation’ [Torrent Freaks]

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Interesting Videos

Yugoslavia 1991: How the Wars Began | Kings and Generals

Charlie Brown and the Quiet Sadness of Growing Up | DoctorW42

Why Russia Thinks It Can Attack Europe and WIN | RealLifeLore

Nuclear War Myths: Would Civilization Really End? | Isaac Arthur

Why a Russia vs Europe Nuclear War would not be so one-sided | Fraser Cain

New York City Halloween Parade 2026 🎃 53rd Annual Village Halloween Parade NYC | The NYC Walking Show

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CRYPTO & AI NEWS

Bitcoin: The Beauty of Mathematics (Part 74) | Benjamin Cowen

.Why AI Insiders Are Cashing Out | Coin Bureau

• Bitcoin ETF Investors Head for the Exits After Record Binance Hack [Decrypt]
• Binance net outflows surge to $5.8B as withdrawals resume after record hack [Coin Telegraph]
• This Week in Crypto Law (November 1, 2026) [Bitcoin.com]

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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Flock Cameras Are Not Even the Worst Part of the System | TREX LABS

• Brickbat: Unlicensed Search [Reason Magazine]
• Police say Flock cameras help solve crimes, but critics call them an invasion of privacy [PBS News]

• Schmidt v. Norfolk [ACLU]

• Chatrie v. United States [SCOTUSblog]

• Under Surveillance: Constitutional Concerns Surrounding Flock Cameras [North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology]

• Research Report on Automatic License Plate Readers: Legal Status and Policy Recommendations for Law Enforcement Use [Brennan Cebnter for Justice]

This Flock Camera Leak is like Netflix For Stalkers | Benn Jordan and 404 Media

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Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

As an independent citizen journalist covering local government in Macon County for over 16 years, I have submitted a public records request to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office for documents related to the Flock Safety automated license plate reader system. This request seeks contracts, board approvals, usage policies, camera locations, performance data, and related correspondence to promote full transparency and public accountability in how this surveillance technology is funded, deployed, and operated with taxpayer resources. By making these records available, we can separate facts from myths, address community concerns about privacy and effectiveness, and ensure informed civic dialogue about tools that impact public safety and individual rights in our rural mountain community.

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

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Support Macon Media

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• Become a Patron: patreon.com/MaconMedia
• PayPal: paypal.me/MaconMedia

Published at 6:00am on Monday, November 02, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Early Voting Totals by Party Registration in Macon County

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 20:57:08 +0000

Early voting is over for the 2026 midterms. Election Day is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Cumulative totals (Macon County):

Total early voting: 10,645
GOP: 4,362 (14.6% of registered)
Democrats: 2,067 (6.9%)
UNA: 4,183 (14.0%)
Not Voting: 19,231 (64.4%)
Total registered: 29,876

Early Voting in the 2022 and 2026 midterms compared.

In 2022, 9,734 voted early, or 34.8% of the 27,966 registered voters.

In 2026, 10,645 voted early, or 35.63% of the 29,876 registered voters.

Here is a message from Director of the Macon County Board of Elections:

Wow! What a turnout! 10,645 in total!! And Early Voting Is OVER!!

I want to give a huge shoutout to maintenance workers, delivery partners, the IT department, my Board Members, party chairman and women, and all our Polling Officials! We couldn’t have done this without you! To my Deputy Director, Judy Fritts you rock! To my Elections Assistant, John Williams, you’re the Man! To our office helper, Edna Morgan, thank you so much! Your long hours, hard work, dedication, and commitment do not go unnoticed. From the behind-the-scenes preparation to the long days serving our voters, each of you has played an important part in making this election happen. To the voters in Macon County, thank you for being so kind and patient with our officials; we appreciate you all!

I know firsthand how much work goes into running an election, and I am incredibly grateful for the people who show up, step up, and give it their all.

To my staff, thank you for everything you do day in and day out. To our Early Voting poll workers, thank you for your time, patience, and willingness to serve our community.

I couldn't do this without each and every one of you. I am proud of this team, and I appreciate you more than you know!

THANK YOU for making Macon County proud! ️

Voters who could not make it to early voting must go to their proper polling location on Tuesday, November 3^rd to cast a ballot. There is NO VOTING on Monday, November 2^nd.

A Pre-Election Board Meeting will be held on Monday, November 2^nd at 5:00 pm to approve absentee-by-mail ballots.

Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, we will meet at 4:00 pm to count early voting ballots and absentee-by-mail ballots. No results will be public until 7:30 pm.

A Provisional Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10^th at 3:00 pm.

Canvass will be on Friday, November 13^th at 11:00 am.

Regards,

Melanie D. Thibault

Director, Macon County BOE

Agenda Packet for the November 2026 Franklin Town Council Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:58:53 +0000

The Franklin Town Council will be meeting at 6pm in the lower level of the town hall for its November 2026 regular meeting.

The public agenda and agenda packet are posted below.

Agenda - November 2, 2026
6:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order- Mayor Stacy J. Guffey

2. Pledge of Allegiance – Vice Mayor Mike Lewis

3. Adoption of the November 2, 2026 Town Council Agenda - Town Council

4. Approval of the Consent Agenda for November 2, 2026 - Town Council
A.) Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Meeting Minutes October 5, 2026
2. Special Called Meeting Minutes October 12, 2026
B.) Budget Amendment
C.) Approve Contract for Harper XS – Water Treatment Plant
D.) Refer to Planning Board
1. Petition for Rezoning
2. Parking Text Amendment
3. Process Text Amendment

5. Introductions/Recognitions
A.) Bill Allen, Lab Supervisor, received Maintenance Technician 3 Certification – presented by Jason Hopkins, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor/ORC
B.) Jason Hopkins, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor/ORC, received Lab Analyst 1 Certification – presented by Bill Deal, Public Works Director
C.) Swearing in of Interim Town Manager/Finance Director Sarah Bishop – Mayor Stacy Guffey

6. Presentations
A.) Police Presentation – Honorary Police Officer Ceremony

There will be a brief recess.

7. Public Session

8. Items from Council

9. Old Business
A.) Revised Incentive Grant Application – Franklin Machine Company – Interim Town Manager/Finance Director Sarah Bishop

10. New Business
A.) Request approval of Firehouse Subs Grant for Franklin Fire Department – Fire Chief Justin Setser
B.) Request approval of Chemtrac Grant for Franklin Fire Department – Fire Chief Justin Setser
C.) Request Appointment to Town of Franklin Planning Board/Board of Adjustment – 3-year Term - Town Planner Callie Barnett
D.) Request Approval of Resolution Supporting Feasibility Studies Grant Application – Town Planner, Callie Barnett
E.) Request Approval of 3-year Contract with DSI – Town Clerk/HR Director Nicole Bradley
F.) Request Approval of John Deere Lease Agreement – Interim Town Manager/Finance Director Sarah Bishop
G.) Request approval of Street Closures – Interim Town Manager/Finance Director Sarah Bishop
a. Artisan Market, December 12th 2026
b. Ruby Drop, December 30th 2026-January 1st 2027 (2 requests)

11. Announcements
A.) Next Town Council Meeting is Monday, December 7, 2026
B.) Town Offices will be closed on November 11th, 2026 in observance of Veterans Day
C.) Town Offices will be closed on November 26th and 27th, 2026 in observance of Thanksgiving
D.) Ribbon Cutting for Sunnyside Park All Inclusive Playground on November 6th at 1:00 PM
E.) Winter Wonderland (Night One) and Tree Lighting is Saturday, November 28th, 2026. Winter Wonderland will be from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with the Tree Lighting at 7:00 PM. Winter Wonderland (Night Two) will be on December 5th, 2026 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

12. Adjourn

Agenda Packet | Download 90 page PDF

Weather Briefing for Thursday, October 29, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:37:36 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Areas of fog this morning. Sunny. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times this morning. Highs around 70. East winds around 5 mph this morning, becoming light and variable.

.TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Light and variable winds, becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.

.FRIDAY....Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. North winds around 5 mph in the morning, becoming light and variable.

.FRIDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Light and variable winds, becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.

.SATURDAY....Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the morning.

.SATURDAY NIGHT....Cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

.SUNDAY....Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 50s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 40s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast. [LINK] https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=29&month=10&year=2026

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (3.1 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low range (2.2 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 81°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2016
Lowest Temperature 16°F in Highlands in 1903
Greatest Rainfall 5.98 inches in Highlands in 2020
Greatest Snowfall 0.5 inches in Highlands in 1910

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

• Man charged in fight at Early Voting [The Franklin Press]
AI is changing the look of political attack ads in North Carolina | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Macon County Sheriff’s Office Terminates Deputy Named in Outside Criminal Investigation [The Franklin Press]
• Search underway for missing man near Jackson-Macon county line [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Maggie Burleson retires as Asheville's city clerk [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Another fired by Sheriff, criminal investigation launched [Macon Sense]
• Two Macon deputies fired for misconduct [ Smoky Mountain News ]
• Waynesville's new town manager brings wealth of local knowledge [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

NC races, particularly U.S. Senate contest, fuel surge in political betting, prediction markets say | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• There are only a few days left for early voting in NC. What to know before heading to the polls [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Vice President JD Vance rallies NC for Republicans with a notable shift in focus [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 28, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 28 | NBC News

Washington Today (10-28-26): Fed holds interest rates steady | Trump campaigns in OH, Obama in GA | C-SPAN

• Hackers identify thousands of DHS employees in massive data breach [Washington Post ]
• Right-wing activist James O’Keefe charged with unlawful voting, identity theft [The Hill]
• Stolen election rhetoric from Trump isn’t new. His ability to act on those claims is [AP News]
• Trump and Obama trade barbs in closing week of US midterm election Yahoo News]

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Financial News

FOMC Press Conference, October 28, 2026 | Federal Reserve

Jeffrey Gundlach: Fed should be raising rates based on the two-year and yield curve steepening | CNBC Television

Fed Holds Rates With a Hawkish Edge| The Close 10/28/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Fed votes in split decision to hold interest rates steady despite sticky inflation [Yahoo Finance]
• Trump methane policy rollback may have minimal impact on crude prices, EPA says [CNBC]

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World News

What are the US midterm elections and why are they crucial to Trump? | BBC News

Mein Schiff 3 Collision in Bremerhaven: What Happened? | What's Going on With Shipping?

