Weather Briefing for Thursday, July 31, 2025

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

The heat wave is expected to gradually weaken through Friday as the upper pattern slowly shifts and brings a cold front down from the north. The front should move across the area Friday and Friday night, bringing some much-needed relief from the heat in the form of below normal temperatures this weekend into early next week. A gradual trend back to normal temperatures expected by the middle of next week.

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WEATHER SPONSOR
This space available

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DAY SPONSOR
This space available

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY...Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s. Light and variable winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 70 percent.
...TONIGHT...Partly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Winds out of the northwest around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
...FRIDAY...Patchy fog in the morning. Mostly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then mostly cloudy with showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s. Winds out of the northwest around 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.
...FRIDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Winds out of the northeast around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
...SATURDAY...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
...SATURDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows around 60. Chance of rain 70 percent.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms expected again this afternoon through this evening. An isolated severe storm or two cannot be ruled out, with the main threat being damaging wind gusts. There will also be a threat of locally heavy rainfall and isolated flooding, where storms are slow-moving or redevelop over the same area.

Torrential rainfall from multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms may produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas Friday afternoon and evening.

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NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)

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• Support 911 dispatcher Wayne after tragic house fire [GoFundMe]

• Fatal crash closes US-74 E road in Jackson County, traffic delays expected until 3 a.m. [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Virginia city councilman set on fire in workplace attack; suspect charged with attempted murder [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• Anti-DEI group’s complaint against Duke in sync with Trump Administration threats [Raleigh News and Observer]

• HCA Healthcare, Mission Health deal: Independent monitor reports potential non-compliance [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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World News

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The monster 8.8 Kamchatka earthquake...watch out for this region! | the GeoModels





How 'monster' earthquake forced millions from their homes | Sky News



• US allies break with Trump to force diplomatic shift on Gaza [BBC News]

• UK to recognize Palestine state unless Israel stops Gaza war [DW News]

• Trump imposes 25% tariff, 'penalty' on India over Russia ties [France 24]

• US senator: Stop giving Putin extra time, vote on 500% sanctions now [Euromaidan Press]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 30, 2025 [Institute for the Study of War]

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National News

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New details in D.C. plane collision investigation | MBC News



• Union Pacific to Buy Norfolk Southern in $85 Billion Railroad Deal [New York Times]

• Trump administration is launching a new private health tracking system with Big Tech’s help [AP News]

• Trump goes off on Josh Hawley over insider trading bill [The Hill]

• Fed press conference: Why Powell stayed silent on September cuts [Yahoo Finance]

• Divided Fed holds key interest rate steady, defying Trump’s demands for aggressive cuts [CNBC]

Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady | Bloomberg Surveillance: The Fed Decides 7/30/2025 | Bloomberg Television



Washington Today (7-30-25): Fed does not cut interest rates, waiting for more tariff-inflation data| C-SPAN



ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - July 30, 2025 | ABC News

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Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 6.30am on Thursday, July 31, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Weather Briefing for Wednesday, July 30, 2025

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

The heat wave is expected to gradually weaken today through Friday as the upper pattern slowly shifts and brings a cold front down from the north. The front will bring some much-needed relief from the heat in the form of below normal temperatures this weekend.

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WEATHER SPONSOR

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DAY SPONSOR
This space available

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY...Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. Showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s. Light and variable winds in the morning increasing to come out of the south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 90 percent.
...TONIGHT...Thunderstorms likely in the evening. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Areas of fog after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Winds out of the southeast around 5 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable. Chance of rain 70 percent.
...THURSDAY...Widespread dense fog in the morning. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s. Light and variable winds in the morning increasing to come out of the west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 90 percent.
...THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening, then partly cloudy with a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds in the early evening increasing to come out of the northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 80 percent.
...FRIDAY...Mostly sunny with a chance of showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
...FRIDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 80 percent.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms expected again this afternoon through this evening. An isolated severe storm or two cannot be ruled out, with the main threat being damaging wind gusts. There will also be a threat of locally heavy rainfall and isolated flooding, where storms are slow-moving or redevelop over the same area.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected most days this week into the weekend with localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding possible. Strong gusty winds up to 50 mph are possible with the stronger storms as well as frequent lightning.

