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Macon County Commissioners

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County Board of County Commissioners.

Franklin Town Board of Aldermen

Coverage of the meetings of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen.

Macon County School Board

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County School Board.

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Photos from my photoblog.

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Sunday, May 17, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Sunday, May 17, 2026

5/17/2026 04:53:00 AM , 0 comments






• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]




NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

1. A summer-like pattern will be in place through mid-week, with above normal temperatures, increasing humidity, and spotty diurnal convection expected. An isolated severe thunderstorm will be possible in the afternoon and evening each day.

2. A cold front will bring better rain chances mid to late week, but rainfall amounts are expected to remain light any drought relief will be limited.

WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available



DAY SPONSOR


This space available



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 this morning, then clearing. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds around 5 mph.

..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows around 60. South winds around 5 mph.

..MONDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Mostly sunny. Highs around 80. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

..MONDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

..TUESDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds around 5 mph.

..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER



Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.





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




State and Local News


• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]

Affordable housing projects move forward across western North Carolina | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina holds celebration of federal recognition | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)



• State employee group says auditor’s report shows ‘pay crisis’ in NC government [NC Newsline]

• How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending May 14 [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• More floods or fewer hurricanes? What El Niño could mean for Carolinas [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• Is a super El Niño hitting NC getting more likely? What that means for weather [Raleigh News & Observer]



Iran War News


The Dali Settlement in Baltimore, The "Golden Fleet," and a 1,500ft Tsunami: Top 5 Maritime Stories | What's Going on With Shipping?



Donald Trump says Xi Jinping wants Strait of Hormuz opened | BBC News



• Iran Update Special Report, May 16, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• France24 Liveblog [DW News]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• BRICS ministers fail to issue a joint statement over differences on conflict in the Middle East [AP News]

• Iran war: Iran warns of readiness for war and economic costs as US talks falter [Al Jazeera]

• Iran allegedly behind Canada attacks on US consulate, synagogue [Jerusalem Post]

• Leader of Hamas's armed wing killed in strike on Gaza, says Israel [DW News]

What Satellite Images Reveal About Iran’s Attacks on U.S. Bases | The New York Times





World News


London protests expose deep divisions across the U.K. | World News Tonight | TVP World



Professor Jiang: World War 3 Has Already Begun, Let Me Explain! | The Diary Of A CEO and Predictive History



Trump warns Taiwan not to declare independence | DW News



• WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, Uganda a global health emergency [Al Jazeera]

• Trump says he discussed N. Korea with Xi during summit in Beijing [Yonhap News Agency]

• Ukraine launches more than 500 drones at Russia in deadly overnight attack, authorities say [France 24]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 16, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

Taiwan ramps up drone production amid threat of potential China invasion | NBC News




National News


ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 16, 2026 | ABC News



NBC Nightly News Full Episode - May 15, 2026 | NBC News



Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, May 15, 2026



• China vs. God: Ezra Jin and Beijing’s War on Christianity [The Free Press]

• Cassidy Loses His Primary in Louisiana, as Trump Vanquishes Another G.O.P. Foe [New York Times]

• Trump administration to create $1.776B 'Truth and Justice Commission' to compensate allies [ABC News]

• Colorado River crisis could force drastic water measures across the West, experts say [CBS News]

• Massie primary tests Trump’s grip on GOP [The Hill]

• House panel demands reasons U.S. troop deployment to Poland canceled [UPI]

• Trump scores major Republican primary victory as Cassidy ousted in Louisiana [Fox News]


Financial News


The CLARITY Act advances in the Senate. What's next? | Yahoo Finance and The Wolf Of All Streets



Bloomberg This Weekend | Trump Returns from China, Xi to Meet with Putin, LIRR Goes on Strike | Bloomberg Television



• History's weirdest bubbles have a message for the AI trade: Chart of the Day [Yahoo Finance]

• Kevin Warsh comes into the Fed facing a big ‘family fight’ over cutting interest rates [CNBC]


Science and Technology


Will NASA's Nuclear Powered Spacecraft Revolutionize Space Exploration? | Scott Manley



• The Digital Babel: How Oligarchs Broke the Public Square and Destroyed Shared Reality [The Intellectualist]

• Universal Wins Indian Court Order Against IMDb-Themed Pirate Streaming Sites [Torrent Freak]

• The US is betting on AI to catch insider trading in prediction markets [Ars Technica]

• Elon Musk Explains Why the SpaceX Board Must Be Powerless to Fire Him [Gizmodo]

• Stunning 150-million-year-old stegosaur skull rewrites dinosaur evolution [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1322: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin – Hantavirus special [Microbe TV]

Mystery of SgrA* Strange G-Objects Finally Solved | Anton Petrov




Crypto News


Powell Steps Down as Chair of the Federal Reserve | Benjamin Cowen



• Justin Sun-Led Liberland Micronation Awards Ethereum Founder Vitalik Buterin Its Top Honor [Decrypt]

