• 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. Diurnal thunderstorms return today, but with a lower heavy rain threat overall than the last few days. Coverage is expected to be mainly confined to North Carolina. A low-end severe weather risk is possible, with damaging wind the main hazard.
2. Diurnal rain and thunder chances continue through at least the end of the week. The pattern becomes murky, but likely still unsettled, through the beginning of 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....Mostly cloudy. Areas of fog this morning. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms this morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then mostly cloudy after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows around 60. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
..THURSDAY....Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
..THURSDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 50s. Northeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
..FRIDAY....Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..FRIDAY NIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Showers likely. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. These may produce some isolated heavy downpours and result in localized flooding.
NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)
State and Local News
• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]
• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]
Heavy rain damages western NC | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
What supplies are needed for your hurricane kit? | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)
• Advocates rally at NC legislature to oppose potential ICE detention expansion [NC Newsline]
• Republican lawmakers consider shortening NC’s early voting period [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• WNC home repairs after Helene face $500 million funding gap [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson faces lawsuit in NC after admitting porn habit [Raleigh News & Observer]
Iran War News
China Now Controls 70% of Shipbuilding: Can the U.S. Make a Comeback? | What's Going on With Shipping?
Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes | BBC News
• Iran Update Special Report, May 26, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]
• France24 Liveblog [France 24]
• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]
• US military says it carried out ‘self-defense’ strikes in Iran, including on missile launch sites [AP News]
• Iran war day 87: Trump says US not in rush to sign deal, dashing optimism [Al Jazeera]
• Trump's Board of Peace's official fund receives 'zero dollars' despite billions pledged - report [Jerusalem Post]
• Iran medicine shortages worsened by war [DW News]
• Trump moves Cabinet meeting from Camp David to White House as Iran talks intensify [Fox News]
World News
U.S. to pull 50% of deep-strike capability from Europe? | Morning Report | TVP World
Trump has ANOTHER medical. What don't we know about Trump's health? | Sky News
• ‘Naturally scared’: India’s Muslims denied public spaces for Eid prayers [Al Jazeera]
• N. Korea tests new lightweight missile launcher, tactical cruise missiles under Kim's watch [Yonhap News Agency]
• Ukraine: EU summons Russian envoy after call to leave Kyiv [DW News]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 26, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• US has deported thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans to danger in Mexico, Human Rights Watch says [AP News]
National News
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 26, 2026 | ABC News
NASA’s Jared Isaacman shares moon base plans | NBC News
• ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an ‘alarming’ rate, an AP investigation finds [AP News]
• US draws up plans to halt immigration, customs processing at 'sanctuary city' airports [Ground News]
• Cook Political Report shifts Texas Senate rating toward Democrats after Paxton runoff victory [The Hill]
• South Carolina Senate adjourns without new map, defying Trump [UPI]
• MAGA triumph: Trump ally Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in bitter Texas GOP primary war [Fox News]
Financial News
Memory Mania Overshadows Investors' Fears Around Iran War | Insight with Haslinda Amin 5/27/2026 | Bloomberg Television
• White House promises lower energy prices 'as soon as the Straits are open,' but analysts say to prepare for a 'Hormuz Hangover' [Yahoo Finance]
• CNBC Daily Open: The $1 trillion club just got bigger [CNBC]
Science and Technology
The Level1 Links with Friends Show May 27 2026: Meta Momfluencers Muddle Murmurs
• Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week – 05/25/2026 [Torrent Freak]
• NASA lays out moon base plans with landers, buggies and drones at the top of the list [NPR]
• NASA takes steps toward building Moon Base, including discussing a “perimeter” [Ars Technica]
• Majority of Americans Support Ban on Surveillance Pricing and Electronic Shelf Labels [Gizmodo]
• Large Hadron Collider detects strange particle behavior that could rewrite physics [Science Daily]
• TeraWulf Stock Pops as Bitcoin Miner Acquires Kentucky Site to Meet AI Power Demands [Decrypt]
• Bitcoin mining stocks jump as AI infrastructure boom boosts sector outlook [Coin Telegraph]
• Trump Appoints Former Attorney General Pam Bondi to White House AI Advisory Panel [Bitcoin.com]
Bitcoins Return to Its Roots: Why Home Mining is Making a Comeback | 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.
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia
Published at 9.00am on Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
News and Weather Briefing for Tuesday, May 26, 2026
• 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. Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms continue into the weekend. Drier conditions may return briefly on Friday but confidence is low. We will have a better shot at dry weather early next week as high pressure builds in from the north.
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....Cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.
..WEDNESDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Showers likely in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows around 60. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..THURSDAY....Partly sunny with a chance of showers. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
..THURSDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then mostly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Locally heavy downpours and flash flooding possible as more showers and thunderstorms occur.
The wet pattern continues on Wednesday and Thursday, although additional heavy rains and flooding aren`t expected those days.
NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)
State and Local News
• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]
• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]
Communities across western North Carolina honor service members on Memorial Day | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
100 Deadliest Days of Summer begins on Memorial Day | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)
• UNC Board of Governors gives initial OK to UNC Wilmington medical school [NC Newsline]
• How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending May 21 [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• NC lawmakers debate changes in adult care home inspections [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• NC snake eats venomous copperheads. What to know about the ‘secretive’ creatures [Raleigh News & Observer]
Iran War News
12 Weeks of Crisis: A Full Recap of the Strait of Hormuz Blockade | Is a Deal Near? | What's Going on With Shipping?
Trump calls critics of his potential Iran deal 'losers' | BBC News
• Iran Update Special Report, May 25, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]
• France24 Liveblog [DW News]
• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]
• US military says it carried out ‘self-defense’ strikes in Iran, including on missile launch sites [AP News]
• Iran war day 87: Trump says US not in rush to sign deal, dashing optimism [Al Jazeera]
• IDF strikes Hezbollah infrastructure targets as Home Front Command tightens northern guidelines [Jerusalem Post]
• US launches 'self-defense strikes' on Iran as Israel orders Hezbollah attacks [DW News]
World News
Pope Leo declares crusade against AI | World News Tonight | TVP World
The World Cup city in the middle of drug cartel heartland | Sky News
• WHO chief says suspected Ebola deaths at 220 as epidemic ‘outpacing us’ [Al Jazeera]
• Lee calls for stepped-up efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines [Yonhap News Agency]
• Uganda confirms 2 new Ebola cases, DRC infections hit 900 [DW News]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 25, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Leaders keep a wary eye on Belarus for signs it might offer Russia help in Ukraine [AP News]
National News
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 25, 2026 | ABC News
Meet the Press NOW — May 25 | NBC News
• Officials lift evacuation orders for some California residents living near a damaged chemical tank [AP News]
• Massie teases 2028 comeback after primary loss to Trump-backed challenger [Ground News]
• Races to watch in Texas’s primary runoffs: Cornyn-Paxton, Chip Roy’s attorney general bid, House contests [The Hill]
• Trump lays wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier [UPI]
• These 5 cities are seeing big home price cuts [Fox News]
Financial News
Why Bitcoin Is The Only Exit From The Federal Reserve | The Wolf Of All Streets
Oil Climbs as US Strikes Iran Targets | The Asia Trade 5/26/2026 | Bloomberg Television
• Oil Rebounds as Strikes Near Strait Muddy Outlook for Iran Deal [Yahoo Finance]
• CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter: Tariffs eased. Trust didn’t. [CNBC]
Science and Technology
Why Does the Universe Exist at All? | Arvin Ash
• Italian Police Target “Previously Unseen” Streaming Piracy Tech That Looks Familiar [Torrent Freak]
• Citing Gandalf, Pope Leo says we must “disarm” AI [Ars Technica]
• China Launched Artificial Embryos to Orbit to Find Out If We Can Have Space Babies [Gizmodo]
• Eating more beans and soy could slash high blood pressure risk by nearly 30% [Science Daily]
• Trump Media Moves Over $200 Million in Bitcoin as Losses Pile Up: Arkham [Decrypt]
• Crypto PAC money pours into Texas primary runoffs, as prediction markets favor challengers [Coin Telegraph]
• Meltem Demirors Says Banks Won as Bitcoin ETFs Pull Crypto Into Wall Street’s Orbit [Bitcoin.com]
Bitcoins Return to Its Roots: Why Home Mining is Making a Comeback | 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.