Curfew imposed in certain areas of Paris every night until Monday morning | FRANCE 24 English

• N. Korea fires nearly dozen ballistic missiles after S. Korea's dialogue offer [Yonhap News Agency]
• 'Desolation, despair': Spain begins three days of mourning after deadly train crash [France 24]
• What to know about Brazil’s Bolsonaro’s departure to the US after his electoral defeat [AP News]

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Iran War News

Russo-Ukraine War

Bonus Episode: Russian recruitment and sabotage | Call Sign Condor | DW News

Ukraine under fire ahead of planned Abu Dhabi talks | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine by attacking its energy grid, UN-backed inquiry says [AP News]
• Putin’s Strategy Is Working: Trump Could Salvage the Kremlin’s Objectives in Ukraine [Foreign Affairs]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 28, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Russia’s alleged sabotage campaign in Europe raises fears of escalation [Al Jazeera]
• Ukraine and Russia begin Oleshky ceasefire for aid mission [DW News]

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Science News

The 50/50 Paradox: Why All Life on Earth is Left-Handed | Anton Petrov

• The weird science behind Mars’ weirdest cloud [Astronomy Magazine]
• TWiV 1368: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1369: Florida Model Makes Measles Great Again [Microbe TV]
• Moon Habitats May Use Layered Mylar to Block Extreme Heat [Universe Today]
• Your blood pressure could be dangerous even when your numbers look normal [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 23 – November 1 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

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Technology News

Only 5% of People Use AI Agents, and the Boom Is Just Starting | Yahoo Finance

Apple and Meta's AI gamble: The end of data centres? | AI Decoded | BBC News

Most AI News Is Useless for Developers. These 3 Stories Aren’t. | Educative

• The last, best hope for space tourism just rolled onto a runway in Arizona [Ars Technica]
• There Are 15,000 Ant Species on Earth. Blame the Asteroid That Killed the Dinosaurs [Gizmodo]
• Chile Blocks 1,954 Pirate TV URLs to Protect Citizens’ ‘Privacy and Personal Data’ [Torrent Freaks]

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Interesting Videos

The Forgotten Viking War That United England | Kings and Generals

The Theranos Trap | Hank Green

How Are Americans Affording $80,000 Trucks on $70,000 Salary | The Infographics Show

The Strange Case for Dark Matter Aliens with Daniel Whiteson | Event Horizon

Going Beyond Hubble and Roman to Find Planets With Atmospheres | Fraser Cain

New York City 4K LIVE Manhattan on Thursday Evening (October 22, 2026) | The NYC Walking Show

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CRYPTO & AI NEWS

Bitcoin Bull Market Support Band | Benjamin Cowen

The Rise and Fall of Crypto's Flashiest Founder | Coin Bureau

• Is the Internet Safe Again After the PHP Nightmare? What You Need to Know [Decrypt]
• Bitcoin Core changes security policy as AI makes bugs easier to find [Coin Telegraph]
• Colombian Police Dismantle $42M Crypto Drug Laundering Ring [Bitcoin.com]

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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

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Letter to the Editor: Concerns About Flock Camera Use and Records Requests in Jackson County, N.C.

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:34:15 +0000

(Editor's Note: Click on any of the images view at a larger size).

Dear Editor, In light of your recent news report about the gross misuse of Flock cameras by county sheriffs and city police officers

, a family member of mine who lives in Jackson County, N.C., has a pending court case that has been ongoing for three years involving a deputy of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and his ex-wife. This officer is also a candidate in the Jackson County Commissioners race.

My family member and I feel that he is being targeted by this deputy and the Sheriff’s Department for several reasons, one of them being his being flocked by the sheriff’s office

. He is not on social media, so I went on the website that was put on TV so that citizens could check to see if they had been flocked. I ran all of his vehicle plates on “Have I Been Flocked” and sure enough he had been a total of four different times

. In the photo shown there were discrepancies in who the operator of the Flock system was

. And in one of those instances he was flocked for a total of 30 days (Photo #4) and the reason for the surveillance listed was “criminal investigation”

. There were only two of the flockings on the report, but the report says that he was flocked four times

One of his questions is: “Where are the reports for the two other times flocked and when did these occur?” The website states that persons who have been flocked can go to their local sheriff’s office and request a printout of the flocked report. He went to the sheriff’s office and requested those printouts, and they refused to give them to him (he has this request rejection on video), just like all of the reports he has requested involving his pending court case with this deputy and his ex-wife. He has submitted a written request for these documents as well as body cam footage, photos, and audio of the 911 call about his case and been denied.

He has spoken with the sheriff about his concerns with this deputy, who is also a personal friend of the county sheriff and is a candidate in the Jackson County Commissioners’ race, and has been treated horribly. This I feel is an abuse of power by law enforcement. He lives in fear of retaliation by the sheriff and the Sheriff’s Department. He read the story you published about the investigation and dismissal of the Macon County deputy and wanted me to reach out to you and see if your news outlet could reach out to him and listen to his story. He has requested to speak to internal affairs but was told by the sheriff’s office that there is no internal affairs. He doesn’t want to talk to the press in Jackson County because of fear of them having close ties with the parties involved. This whole thing has him scared as well as paranoid in the county he lives in and pays taxes in. He would love to speak with the reporter who investigated the Macon County deputy story.

There is corruption in these small mountain counties, and it needs to be brought to light, addressed, and stopped. Again, he is not on social media at all and asked me to reach out to you. He has a very interesting case that I feel needs to be heard and addressed, and the Sheriff’s Office and that deputy need to be investigated on the state or federal level. If you think you could help him get his story to the right people and possibly get some investigation started into the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, my family member has given me permission to share his story.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of his story.

Weather Briefing for Monday, October 26, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 08:25:29 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Back to School Safety Tips for the 2026-2027 School Year [Macon Media]

• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]

WEATHER OUTLOOK

1. Patchy frost is expected to develop by dawn across portions of the NC mountains and foothills. A Frost Advisory is in effect for those mountain zones that were not turned off during the most recent freeze.

2. Dry high pressure is expected to persist over our region through at least Friday with temperatures climbing back above normal. Rain chances increase this weekend.

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SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast. [LINK] https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=26&month=10&year=2026

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (3.3 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (3.3 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 86°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1947
Lowest Temperature 17°F in Highlands in 1903
Greatest Rainfall 2.99 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1977
Greatest Snowfall (no measurable snowfall recorded on this date)

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

Swain County Heritage Museum preserves history | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Macon County Sheriff’s Office Terminates Deputy Named in Outside Criminal Investigation [The Franklin Press]
• Two brush fires reported in Johns Creek Road area of Jackson County [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Franklin rallies past Smoky Mountain for 42-35 win [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Local physicians dropped from Humana Medicare Advantage plans [The Franklin Press]
• Another fired by Sheriff, criminal investigation launched [Macon Sense]
• Jackson opioid settlement funds go toward recovery housing [ Smoky Mountain News ]
• Will flu season come early? Cases spark concern for winter season [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

Flock cameras in NC: Who can access license plate reader data and how is it protected? | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Could election betting skew NC voters’ expectations? New study raises concerns ahead of midterms [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Phones? Buttons? Guns? What you may and may not bring to cast your vote in NC [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

Is the AI Bubble About to Burst? New Financial Risks Exposed | Yahoo Finance

Woman charged with threatening Trump: ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 22, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 22 | NBC News

Washington Today (10-22-26): Rep. AOC campaigns for ME Dem Sen nominee | POTUS defends OH GOP ad | C-SPAN

• Trump says he recommended "powerful" Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother stay up [CBS News]
• Trump announces he’ll use Defense Production Act to increase domestic gas production [The Hill]
• Mississippi releases video showing fatal shooting of 1-year-old boy by police officer [AP News]
• 'This is despicable': Amy Acton responds to Ohio attack ad featuring her estranged mother Yahoo News]

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Financial News

Treasury Counselor David Zervos: Energy shock, not sticky inflation, driving yields | CNBC Television

OpenAI Trims Target Value & Volvo Cars Cuts 2,500 Jobs | Bloomberg Daybreak Europe 10/23/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Trump and Crypto Firm Sued for Profiting From Foreign Government [Yahoo Finance]
• Elon Musk invests about $1 billion in Skydance [CNBC]

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World News

Yemen’s humanitarian crisis deepens following Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia | BBC News

Ship Talk: The 1904 Steamboat Fire That Wiped Out a NYC Neighborhood | What's Going on With Shipping?

Curfew imposed in certain areas of Paris every night until Monday morning | FRANCE 24 English

• N. Korea likely planted 960,000 land mines along inter-Korean border since 2024: lawmakers [Yonhap News Agency]
• Live: Macron meets with student representatives and law enforcement ahead of new protests [France 24]
• In India, police shootings of alleged cow smugglers raise alarm about impunity and bias [AP News]

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Iran War News

Ahead of US and Israeli elections, 3-day joint attack on Iran 'would not radically change conflict' | DW News

• Why Iran Escalates: Tehran’s Strategy to Drive America Out of the Middle East [Foreign Affairs]
• Trump administration offers mixed messages on limits to Ukraine’s Starshield access [AP News]
• Iran Update, October 22, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: European, Middle East FMs in Istanbul for security talks [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Trump accuses Iran of faking strikes, Huckabee questions BoP's ability to execute Gaza peace plan [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

Is Trump trying to end the war in Ukraine, or helping Putin win it? | DW News

Putin got compliments. Kyiv got cluster munitions | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Trump administration offers mixed messages on limits to Ukraine’s Starshield access [AP News]
• The Chokepoint Trap: How the Search for Economic Security Will End in Geopolitical Calamity [Foreign Affairs]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 22, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Trump says Musk restored Ukraine’s Starlink access amid Russia war [Al Jazeera]
• Germany arrests Ukrainian man suspected of spying for Russia [DW News]

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Science News

We Can’t See These Black Holes. But These Ghost Particles Can | PBS Space Time

• Mars’ moon Phobos is destined to become a ring [Astronomy Magazine]
• TWiV 1366: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1367: Turning Off Hepatitis B Virus Without Cutting its DNA [Microbe TV]
• Neutrinos May Be The Key To Why We Are Surrounded By Matter [Universe Today]
• Massive study of 460,000 people challenges ultra-processed food cancer fears [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 16 – 25 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

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Technology News

The Future of Elections: Who Votes, How We Vote, and What Comes Next | Isaac Arthur

This Developer REMADE An Adobe Product Using AI! (Can Every App Be Open Source?) | Educative

• Meta shocked by $25B fine after N.M. refused to join multistate settlement [Ars Technica]
• Report: Dutch Spies Hacked Jared Kushner’s iPhone, Watched Him Use Sleazy Middle Eastern Slush Fund [Gizmodo]
• ‘VPNs at Risk’: Tech Coalition Pushes Back on Piracy Blocking Duties for VPNs [Torrent Freaks]

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Interesting Videos

CRYPTO & AI NEWS

Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

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Weekend Weather Briefing for Saturday, October 24, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 09:18:00 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast. [LINK] https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=24&month=10&year=2026

MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 84°F in Franklin in 1968
Lowest Temperature 16°F in Highlands in 1917
Greatest Rainfall 4.00 inches in Highlands in 2017
Greatest Snowfall (no measurable snowfall recorded on this date)

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

Friday Football Frenzy: Scores and highlights for Oct. 23, 2026 | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Macon County Sheriff’s Office Terminates Deputy Named in Outside Criminal Investigation [The Franklin Press]
• Cherokee Indian Police mourns detective's line-of-duty death [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Franklin rallies past Smoky Mountain for 42-35 win [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Local physicians dropped from Humana Medicare Advantage plans [The Franklin Press]
• Holbrooks fires deputy for improper use of license plate reader [Macon Sense]
• Jackson opioid settlement funds go toward recovery housing [ The Mountaineer ]
• Will flu season come early? Cases spark concern for winter season [ The Mountaineer ]

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Macon County Sheriff’s Office Terminates Deputy Named in Outside Criminal Investigation

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:11:29 +0000

Macon County, NC — Sheriff Brent Holbrooks has terminated the employment of Deputy David Blanton after receiving notice from an outside law enforcement agency that Blanton had been named in a criminal investigation and that criminal charges had been issued.

