North Carolina
Bucket list road trip spots: 2 Western NC stops are must-sees, Southern Living says
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With summer approaching fast, Southern Living named 25 road trip locations in the southern U.S. – including two right here in Western North Carolina.
Established in 1966, Southern Living aims to “celebrate the food, homes and places that define our region.” The magazine has recognized WNC locations plenty of times, including among a recent round of studies honoring the “South’s Best.”
On a list published May 24, 2025, of 12 “unforgettable” road trip stops, three locations in N.C. were honored – two of which were located in the western region of the state.
Here’s what Southern Living writers said about the N.C. stops that “every Southerner should see this summer.”
Bucket list road trip stops in North Carolina
The three suggestions Southern Living writers had for road trip stops in N.C. included Sliding Rock in Pisgah Forest, the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain and Wilson’s Whirligig Park.
Here’s what to know about the two WNC locations mentioned.
Sliding Rock, NC
Not for the first time, Pisgah National Forest made Southern Living’s list. This time, writers suggested a road trip stop at Sliding Rock, WNC’s natural water slide.
Sixty feet in length, transporting 11,000 gallons of cold, steadily flowing mountain water, Sliding Rock is the perfect stop for Blue Ridge Parkway road trippers looking to cool down and experience a unique regional staple.
For $5, visitors can join the sliding fun or watch from observation decks and nearby trails. Asheville’s tourism website ExploreAsheville.com suggests sliding between Memorial Day and Labor Day when lifeguards are on duty and bathrooms/changing rooms are open.
The same article suggests arriving early and avoiding busiest hours between noon-4 p.m.
Location: Near Brevard, Sliding Rock is on U.S. 276 about 7.5 miles north of the Pisgah Forest intersection of N.C. 280, U.S. 64 and U.S. 276.
Mile High Swinging Bridge
The other WNC option on Southern Living’s list was the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather mountain, which writers called a “must-stop.”
Admission prices vary seasonally, with children’s tickets for $12 and adult tickets generally between $22-$32. Stairs and elevators provide access to the bridge, which spans 228 feet across a deep chasm at 5,280 feet elevation. Sweeping mountain views – and plenty of adrenaline – can be found at this famous spot.
Location: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
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.
North Carolina
2026 primary turnout report released for eastern NC counties; see your county’s numbers
Here are the voter turnout numbers for the 2026 primary election, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Hyde County had the highest voter turnout, while Onslow County had the lowest turnout. Check out what the voter turnout in your county was below:
BERTIE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
31.85% (3,911 out of 12,280)
CARTERET COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
29.06% (16,543 out of 56,931)
CRAVEN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
18.63% (14,119 out of 75,778)
DUPLIN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
21.93% (6,981 out of 31,832)
EDGECOMBE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
18.16% (6,428 out of 35,396)
GREENE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
19.70% (2,147 out of 10,900)
HYDE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
37.27% (1,123 out of 3,013)
JONES COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
25.91% (1,805 out of 6,966)
LENOIR COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
16.73% (6,251 out of 37,371)
MARTIN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
17.61% (2,858 out of 16,228)
ONSLOW COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
11.44% (14,816 out of 129,537)
PAMLICO COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
24.03% (2,446 out of 10,180)
PITT COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
15.71% (19,429 out of 123,705)
TYRRELL COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
30.49% (723 out of 2,371)
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
28.66% (2,312 out of 8,067)
WAYNE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
21.49% (16,408 out of 76,358)
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:41PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina schools and businesses took part in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The National Weather Service led the drill at 9:30 a.m., broadcasting it on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System. Schools, workplaces and households across the state were encouraged to join in.
The National Weather Service didn’t issue a follow up alert to mark the end of the drill. Instead, each school or business wrapped up once they felt they had practiced the procedures thoroughly.
Wednesday’s drill also replaced the regular weekly NOAA Weather Radio test.
SEE | New warning for parents amid new ‘fire-breathing’ social media trend
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