North Carolina
A’ja Wilson surprising the North Carolina basketball team is today’s wholesome content
The North Carolina women’s basketball team beat Miami 69-60 on Sunday afternoon, and after the buzzer, they were greeted by a special visitor: Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, one of women’s basketball’s most decorated players. Wilson, fresh off her third MVP season, was in attendance in Miami watching two elite college teams battle, and while she’s not an alumnus of either program, her status as one of the game’s top players made her a worthwhile locker-room visitor.
The Tar Heels were thrilled when Wilson entered the locker room visit after the big win — and the video speaks for itself.
The North Carolina women’s basketball team (13-2), ranked #17 overall, has been led by guard Alyssa Gustby (108 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game) and Gakdeng, who averages 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds this season. Gakdeng, North Carolina’s top scorer with 21 points on Sunday, turned to Twitter/X after the game to express her initial reaction: “The way I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
A’ja Wilson is not a Tar Heels alum — she spent four years at South Carolina, where she the Gamecocks to a national championship in 2017. But, that didn’t seem to matter to the women in the locker room, who were thrilled to meet one of the sport’s top players.
Wilson’s accolades speak for herself — she’s fresh off a unanimous MVP season in which she set single-season WNBA records for both scoring and rebounding. At 28 years old, she’s a two-time WNBA champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time MVP.
So, although she might not have been in attendance specifically to support North Carolina, the Tar Heels took a photo with Wilson to commemorate the special occasion regardless.
North Carolina
Stein announces $40 million in recovery, mitigation grants for Western North Carolina
MARION, N.C. (WTVD) — Gov. Josh Stein on Friday announced more than $24 million in mitigation grants and another $16 million for volunteer rebuilding organizations during a Western North Carolina Recovery meeting in Marion.
The funding supports longterm recovery from Hurricane Helene and is intended to help communities better withstand future natural disasters.
State officials said the mitigation grants will help local governments upgrade wastewater and water infrastructure, strengthen transportation systems, relocate facilities out of flood-prone areas, expand flood warning networks and develop shovel ready recovery projects. Nonprofit groups aiding families with home repairs and reconstruction will receive the volunteer-based grants.
“Western North Carolina is coming back strong from Hurricane Helene,” Stein said, adding that recovery requires cooperation among government, private and nonprofit partners.
North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said the grants reflect a “wholeofcommunity effort” to reduce risk and help towns rebuild stronger.
Over two dozen communities and organizations – including Conover, Hendersonville, Clyde, Marion, Black Mountain, Banner Elk and multiple county agencies – will receive funding for projects ranging from flood gauge installations to dam restoration and wastewater improvements.
WATCH | Hurricane Helene: One Year Later: WNC leans into its resilience, faith and hope
Hurricane Helene: One Year Later (1 of 26)
Copyright © 2026 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Gas prices are hitting the highest level since September 2024, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
On Friday, March 6, western North Carolina drivers were already experiencing shock at the pump.
News 13 caught up with some drivers at a gas station in Henderson County, where the price per gallon was just a penny under $3, sitting at $2.99.
This comes as Tuesday marked the largest single-day jump at the pump since March 2022, according to ABC News, citing Gas Buddy sources.
REPORT: ASHEVILLE GAS PRICES RISE, MORE INCREASES EXPECTED AMID WAR IN MIDDLE EAST
Drivers we spoke with say they’re feeling the fuel costs climb and needless to say, they’re not too pleased.
“Here, it’s the first time I’m seeing the price that high,” said driver and Hendersonville resident Ricardo Martineati. “We don’t understand why the price is going up, but it is what it is. I hope it comes back to what it used to be pretty soon.”
MARCH 6, 2026 – A gas station in western North Carolina. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
Part of the reason for the gas price change is that crude prices surged 35% this week as Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route many oil producers use to get oil to market, ABC News reports.
Martineati knows it’s not much, but he says he’s got a strategy to save.
SEN. TED BUDD BACKS OPERATION EPIC FURY IN IRAN, WANTS TO AVOID ‘FOREVER WARS’
“Just try to slow down on the takeoff, on the coming to a stop to save some fuel, but that’s it,” Martineati said.
And with all this price pressure, he added that he’s picking a positive perspective.
“At least I’m not driving a diesel-fueled truck,” Martineati said.
While WNC hovers around $3 a gallon, depending on your location, the state is still below the national average of $3.30 a gallon, according to AAA.
North Carolina
NC to receive nearly $70M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says $14M hasn’t arrived
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Senator Tedd Budd’s office announced nearly $70 million in public assistance FEMA funds for Helene recovery toward the North Carolina Department of Transportation, cities and counties.
Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed.
Honeycutt estimates about $14 million in reimbursements from FEMA haven’t come through.
As for the $1.9 million just approved for Madison County’s emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement, Honeycutt said the county doesn’t have it yet.
NORTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE $70M IN ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDING AS NOEM FACES CRITICISM
“It’s coming back to our fund balance,” said Honeycutt. “And we know it will take six more weeks for it to get through the state and to the county.”
Honeycutt estimates that within six months, FEMA will resolve all reimbursements. He said debris removal jobs along the French Broad River have been delayed as FEMA continues to review the applications.
In Marshall, the town has leased store spaces on Main Street, along with signs advertising leasing available. But longtime resident, artist and business owner Josh Copus is optimistic that Marshall and its community will thrive once again. He acknowledged that FEMA funds and reimbursements to clean up have been an important part of the area’s recovery.
MORE THAN $3.5M HEADED TO BURKE COUNTY FOR CONTINUED HELENE RECOVERY
“I would say our town is 50% fixed and our town was 100% destroyed, so 50% is pretty good,” Copus said.
The awards include:
- Biltmore Forest: $2.5 million for debris removal reimbursement.
- Buncombe County Sewage District: $1.57 million reimbursement for line repairs, vacuuming, line replacements and riverbank restoration.
- Old Fort: $1.15 million Westerman Street Waterline for potable water reimbursement.
- Mitchell County: $11.9 million for debris contractors, tipping fees and debris monitoring reimbursement.
- Buncombe County: $3.5 million toward labor costs for 836 laborers during and after Helene reimbursement.
- Asheville: $5.6 million for North Fork Treatment Plant repairs reimbursement.
- Lake Lure: $1.48 million for lake safety repairs reimbursement.
- Madison County: $1.9 million for emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement.
Trump vows to ‘take care of Cuba,’ praises Venezuela cooperation at summit
Cincinnati mayor opposes judge’s move to grant bail to convicted felon linked to mass shooting gun battle
Rangers unveil statue at home ballpark, reigniting historical context debate
Violent repeat offender accused in Charlotte knife attack was free despite decade-long rap sheet
New York halts robotaxi expansion plan
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Trump vows to ‘take care of Cuba,’ praises Venezuela cooperation at summit
Tech company at odds with Pentagon warns its AI possibly gained consciousness, Elon Musk gives 2-word response
Israel kills father, daughter in Gaza as genocide continues amid wider war
Cleveland playground now a place of mourning for two girls found in suitcases
Man convicted of Iran-backed Trump assassination plot compared his plan to Butler shooting: FBI
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin6 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts5 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland7 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida7 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Pennsylvania2 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
News1 week ago2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche