sunday
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]
• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]
WEATHER OUTLOOK
1. Above-average rain chances and at or below-normal temperatures continue the rest of the week and into the weekend. Isolated flash flooding and a strong storm or two will be possible across the area each day through Saturday.
2. A return to seasonably hot conditions and typical coverage of afternoon and evening showers and storms is expected starting Sunday and continuing through early to mid next week.
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SPONSORSHIPS
WEATHER SPONSOR
This space available
DAY SPONSOR
This space available
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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. Areas of fog this morning. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this morning, then showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times this morning. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds, becoming south around 5 mph this afternoon. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..FRIDAY....Partly sunny. Showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 80 percent.
..FRIDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..SATURDAY....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs around 80. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy with showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 80 percent.
..SUNDAY....Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 60 percent.
..SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each afternoon into the weekend. Locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds will be primary storm threats.
POLLEN REPORT
Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium range (4.9 out of 12) today with Grasses and Nettle being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (4.3 out of 3.0).
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MACON CALENDAR
(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)
Friends of the Greenway would like to invite you to our Christmas in July sale, July 22-25, 9-2 each day. Do some Christmas shopping early with 20% off everything in the Gift Shop. On Saturday, July 25th, have a Christmas cookie and enjoy great music from 11-1. Greenway Visitor Center/FROG Quarters, 573 E Main St, Franklin.
The many ways you can connect to Mountain Findings to arrange donation pick-ups, drop-off location, shopping hours, volunteering, and to learn more on our community grants programs and graduating seniors scholarships.
Facebook: @MountainFindings
Phone: 828-526-9929
Email: MountainFindings1@gmail.com
Webpage: MountainFindings.org
Location: 452 Spruce St, Highlands, NC
LIVE SATURDAY MIDDAY MUSIC CALENDAR FOR JUNE/JULY 2026
11a to 1p at Friends of the Greenway, Inc.
573 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
contact: frog28734@gmail.com; 828-369-8488
To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.
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WEATHER ALMANAC
Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)
Highest Temperature 94°F in Franklin in 1980
Lowest Temperature 43°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1948
Greatest Rainfall 2.47 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2022
Record weather events for August in Macon County
Highest Temperature 99°F in Franklin on Aug 9, 1980
Lowest Temperature 40°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on Aug 29, 1968
Greatest Rainfall 9.68 inches in Highlands on Aug 13, 1940
Greatest Snowfall no measurable snowfall has been recorded since records started being kept in 1873
Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of August
Highest Temperature 110°F Fayetteville, Cumberland County Aug 21, 1983
Lowest Temperature 31°F Banner Elk, Avery County Aug 23, 1930
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.43 in Morehead City, Carteret County Aug 12, 1955
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WNC News
Rep. Chuck Edwards withdraws from House race. What's next? (COMPLETE COVERAGE) | WLOS-TV Asheville, NC
• Congressman Chuck Edwards Ends Re-election Campaign After Ethics Investigation [Macon Media]
• Learning about night creatures [The Franklin Press]
• Corbin declines run for Congress, recommits to reelection [Macon Sense]
• POLL: What do you think of the process for selecting Rep. Edwards' replacement? [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
NC auditor’s liaison advised county elections board members on how to fire directors Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC) • Edwards bows out of House race; GOP begins process to find replacement [Smoky Mountain News] • Republican leaders scramble to find candidate willing to face Ager despite lack of money, time and anti-GOP headwinds [Asheville Watchdog ]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]
• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]
WEATHER OUTLOOK
1. Above-average rain chances and at or below-normal temperatures continue the rest of the week and into the weekend. Isolated flash flooding and a strong storm or two will be possible across the area each day through Saturday.
2. A return to seasonably hot conditions and typical coverage of afternoon and evening showers and storms is expected starting Sunday and continuing through early to mid next week.
↑ Back to Top
SPONSORSHIPS
WEATHER SPONSOR
This space available
DAY SPONSOR
This space available
↑ Back to Top
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. Areas of fog this morning. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this morning, then showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times this morning. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds, becoming south around 5 mph this afternoon. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..FRIDAY....Partly sunny. Showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 80 percent.
..FRIDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..SATURDAY....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs around 80. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy with showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 80 percent.
..SUNDAY....Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 60 percent.
..SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each afternoon into the weekend. Locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds will be primary storm threats.
POLLEN REPORT
Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium range (4.9 out of 12) today with Grasses and Nettle being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (4.3 out of 3.0).
↑ Back to Top
MACON CALENDAR
(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)
Friends of the Greenway would like to invite you to our Christmas in July sale, July 22-25, 9-2 each day. Do some Christmas shopping early with 20% off everything in the Gift Shop. On Saturday, July 25th, have a Christmas cookie and enjoy great music from 11-1. Greenway Visitor Center/FROG Quarters, 573 E Main St, Franklin.
The many ways you can connect to Mountain Findings to arrange donation pick-ups, drop-off location, shopping hours, volunteering, and to learn more on our community grants programs and graduating seniors scholarships.
Facebook: @MountainFindings
Phone: 828-526-9929
Email: MountainFindings1@gmail.com
Webpage: MountainFindings.org
Location: 452 Spruce St, Highlands, NC
LIVE SATURDAY MIDDAY MUSIC CALENDAR FOR JUNE/JULY 2026
11a to 1p at Friends of the Greenway, Inc.
573 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
contact: frog28734@gmail.com; 828-369-8488
To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.
↑ Back to Top
WEATHER ALMANAC
Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)
Highest Temperature 94°F in Franklin in 1980
Lowest Temperature 43°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1948
Greatest Rainfall 2.47 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2022
Lowest Temperature 40°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on Aug 29, 1968
Greatest Rainfall 9.68 inches in Highlands on Aug 13, 1940
Greatest Snowfall no measurable snowfall has been recorded since records started being kept in 1873
Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of August
Highest Temperature 110°F Fayetteville, Cumberland County Aug 21, 1983
Lowest Temperature 31°F Banner Elk, Avery County Aug 23, 1930
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.43 in Morehead City, Carteret County Aug 12, 1955
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WNC News
Rep. Chuck Edwards withdraws from House race. What's next? (COMPLETE COVERAGE) | WLOS-TV Asheville, NC
• Congressman Chuck Edwards Ends Re-election Campaign After Ethics Investigation [Macon Media]
• Learning about night creatures [The Franklin Press]
• Corbin declines run for Congress, recommits to reelection [Macon Sense]
• POLL: What do you think of the process for selecting Rep. Edwards' replacement? [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
NC auditor’s liaison advised county elections board members on how to fire directors Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC)
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NC News
Raleigh Police's National Night Out held a month after teen takeovers | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)
• NC Republicans aim to replace Edwards on ballot next week; top NC senator weighs bid [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Why North Carolina’s state lawmakers are leaving Raleigh for the next three months [Raleigh News & Observer]
• U.S. Rep. Edwards dropped out of congressional race: What does it mean for voters? [NC Local]
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National News
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - August 5, 2026 | ABC News
NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Aug. 5 | NBC News
LIVE at 8.30am: Senate Committee Votes to Hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in Contempt
Washington Today (8-5-26): Abdul El-Sayed defeats Haley Stevens in Michigan U.S. Senate Dem. Primary
• At least 12 states report cyberattacks on water systems possibly linked to Iran-backed hackers, sources say [ABC News]
• Trump files emergency motion to block BBC from getting financial details about business empire [The Hill]
• How Abdul El-Sayed went from political oblivion to progressive breakthrough in Michigan Senate race [AP News]
• Trump confronted Hegseth at Camp David over Iran munitions shortage, report says [Yahoo News]
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World News
UN warns drone strikes worsen in Sudan | FRANCE 24 English
• WHO's Tedros visits DR Congo as Ebola outbreak accelerates [France 24]
• Infantino controversy latest: FIFA president apologises for 'mistakes' in plan to sell World Cup [Sky News]
• U.S. Marines stage live-fire drills involving FPV drones for 1st time in S. Korea [Yonhap News Agency]
• Ceuta exposes Europe’s migration paradox: Tougher borders, greater need for workers [ANALYSIS] [TVP World]
• Nigeria announces rescue of 308 kidnapped citizens [Al Jazeera]
• Hiroshima marks 81st atomic bomb anniversary as mayor deplores the pursuit of nuclear weapons [AP News]
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Iran War News
Did ammo shortages stop a US strike on Iran? | DW News
• Iran Update Special Report, August 5, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Trump denies munitions shortages; Tehran, Oman near deal [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Israel strikes Lebanon repeatedly as explosions heard in Hormuz [Jerusalem Post]
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Russo-Ukraine War