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia
Published at 9.00am on Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
Monday, May 25, 2026
News and Weather Briefing for Memorial Day, May 25, 2026
• 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. Patchy dense fog is possible through this morning. Another round of rainfall may develop today into tonight, but confidence is limited.
2. Rainy weather with potential for afternoon storms continues through at least Wednesday. A cold front and some drier air may arrive by Thursday, but the pattern is highly uncertain past this point.
WEATHER SPONSOR
This space available
DAY SPONSOR
Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media for today.
They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.
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. A slight chance of showers this morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Patchy fog. Highs in the lower 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Patchy fog in the evening, then areas of fog after midnight. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TUESDAY....Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..TUESDAY NIGHT....Showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening, then showers likely after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.
..WEDNESDAY....Showers likely in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows around 60. Chance of rain 80 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Showers and thunderstorms will affect much of the area today, mainly after 11am
NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)
State and Local News
• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]
• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]
Helene-impacted veteran receives new home | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
Indy Car, NASCAR pay tribute to Kyle Busch three days after his death | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)
• Whatley backs Trump’s $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization fund’ despite GOP revolt on Capitol Hill [NC Newsline]
• NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell tells Kyle Busch family 'we got you' before start of Coca-Cola 600 [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• When is Memorial Day 2026? From Decoration Day to a federal holiday [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Rattlesnakes are part of the routine for workers rebuilding I-40 in Western NC [Raleigh News & Observer]
Iran War News
12 Weeks of Crisis: A Full Recap of the Strait of Hormuz Blockade | Is a Deal Near? | What's Going on With Shipping?
Negotiations towards a deal with Iran are ‘constructive’ says Trump | BBC News
• Iran Update Special Report, May 24, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]
• France24 Liveblog [DW News]
• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]
• Asian shares mostly gain and oil prices fall after Trump says peace talks on Iran war are proceeding [AP News]
• Iran war day 86: Trump announces potential deal amid ‘cloud of mistrust’ [Al Jazeera]
• New US-Iran deal 'bad deal,' fails to address missiles, terror proxies, Israeli sources tell 'Post' [Jerusalem Post]
• Iran war: Trump says US won't 'rush into' deal with Tehran [DW News]
• White House blasts Cruz, Pompeo for trashing Trump peace efforts as Iran appeasement [DW News]
World News
U.S. and Iran close to peace deal, says Trump | World News Tonight | TVP World
Will Russia launch a major offensive on Ukraine this summer? | Sky News
• Africa Day 2026: Has the continent achieved true liberation? [Al Jazeera]
• S. Korean submarine arrives in Canada amid Seoul's bid for US$39.6 bln Canadian submarine deal [Yonhap News Agency]
• Cuba receives China rice shipment amid US threats, blackouts [DW News]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 24, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Young men storm a Congo hospital treating Ebola patients to demand bodies of their kin [AP News]
National News
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 25, 2026 | ABC News
Remembering Kyle Busch | Full Pre-Race Tribute | NASCAR
• Southern California officials trying to prevent explosion or leak from damaged chemical tank [AP News]
• Bystander in serious condition after fatal shooting near White House checkpoint [Ground News]
• After San Diego shooting, Muslim Americans aim to turn grief into action [Al Jazeera]
• Navy chief undercuts Trump and Hegseth on Taiwan, Iran [The Hill]
• 19 hurt when stampede breaks out at S.C. beachfront motorcycle rally [UPI]
• White House gunman had criminal record, history of mental health issues [Fox News]
Financial News
Why Bitcoin’s Real Bull Run Hasn’t Even Started - Adam Back | The Wolf Of All Streets
Iran War: Trump Says 'No Rush' as US, Iran Inch Towards Deal | Daybreak Europe 05/25/2026 | Bloomberg Television
• Stocks and earnings surge, and Iran deal may be imminent: What to watch this week [Yahoo Finance]
• Americans are ‘entrenched’ in financial stress amid debt and price pressures [CNBC]
Science and Technology
We Thought Black Holes Ended in Singularities. They Might End In a Frozen Big Bang. | PBS Space Time
• Anna’s Archive Hit With $19.5m Default Judgment and Global Domain Takedown Order [Torrent Freak]
• SpaceX’s Starship V3—still a work in progress—mostly successful on first flight [Ars Technica]
• 99% of CEOs Expect AI-Driven Layoffs in the Next Two Years [Gizmodo]
• Beet juice lowers blood pressure in older adults in just 2 weeks [Science Daily]
• Now You Can Buy Bitcoin, XRP and More in ChatGPT via MoonPay [Decrypt]
• Crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang joins SpaceX mission to Mars [Coin Telegraph]
• Vitalik Warns Ethereum’s Smart Wallets Have a ‘Relay’ Problem Ahead of Major Upgrade [Bitcoin.com]
How China Hijacked Bernie & AOC's War on AI | Bitcoin Policy Hour EP 38 | 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.