The sheriff’s office was first notified of the investigation on October 22, 2026, and received confirmation that charges had been filed on October 23. Because the investigation is being conducted by an outside agency, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office has no additional information available at this time.

Blanton is currently in jail on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. The following was taken from the Cherokee Indian Police Department Mobile App:

Booking Information — David Lee Blanton

Name: David Lee Blanton
Age: 42
Booking Number: 3542
Booking Date: October 23, 2026

Charges:

Domestic Violence and Dating Violence
Status: Pre-Trial
Bond Amount: N/A
Bond Status: Active Bond
Harassment
Status: Pre-Trial
Bond Amount: N/A
Bond Status: N/A
Telephone Harassment
Status: Pre-Trial
Bond Amount: N/A
Bond Status: N/A

Blanton was booked into the Anthony Edward Lossiah Justice Center following charges He has only been charged with the offenses listed and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

**edit** 5.18pm** Here is the court docket for Monday [LINK]

County Manager Warren Cabe just released (2.38pm) a short "Tik-Tok" style video addressing the situation:

The actual Press Release:

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Sheriff Brent Holbrooks received information from an outside law enforcement agency that a deputy of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office had been named in a criminal investigation. On today’s date, Sheriff Holbrooks received further information that criminal charges were issued pertaining to the aforementioned criminal investigation. Sheriff Holbrooks effectively terminated the employment of Deputy David Blanton.

No other information is available by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office as this investigation is by an outside agency.

Sheriff Brent Holbrooks

Weather Briefng for Friday, October 23, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:03:19 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast. [LINK] https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=23&month=10&year=2026

MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 82°F in Franklin in 1978
Lowest Temperature 20°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1952
Greatest Rainfall 2.64 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1882
Greatest Snowfall (no measurable snowfall recorded on this date)

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

Can anyone see if you've already voted in NC? | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Driver faces multiple charges, including DWI, after fatal wrong-way I-26 crash [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Word from the Smokies: New field guide demystifies mushrooming [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Local physicians dropped from Humana Medicare Advantage plans [The Franklin Press]
• Holbrooks fires deputy for improper use of license plate reader [Macon Sense]
• NC attorney general creates new complaint tool for gas tax cheats [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

National News

Financial News

World News

Iran War News

Russo-Ukraine War

Science News

Technology News

Interesting Videos

CRYPTO & AI NEWS

Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

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noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:33:48 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Back to School Safety Tips for the 2026-2027 School Year [Macon Media]

• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]

WEATHER OUTLOOK

1. Relative humidity will likely drop down to around 25 percent across parts of the county again this afternoon, leading to increased fire danger in some locations.

2. Dry high pressure persists through early next week. Temperatures will fall below normal beginning Friday, then steadily return to normal through next week.

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SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast. [LINK] https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=22&month=10&year=2026

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (3.8 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (3.8 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 85°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2016
Lowest Temperature 14°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1952
Greatest Rainfall 1.80 inches in Highlands in 1882
Greatest Snowfall (no measurable snowfall recorded on this date)

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

What to know about North Carolina's proposed constitutional amendments | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Mitchell County leaders await word on potential Sibelco plant [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Rules have changed for 2026 absentee voting in NC. See deadlines [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Local physicians dropped from Humana Medicare Advantage plans [The Franklin Press]
• Holbrooks fires deputy for improper use of license plate reader [Macon Sense]
• A tale of two farmers: Ager, Balkcom compete for NC-11 seat [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

Preliminary data show the spoiled absentee ballot rate rises in North Carolina | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Why is your power bill so high? What to check and where to find help [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• 470+ complaints about gas stations filed so far with NC Fuel Check. What’s next? [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

BlackRock's Fink Sees Inflation Risk in Slow Data-Center Buildout | Bloomberg Television

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 21, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 21 | NBC News

Washington Today (10-21-26): VP Vance: GOP should 'stop whining' about OH GOP campaign ad | C-SPAN

• Live Updates: U.S. reducing troop footprint in Middle East, sources say, as indirect talks on ceasefire proposal with Iran continue [CBS News]
• WHCA condemns removal of journalist from White House pool [The Hill]
• Meta ordered to pay New Mexico $25 billion for deceiving users about privacy on Facebook [AP News]
• Elon Musk Says He’ll Give Every Child In America One SpaceX Share Next Year Yahoo News]

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World News

50 days, one laptop, one AI feature film | BBC Radical | BBC News

How Craig Symonds Shaped Our View of Naval History | What's Going on With Shipping?

Sudan’s war escalates as UN warns of wider regional crisis | FRANCE 24 English

• S. Korea urges N. Korea to stop border escalation acts amid Pyongyang's loudspeaker threat [Yonhap News Agency]
• In run-up to mass protests and riots, pro-Russian accounts amplified French anger, NGO finds [France 24]
• APEC finance ministers warn persistent global imbalances risk growth and stability [AP News]

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Iran War News

Israelis living abroad are traveling en masse to vote. Can the government stop them? | DW News

• Iran’s Theory of Victory: Tehran’s Fight for Great-Power Status in the Post-American Middle East [Foreign Affairs]
• US orders some diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia as fears of escalating Houthi attacks rise [AP News]
• Iran Update, October 21, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Trump denies Iran talks, says situation will resolve soon [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: IRGC Navy says seven vessels struck in Persian Gulf, Hormuz, one killed in attack on Saudi airport [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

Russia ready to resume Ukraine peace talks in November as US pressures Kyiv | Al Jazeera English

In search of a midterm success, Trump turns to the Kremlin | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Russia agrees to resume three-way talks on Ukraine war with Kyiv and Washington, Kremlin says [AP News]
• Empires of AI: The Rise and Fall of a New Global Order [Foreign Affairs]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 21, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• What happened during Witkoff and Kushner’s latest meeting with Putin [Al Jazeera]
• Ukraine, Russia trade strikes after Witkoff talks [Yahoo News]

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Financial News

Treasury Counselor David Zervos: Energy shock, not sticky inflation, driving yields | CNBC Television

Tesla, IBM & Meta Report Earnings as AI Takes Center Stage | The Close 10/21/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Meta earnings live: Meta beats Q3 revenue expectations, announces 2-for-1 stock split [Yahoo Finance]
• China’s stock market sinks into bear territory as CSI 300 extends 10-week rout [CNBC]

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Science News

You Are Here: A Tourist's Guide to the Local Interstellar Neighborhood (episode 6) | ParallaxNick

• A Chartreuse White Dwarf Shows Some Stars Really Are Green [Sky & Telescope Magazine]
• TWiV 1366: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1367: Turning Off Hepatitis B Virus Without Cutting its DNA [Microbe TV]
• Neutrinos May Be The Key To Why We Are Surrounded By Matter [Universe Today]
• Massive study of 460,000 people challenges ultra-processed food cancer fears [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 16 – 25 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

↑ Back to Top

Technology News

Websites taken down worldwide as AI reveals critical cyber-security threat | BBC News

This Developer REMADE An Adobe Product Using AI! (Can Every App Be Open Source?) | Educative

• FCC chair warns media not to run the “fake polls” Trump keeps complaining about [Ars Technica]
• Elon Musk Claims His Terafab Will Produce Its First Chip By Mid-2027 [Gizmodo]
• Judge Orders Meta to Name Employees Who Approved Torrenting Anna’s Archive and LibGen [Torrent Freaks]

↑ Back to Top

Interesting Videos

Largest Land Battle Before WWI Caused the First Russian Revolution | Kings and Generals

Forget Vienna: The Battle That ACTUALLY Broke the Ottomans - Párkány, 1683 HistoryMarche

The Collapse of the American Dream: How 20 Years of Renting Beat Buying | The Infographics Show

Unsettling Reasons The Universe May Be Beyond Understanding | Daniel Whiteson | Event Horizon

What's Coming Is Worse Than the Great Depression: Top Economist Explains | ProfSteveKeen

The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction | Marques Brownlee and Auto Focus

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CRYPTO & AI NEWS

What will the Federal Reserve Do Next? | Benjamin Cowen

The $18 BILLION Threat to Strategy's Stock | Coin Bureau

• Ken Griffin Says AI Is 'Almost Certainly' in a Bubble—And Compares GPUs to Airline Seats [Decrypt]
• PHP Foundation admits ‘structural failure’ delayed critical security fix [Coin Telegraph]
• Uphold Lists Evernorth's XRPN Stock, Expanding XRP Treasury Access [Bitcoin.com]

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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

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Weather Briefing for Wednesday, October 21, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:40:32 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Patchy fog this morning. Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds, becoming northwest around 5 mph this afternoon.

.TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 40s. North winds around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. North winds around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows around 40. North winds around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY....Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph in the morning, becoming light and variable.

.FRIDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the upper 30s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast. [LINK] https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=21&month=10&year=2026

MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

WNC News

Here's how you can vote in North Carolina | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Macon County Sheriff Terminates Deputy Over Misuse of License Plate Reader System (Flock Cameras) [Macon Media]
• Trump says Pentagon will invest $1.5 billion into North Carolina chip production [The Hill]
• NC-11 candidate Jamie Ager holds rally in Hendersonville, highlights key issues [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Do you know what to do during a landslide? [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Local physicians dropped from Humana Medicare Advantage plans [The Franklin Press]
• Holbrooks fires deputy for improper use of license plate reader [Macon Sense]
• A tale of two farmers: Ager, Balkcom compete for NC-11 seat [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

As early voting turnout surges in NC, Trump makes second visit | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Hundreds of NC complaints accuse gas stations of not lowering prices after tax pause [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Trump rallies NC for Republicans as money dries up, ratings favor Democrats [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

BlackRock's Fink Sees Inflation Risk in Slow Data-Center Buildout | Bloomberg Television

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 20, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 20 | NBC News

Washington Today (10-20-26): Survey on socialism & POTUS' use of power | Two weeks to election day | C-SPAN

• How new and refurbished arenas and stadiums are shutting out loyal sports fans [CBS News]
• Trump says Pentagon will invest $1.5 billion into North Carolina chip production [The Hill]
• FACT FOCUS: Trump and Republicans blame France’s immigrants for riots without evidence [AP News]
• Tesla Q3 preview: Delivery outlook, cash flow, and a dash of merger speculation on tap Yahoo News]

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World News

The politics behind the French riots | BBC Newscast | BBC News

Why U.S. Shipbuilding Is Failing the American Merchant Marine | What's Going on With Shipping?