Deadly night in Ukraine as 21 killed in massive Russian missile attack | BBC News
Death rains down as Kyiv’s air defenses fail to take down any missiles | World News Tonight | TVP World
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 5, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Explosive-laden drone found at German airport hosting Ukrainian fleet [Al Jazeera]
• Why Russia’s ballistic missiles are increasingly getting through Ukrainian defenses [AP News]
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Financial News
Wall Street Hedge Funds Targeted in Cyberattacks | The Asia Trade 8/6/2026 | Bloomberg Television
• China Says It Cracked the Chipmaking Tech the West Spent Billions Trying to Keep From It [Bitcoin.com]
• Palantir Says Companies Are Paying to Give Away Their 'Most Important Secrets' [Yahoo Finance]
• Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapenos sickens 345 across 27 U.S. states [CNBC]
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Science News
New Antimatter Discovery in the Milky Way Challenges Known Physics | Anton Petrov
• August 2026: What’s in the sky this month? Solar and lunar eclipses, plus the Perseid meteors [Astronomy Magazine]
• Interstellar Travel: The Space Age and Nuclear Rockets [Universe Today]
• 567-million-year-old fossils rewrite the dawn of animal life [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 31 – August 9 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]
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Technology News
Blue Origin Reveals Explosion Cause, SpaceX Rocket Stage Hits The Moon! | Ellie in Space
• Hank Green found the AI problem that YouTube labels can’t catch [Ars Technica]
• Google’s AI Search Reportedly Told Users That Flock Cameras Are a Goldmine [Gizmodo]
• Broadcaster Wins Broad U.S. Blocking Injunction Covering Pirate Sites That Don’t Exist Yet [Torrent Freaks]
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Interesting Videos
The devil lives in a really weird cave in the Appalachians | TheGeoModels
How Metamaterials Can Help Moon Rovers Survive Both Days and Nights [NIAC 2026] | Fraser Cain
Janissaries: The Child Levy That Built an Empire | Kings and Generals
Is America prepared for biological war? | PBS NewsHour
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CRYPTO & AI NEWS
Gold Path for 2026 [Update] | Benjamin Cowen
• Meta Debuts AI Coding Agent Muse: Here’s How It Compares to Claude Code and Codex [Decrypt]
• AI credit bubble could fuel Bitcoin ‘crack-up boom’ past $1M: Hayes [Coin Telegraph]
• Mastercard Closes $1.8B BVNK Deal in Stablecoin Payments Bet [Bitcoin.com]
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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights
We Hacked Flock Safety Cameras in under 30 Seconds. 🫥 | Benn Jordan
• Brickbat: Unlicensed Search [Reason Magazine]
• Police say Flock cameras help solve crimes, but critics call them an invasion of privacy [PBS News]
• Schmidt v. Norfolk [ACLU]
• Chatrie v. United States [SCOTUSblog]
• Under Surveillance: Constitutional Concerns Surrounding Flock Cameras [North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology]
• Research Report on Automatic License Plate Readers: Legal Status and Policy Recommendations for Law Enforcement Use [Brennan Cebnter for Justice]
This Flock Camera Leak is like Netflix For Stalkers | Benn Jordan and 404 Media
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Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras
As an independent citizen journalist covering local government in Macon County for over 16 years, I have submitted a public records request to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office for documents related to the Flock Safety automated license plate reader system. This request seeks contracts, board approvals, usage policies, camera locations, performance data, and related correspondence to promote full transparency and public accountability in how this surveillance technology is funded, deployed, and operated with taxpayer resources. By making these records available, we can separate facts from myths, address community concerns about privacy and effectiveness, and ensure informed civic dialogue about tools that impact public safety and individual rights in our rural mountain community.
| from: | Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| to: |
| ||
| cc: |
| ||
| date: | Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM | ||
| subject: | Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office | ||
| mailed-by: | gmail.com |
Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,
Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):
- All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
- Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
- Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
- Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
- Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
- Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.
Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.
Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.
Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.
Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]
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Published at 6:00am on Thursday, August 05, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
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