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia
Published at 9.00am on Monday, May 25, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
Friday, May 22, 2026
Mountain Findings Awards $20,000 Impact Scholarship to Highlands High School Senior Claire Worley
Mountain Findings Awards $20,000 Impact Scholarship to Highlands High School Senior Claire Worley
HIGHLANDS, NC — Mountain Findings, a 100% volunteer-run non-profit organization, is proud to announce Claire Worley as the recipient of the 2026 Impact Scholarship Award. Worley, a graduating senior at Highlands High School, will receive a $20,000 four-year scholarship to support her upcoming studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Impact Scholarship Award recognizes a graduating senior who demonstrates financial need and a deep, firsthand understanding of the Mountain Findings mission through active volunteerism. Over the past year, Worley worked extensively alongside the organization's volunteers, assisting shoppers, moving furniture, loading vehicles, and operating the register.
Worley’s long-term career goal is to become a critical care nurse, providing vital medical services both domestically and internationally. By lessening the financial burden of higher education, Mountain Findings aims to empower students like Worley to achieve their academic goals and drive positive future change through their careers and life actions.
According to Dan Rupp, President, "We are incredibly proud to support Claire as she takes this next big step toward her dream of helping others. She has been an invaluable asset to our volunteer team, and we know she will bring that same dedication to her nursing career."
This award is part of a broader commitment by Mountain Findings to support local youth. This year, the organization handed out $64,000 in scholarships to Highlands High School seniors. Additionally, Mountain Findings continues to endow approximately $40,000 in scholarships to past recipients to support them through the completion of their degrees.
About Mountain Findings:
Mountain Findings is a 100% volunteer-run non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the local community and investing in the future of area students through financial aid, ongoing scholarships, and financial support in college, trades, certification, and technology programs.
Weather Briefing for Friday, May 22, 2026
• 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. Developing cold air damming will maintain dreary conditions for today and tonight, with widespread cloudy and rainy conditions. The risk of severe thunderstorms appears low. The risk of flooding rain appears low also, but nonzero,with extremely isolated issues possible going into Friday night.
2. Unsettled weather continues through most of the week as the large-scale pattern ushers Gulf moisture into the Carolinas.
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....Mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers this morning, then showers this afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers likely after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows around 60. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..FRIDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Showers. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 70. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..FRIDAY NIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Showers. Lows around 60. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
..SATURDAY....Showers in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain near 100 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.
..SUNDAY....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..SUNDAY NIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..MEMORIAL DAY....Showers likely in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..MONDAY NIGHT....Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Showers and thunderstorms will affect much of the area today, and a few storms may become strong to severe with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. Heavy rainfall will also accompany any storms.
Gusty winds will be possible in some of the higher elevations today through tonight, with gusts to around 40 mph or higher possible in some wind-prone locations.
Additional rounds of storms are expected on Saturday, a few of which could again produce strong gusty winds.
NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)
State and Local News
• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]
• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]
Bear breaks into home in WNC | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
WNC Interstate continues rebuilding phase almost 2 years after Hurricane Helene | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)
• North Carolina Court of Appeals rejects ‘fair elections’ lawsuit [NC Newsline]
• Did a bot deny your claim? NC lawmakers want to regulate AI in health insurance [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• NASCAR legend Kyle Busch unexpectedly dies in NC. What we know [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Kyle Busch NASCAR timeline: 234 wins, two titles and decades of drama [Raleigh News & Observer]
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.
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia
Published at 9.00am on Friday, May 22, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
Posts