France protests: Govt to impose new curfews where 'situation requires it' | FRANCE 24 English

• Alberta Rejects Independence From Canada [Newsweek]
• S. Korea warns of 'decisive retaliation' as N. Korea threatens to deploy strike assets to border [Yonhap News Agency]
• Live: France to impose more curfews as government seeks to regain control after riots and looting [France 24]
• From France to Albania, social unrest is setting Europe’s streets ablaze [AP News]

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Iran War News

What does Egypt’s offer reveal about the limits of Saudi military power? | DW News

• Iran’s Theory of Victory: Tehran’s Fight for Great-Power Status in the Post-American Middle East [Foreign Affairs]
• Houthi rebels strike Yemen’s government forces, killing at least 53 [AP News]
• Iran Update, October 19, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Qatar says Iran-US talks ongoing [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Hegseth, Netanyahu hold covert meeting on air force base, Syria fears Israel-backed Druze offensive [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

The Evolution of the Russian Military - Its Strengths and Shortfalls in 2026 (With Michael Kofman) | Perun

Putin wants Ukraine talks. But Ukraine isn't invited | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Zelenskyy says Ukraine got no early warning from partners as Russia hits the power grid again [AP News]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 19, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• US-Ukraine relations sour as Trump, Zelenskyy clash over talks, arms [Al Jazeera]
• Zelensky, US envoys to hold Oslo talks as Ukraine claims US missile holdup [Yahoo News]

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Financial News

Brace For Higher Gas For Longer 10/20/26 | CNBC Television

Saudi Arabia Delays Flagship Investment Summit to 2027 After Houthi Attacks | Horizons: Middle East and Africa 10/20/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• United Airlines CEO says US should have an inheritance tax 'close to 100%' and he'd pay it [Yahoo Finance]
• Three big takeaways from the IMF-World Bank meetings [CNBC]

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Science News

Plastic Is Fusing With Corals and Creating Bizarre New Minerals | Anton Petrov

• Japan sends MMX toward the martian moons [Astronomy Magazine]
• TWiV 1366: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1367: Turning Off Hepatitis B Virus Without Cutting its DNA [Microbe TV]
• New Observations Show How Black Holes Stir Up Material Surrounding A Galaxy [Universe Today]
• Alaska’s monster tsunami sent water 1,580 feet up a mountain [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 16 – 25 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

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Technology News

Starship Flight 15 Date In Sight - With Catches Planned | Starship Update | NASASpaceflight

• Russian spacecraft maneuvers in “extreme proximity” to satellite used by Ukraine [Ars Technica]
• The Fear of a One-Man-Band Weaponizing AI Agents Is Becoming Reality [Gizmodo]
• Court Approves ‘voices38’ Subpoenas After Denuvo Drops Payment and Login Data Requests [Torrent Freaks]

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Interesting Videos

CRYPTO & AI NEWS

Has the Q4 Equity Correction Finally Arrived? | Benjamin Cowen

The US Housing Market is BREAKING (few are ready) | Coin Bureau

• MapQuest Now Shows Drivers Where Flock Cameras Are Watching [Decrypt]
• Qubic freezes chain after attacker drains 1.4K wallets with weak seeds [Coin Telegraph]
• This Week in Crypto Law (October 18, 2026) [Bitcoin.com]

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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

↑ Back to Top

font-size: medium;

Macon County Sheriff Terminates Deputy Over Misuse of License Plate Reader System (Flock Cameras)

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:35:38 +0000

PRESS RELEASE (10-20-2026)

MACON COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

On Friday, October 16, the Macon County Sheriff's Office received information from a creditable outside agency regarding the possible misuse of the License Plate Reader (LPR) system by an employee of the Sheriff's Office. Upon receiving this information and after careful review, the deputy was immediately placed on administrative leave, and an internal investigation was initiated.

After a thorough internal affairs investigation by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Detective, the investigation concluded that the complaint was founded. After conclusion of the internal affairs investigation, Sheriff Brent Holbrooks determined that the appropriate course of action was termination of the employee, Jonathan Bean.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office takes the appropriate use of its technology and resources seriously. Misuse of any kind will not be tolerated, and all allegations of misconduct will be addressed promptly and appropriately.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to maintaining public trust, accountability, and the integrity of its

operations.

Sheriff Brent Holbrooks

Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid029gfCnJjNDD2eSxdBUHA9Go6A21nRMU6HXfRPgkUg8u7nfHLBUXDa3rp67ReQmygAl&id=100092550686809

#MaconCrimne #Flock #ALPRs

Tuesday 10-20-2026

News and Weather Briefing for Tuesday, October 20, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 11:01:38 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with highs in the 70s. Calm winds. Low humidity will make outdoor burning damgerous.

.TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

.WEDNESDAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds, becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the lower 40s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast.

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (4.1 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (3.8 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 85°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2016
Lowest Temperature 21°F in Franklin in 1981
Greatest Rainfall 3.87 inches in Highlands in 1950
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands in 1913

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

JD Vance, Michael Whatley speak in Hendersonville | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Open burning discouraged in western North Carolina due to 'very high' wildfire risk [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Do you know what to do during a landslide? [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Getting connected at Tech Time [The Franklin Press]
• FHS on track as county advances East Franklin plans, Highlands soccer field considered [Macon Sense]
• Mega apartments slated for Hyatt Creek [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

Early voting turnout surges across North Carolina | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Trump’s NC trip is meant to help GOP candidates. Top Democrat has a message for him: ‘Keep doing it’ [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• NC races among top targets for large election spending groups [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

WATCH: Trump heads to rally in Kansas as Republican voters' frustrations deepen | PBS NewsHour

Trump campaigns as early vote surges: ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 19, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 19 | NBC News

Washington Today (10/19/26): Trump Eases Russia Fuel Sanctions as Republicans Push Back; Midterms | C-SPAN

• Trump Says America Could Mirror France if Republicans Lose Midterms [Newsweek]
• Corruption charges once propelled MAGA. Now they may doom it [The Hill]
• Ex-OpenAI worker accused of bugging conference room planned to fly to Saudi Arabia, prosecutors say [AP News]
• The 2026 midterms are 2 weeks away. Which party has a better chance of winning? Here's what the latest polls say. Yahoo News]

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World News

Iran War News

Russo-Ukraine War

Financial News

Science News

Technology News

Interesting Videos

font-size: medium;

News and Weather Briefing for Monday, October 19, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 09:05:19 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Low relative humidity could lead to rapidly spreading fires. Northeast winds around 5 mph this morning, becoming light and variable.

.TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY....Sunny. Highs around 70. North winds around 5 mph in the morning, becoming light and variable.

.TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Light and variable winds, becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds, becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the lower 40s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast.

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (4.0 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (3.2 out of 12.0)

↑ Back to Top

MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 83°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1984
Lowest Temperature 21°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1948
Greatest Rainfall 3.20 inches in Highlands in 1916

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

↑ Back to Top

WNC News

Meta data center neighbors reflect on 13-year noise fight | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

NOAA Releases Winter Weather Outlook | Farm Journal

• 7 Free or Cheap North Carolina Spots Where You See the Milky Way With Your Own Eyes [Unearth the Voyage]
• Reactions vary to Vice President JD Vance’s planned Hendersonville visit [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Western North Carolina voter's guide for 2026 midterm elections [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Getting connected at Tech Time [The Franklin Press]
• Taxes, opioid settlement plans lead busy Macon County agenda [Macon Sense]
• How unfounded charges flipped one man's life upside down [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

Firefighters honor Andrew Brokes at funeral; tributes continue across Durham | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Republican Tillis expects GOP 'bloodbath' in midterm elections [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Despite rain, No Kings protesters march to early voting sites across NC [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

Is a blue wave coming, and how will Trump react? | Washington Week PBS

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 18, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 18 | NBC News

America's Book Club Treasures with Elliot Ackerman & James Stavridis | C-SPAN

• Homan: Investigators have a ‘strong case’ against Omar [The Hill]
• Oregon father is the latest armed civilian to confront a gunman in a US mass shooting [AP News]
• What we know about the investigation into the Bend school shooting Yahoo News]

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World News

2,400 arrests in France's worst street violence for decades | BBC News

Why U.S. Shipbuilding Is Failing the American Merchant Marine | What's Going on With Shipping?

70% of Albertans support remaining in Canada ahead of referendum: Ipsos | Global News

• U.S. expresses 'understanding' of S. Korea's unease over USFK commander's remarks: source [Yonhap News Agency]
• Live: French minister admits police 'lost control' of protests as Macron rejects his offer to resign [France 24]
• Hungarian journalists feel the pressure lifting after Orbán’s defeat [AP News]

↑ Back to Top

Iran War News

Trump turns on Zelenskyy as Ukraine launches massive strikes on Russia | DW News

• Iran Update, October 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Riyadh airport hit again; Tehran says US reply ‘inadequate’ [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Israel urged Qatar to continue funding Gaza as oil tanker hits mine in Strait of Hormuz [Jerusalem Post]

↑ Back to Top

Russo-Ukraine War

The Evolution of the Russian Military - Its Strengths and Shortfalls in 2026 (With Michael Kofman) | Perun

Ukrainian drones strike St. Petersburg in the largest-ever attack on the city | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Ukraine launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia as spat between Trump and Zelenskyy continues [AP News]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Trump defends Russian sanctions relief, lashes out at Zelenskyy [Al Jazeera]
• SpaceX throttled Starlink in Ukraine. Neither Trump nor Elon Musk wants to own the decision [Yahoo News]

↑ Back to Top

Financial News

This $4 Trillion Bet Will Trigger The Next Financial Crisis | Bravos Research

France PM Calls Crisis Meeting After Weekend Riots | Daybreak Europe 10/19/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Official data show China is dumping more U.S. Treasury debt. But it may actually be a stealth buyer, with a big stash suspiciously piling up in Canada [Yahoo Finance]
• France hit by worst unrest in years as attempts to rein in government spending meet citizen ire [CNBC]

↑ Back to Top

Science News

First Ever Microblazar Found! Here's What This Means for Astronomy | Anton Petrov

• Japan prepares to launch sample return mission to Phobos [Astronomy Magazine]
• TWiV 1366: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1367: Turning Off Hepatitis B Virus Without Cutting its DNA [Microbe TV]
• New Research Reveals How Long Stays in Space Affects the Human Genome [Universe Today]
• Physicists create a bizarre new quantum state called a fractional fermi sea [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 16 – 25 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

↑ Back to Top

Technology News

Let's Talk About Tesla's Rocket Car.... Even Though I'm Supposed to be On Vacation | Scott Manley

• OpenAI models hacked a crypto wallet and breached more websites [Ars Technica]
• Thousands of Artifacts Unearthed in Alaska Hint at an Even Older Human Presence in the Americas [Gizmodo]
• RIAA Flags Anna’s Archive and AI Voice Cloner to U.S. Government [Torrent Freaks]

↑ Back to Top

Interesting Videos

CRYPTO & AI NEWS

Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

↑ Back to Top

font-size: medium;

October 2026 Macon County Commissioners Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:18:54 +0000

Macon Media was unable to be at the county commissioner meeting tonight and instead watched via the online stream from the county.

Executive Summary

The Board opened with announcements (including Town of Franklin support for the ¼-cent local option sales tax and a proposed December 7 special meeting for swearing-in). There were no public hearings. Two citizens spoke in favor of a countywide dark-sky / light-pollution ordinance, citing tourism and environmental benefits.

