The Appalachia Daily Podcast

Regional weather: cool, dry, and travel friendly An early winter pattern is holding over the tri state region that Appalachia Daily Update covers. Daytime highs are landing in the upper 40s to low 50s with a mix of sun and clouds, while overnight lows drop below freezing across Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties, Fannin and Union counties, and into Towns County and the Copper Basin. There are no...

Murphy Bulldogs head to 2A state championship game Murphy’s Bulldogs are back on the big stage, heading to the NCHSAA 2A state championship after a strong playoff run. The matchup is set against Tarboro at Lenoir Rhyne University’s Moretz Stadium in Hickory, giving fans a clear target for weekend travel plans and watch parties. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m., with tick...

Cherokee County remains in the same economic development tier North Carolina has released its latest economic development tier rankings, and Cherokee County will stay in its current tier. The designation may not change day-to-day life on its own, but it quietly shapes how competitive the county is when seeking grants and incentives for jobs, infrastructure, and other projects. * The state’s tier s...

Today’s holiday choices: Sylva parade and Polk County Parade of Homes Today gives listeners two different ways to spend a Sunday afternoon: a Main Street Christmas parade in Sylva or a self-guided Christmas Parade of Homes across Polk County, Tennessee. Both are within a reasonable drive from Murphy, Marble, and Andrews. * Sylva’s Christmas Parade steps off at 3 p.m. on Main Street with floats, sc...

Murphy Bulldogs punch ticket to the state championship Murphy’s football tradition continues after the Bulldogs claimed the North Carolina 2A West regional title with a 14- 2 win over Starmount at home. A dominant defensive performance in a muddy game sealed a trip to next week’s state championship matchup. * The regional final was played Friday night in Murphy with Starmount as the visiting team....

Regional weather and fire check for the holiday weekend Cool December air and mostly dry skies set the stage for holiday parades and markets across Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties, along with nearby north Georgia. Daytime highs hover in the upper forties to low fifties, with overnight lows near freezing and only a slight chance of light showers late tonight into early Saturday. Winds remain li...

Weather and Fire Danger – Cold clouds and a low fire danger day A cold and mostly cloudy Thursday sets the stage for evening events, with low fire danger but enough chill and moisture to make jackets and umbrellas smart choices. * Morning temperatures sit in the twenties with clouds holding over the mountains. * Afternoon highs reach the mid to upper forties under mostly cloudy skies. * Rain showe...

Today’s weather and fire check A cold start gives way to a bright, cool day across Cherokee County and nearby communities. Temperatures climb into the upper forties by afternoon under mostly sunny skies, then drop below freezing overnight. * Morning lows sit near or just below freezing around Murphy and the river valleys. * Afternoon highs reach the upper forties with light winds and dry air. * Cl...

Hands-Free NC law now in effect for local drivers North Carolina’s new Hands Free NC law is now active across the state, changing how drivers can legally use phones in their vehicles. The law bans most handheld use while driving, including at stoplights, and pushes people toward hands-free options instead. * The Hands Free NC Act took effect on December 1, 2025, and makes it illegal to operate a v...

Fire danger remains high across Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Even as holiday lights turn on, the fire danger meter is still pointing toward High to Very High across the far western counties. Dry leaf litter, low humidity, and ongoing drought stress mean conditions remain ripe for wildfire, and residents are being asked to avoid outdoor burning until we get more meaningful rain. * Regional fire dange...

Cool, damp Sunday with showers across Cherokee County Sunday is shaping up to be a cool, wet day across Cherokee County, with showers likely through the morning and early afternoon before conditions improve tonight. The National Weather Service forecast calls for temperatures to stay in the forties with rain tapering off as evening approaches. * High temperature near 49°F with showers likely, espe...

Andrews balks at sewer deal for Marble AI supercomputer plant Core Scientific’s Marble data facility is expanding into a supercomputer-scale artificial intelligence operation and needs reliable water and sewer service. The company is working with Marble Community Water System for water and has approached Andrews about providing wastewater treatment. Still, town leaders have raised concerns about c...