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NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)

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• Macon County Board of Health - July 2025) | Macon Media [Patreon (early access for subscribers)]

• Dogwood Health Trust and Independent Monitor Release HCA Monitoring Report for Calendar Year 2024[Macon Media]

• Support 911 dispatcher Wayne after tragic house fire [GoFundMe]

• Tuckaseigee Water lifts conservation notice for Jackson County customers [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Trump administration freezes $108 million for Duke Health after accusing university of 'systemic racial discrimination' [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• NC Republicans successfully overturn 8 vetoes. What’s now law — and what’s not [Raleigh News and Observer]

• HCA Healthcare, Mission Health deal: Independent monitor reports potential non-compliance [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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World News

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How the online safety act triggered a political row about freedom of speech | Sky News



• Bowen: UK move to recognise Palestinian state is a diplomatic crowbar to revive peace process [BBC News]

• Australia adds YouTube to social media ban for under 16s [DW News]

• Massive earthquake off Russian coast sparks tsunami warnings across Pacific [France 24]

• Ukrainian drones turned Russia’s Salsk station into a firestorm — fuel train destroyed (video) [Euromaidan Press]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 29, 2025 [Institute for the Study of War]

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National News

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Tsunami waves hit Hawaii as massive earthquake off Russia triggers Pacific evacuations | BBC News



What we know about the Midtown gunman | WABC-TV (New York City, NY)


• Inside the Preparations for Trump’s Next Supreme Court Nominee [Time Magazine]

• Trump says Epstein ‘stole’ young women from Mar-a-Lago spa, including Virginia Giuffre [AP News]

• Senate confirms Emil Bove to appeals court despite whistleblower complaints, controversy [The Hill]

• Trump looms large over a Fed likely to again defy his call for cuts [Yahoo Finance]

• Tsunami waves reach California and Hawaii after massive earthquake in Russia [CNBC]

Data Will Matter More Than Fed Meeting: 3-Minute MLIV | Bloomberg Television



Washington Today (7-29-25): Pres. Trump says he will not follow UK in recognizing Palestinian State | C-SPAN



ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - July 29, 2025 | ABC News

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Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 6.30am on Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More

Dogwood Health Trust and Independent Monitor Release HCA Monitoring Report for Calendar Year 2024

PRESS RELEASE (07-29-2025) 

DOGWOOD HEALTH TRUST

Dogwood Health Trust and Independent Monitor Release
HCA Monitoring Report for Calendar Year 2024

Report notes three areas of potential non-compliance; acknowledges resolution of two issues

Asheville, N.C. – On July 29, 2025, Dogwood Health Trust and the Independent Monitor (IM) released the annual monitoring report assessing the compliance activities of HCA Healthcare, Inc. operating under the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) for Mission Health System during calendar year 2024. In addition to releasing the report to the public on July 29, Dogwood provided notice to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office (AGO) that it intends to notify  HCA of three issues of potential non-compliance, as outlined in Affiliated Monitors’ report to Dogwood Health Trust. Both the letter and the compliance report are available on Dogwood’s website.

The monitoring report identifies three instances of potential non-compliance for 2024, including the provision of Emergency and Trauma Services and Oncology Services at Mission Health; failure to remain “enrolled and in good standing” in Medicare and Medicaid; and issues with Uninsured and Charity Care policies. While the review found HCA addressed two of the three areas of compliance, the report notes the organization was potentially non-compliant for much of 2024.

“This review process can be confusing at times,” said Rachel Ryan, general counsel for Dogwood Health Trust. “The Asset Purchase Agreement guides our monitoring and assessment process, directing us to conduct an annual review of HCA’s compliance with the APA for the previous year. At the same time, we know the community is interested in sharing their experiences that happen in real time, and that is why engaging with the Independent Monitor is so very important.”

Potential Non-compliance

One issue of potential non-compliance remains unresolved: APA Section 7.13 (a) - Continuation of Mission Hospital/Care Partners Services. In the IM’s report for 2023, Affiliated Monitors stated, “We believe that the Superior Court – and not the IM – is the most appropriate forum to resolve this issue.” Because this case remains pending in Superior Court, the IM once again has determined that HCA Healthcare is potentially non-compliant with the terms of the APA.

Areas of Compliance

On Dec. 19, 2023, and through June 11, 2024, HCA was under Immediate Jeopardy findings by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services following a survey of operations at Mission Hospital. During 2024, HCA took the necessary actions to return itself to good standing with CMS, and therefore, its potential non-compliance for this issue has been resolved.