Key reports included the opioid settlement fund balance (~$2.7 million) and progress on a strategic plan funded by a Dogwood Health Foundation grant; a detailed public-education update from the Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Committee (projected $2.2–2.4 million annually, exemptions for groceries, prescriptions, etc.); confirmation that the Franklin High School project remains on time and on budget for an August opening; and clearance of federal cross-cutter reviews for the Carson Convenience Center, allowing construction to proceed.

The Board unanimously approved the 2027 Schedule of Values, final sale of surplus Lot 168 Watauga Vista ($1,600), notice to terminate/rework fire department contracts effective June 30, 2027, the Operation Green Light for Veterans resolution (November 4–11), and two additional surplus-lot upset-bid processes. It approved $37,000 (Option 2) for an East Franklin School feasibility study to support a future $42 million Needs-Based School Capital Fund grant. On the Bartram Academy / Peak building, Commissioner Antoine recused himself due to a direct financial conflict; the remaining members voted 4-0 to declare no county need for the building so it can be leased for Boys & Girls Club after-school and summer programs. The consent agenda passed 5-0. The Board then entered closed session and later adjourned.

Macon County Board of Commissioners (10-13-2026) | Macon County Government

Votes and Results

All recorded votes were unanimous among those voting. No “no” votes occurred.

Item	Motion / Action	Result	Notes / Abstentions
Approval of agenda	Breeden / Antoine	5-0	—
2027 Schedule of Values (reappraisal)	Antoine / Shields	5-0	—
Final approval – sale of Lot 168 Watauga Vista ($1,600)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	Chairman noted reluctance on price but liability relief
Notice of termination of fire department contracts (effective 6/30/2027)	Sherrill / Breeden	5-0	Starts 8-month notice process
Operation Green Light for Veterans resolution	Shields / Sherrill	5-0	—
Upset-bid process – Copeland Subdivision Lot 7 ($1,000 offer)	Antoine / Breeden	5-0	Buyer to reimburse publication costs; Board can still reject
Upset-bid process – Watauga Vista Lot 454 ($750 offer)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	Same conditions
East Franklin School feasibility study – Option 2 ($37,000 from contingency)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	Supports $42 M grant application
Recusal of Commissioner Antoine (Bartram / Boys & Girls Club item)	Sherrill / Shields	4-0	Antoine abstained/recused due to direct financial conflict of interest
Declaration of no county need for Bartram Academy building (allow lease for after-school/summer programs)	Breeden / Shields (after recusal)	4-0	Unanimous among remaining members; maintenance concerns raised but MOU places responsibility on Boys & Girls Club
Consent agenda	Breeden / Antoine	5-0	Includes one-year tax refund on unfinished basement
Enter closed session (real property negotiations + attorney-client)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	—
Adjourn	Antoine / Breeden	5-0	—

Narrative Summary

Opening and Announcements
Chairman called the meeting to order. Manager noted the Town of Franklin’s resolution supporting the ¼-cent local option sales tax and suggested a special December 7 meeting for swearing-in (to avoid back-to-back meetings on the 7th and 8th). Consensus favored the idea for formal action next month. Moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Shields. No public hearings.

Public Comment

Ann Hungerford (Ellijay Township) advocated for a countywide dark-sky ordinance (3,000 K max, 100% downward shielding), citing economic benefits of astro-tourism, proximity to PARI and Mayland Earth to Sky Park, and existing protections in Highlands and Jackson County.
Sarah Johnson (Otto) supported the same for development projects, mentioned lightning-bug walks, and raised concerns about a planning-board vice-chair having signed an NDA on past data-center work.

Agenda Approval – Unanimous (5-0).

Reports and Presentations

Opioid Settlement: Fund balance $2,699,697 (including $346,411 collected this year + interest). Strategic-planning committee formed; Omni Institute contracted (paid by $300,000 Dogwood Health grant). Five initial members identified (Kara Smith, Perry Welch, Marcy Holland, Devin Holland, Leslie Jones). Plan required before spending funds.
Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Committee (Betsy Based / committee): Extensive education effort (website makingquarterpenny.com, slideshows, Facebook, community clubs, Rotary, early-voting booths). Projected $2.2–2.4 M/year; ~40% visitor-paid, 60% resident-paid. Does not apply to unprepared groceries, prescriptions, motor vehicles, utilities, manufactured homes, etc. Discussion focused on whether it effectively raises taxes on landowners versus pure property-tax alternative (~1.3 M per mil). Committee emphasized factual clarification only; not formal advocacy. Commissioners thanked the group.
Franklin High School Project (Carol Daniel Construction / Josh Cochran, Tyler Wiley + County Manager): Time-lapse shown. Still on time and on budget for August opening. Sequencing of moves (Ag/Horticulture to Bartram/Peak campus in January, etc.), intersection redesign at Panther Drive/Porter Street, and demolition of old campus planned for next summer. School Board Chair praised the partnership.
Carson Convenience Center: Federal cross-cutter reviews (Bald & Golden Eagle Act, NHPA, Clean Water Act, wetlands) completed. Construction ready to proceed; multi-use field option deferred to avoid archaeological delays.

Old Business / Action Items

2027 Schedule of Values adopted (5-0); four consecutive newspaper advertisements to follow.
Surplus Lot 168 Watauga Vista ($1,600) final sale approved (5-0).
Fire & Rescue contracts: 8-month notice of termination effective 6/30/2027 issued so new contracts can be negotiated (5-0).
Operation Green Light for Veterans resolution adopted (5-0); green lighting of county facilities and encouragement of private display Nov. 4–11, 2026.
Two additional surplus lots placed in upset-bid process (both 5-0), with buyer responsible for publication costs; Board retains right to reject final high bid.
Macon County Schools requested $37,000 (Option 2) for East Franklin feasibility study to position for $42 M Needs-Based School Capital Fund grant. Approved from contingency (5-0). Study will help check grant requirements and potentially relieve overcrowding at multiple elementary schools.

Bartram Academy / Peak Building
School system and Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau requested lease of the soon-to-be-vacant building for free K–12 after-school and summer programs (existing county programs would be dissolved and students prioritized). Commissioner Antoine recused himself (direct financial conflict). Remaining Board voted 4-0 to declare no county need for the building. Discussion noted that exterior/interior maintenance and improvements would fall to the Club under the MOU; major capital items (roof, HVAC) remain a longer-term concern but Club expressed willingness to pursue grants/fundraising.

Consent Agenda – Approved 5-0 (includes one-year refund of illegal tax on unfinished basement).

Closed Session and Adjournment
Motion to enter closed session for acquisition/negotiations of real property and attorney-client privileged matters passed 5-0. After closed session, motion to adjourn passed 5-0.

No additional appointments were made. The meeting concluded with the Board still in a position to finalize any closed-session outcomes at a later public meeting if required.

Franklin Town Council Appoints Sarah Bishop Interim Town Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:28:03 +0000

Executive Summary

At a special called meeting of the Franklin Town Council on October 12, 2026, the council unanimously accepted Town Manager Amy Owens’ amicable separation after roughly five years in the role, recognized the resulting vacancy, and adopted a resolution appointing Sarah Bishop—currently the town’s finance officer and assistant town manager—as interim town manager. Town attorney John Henning reviewed the statutory requirements under North Carolina’s council-manager form of government and confirmed that Bishop is qualified to serve in the interim role (including holding both positions temporarily). The resolution grants her the same core authorities previously delegated to the manager, subject to existing fiscal-control limits. In brief discussion, the mayor praised Owens’ formalization of processes and strengthening of staff, acknowledged concerns about the timing of public information release while affirming that the process followed legal advice, and expressed optimism about the town’s direction going forward.

Franklin Town Council - Special Called Meeting (10-12-2026) | Macon Media

The Franklin Town Council convened a special called meeting on the evening of October 12, 2026. After calling the meeting to order, the council entertained and approved a motion to excuse Councilman Higdon, who was unable to attend because of work obligations. With no members of the public requesting to speak, the body turned to its sole item of business: the appointment of an interim town manager.

Town attorney John Henning provided the procedural and legal background. He explained that the town operates under the council-manager form of government adopted years earlier pursuant to North Carolina General Statute provisions. Under that framework, the council must appoint a qualified person to exercise the powers and duties of town manager whenever a vacancy exists. Henning characterized the separation of longtime manager Amy Owens (who had served approximately five years) as an amicable parting of the ways, consistent with the town’s earlier public statement. He noted that, while a sitting manager may designate an acting manager during temporary absences, a true vacancy triggers the council’s duty to name an interim.

The resolution before the council named Sarah Bishop, the current finance officer and assistant town manager, as interim town manager. Henning stated that she is fully qualified and may lawfully hold both the interim-manager and finance-officer positions simultaneously, though he observed that dual occupancy is not an ideal long-term arrangement and will likely warrant future attention. The resolution itself contains five sections: it makes the appointment effective immediately and continuing until a permanent manager is named or the resolution is amended; it delegates to the interim manager the same authorities previously granted the town manager (including entering contracts under $30,000, day-to-day property management and limited leasing or surplus-property disposal, adoption of certain non-ordinance policies required by law, tax releases or refunds under $100, review and release of closed-session minutes when appropriate, and grant applications with associated obligations within budget limits); it reaffirms compliance with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act and Local Government Commission rules; and it clarifies that the delegated authority is additive to any other legal or policy authority.

After the resolution was read into the record, a motion was offered to accept Ms. Owens’ separation, recognize the vacancy, and adopt the resolution appointing Sarah Bishop. The motion received a second and was opened for discussion. The mayor spoke at length, describing the departure as amicable and on good terms. He credited Owens with systematically improving previously informal processes and agreements, formalizing operations, and assembling what he called the best staff the town has ever had—work that has laid groundwork for future progress. Addressing public comments about transparency, he stated that the council had followed sound legal advice on personnel matters (which cannot be fully disclosed), but that, in hindsight, the timing and manner of releasing public information could have been handled differently; he accepted responsibility for that aspect. He concluded that the overall process complied with the law, that the town regretted Owens’ departure, and that it looked forward to the work ahead.

With no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. A subsequent motion to adjourn also passed, and the meeting ended. The entire special session was brief, focused, and conducted in open session, with the formal resolution and statutory framework supplying the operative decisions. The following is reconstructed from the audio with the NCGS reference cleaned up. A copy was not provided.

RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN
APPOINTING AN INTERIM TOWN MANAGER

WHEREAS, at its regular meeting of March 3, 2008, the Town Council duly adopted an ordinance pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 160A-101 to adopt the council-manager form of government; and

WHEREAS, there is currently a vacancy in the position of Town Manager for the Town of Franklin, upon which condition North Carolina General Statute 160A-150 provides that the Town Council “shall designate a qualified person to exercise the powers and perform the duties of manager until the vacancy is filled”; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that Sarah Bishop, who currently serves as the Town Finance Officer and Assistant Town Manager, is qualified to perform the duties of Town Manager;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Franklin Town Council as follows:

Section 1. Sarah Bishop is hereby appointed to the position of Interim Town Manager until such time as a permanent Town Manager shall be named by the Town Council.