• When prediction markets go wrong: Who decides what counts as the truth? [Coin Telegraph]

• Latam Insights: Coinbase Co-Founder Eyes Venezuela as Grupo Salinas Embraces Stablecoins [Bitcoin.com]

The Banks Lose The Yield Fight: Inside The CLARITY Act Stablecoin Battle | BPH EP 37 | Bitcoin Magazine


Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

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 9.00am on Sunday, May 17, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Read More

Friday, May 15, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Friday, May 15, 2026

5/15/2026 08:07:00 AM , 0 comments






• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]




NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

1. Dry again today with very low afternoon RH expected, but wind should not be as strong this afternoon.

2. Above normal warmth returns this weekend into next week, while limited rainfall chances, mainly in the mountains, provide little relief from ongoing drought conditions.

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



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....Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

..TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

..SATURDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds around 5 mph.

..SUNDAY....Partly sunny in the morning, then clearing. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds around 5 mph.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER



Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.





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




State and Local News


• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]

Asheville restaurant offers free meals to people in need | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



Teacher wages on the rise in North Carolina, is it enough for the most experienced? | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)



• Flurry of new NC constitutional amendments piling up for November ballot [NC Newsline]

• NC raids rural health fund for children’s hospital, setting up debate over future healthcare dollars [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• House Ethics panel investigates Chuck Edwards for sexual harassment [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• Ethics committee confirms NC’s Rep. Edwards under sexual harassment investigation [Raleigh News & Observer]



Iran War News


Tactical Victory or Strategic Failure? Secretary Hegseth on U.S. Control of the Strait of Hormuz | What's Going on With Shipping?



Xi vs. Trump: Who won in the big superpower struggle? | Sky News



• Iran Update Special Report, May 14, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as a ship is seized and another is sunk [AP News]

• Iran war: Iran urges BRICS nations to condemn US-Israeli war aggression [Al Jazeera]

• Iran ‘frighteningly close’ to developing nuclear weapons, US energy secretary says - report [Jerusalem Post]

• Iran war: Iran says Chinese ships passed through Hormuz overnight [DW News]

What Satellite Images Reveal About Iran’s Attacks on U.S. Bases | The New York Times





World News


“Pray” takes Poland to the Eurovision 2026 grand final | World News Tonight | TVP World



Professor Jiang: World War 3 Has Already Begun, Let Me Explain! | The Diary Of A CEO and Predictive History



• Liveblog: Trump in China [DW News]

• Trump, Xi signal desire to manage bilateral ties but reaffirm positions on Taiwan, trade [Yonhap News Agency]

• Who holds the cards at the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing? [France 24]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 13, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

hina’s Xi Jinping hosts a state banquet for Trump in Beijing (Full) | Associated Press




National News


ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 14, 2026 | ABC News



NBC Nightly News With Tom Llamas – Full Episode May 14th, 2026 | NBC News



PBS News Hour full episode, May 14, 2026 | PBS NewsHour



• Trump ethics filing reveals thousands of trades tied to U.S. stocks [NBC News]

• China Increasingly Views Trump’s America as an Empire in Decline [New York Times]

• Trump responds to Xi's 'Thucydides Trap' comment about America's decline [ABC News]

• U.S. moving to indict Cuba's Raúl Castro, sources say [CBS News]

• Kash Patel took ‘VIP snorkel’ during Pearl Harbor trip [The Hill]

• Vance cites 'widespread fraud' in gov't programs during Maine visit [UPI]

• China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions [Fox News]


Financial News


Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025, May 13, 2026 | Federal Reserve



• Justice Dept. Officials Consider Settling Trump Suit Against I.R.S. [New York Times]

'VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT': Inside the data center debate in Georgia | Fox Business



Trump-Xi Summit: Xi Warns Trump Of ‘Clashes’ If Taiwan Issue Mishandled | Daybreak Europe 05/14/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Asia stocks gain on AI enthusiasm as Trump meets Xi [Yahoo Finance]

• Five takeaways from the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing so far [CNBC]


Science and Technology


Oumuamua - A mysterious object from another star | DW Documentary



• Publishers Seek $19.5 Million and Domain Takedown Order Against Anna’s Archive [Torrent Freak]

• FCC angers small carriers by helping AT&T and Starlink buy EchoStar spectrum [Ars Technica]

• Worst-Case Scenarios for El Niño Are Literally Off the Charts [Gizmodo]

• Scientists discover the Southern Ocean is “sweating” more as climate change intensifies [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1321: Phage cross talk and cross reactions [Microbe TV]

Incredible Breakthrough in Whale Communication Studies | Anton Petrov




Crypto News


Bitcoin: Dubious Speculation | Benjamin Cowen



• Bitcoin Firm Metaplanet Posts $725 Million Loss, Delays Preferred Share Offerings [Decrypt]

