Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley is criticizing polling that shows him far behind former Gov. Roy Cooper.

Officials are distributing $22.7 million in interest-free Cashflow Loans to eight governments across Watauga, Rutherford, Haywood, Madison and Polk counties.

Residents made at least 15 calls to the Water Resources Department on Thursday about a change in taste. Director Mike Borchers says recently maintenance on water infrastructure impacted pressure levels and caused the release of sediments, which he says is harmless.

Ronald Jason Lucero, a Republican candidate for an at-large seat, was arrested in July and charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.