Section 2. As Interim Town Manager, Sarah Bishop is hereby granted such responsibilities and authorities as are assigned and delegated to the position of Town Manager pursuant to any and all applicable laws and policies. The Town Council delegates authority to the Interim Town Manager as follows:

A. Contracts. The Interim Town Manager is authorized to enter into contracts of less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) on behalf of the Town Council and with the effect of binding the Town for any budget purpose, including without limitation construction or maintenance, utility installation, or professional services.

B. Property Management. The Interim Town Manager shall oversee the day-to-day management and maintenance of Town-owned real and personal property. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Interim Town Manager is specifically authorized:

Pursuant to G.S. 160A-262(b), to lease or rent Town property that is not needed for current operations for terms of one year or less; and
Pursuant to G.S. Chapter 160A, Article 12, to declare Town-owned personal property surplus and dispose of it by sale or any other means in the Town Manager’s discretion, where any single item or group of similar items is worth less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000).

C. Policies. The Interim Town Manager is hereby authorized to adopt such policies as are required by federal or state law and which are not required to be adopted as ordinances. By way of illustration, this shall include the Uniform Guidance policies required by federal regulation.

D. Tax Releases. The Interim Town Manager is authorized to release or refund taxes in the amount of less than one hundred dollars ($100) upon presentation of a valid defense pursuant to G.S. 105-381.

E. Closed Session Minutes. The Interim Town Manager shall review and approve closed session minutes of the Council in consultation with the Town Clerk and Town Attorney. When the purposes of the closed session will no longer be frustrated by the release of closed session minutes, the Interim Town Manager is authorized to add them to the Council’s public minutes.

F. Grant Applications. The Interim Town Manager is authorized to apply for grant funding from any source when the Interim Town Manager finds such funding to be in the best interest of the Town. The Interim Town Manager is further authorized to bind the Town to the performance of obligations required to secure such funding, including the payment of matching funds within budget limits.

Section 3. Any expenditure of Town funds in excess of budget amounts or requiring the Town to incur any financial obligation beyond the current budget year shall require specific authorization and/or appropriation by the Town Council. Otherwise, the Interim Town Manager shall report to the Town Council any acts taken pursuant to the authority granted herein at an appropriate time within the discretion of the Interim Town Manager, in no event later than the next regular Council meeting. The Interim Town Manager shall ensure the internal controls governing the management of funds remain in compliance with the requirements of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act, rules and regulations promulgated by the Local Government Commission, and any other applicable laws and regulations.

Section 4. The authority delegated by this Resolution shall be in addition to, rather than in substitution of, any authority granted to the Interim Town Manager pursuant to applicable law, ordinances, or policies previously adopted by the Council.

Section 5. The appointment of the Interim Town Manager and the delegation of authority granted hereby shall be effective immediately and shall continue in effect until it is amended by the Town Council.

ADOPTED at this special meeting of the Town Council this 12th day of October, 2026.

Nikwasi: Stars, Council Fires, and the Nunehi — A Cherokee History at the Mound

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:44:19 +0000

On the morning of Indigenous Peoples Day, October 12, 2026, John deVille, director of the Macon County Historical Museum in Franklin, North Carolina, welcomed students from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to the site of the Nikwasi Mound. He framed the talk as a shared history meant to be carried home and discussed, emphasizing that understanding the past can strengthen connections among people today.

Using a handout with maps and images, deVille began with the Little Tennessee River and its place in the larger Mississippi River system that empties into the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans. He noted that Cherokee towns and villages were typically located near water, essential for daily life, crops, and fishing. A map illustrated dozens of Cherokee communities across western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee roughly 275 years ago.

The central focus was the Nikwasi Mound itself, estimated by archaeologists to be about 1,000 years old. Drawings based on historical accounts showed the mound and town as substantially larger 275 years ago, topped by a large council house. These structures were typically rebuilt every 40–50 years, with a perpetual sacred fire maintained inside. Cherokee council houses were essentially octagonal: seven sides corresponding to the seven clans (Wolf, Long Hair, Bird, Paint, Deer, Wild Potato, and Blue) for seating, plus an eighth side serving as the doorway. Weapons and violence were forbidden inside; the space was for deliberation and unity. Ground-penetrating radar and comparisons to the excavated Coweta mound nearby indicate these are earthen constructions, later reworked by the Cherokee.

The name Nikwasi (or Nequassee, Noquisiyi, ᏃᏈᏏᏱ) relates to “star” or “star place,” reflecting Cherokee interest in celestial bodies, especially the sun. The council house doorway at nearby Coweta was oriented so the sun shone directly inside at the winter solstice (December 21, the longest night); at Watauga, roughly five miles north, it aligned with the summer solstice. These alignments celebrated the sun’s return, vital for growing corn, beans, and squash.

Much of the detailed knowledge of council-house practices and stories comes from Swimmer (1835–1899), a Cherokee who learned Sequoyah’s syllabary, trained as a doctor and priest, served in the Confederate army, and recorded extensive oral traditions. In the late 1880s, anthropologist James Mooney of the Smithsonian interviewed him at length; Swimmer shared Cherokee history, medicine, and stories in exchange for Irish and Celtic tales.

deVille also covered the Cherokee Path and Unicoi Trail used by Scots and Scots-Irish traders after the British establishment of Charleston (Charlestown). Trade centered on deerskins (“bucks”), which gave rise to the slang “buck” for a dollar; Cherokee received rifles, powder, shot, and metal goods in return. In 1730, Alexander Cumming gathered leading Cherokee, including Attakullakulla (Little Carpenter), at Nikwasi and took seven of them to England, leading to an early formal agreement between Great Britain and the Cherokee Nation. English forces burned the town in 1761 (using the council house as a hospital) and again about 250 years ago; the Cherokee rebuilt each time.

The talk concluded with stories of the Nunehi (or Nunnehi, Nûñnë'hï, ᏄᏁᎯ)—immortal, mostly invisible warriors who lived on mountaintops and inside mountains, including a secret council house within the Nikwasi Mound. Accounts include Nunehi women who danced with Cherokee men at Hiwassee before vanishing; a hunter named Yahoola (Yahula, ᏯᎱᎳ) who was sheltered through winter by them and became immortal; hundreds of Nunehi warriors emerging from the mound to repel an attacking tribe centuries ago and warning survivors not to return; and, at the time of the 1838 removal, Nunehi guiding some Cherokee to fast and enter a mountain portal, with a tradition that the Eastern Band descends from those who were hidden. During the Civil War, Union scouts reportedly saw large numbers of defenders at Franklin that were not present, attributed to the Nunehi. Most recently, after the town of Franklin acquired the mound in 1946 and returned it to the Eastern Band in February 2026, some said the Nunehi had again influenced events to protect the people.

deVille closed by noting that the Nunehi continue, in story and belief, to defend the Cherokee, and invited questions. The presentation blended archaeology, historical documents, oral tradition, and place-based storytelling at the mound itself.

News and Weather Briefing for Columbus Day, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:24:28 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Patchy fog this morning. Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

.TONIGHT....Clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Light and variable winds, becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY....Sunny. Highs around 80. North winds around 5 mph in the morning, becoming light and variable.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast.

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium range (5.1 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (4.6 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 86°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2017
Lowest Temperature 25°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2000
Greatest Rainfall 3.44 inches in Highlands in 1927

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

McDowell County's response to Isaias remnants | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Columbus Day, 2026 [Macon Media]
• October 2026 Franklin Town Council Meeting [Macon Media]
• Ken Bostic, former News 13 weather team member, dies at 80 [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Smallmouth bass, russet darters back in portion of Swannanoa River. Why it matters [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• The outlaw bear that captured Asheville [Asheville Watchdog ]

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NC News

I-Team: Durham fire victims, families raise concerns about property conditions | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• NC sues state’s biggest hospital chain, extends enrollment deadline for State Health Plan [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• We asked four candidates for NC’s Senate seat what they’d do if they win [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 11, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 11 | NBC News

Lectures in History Podcast: America 250: What Did the World Look Like in 1776? | C-SPAN

• Judge orders cancellation of Trump’s government-funded ads [The Hill]
• 3 GOP states go to US Supreme Court to challenge 3 Democratic-led states’ abortion ‘shield’ laws [AP News]
• ‘I just had the flu’: James Talarico shoots down conservative speculation about his absence from the trail Yahoo News]

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Iran War News

Inside the Hormuz Attacks: Separating Fact from Fiction| What's Going on With Shipping?

How Yemen's Houthis are fending off Saudi Arabia's massive military | DW News

• Iran Update, October 11, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Riyadh airport hit again; Tehran says US reply ‘inadequate’ [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Iranian, Saudi FMs discuss Houthi tensions, IDF soldier lightly wounded in Lebanon [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

Trump's 'energy ceasefire' announcement catches Kyiv by surprise | DW News

CQ0sBu60tMcU | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Russia attacks Ukrainian power plant hours after Trump ‘ceasefire’ [UK Telegraph]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 11, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Zelenskyy says Russia violated energy truce announced by Trump [Al Jazeera]
• Six senators call for Trump administration to ‘immediately reverse course’ on Russian diesel plan [AP News]

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Financial News

Hollywood's latest films cast tech leaders Musk, Altman and Zuckerberg in a dark light | CNBC Television

Trump Claims Russia-Ukraine Agree to ‘Energy’ Truce, Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Escalate | The Asia trade 10/12/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Michael Dell defends Trump Accounts' shift to individual company stocks [Yahoo Finance]
• Why China is importing a record amount of gold — and what it means for prices [CNBC]

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Interesting Videos

why Yugoslavia Collapsed: The Road to War | Kings and Generals

If She Was Alive… Who Did They Bury? | Joe Scott

Electromagnetism as a Fifth Dimension (Kaluza-Klein) | Richard Behiel

Geoffrey Hinton: Why Digital Minds Might Beat Ours | StarTalk Plus

INSIDE a Nuclear Reactor Core - Smarter Every Day 317 | SmarterEveryDay

How Early America (almost) Became a Dictatorship | Repeating History

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Columbus Day, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 06:18:00 +0000

Today is Columbus Day and the holiday is observed on the second Monday in October by a joint resolution in Congress on April 30, 1934, modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), has requested the President proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as Columbus Day. In order to mark this federal holiday, Macon Media has included videos, including a documentary and parades by Italian-Americans, and a Presidential Proclamation marking the day and celebrating the discovery of the Americas and the heritage and culture of Italian-Americans.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

More than five centuries ago, Christopher Columbus embarked westward across uncharted waters and discovered the New World — bringing with him the rich traditions of Western civilization and paving the way to the birth of the American Nation less than three centuries later. Today, we honor his life of valor, adventure, and ingenuity. We cherish his memory and pledge to safeguard his story. Above all, we remember with gratitude that the triumph of freedom and the glory of our Republic are the fruits of his faith and unrelenting devotion.

In August of 1492, Columbus departed the shores of Spain to chart a new trade route to Asia. With his crew of about 90 men aboard the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María, for more than 2 grueling months, he pressed onward across the vast and unforgiving Atlantic Ocean — braving violent storms and treacherous waters. Through every trial, Columbus never wavered, holding his crew to the mission when most others would have turned back.