• Bitcoin traders expect ‘fast move’ to $90K following CLARITY Act vote [Coin Telegraph]

• ADI Foundation and Settlemint Launch ADGM Tokenization Rail for $30.9B RWAs [Bitcoin.com]

The Bitcoin Hero's Journey | Bitcoin 2026 | Bitcoin Magazine


Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

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 9.00am on Friday, May 15, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Read More

Thursday, May 14, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Thursday, May 14, 2026

5/14/2026 05:12:00 AM , 0 comments






• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]




NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

1. Warm and dry conditions, outside of an isolated shower or storm, continue through the weekend. A wetter pattern may return next week.

WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available



DAY SPONSOR


This space available



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....Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

..TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows around 40. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.

..FRIDAY....Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

..FRIDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. West winds around 5 mph.

..SATURDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

..SUNDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER



Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.





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




State and Local News


• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]

Children and the horrors of AI deepfakes: What parents should know | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



Some educator advocates say proposed pay increase is not enough | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)



• NC Senate bill seeks to cut adult care home inspections [NC Newsline]

• Sen. Thom Tillis urges Campbell Law graduates to lead with integrity in divided legal climate [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• NC budget could make teachers 'highest paid in the South'. Where it stands now [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• What NC budget deal means for your income tax rate, and how you can vote on it [Raleigh News & Observer]



Iran War News


Tactical Victory or Strategic Failure? Secretary Hegseth on U.S. Control of the Strait of Hormuz | What's Going on With Shipping?



What Iran war could mean for Taiwan - as Trump visits China | Sky News



• Iran Update Special Report, May 13, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• DW News Liveblog [DW News]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Fox News Liveblog [Fox News]

• Hegseth gets bipartisan grilling on rising costs of the Iran war and Trump’s end game [AP News]

• Iran war: Why the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in India matters [Al Jazeera]

• Iran ‘frighteningly close’ to developing nuclear weapons, US energy secretary says - report [Jerusalem Post]

• Iran war: US has spent $29 billion so far — Pentagon [DW News]

What Satellite Images Reveal About Iran’s Attacks on U.S. Bases | The New York Times





World News


“Pray” takes Poland to the Eurovision 2026 grand final | World News Tonight | TVP World



Xi greets Trump in China ahead of bilateral meeting | CNN



• Liveblog: Trump in China [DW News]

• Trump, Xi signal desire to manage bilateral ties but reaffirm positions on Taiwan, trade [Yonhap News Agency]

• Who holds the cards at the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing? [France 24]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 13, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

What if America quits NATO? | Caspian Report




National News


ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 13, 2026 | ABC News



NBC Nightly News Full Episode - May 13 | NBC News



• The Great Fragmentation: How Culture Stopped Arriving Together [The Intellectualist]

• A Conspiracy Theory About QR Codes Has Led to Chaos Ahead of Georgia's Midterms [WIRED]

• Lutnick testified he knew little about Epstein, his next-door neighbor [CBS News]

• Ukraine bill heading to the floor after discharge petition wins 218th signature [The Hill]

• Gov. Kemp calls special session to redraw Georgia's congressional map [UPI]

• China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions [Fox News]


Financial News


Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025, May 13, 2026 | Federal Reserve



• Justice Dept. Officials Consider Settling Trump Suit Against I.R.S. [New York Times]

'VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT': Inside the data center debate in Georgia | Fox Business



Trump-Xi Summit: Xi Warns Trump Of ‘Clashes’ If Taiwan Issue Mishandled | Daybreak Europe 05/14/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Asia stocks gain on AI enthusiasm as Trump meets Xi [Yahoo Finance]

• Five takeaways from the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing so far [CNBC]


Science and Technology


Space Cowboys Plan to Build Massive Satellite - Deep Space Updates May 13th | Scott Manley



• FCC angers small carriers by helping AT&T and Starlink buy EchoStar spectrum [Ars Technica]

• Worst-Case Scenarios for El Niño Are Literally Off the Charts [Gizmodo]

• Scientists discover the Southern Ocean is “sweating” more as climate change intensifies [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1320: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]

Astronomers Found a Link Between Little Red Dots and Black Holes | Anton Petrov




Crypto News


Market Returns by Political Party | Benjamin Cowen



• Bitcoin Firm Metaplanet Posts $725 Million Loss, Delays Preferred Share Offerings [Decrypt]

• Bitcoin traders expect ‘fast move’ to $90K following CLARITY Act vote [Coin Telegraph]

• ADI Foundation and Settlemint Launch ADGM Tokenization Rail for $30.9B RWAs [Bitcoin.com]

The Bitcoin Hero's Journey | Bitcoin 2026 | Bitcoin Magazine


Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

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 9.00am on Thursday, May 14, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Read More