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. Daily shower and thunderstorm chances return today and continue through the weekend. Locally heavy rainfall will be possible. A drying and warming trend is expected early 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....Patchy fog this morning. Mostly sunny this morning, then partly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs around 80. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
.TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 50 percent.
.THURSDAY....Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 80. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.
.FRIDAY....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 90 percent.
.FRIDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Scattered to numerous showers and storms expected this afternoon. Frequent lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall will be possible with any storms.
POLLEN REPORT
Pollen levels are expected to be n the medium-high (8.2 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the medium range (6.5 out of 12.0)
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MACON CALENDAR
(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)
IMAGE
CULLASAJA GORGE FIRE AND RESCUE
New Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593295280100
All are welcome for an Open House on Aug 29th.
Hotdog dinner for donations only.
Come out to see the Firehouse with kid-friendly activities
and a state-of-the-art smoke trailer.
9 AM – 7 PM on 29th of August
3 PM VEHICLE TRAINING DEMO
HOTDOG DINNER ALL DAY
(828) 369-5010
104 River Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
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 at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2023
Lowest Temperature 42°F in Highlands in 1917
Greatest Rainfall 2.89 inches in Franklin in 2008
Record weather events for July 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
• The Southern Scoop on Dolly and How to Honor Her Passing [The Southern Scoop]
• Dolly Parton remembered as 'servant leader' by North Carolina fans [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Honoring the Memory of Dolly Parton: Flags at Half Staff From August 25 to September 1 at Sunset [Macon Media]
Stray goat sells for record $205 at NC auction | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC
• Asheville City Council votes to terminate city's Flock camera contract [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Why G20 finance leaders are meeting in Asheville after Hurricane Helene [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• SCC program removes barriers to entry into health care [Smoky Mountain News]
• Trump plan to end roadless rule could worsen fire risk, experts say [Asheville Watchdog ]
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NC News
Christina Koch closes NC State homecoming with message of 'grit and self-trust' | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)
• Remembering Dolly Parton: Tennessee’s favorite daughter was a good neighbor to North Carolina [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Remembering Dolly Parton, the dazzling singer and philanthropist from rural Appalachia [Raleigh News & Observer]
• NC voters trust local elections more than national, poll shows [NC Local]
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National News
Music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80: ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Aug. 25, 2026 | ABC News
NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Aug. 25 | NBC News
Washington Today (8-25-26): Canada to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports; Dolly Parton dies | C-SPAN
Trump nabs crucial primary wins in South Carolina, Oklahoma: 4 takeaways [The Hill]
• The US and Canada could pull back from an all-out trade war. It’s not clear that they will [AP News]
• Judge strikes down Texas ban on drag shows, tells people offended by them ‘just don’t go’ [Yahoo News]
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Dolly Parton
A Message from the Family of Dolly Parton
• Dolly Parton, Superstar Whose Songs Spoke to Millions, Dies at 80 [New York Times]
Dolly Parton Dies at 80 — Here Was Her Faith Legacy | CBN News
• Dolly Parton dies at 80. Latest updates as world remembers Queen of Country [The Tennessean]
Remembering Dolly Parton: All the Good Star Did Through Philanthropy| Entertainment Tonight
Music icon Dolly Parton dies at 80 | CBS News
Tributes paid to Dolly Parton | BBC News
Remembering Dolly Parton, whose artistry and generosity touched generations | PBS NewsHour
David Muir looks back at the life and legacy of Dolly Parton | ABC News
Dolly Parton: Remembering the life, legacy and lyrics of an American icon | NBC News
FAITH, FAMILY, & FAME | Dolly Parton Looks Back at Incredible Career | CBN News
Remembering Dolly Parton: Country music icon dies at 80 | Fox News
Dolly Parton looks back on her life: "There’s very little I would change” (2024) | CBS Mornings
• Dolly Parton’s ‘Faith’ Kept Her Optimistic Until the End: ‘It’s Not Over Until God Says It’s Over’ [People Magazine]
• Dolly Parton’s greatest songs, and the stories behind them [AP News]
• 'In the Arms of Jesus': Country Legend Dolly Parton Has Died at 80 [CBN]
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World News
What the Ship (Ep 146) | Hormuz, Black Sea & Chokepoint Chaos | Containers | What's Going on With Shipping?
Will the new cancer vaccine survive RFK Jr’s America? | BBC News
• U.S. preparing for Freedom Edge joint exercise with S. Korea, Japan: U.S. Pacific Command [Yonhap News Agency]
• Trump sends Saudi civil nuclear agreement to Congress for review [France 24]
• Hospital nursery fire kills 14 newborns in Pakistan’s capital, officials order immediate inquiry [AP News]
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Iran War News
Can the US cripple Iran without taking on China?| DW News
• Iran Update, August 25, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Iran says Hormuz remains closed despite Oman route deal [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: US will hold off on Iran strikes 'for now,' Rubio says, IDF strikes southern Lebanon [Jerusalem Post]
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Russo-Ukraine War
Why the CIA chief might have made a secret Moscow visit | DW News
Mirage 2000 destroys Russian command post | Military Mind | TVP World
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 25, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Kremlin denies US talks amid reports CIA Director Ratcliffe in Russia [Al Jazeera]
• Putin decree lets Russia take control of infrastructure damaged in Ukrainian drone attacks [AP News]
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Financial News
China Defiant Over Iran Ties; Tech Stocks in Focus Before Nvidia Results | The Asia Trade 8/26/2026 | Bloomberg Television
• Five things to know about Anthropic ahead of Wall Street debut [Yahoo Finance]
• China needs U.S. dollars but is building a hedge against Washington’s sanctions [CNBC]
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Science News
Why These New Quasar Discoveries Challenge Everything We Knew | Anton Petrov
• Earth’s oceans just hit their hottest temperature ever—it’s only going to get worse [Astronomy Magazine]
• TWiV 1350: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1351: Ebola Virus Brains and Contagious Catfish Cancers [Microbe TV]
• NASA Starshade Would Enable Astronomers To Directly Image Rocky Exoworlds [Universe Today]
• Bird flu is spreading. Your backyard feeder could make it worse [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 21 – 30 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]
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Technology News
This Week in Linux #354 | Michael Tunnell
• As demand for Meta AI glasses explodes, it’s harder to avoid creepy recordings [Ars Technica]
• Dr. Dre Says He Uses AI to Produce Songs [Gizmodo]
• Take-Two Expands GTA 6 Leak Hunt With DMCA Subpoenas to X and YouTube [Torrent Freaks]
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Interesting Videos
Fall of Jerusalem - How Britain Broke the Ottoman Front | Kings and Generals
This Could Be A Solution for The Little Red Dots Mystery | Fraser Cain
LIVE at 7am: NASA and ESA astronauts conduct spacewalk outside International Space Station | Associated Press
How They Did It - Roman Corporations (DOCUMENTARY) | Invicta
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CRYPTO & AI NEWS
Ethereum: Dubious Speculation | Benjamin Cowen
Bitcoin VS Gold in 2026 | Coin Bureau
• Why the Bitcoin Rally Looks Like a Vote Against the Dollar [Decrypt]
• Bitget CEO isn’t buying the Bitcoin rally — She’s waiting for $50K [Coin Telegraph]
• Bitcoin Price Breaches $81,000 as Bull Market Momentum Builds [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 Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
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