ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Back to School Safety Tips for the 2026-2027 School Year [Macon Media]
• 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. A cold front keeps shower and possibly thunderstorm chances around through early today before dry conditions return this weekend. Cooler conditions arrive behind the front.
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SPONSORSHIPS
WEATHER SPONSOR
This space available
DAY SPONSOR
Macon Media is being underwritten today by Bourbon & Bacon. (Formerly Franklin Office Supply)
Visit their store at 161 Highlands Road in Franklin or check out their website at bourbonandbaconfs.com
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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....Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. North winds around 5 mph.
.TONIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds around 5 mph.
.SUNDAY....Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Light and variable winds, becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
.SUNDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight.
.MONDAY....Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the morning.
.MONDAY NIGHT.... Lows around 40.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Hazardous weather is not expected.
SPACE WEATHER FORECAST
A HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE: Do you see a witch flying on a broom? Actually, it is a hole in the sun's stmosphere sending a stream of solar wind toward Earth. First contact on Nov. 7-8 could spark G1/G2-class geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras. [LINK] https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=07&month=11&year=2026
POLLEN REPORT
Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (2.7 out of 12) today with Ragweed and Chenopods being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low range (2.4 out of 12.0)
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MACON CALENDAR
(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)
Preparing for Winter Weather Emergencies
Join us at the Crawford Senior Center located at 108 Wayah Street, at 10 a.m. on November 24, 2026, to learn how to prepare for winter weather emergencies. Call 828-349-2058 ext. 0 for more information.
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 NOVEMBER 2026
11a to 1p at Friends of the Greenway, Inc.
573 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
contact: frog28734@gmail.com; 828-369-8488
TBA
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 80°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2015
Lowest Temperature 13°F in Franklin in 1967
Greatest Rainfall 2.68 inches in Highlands in 1975
Greatest Snowfall (no measurable snow fell on this date)
Record weather events for November in Macon County
Highest Temperature 83°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on Nov 4, 2003
Lowest Temperature -3°F in Highlands on Nov 25, 1950
Greatest Rainfall 4.69 inches in Highlands on Nov 29, 1914
Greatest Snowfall 6.0 inches in Highlands on Nov 28, 1922
Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of November
Highest Temperature 89°F in Asheboro, Randolph County on Nov 7, 2024
Lowest Temperature -12°F in Grandfather Mountain, Avery County on Nov 15, 1969
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 9.70 in Lake Toxaway, Transylvania County on Nov 19, 2003
Greatest Snowfall 13.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Nov 1, 2014
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WNC News
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the All-Inclusive Playground at Sunnyside Park | Macon Media
On November 6, 2026, the Town of Franklin held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new inclusive playground at the Whitmire property. Interim Town Manager Sarah Bishop opened the formal program, thanking attendees for their patience and noting the excitement of seeing children already on the equipment. She introduced Public Works Director Bill Deal, who credited the public works and street crews for their extensive work on the site and thanked the Franklin Police Department for providing security and surveillance throughout construction. He also acknowledged the town council and management before turning the program back over.
Mayor Guffey then delivered the main remarks. He thanked former Mayor Jack Horton, under whose leadership the project began; former Town Manager Amy Owens, who oversaw planning, funding, and the start of construction; and current administrative staff, including Interim Town Manager and Finance Director Sarah Bishop. He recognized town council members present (Rita Salain, Joe Collins, Jeff Berry, and Robbie Tompa).
Mayor Guffey highlighted that the project originated from community advocacy—particularly efforts by residents such as Kathy Peek—who brought the need for inclusive play space to the council’s attention. He specifically thanked the public works crew by name and the Franklin Police Department for protecting the site during construction. He emphasized that the playground creates opportunity for children who previously lacked accessible play options, with expected regional use from communities across western North Carolina. He described it as a place for play, friendship, family bonding, and community-building, and as a reflection of the town’s commitment to children and families. The program concluded with the ribbon-cutting, after which the playground was opened for children to use.
