With death toll at 95, Helene is the deadliest tropical storm in NC history
According to a press release from Governor Roy Cooper’s office, 95 people are confirmed dead and 26 remain missing.
Local News
In North Carolina, Trump and Harris navigate a hurricane and a rollercoaster governor's race
Both the Harris and Trump campaigns are ramping up their activity in North Carolina again after the storm. Trump has three North Carolina stops Monday, including a visit to see storm damage in Asheville. Former President Bill Clinton appeared last week with Harris' running mate, Tim Walz, and followed with several visits in eastern North Carolina.
Bryson City is ready to welcome visitors back after Helene, but tourists are still canceling
As much of western North Carolina works to recover from Helene, some business owners say they’re worried about what they’re calling a “second disaster”: the loss of tourism during peak season.
Candidates running for state and local offices weigh in on private school vouchers
The majority of the candidates, predominantly consisting of Democrats, said they were against private school vouchers. The only candidate at the forum who disagreed was Michele Morrow, the Republican homeschooler running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Governor Cooper announces new funding efforts to reduce gun-related domestic violence
North Carolina's Governor's Crime Commission announced new federal funds to limit gun-related domestic abuse. Meanwhile other federal funding sources are seeing a steep decline.
North Carolina early voters, still recovering from Helene, top turnout in 2020
More North Carolina residents turned out to cast ballots on the first day of early voting this year than in 2020, even as residents from the mountainous western portion of the state continued to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.
VP nominee Tim Walz makes the case for a Kamala Harris presidency in Winston-Salem campaign stop
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz made a campaign stop in Winston-Salem on the first day of early in-person voting in North Carolina. In his speech, he defined the stakes in the election for public education, reproductive rights and an economy driven by the middle class.
Forsyth County early voters share their motivations
On day one of early in-person voting in North Carolina, Forsyth County voters share their motivations for casting a ballot early as well as their concerns for the country with WFDD's David Ford.
Student mental health is a top priority for western NC educators after Helene
It’s been nearly three weeks since tropical storm Helene hit western North Carolina, flooding homes, washing away roads and upending the rural mountain towns in its path. But throughout this period of upheaval, educators have been working with kids to restore a sense of normalcy — if only for a few hours in the day.
Electoral battleground North Carolina starts early in-person voting while recovering from Helene
Early in-person voting has started in the presidential battleground state of North Carolina. That includes in the mountains, where some potential voters still lack power and clean running water after Hurricane Helene's epic flooding.