When Columbus and his crew made landfall on the islands of the present-day Bahamas, they first believed they had reached the shores of Asia. Instead, their voyage redrew the map of human possibility and opened a new chapter in the history of exploration. They unleashed a bold new age of discovery that expanded the horizons of knowledge, carried the splendors of the Western world across an ocean, and set in motion the forces that would culminate in the miracle of July 4, 1776. When they arrived, as a sign of devotion to God and respect to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, Columbus raised a mighty cross in the newly discovered land as a sign that “Your Highnesses hold this land for your own, but chiefly as a sign of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ever since, this spirit of adventure has coursed through the veins of generations of patriots — from the brave settlers who established the first colonial foothold at Jamestown to the daring pioneers who pushed westward and tamed the frontier.

Today, we reaffirm that Christopher Columbus is a legend whose vision, fortitude, and perseverance unleashed a dynamic of history that led to the creation of the greatest, freest, and most just Nation in history. We are forever indebted to his courageous voyage, and we will never allow his legacy to be erased by radical extremists. For this reason, earlier this year, I was proud to install a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds — an exact replica of the statue that stood for more than three decades in Baltimore, Maryland, from its dedication by President Ronald Reagan in October 1984 until rioters tore it down and threw it into Baltimore Harbor on July 4, 2020. Now placed at the White House, this magnificent monument stands as a testament to the resilient legacy of one of history’s greatest heroes.

Columbus Day also holds special significance for our incredible Italian-American citizens. Like Columbus, they have embodied a steadfast love of country and faith in God, and they continue to strengthen our communities and propel our country to even greater heights.

In 1892, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ epic voyage, Pope Leo XIII published an encyclical hailing “the greatness of his mind and heart,” which “can be compared to but few in the history of humanity.” The Pope continued: Columbus “looked for a something greater and higher than did these others.” Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World, we honor his unrivaled greatness. We embrace our duty to prove worthy of the inheritance he left us, to match his courage with our own, and to never abandon, forsake, or forget the beauty of our faith, the glories of our culture, and the stories of our heroes.

In commemoration of Christopher Columbus’ historic voyage, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934, and modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), as amended, has requested the President proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as “Columbus Day.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2026, as Columbus Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of the great Christopher Columbus and all who have contributed to building our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.

DONALD J. TRUMP

More information about Columbus Day is posted below, including videos of Columbus Day Parades from across the nation.

The Real Life Of Christopher Columbus | The Secrets And Lies Of Columbus | Timeline

Christopher Columbus' First Letter After Discovery of America // 1493 Primary Source

Courage and Conviction: The True Story of Christopher Columbus

Courage and Conviction: The True Story of Christopher Columbus is a thorough examination of the life and legacy of the fearless discoverer of America. This film, co-produced by the Knights of Columbus and the National Columbus Education Foundation with narration by Chazz Palminteri premiered nationally on EWTN-TV this Columbus Day Weekend, provides insight into Christopher Columbus' remarkable genius as a sea navigator as well as his deep desire to bring all nations to Christ. Through expert interviews and archival footage, we look at the origins of Columbus Day and the symbolic role that Columbus has for Catholic immigrants, especially Italian Americans. Finally, the film addresses the current indictments against Christopher Columbus with boldness and exposes the motive behind the attacks of revisionist historians. This film shows why Christopher Columbus remains not only a man worthy of admiration, but a noble icon of what it means to be a Catholic and an American.

About the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is one of the world's leading fraternal and service organizations, with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 77 million service hours and $187 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also offers extensive life insurance services to members and their families, resulting in more than $114 billion of life insurance in force. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers investment services to individuals and institutions in accord with Catholic social teachings. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 138 years.

About the National Columbus Education Foundation

The National Columbus Education Foundation was organized to conduct and distribute research, studies and analysis relating to Christopher Columbus. Comprised of members from all major national Italian-American organizations — Columbus Citizens Foundation, the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), and UNICO National — the Foundation intends to develop policy solutions and proposals to address the preservation of Columbus Day with an emphasis on correcting the false narrative surrounding the famed explorer. For more information, visit www.knowcolumbus.org.

2024 Brooklyn Columbus Day parade celebrating Italian Culture and Heritage in Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst | New York Minute

2024 Westerly-Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade | 321 Media

Columbus Day Parade 10/12/24 | Cousin Vinny NYC

Columbus Day Parade Morris Park 2024 10/13/24 | Christopher Leon Johnson

Columbus Day Parade 2024 in Providence, Rhode Island | Melody Rhody

Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.

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Published at 2.17am on Monday, October 12, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

Weekend Weather Briefing for Sunday, October 11, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 09:28:04 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Back to School Safety Tips for the 2026-2027 School Year [Macon Media]

• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]

WEATHER OUTLOOK

1. The remnants of Isaias will move northeast into the Central Appalachians today. A cold front extending south from the remnant low will sweep across the area today bringing an end to the widespread showers. Until then, heavy rain additional heavy rain, along with an isolated thunderstorm will move through. Gusty winds continue as well.

2. Gusty northwest winds expected across the higher elevations tonight through Monday as a drier airmass builds back into the region. After that, dry weather with a warming trend into the middle of next week.

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SPONSORSHIPS

WEATHER SPONSOR

The weather is being sponsored by the Caleb for NC Campaign. Caleb is running for the NC House in District 120. Read more about his campaign at https://calebbrownfornc120.com.

DAY SPONSOR

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FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog. Highs in the lower 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph this morning.

.TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 50s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

.COLUMBUS DAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

.MONDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.

* WHERE...In Northeast Georgia, the following counties: Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun and Stephens. In western North Carolina, the following counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Mitchell, Jackson, Transylvania and Yancey. In Upstate South Carolina, the following counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Central Greenville, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Spartanburg, and Oconee.

* WHEN...Through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water crossings may be flooded.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - As the remnants of Isaias move northward into the lower Ohio Valley, periods of rain will continue. High rainfall rates will continue in short bursts through the overnight hours. By Sunday morning, total accumulations of generally 5 to 8 inches are expected along the southeast-facing Blue Ridge Escarpment, with 2 to 5 inches elsewhere in the watch area. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch for flash flooding means there is a potential for rapid onset flooding based on current forecasts. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation and may impact areas that do not typically flood. Please monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action quickly should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides, especially fast-moving debris flows and debris slides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm and follow evacuation orders from local officials. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during the heavy rainfall event.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

There is a chance of aurora early next week. Current forecasts are calling for clear skies during the 10-14th timeframe.

Three Big Storms Incoming & Flare Regions Get Ready for More | Solar Storm Forecast 08 October 2026 | Dr.Tamitha Skov

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low range (0.6 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (4.8 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

The many ways you can connect to Mountain Findings to arrange donation pick-ups, drop-off location, shopping hours, volunteering, and to learn more on our community grants programs and graduating seniors scholarships.
Facebook: @MountainFindings
Phone: 828-526-9929
Email: MountainFindings1@gmail.com
Webpage: MountainFindings.org
Location: 452 Spruce St, Highlands, NC

LIVE SATURDAY MIDDAY MUSIC CALENDAR FOR JUNE/JULY 2026

11a to 1p at Friends of the Greenway, Inc.
573 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
contact: frog28734@gmail.com; 828-369-8488

Friends of the Greenway would like to invite you to FROG FAIR, our Fall arts & crafts show and music festival on September 19, 2026 from 10-4 at the Greenway Visitor Center/FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main St, Franklin (at the Town bridge). We are providing an outlet for 45 area artists and crafters to showcase their wonderful items for your shopping pleasure! As a fund raiser event for FROG, we collect a vendor registration fee and sell breakfast and lunch items. Area musicians will donate their time and talent throughout the day. Mark your calendar and come enjoy the day. Hope to see you on Sept. 19.

To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.

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WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 85°F in Franklin in 1954
Lowest Temperature 25°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2000
Greatest Rainfall 4.80 inches in Highlands in 2020

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

Crews tackle Isaias-related outages in western NC | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• October 2026 Franklin Town Council Meeting [Macon Media]
• Western NC counties respond to impacts from Isaias’ remnants [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Smallmouth bass, russet darters back in portion of Swannanoa River. Why it matters [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• The outlaw bear that captured Asheville [Asheville Watchdog ]

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NC News

I-Team: Durham fire victims, families raise concerns about property conditions | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• NC gas tax suspended: Stein signs law aimed at lowering prices at the pump [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• We asked four candidates for NC’s Senate seat what they’d do if they win [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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October 2026 Franklin Town Council Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 16:15:59 +0000

I have had trouble processing the video of the October 2026 meeting of the Franklin Town Council (Agenda Posted at [LINK]), so here is a summary of the meeting:

1. In Memoriam & Observances

Fallen Officer Honored: The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Police Officer Marcus McCarson, who passed away after joining the force in December.

Birthday Recognition: The council recognized Vice Mayor Mike Lewis on his birthday following the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Personnel & Appointments

New Town Planner: Callie Barnett was introduced as the new Town Planner; she holds a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State and is completing her Master of Public Administration at UNC Chapel Hill.

New Police Officer: Dylan McCall was given a verbal introduction by Police Chief Devin Holland, having recently joined the department from the Haywood County Sheriff's Office.

Board Appointments:

Devin Dupuis (Main Street Director) was appointed to represent the town on the Macon County Economic Development Commission.

Councilman Jeff Berry was appointed as the town's Entertainment and Events Liaison.

Code Compliance Officer Recognition: October was recognized as Code Compliance Month. Assistant Town Manager Sarah Bishop noted that Code Enforcement Officer Angela Green could not attend the meeting because she was at home doing homework for her bachelor's degree.

3. Key Decisions & New Business

Main Street Transformation Project (Task Order 2): Council approved Task Order 2 with consulting firms McAdams and Toole Design in the amount of $229,546, which included a $29,546 budget amendment. This expands the scope to include additional NCDOT coordination, traffic flow studies around Highlands Road and Depot Street, and long-range design work through June 30, 2027.

Town Charter Revisions: The council initiated a complete overhaul of the town charter—parts dating back to 1905—to bring it into alignment with modern municipal law. Mayor Stacy Guffey, Councilwoman Rita Salain, and Councilman Robbie Tompa were appointed to a charter committee to draft updates with Town Attorney John Henning, Jr. ahead of the January General Assembly submission deadline.

Closed Session: Council voted to add and enter a closed session under N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(6) a closed session under N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(6) for personnel evaluation.

4. Departmental Highlights

Finance: The town audit is progressing toward completion, and core accounting software was successfully migrated to a cloud-based platform for improved performance and cybersecurity.

Main Street Program: Main Street Franklin received official 501(c)(3) non-profit status from the IRS, opening expanded grant funding opportunities.

Police Department:

Installed a new traffic-calming speed cushion at the intersection of West Main Street and Porter Street.

Acquired a Kawasaki Ridge UTV for patrols, events, and inclement weather operations.

Collected 55 lbs of unused medications and issued public warnings regarding phone and email financial scams targeting local residents.

Code Enforcement: Demolition work is scheduled to begin at 185 Rogers Road.