Rain brings record flash flooding along Georgia/Tennessee border | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC
These old mountains seem to cause lots of 1,000 yr floods... | TheGeoModels
TVA warns dangerous Toccoa/Ocoee River conditions could continue for days after Georgia flooding | WTVC-TV (Chattanooga, TN)
• Friday Football Frenzy: Scores and highlights for Nov. 6, 2026 [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Smoky Mountain powers past North Buncombe, 58-34 [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Election 2026 Results [The Franklin Press]
• Election Day: Republicans dominate locals, County ends dry spell, and a crazy close referendum [Macon Sense]
• Coming home: Amie Owens takes over as Waynesville town manager [ Smoky Mountain News ]
• (Jackson) County voters speak out in a loud, blue voice [ The Mountaineer ]
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NC News
How Democrats dominated North Carolina's elections, and why it'll be hard to replicate in 2028 | WRAL-TV (Durham, NC)
• Lead narrows in tight NC race that could decide control of state Senate [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• NC State’s Sigma Nu brothers could face charges. Here’s how NC law treats hazing [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Flu season arrives early in NC, with nine deaths so far [NC Local]
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National News
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Nov. 6, 2026 | ABC News
NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Nov. 6 | NBC News
Washington Today (11-6-26): WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles out, Stephen Miller in | Oct. jobs report | C-SPAN
PBS News Hour full episode, Nov. 5, 2026 | PBS NewsHour
• Democrats blast ‘dangerous’ elevation of Miller as refusal to learn from the election [The Hill]
• Secret Service arrests man near White House after he said he heard voices telling him to kill Trump [AP News ]
• Democrats' big midterm wins could change how we elect the next president Yahoo News]
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Financial News
Inflations plus strong jobs number could give Fed 'latitude' to raise rates, says Moody's Mark Zandi | CNBC Television
Wall Street Week | Blue Wave Economic Impacts, European Welfare Woes | Bloomberg Television
• Elizabeth Warren will take over the Senate Banking Committee next year. Expect hearings [Yahoo Finance]
• A disturbing employment trend is hiding beneath the latest strong job numbers [CNBC]
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World News
Major construction ongoing near Iran missile bases | BBC News
What The Hormuz: High Risk, High Reward & the Strait of Hormuz Clause | What's Going on With Shipping?
Europe bomb hoaxes widen | FRANCE 24 English
• U.N. chief calls for restoration of inter-Korean communication channels amid DMZ tensions [Yonhap News Agency]
• Taiwan conflict could hit global economy harder than COVID [Taiwan News]
• Germany news: Trial of alleged 'Reichsbürger' group ringleaders begins [DW News]
Why is Paraguay facing a banking and political crisis? | Inside Story| Al Jazeera English
• Iran war live: Trump warns US may have to ‘destroy’ rest of Iran [Al Jazeera]
• Trump meets with top Putin envoy at the White House — but not visiting Ukrainian officials [AP News]
Trump's diesel deal with Putin runs into trouble | World News Tonight | TVP World
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Iran War News
Israel's political puzzle and what it could mean | DW News
• The Israel Netanyahu Made: Why Bibi’s National Security Vision Will Endure [Foreign Affairs]
• US warns allies to prepare for possible Iran strikes, retaliation after elections, AP sources say [AP News]
• Iran Update, October 28, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Trump says he approved Vance outreach over medical supplies [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Netanyahu's Likud maintains lead with 91% of votes in as counting of double envelopes continues [Jerusalem Post]
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Russo-Ukraine War
Russia’s Oil Nightmare Just Returned IN FORCE | Paul Warburg
Ukraine under fire ahead of planned Abu Dhabi talks | World News Tonight | TVP World
• Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine by attacking its energy grid, UN-backed inquiry says [AP News]
• Putin’s Strategy Is Working: Trump Could Salvage the Kremlin’s Objectives in Ukraine [Foreign Affairs]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 28, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Russia’s alleged sabotage campaign in Europe raises fears of escalation [Al Jazeera]
• Ukraine and Russia begin Oleshky ceasefire for aid mission [DW News]
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Science News
Something Bizarre Has Been Hiding Behind the Milky Way | Anton Petrov
• NASA Moves Ahead with Ultraviolet Space Telescope [Sky & Telescope Magazine]
• TWiV 1370: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1371: How to Bat Away Marburg Virus [Microbe TV]
• Asteroids' Oddball Shapes Make Deflecting Them Challenging [Universe Today]
• NASA’s Swift telescope falls to Earth after nearly 22 years in space [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 30 – November 8 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]
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Technology News
The Level1 Links with Friends Show November 6 2026: The Great Eel Ball
The tech industry is waiting for returns on AI investments (with Daniel Howley) |
• Blue Origin says it is building a higher-performing rocket engine at 1/4 the cost [Ars Technica]
• Tech Rout Wipes Out $2.5 Trillion, With AI Investors Anticipating Heavier Scrutiny From Dems [Gizmodo]
• Dutch Court Orders ISP to Block Z-Library and OceanofPDF [Torrent Freaks]
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Interesting Videos
Not only Janissaries - The Ottoman Empire’s Elite Army | Kings and Generals
Ghosts in the Forest: Exploring Paleontology in the Southern Appalachians of Tennessee & Virginia | Watch BTN-TV
Why America keeps losing wars | CaspianReport
Normal-Looking Photos With Horrifying Backstories | Joe Scott
Is The Human Body Ready For A Real Mars Mission? | Fraser Cain
New York City Halloween Parade 2026 🎃 53rd Annual Village Halloween Parade NYC | The NYC Walking Show
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CRYPTO & AI NEWS
The United States Midterms and Markets | Benjamin Cowen
OpenAI's Real Revenue Is $20 Billion Lower | Coin Bureau
• Google Tells Schools They Can Reject AI—But They'll Lose Search, Too [Decrypt]
• ‘Lawyer up’: Democrats target Trump, Big Tech after midterm sweep [Coin Telegraph]
• CZ Warns AI Is Outpacing Crypto Defenses After $6.3B Binance Hack [Bitcoin.com]
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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights
Flock Cameras Are Not Even the Worst Part of the System | TREX LABS
• 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 Saturday November 07, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
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