Cold Black Friday in the mountains Cherokee County and the far western North Carolina mountains woke up to a cold, clear Black Friday morning, with temperatures in the twenties at sunrise and highs only reaching the low forties under sunny skies. Another dip below freezing is expected tonight, so anyone heading to parades, ball games, or Christmas lights will want winter layers once the sun goes d...

Holiday giving in Cherokee County: Shop with a Cop and Toys for Tots Cherokee County’s holiday giving season is in full swing, with Shop with a Cop, the Sheriff’s Christmas Joy program, and Toys for Tots all working to make sure local kids and seniors are not forgotten this Christmas. * The Murphy Police Department partners with Walmart for its annual Shop with a Cop event, a tradition that starte...

Holiday giving in Cherokee County: Shop with a Cop and Toys for Tots Cherokee County’s holiday giving season is in full swing, with Shop with a Cop, the Sheriff’s Christmas Joy program, and Toys for Tots all working to make sure local kids and seniors are not forgotten this Christmas. * The Murphy Police Department partners with Walmart for its annual Shop with a Cop event, a tradition that starte...

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Record breaking drug trafficking sentence in Cherokee County A Cherokee County jury has convicted a Peachtree man in what local officials describe as a record breaking meth trafficking case, with a prison term approaching two decades. The case involved high level manufacturing and trafficking charges and a multi agency investigation, and the stiff sentence is meant to send a message about large sc...

North Carolina dwelling insurance hike worries mountain homeowners and rental hosts A new filing from the North Carolina Rate Bureau asks for an average sixty eight point three percent increase in dwelling insurance rates over the next two years, which could hit mountain homeowners and short term rental owners especially hard. Local rental hosts say they may be forced to raise rates or rethink the...

Cherokee County burn ban lifted, but safety rules remain Cherokee County has lifted its local burn ban as of November twenty second, giving residents more flexibility to burn yard debris again. Officials are still urging caution, reminding people that only natural vegetation should be burned, fires should be kept small and attended, and residents should check for any permit requirements or local r...

State expands “WNC Thrive” recovery programs after Hurricane Helene The state of North Carolina is putting more muscle behind the WNC Thrive initiative, adding funding that brings total support for children and families in the 22 hardest-hit counties—including Clay and Cherokee—to about three point seven five million dollars. The expansion will grow free after-school, weekend, and summer camp prog...

Jury convicts Peachtree man in Cherokee County’s largest meth case A Cherokee County jury has convicted 53-year-old Lars Prentice Johnson of the Peachtree community in the county’s largest methamphetamine case, tied to a 2022 search in Marble that uncovered roughly 38 pounds of meth and a conversion lab. The verdict closes a high-profile case that officials say could have harmed hundreds of people...

Cherokee County offices closed for Thanksgiving Cherokee County government offices are closing Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday, with normal operations resuming on Monday. This affects most non-emergency services, so residents are encouraged to plan tax payments, permitting, and in-person business around the long weekend. Emergency services and 9 1 1 remain available as usual. Sour...

Fatal House Fire in Grape Creek Kills One, Injures Two Firefighters A Friday house fire on John Taylor Road in the Grape Creek community left one person dead and injured two firefighters who were trying to reach the occupant inside. The fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not released the victim’s name. The incident underscores both the dangers of residential fires and the risks...

Search Intensifies for Missing Professor in Union County The search for 67-year-old Charles Hosch, missing near Blood Mountain since November 11th, has gained a new lead after a hiker reported seeing him at the summit. K-9 units and over 50 responders are now concentrating efforts on his likely descent route. * Source: WSB-TV Atlanta / Union County Sheriff’s Office New Search Launched for Missing...

Deadly House Fire in Cherokee County Officials are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred off John Taylor Road in Cherokee County on Friday. The identity of the victim has not been released as the investigation into the cause continues. * Source: Cherokee Scout Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeScoutnews/posts/officials-have-not-released-the-identity-after-a-deadly-house-fire-off...