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09/18/2026

Have you ever been to a Board of Elections meeting?

In the latest episode of Purple Primer, NC Local’s midterm elections show, NC Local Senior Western North Carolina Reporter Lilly Knoepp goes behind the scenes at the Buncombe County Board of Elections. Learn about how to join a meeting by watching the full episode at nclocal.org/purpleprimer.

09/17/2026

“How has polarization across the country affected election officials’ jobs in recent years? What if something happens to the paper ballots, what kind of back-up is available? With everything going on with the post office, should we discourage people from voting by mail?”

These are just a few questions that we got from voters in Sylva this week at a bipartisan Trusted Elections event. See how political scientist Chris Cooper, co-host of Purple Primer, answered above. Share your questions at nclocal.org/purpleprimer.

🌡️ Temperatures soared across the state and several schools had to send students home early when air conditioning stoppe...
09/16/2026

🌡️ Temperatures soared across the state and several schools had to send students home early when air conditioning stopped working.

Budgetary constraints, maintenance staffing and aging systems have made beating the heat a challenge for many schools across the state. Read the full story in the comments.

Unlike previous years, this hurricane season has brought a historically low number of hurricanes to the Atlantic.🌧️ Swip...
09/15/2026

Unlike previous years, this hurricane season has brought a historically low number of hurricanes to the Atlantic.

🌧️ Swipe to find out why that is and what you can expect from this fall’s weather patterns. Read the full story in the comments.

North Carolina doesn’t have enough skilled workers to meet labor market demand in sectors like healthcare, especially gi...
09/14/2026

North Carolina doesn’t have enough skilled workers to meet labor market demand in sectors like healthcare, especially given the state’s rapidly growing population. When lawmakers finally passed the long-delayed budget this summer, they changed how the state’s 58 community colleges are funded to try and meet that demand.

Under the new model, called Propel NC, schools will receive more money for courses that train students for good-paying jobs, in fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing and the trades, even if they don’t lead to degrees or college credit. Proponents hope the program will help students save time and money.

This story is a collaboration between NC Local and Open Campus. Read the full story in the comments below.

Story and photos 1-3 by Jacob Biba, photo 4 courtesy of Wayne Community College.

09/12/2026

Are you new to NC? Voting might work differently here than in the state you're from.

Check out the first episode of Purple Primer, our new show on the upcoming midterm elections, to find out what you need to know to be ready to vote in November. Head to nclocal.org/purpleprimer or call 919-626-2463 to submit your questions about the elections.

🗳️ Are you ready to vote in November? Swipe to take our quiz to find out!If you missed any, check out the first episode ...
09/11/2026

🗳️ Are you ready to vote in November? Swipe to take our quiz to find out!

If you missed any, check out the first episode of our new show Purple Primer, a guide to the 2026 midterms, at nclocal.org/purpleprimer. Leave us a message at 919-626-2463 with your questions about the elections.

Hurricane Helene forever changed Western North Carolina, and many communities are still recovering. We’re partnering wit...
09/10/2026

Hurricane Helene forever changed Western North Carolina, and many communities are still recovering. We’re partnering with more than a dozen regional and statewide news organizations to answer your questions as we mark the second anniversary.

What do you want to know about recovery funding, housing, displacement, small businesses, flood zones and other issues?

It takes just a few minutes. Tell us your county, your biggest lingering question, and how Helene has affected you. Head to nclocal.org/helene to take the survey.

In June, ICE, the Forest Service, and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office arrested 13 people in the Pisgah National For...
09/10/2026

In June, ICE, the Forest Service, and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office arrested 13 people in the Pisgah National Forest at Wilson Creek. An ICE spokesperson told NC Local the operation was initially requested by the Forest Service.

In response to the operation, many local environmental groups sent a public letter to the Forest Service, asking for a public meeting and raising concerns about equitable access to public lands. Latinos Aventureros was one of the organizations that signed the letter and has hosted a number of river cleanup events since Helene. The co-founder said the group feels “used” following the ICE arrests.

Full story in comments.

09/09/2026

Did you know North Carolina sent its absentee ballots out before any other state in the country this year for the midterm elections? They were mailed out September 4.

Catch the first episode of Purple Primer, an NC Local show on the 2026 elections, out today. NC Local Senior Western North Carolina Reporter Lilly Knoepp and Western Carolina University Political Science Professor Chris Cooper give an overview of the upcoming midterms in the first episode.

Send us your questions and watch the episode at nclocal.org/purpleprimer.

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