5. Upcoming Town Events

Final Pickin' on the Square: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

30th Annual PumpkinFest: Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Halloween Candy Giveaway: Mayor Guffey will give out candy on Bidwell Street on October 31.

Next Regular Council Meeting: Monday, November 2, 2026.

Addendum #1 : Police Chief Retirement Announcement

Police Chief Retirement & Successor Announced: Just two days after the October 5 meeting, on October 7, 2026, an official announcement was published regarding the upcoming retirement of Franklin Police Chief Devin Holland and the transition plan for his replacement. You can read the full announcement on Macon Media [LINK]. It is unknown if they also discussed the retirement of the police chief in closed session or not.

Addendum #2: Town Manager Contract Decision

Town Manager Contract Non-Renewal: Following the October 5 meeting—where the agenda scheduled a closed session under N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(6) for personnel evaluation—the town issued an official press release four days later on October 9, 2026. The statement announced that the Town Council decided during the October 5 meeting not to renew the employment agreement of Town Manager Amanda "Amie" W. Owens upon its expiration on December 31, 2026. You can read the complete announcement on Macon Media [LINK].

Support Macon Media

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Published at 12.12pm on Saturday, October 10, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1470

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 14:46:01 +0000

**10.39am on 10-10-2026**

Heavy rain and possible flash flooding are expected in southwest North Carolina (including the Macon County area) this afternoon.

Showers and thunderstorms are increasing as moisture flows into the Southern Appalachians from a lingering tropical system. Rainfall rates could reach 1–2 inches per hour in spots, with another 2–4 inches possible through mid-afternoon. The biggest concerns are in the higher terrain of southwest NC and upstate SC, where water can run off quickly into creeks and low-lying areas. Some flooding of roads or small streams is possible, especially later this afternoon.

---BEGIN SPONSOR SEGMENT---

WEATHER SPONSOR

The weather is being sponsored by the Caleb for NC Campaign. Caleb is running for the NC House in District 120. Read more about his campaign at https://calebbrownfornc120.com.

DAY SPONSOR

This space available

---END SPONSORED SEGMENT---

xxxxxxxxx

Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1470 

NWS Weather Prediction Center 

College Park MD 

1030 AM EDT Sat Oct 10 2026

Areas affected...Portions of the Southern Appalachians and Interior Southeast

Concerning...Heavy rainfall...Flash flooding possible

Valid 101430Z - 102030Z

SUMMARY...Flash flooding will continue to be possible through mid-afternoon as rainfall rates gradually increase with time. Short-term urban impacts may occur across north-central to northeast GA, with more terrain-focused impacts becoming a concern across upstate SC and southwest NC this afternoon.

DISCUSSION...The latest GOES-E IR/WV suite shows a well-defined TROWAL axis pivoting across large areas of the Southeast U.S. around the eastern flank of what is now Post-T.C. Isaias. Deep layer moist east to southeast flow into the southern Appalachians and adjacent Piedmont areas of the Southeast will combine with a gradual uptick in instability with the diurnal heating cycle to promote a gradual increase in the coverage and intensity of shower and thunderstorm activity going through the mid-afternoon hours. This will be aided by divergent flow aloft downstream of the upper trough which coupled with upslope flow into the higher terrain should yield corridors of more focused lift.

The latest RAP analysis does show some elevated instability up across areas of northeast GA up through southwest NC with as much as 250 to 500 J/kg of MUCAPE. This alone coupled with the orographics will support efficient and rather shallow-top convection, and especially with the available moisture in the low to mid-levels of the column. As boundary layer heating increases, slight deeper convection will become possible.

Already radar shows some some linear convective structures across north-central GA that are lifting north-northeastward into the general vicinity of northeast GA, with some uptick in shower activity seen across upstate SC as well. The convective trends and latest hires model guidance suggests an uptick in rainfall rates in time, with potential for 1 to 2 inch/hour rainfall rates.

Overall, the highest rates in the near-term should be across north-central to northeast GA, but by mid-afternoon and beyond, the rates up across upstate SC and southwest NC should increase. Generally as much as 2 to 4 inches of additional rain are expected for this MPD valid time period which is consistent with the latest multi-model hires consensus.

Some urban flash flooding concerns will be possible in the near-term across north-central to northeast GA, but more terrain-focused impacts will gradually be possible this afternoon for upstate SC and southwest NC.

Weekend Weather Briefing for Saturday, October 10, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:07:53 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Back to School Safety Tips for the 2026-2027 School Year [Macon Media]

• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]

WEATHER OUTLOOK

1. Isaias is expected to track northward today, increasing the threats for flooding, landslides over eastern parts of the mountains, strong wind gusts, and isolated severe storms along and south/east of I-85 through tonight. The risks should peak between late afternoon and the early morning hours on Sunday.

2. Gusty northwest winds may develop across the higher elevations Sunday night through Monday after the remnant circulation of Isaias passes to the north. After that, dry weather with a warming trend into the middle of next week.

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SPONSORSHIPS

Macon Media is being underwritten today by Bourbon & Bacon. (Formerly Franklin Office Supply)
Visit their store at 161 Highlands Road in Franklin or check out their website at bourbonandbaconfs.com

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FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Showers. A slight chance of thunderstorms this morning, then a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Patchy fog. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

.TONIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Patchy fog. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Locally heavy rainfall possible in the evening. Lows in the upper 50s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

.SUNDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the morning.

.SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the mid 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

.COLUMBUS DAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

.MONDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Widespread rain is expected to move into the region today and continue through early Sunday. Excessive rainfall will be possible this afternoon through Sunday morning, along with a small risk for severe thunderstorms. Rain totals in the Highlands Plateau are expected to be 5 to 8 inches in toal. her is a risk of landslides this area. The rest of the county will see less than 4 inches, with the amount decreasing the further north you go with the exception of the Nantahalas, which could see up to 5 inches of rainfall. Gusty winds expected across the mountains of North Carolina Saturday through early Sunday morning, especially above 3500 ft. There is a chance of aurora early next week. Current forecasts are calling for clear skies during the 10-14th timeframe.

Three Big Storms Incoming & Flare Regions Get Ready for More | Solar Storm Forecast 08 October 2026 | Dr.Tamitha Skov

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (4.8 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low range (0.6 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 84°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1959
Lowest Temperature 22°F in Highlands in 1915
Greatest Rainfall 2.63 inches in Highlands in 1911

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

Friday Football Frenzy: Scores and highlights for Oct. 9, 2026 | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Flock Public Records Request to Cost Almost $4,000, Seeking Community Input [Macon Media]
• Franklin Town Council Will Not Renew Town Manager Contract [Macon Media]
• Remnants of Isaias Will Impact the Western Carolinas This Weekend [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• NC high school football scores for Week 8 in Western North Carolina [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Answer Man: A ‘stinkery’ of stink bugs? Plus, good news on I-26 [Asheville Watchdog ]

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NC News

On the Record | NC gas tax suspended | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)

• NC sues state’s biggest hospital chain, extends enrollment deadline for State Health Plan [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Wake GOP urges voters to reject all county, local bond referenda, including schools [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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Franklin Town Council Will Not Renew Town Manager Contract

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 21:25:16 +0000

PRESS RELEASE (10-09-2026)

TOWN OF FRANKLIN

At its most recent regular meeting on October 5, 2026, the Franklin Town Council decided that the employment agreement of Amanda W. Owens would not be renewed. Ms. Owens’ service to the Town began on August 7, 2021 in the midst of recovery from the COVID pandemic, and included the successful management of numerous services, program expansions, and construction projects benefitting the Town’s citizens. Across Ms. Owens’ term, the Town’s fiscal condition benefitted from careful expenditures and wise use of resources.

Ms. Owens stated “I am appreciative of the five years that I had the privilege to be the Town Manager in Franklin. The Town Council made a decision in the best interest of the town and I accept and respect it. I am proud of the work that has been done, the projects completed, and for the part that I have played in the development of the Leadership Team. This proactive planning will ensure a smooth transition and continued success for the Town of Franklin.”

Mayor Stacy Guffey reflected on Owens’ contribution to the town: "Town Manager is a demanding job. I want to personally thank Amie for her service to the Town of Franklin. One of her greatest contributions has been strengthening the way our town government operates, putting systems and practices in place that will serve Franklin well for years to come. Just as importantly, she has assembled what I believe is the finest team of town employees Franklin has ever had. Amie was also a familiar face at town events, always willing to lend a hand and support the activities that bring our community together. I've appreciated the opportunity to work alongside her, and I'm grateful for her hard work, her dedication to our community, and the friendship we've developed along the way. I sincerely wish her all the best in whatever comes next."

The Town Council extends its appreciation for Ms. Owens’ service and wishes her all the best in the future. As Amie continues to call Franklin home, we look forward to seeing her at the many community events and activities she has supported over the years.

Weather Advisories for Macon County in Effect This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby Coggins) — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 21:14:41 +0000

SPONSORSHIPS

WEATHER SPONSOR

The weather is being sponsored by the Caleb for NC Campaign. Caleb is running for the NC House in District 120. Read more about his campaign at https://calebbrownfornc120.com.

DAY SPONSOR

Macon Media is being underwritten today by Bourbon & Bacon. (Formerly Franklin Office Supply)
Visit their store at 161 Highlands Road in Franklin or check out their website at bourbonandbaconfs.com

A High Wind Warning and a Flood Watch are or will be in effect for Macon County due to the remnants of Hurricane Isaias that will be passing by to our west.

Please use caution on the roads and don't travel unless it is absolutely necessary. The weather advisories are posted below.

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3500 FEET FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM EDT SUNDAY...

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM EDT SUNDAY...

* WHAT...For the High Wind Warning in high elevations above 3500 feet, east winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. For the Wind Advisory in lower elevations below 3500 feet, east winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE...Most of the mountains of western North Carolina, from Graham and Macon counties northeast to Mitchell County.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 8 AM EDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines especially in higher elevations. Widespread power outages are expected in higher elevations. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects, and may cause a few tree limbs to fall and cause isolated power outages in lower elevations.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive.

Stay tuned to further developments by listening to your local radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for further information.

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Flood Watch

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...Portions of northeast Georgia, including the following counties, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun and Stephens; portions of western North Carolina, including the following counties, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey; portions of Upstate South Carolina, including Oconee County, and mountainous northern portions of Pickens and Greenville Counties.

* WHEN...From Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water crossings may be flooded.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - As Isaias weakens and moves northward through the Mid-South early Saturday, rain will become increasingly likely across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Periods of rain may begin over the watch area prior to dawn Saturday, though rainfall rates will initially be light. Rainfall rates will increase during the day, and heavy rain is most likely Saturday afternoon through early Sunday morning, particularly along the south and east facing Blue Ridge Escarpment, that is, near the southern border of North Carolina west of I-26, and in the sharp terrain from near Saluda to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch for flash flooding means there is a potential for rapid onset flooding based on current forecasts. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation and may impact areas that do not typically flood. Please monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action quickly should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides and rockslides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm or as quickly as possible should rising water, moving earth, or rocks threaten. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during periods of heavy rainfall.