HCA also resolved a potential non-compliance issue related to its Uninsured and Charity Care policies. HCA adopted a revised Uninsured and Charity Care Policy, effective Jan. 1, 2025, that states HCA will not “pursue litigation activity that involves suing patients or filing liens on patient bad debt accounts.” Because of this change, HCA’s potential non-compliance with this issue has been addressed.

“We remain focused on engaging the community in our monitoring process,” said Gerald Coyne of Affiliated Monitors, Inc. “Our website is a primary place where community members can share their experiences and concerns, but even better is joining us when we’re in the community and holding community meetings. We appreciate everyone who made time to attend the meetings held in 2024. Whether it was individually with a small group or at one of our two larger community meetings, your voices help us tremendously.”

Next Steps

Dogwood will host a Community Q&A webinar with the Independent Monitor on Thursday, Aug. 7, from 12 to 1 p.m. to provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about the 2024 monitoring report, have their questions addressed and share additional feedback. Community members can register to attend here. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance.

Per the monitoring timeline, the Attorney General has 30 days from receipt of Dogwood’s letter in which to provide notice of its findings pertaining to issues of potential non-compliance, as noted in the report and letter. Throughout this process Dogwood will continue to engage HCA in discussions to address the identified compliance issues and their resolution.

About Dogwood Health Trust

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.

***END PRESS RELEASE***

Editor's Note: Read the 40-page 40 DF [LINK]

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Weather Briefing for Tuesday, July 29, 2025

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

The heat wave will gradually abate through Thursday, with temperatures returning to around normal by Friday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each day through Friday, mainly from mid-afternoon through the evening. A cold front will bring some much-needed relief from the heat in the form of below normal high temperatures this weekend.

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WEATHER SPONSOR

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DAY SPONSOR
This space available

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY...Areas of fog in the morning. Sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the mid 80s. Winds out of the north around 5 mph in the morning, becoming light and variable. Chance of rain 70 percent.
...TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening. Widespread fog after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.
...WEDNESDAY...Widespread fog in the morning. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s. Light and variable winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 90 percent.
...WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the evening. lows in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 90 percent.
...THURSDAY...Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
...THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 90 percent.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Scattered showers and thunderstorms today. Localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding, along with strong gusty winds up to 50 mph, are possible with any stronger storms.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected almost each day with localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding possible. Strong gusty winds up to 50 mph are possible with the stronger storms as well as frequent lightning.

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NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)

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• Support 911 dispatcher Wayne after tragic house fire [GoFundMe]

• 10th whooping cough case confirmed in Haywood County [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Duke study: Scrapping carbon goal could add $23 billion to NC power bills [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• Republicans attack NC’s Roy Cooper just seconds after he launches Senate campaign [Raleigh News and Observer]

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World News

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Wildfires rage across south-east Europe | Sky News



Trump: Russia has less than two weeks to end war| NBC News



• Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating hours-old ceasefire [BBC News]

• China: Heavy rainfall in Beijing kills at least 30 [DW News]

• Calls for two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians at UN grow louder [France 24]

• Hackers attack Russia’s largest state airline, disrupting dozens of flights. They sign off “Glory to Ukraine! Long live Belarus!” [Euromaidan Press]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 28, 2025 [Institute for the Study of War]

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National News

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4 killed, including off-duty officer, in Midtown shooting; suspected gunman dead by suicide | WABC-TV (New York City, NY)



What we know about the Midtown gunman | WABC-TV (New York City, NY)



• Harvard Is Said to Be Open to Spending Up To $500 Million to Resolve Trump Dispute [New York Times]

• Trump says he ended friendship with Epstein because he ‘stole people that worked for me’ [AP News]

• GOP bill seeks to rename Kennedy Center for Trump [The Hill]

• Taiwan Leader Calls Off US Stopover as Trump Seeks Xi Summit [Yahoo Finance]

• Even with high tariffs, Trump’s trade war suddenly is starting to look not so scary on Wall Street [CNBC]

Trump Says China Visit Possible Only Through Xi Invitation | Insight with Haslinda Amin 7/29/2025 | Bloomberg Television



Washington Today (7-28-25): Pres. Trump vows Gaza food centers, faces more Epstein files questions | C-SPAN



ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - July 28, 2025 | ABC News

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Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5.00am on Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More