The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is supporting several communities as they attempt to rebuild critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed by Helene. Sixteen county governments in Western North Carolina were awarded grants totaling $25 million.

The North Carolina Folk Festival has released its second round of eclectic artists, from a mix of Moroccan blues and psychedelica to Native American drumming and indie rock.

At a meeting Monday, several public speakers voiced concerns over the commission's nominees and the selection process.

The legislation, which is working through the NC House, would require large data centers to have closed loop cooling systems and have contracts for their electric purchases that prevent costs from being passed on to ratepayers.