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 few severe thunderstorms are possible today and Tuesday, mainly in the late afternoon and early evening. The primary concerns from any stronger storms will be damaging wind gusts and excessive rainfall.
2. A cool-down is expected by mid-week that should keep temperatures below normal through the weekend.
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SPONSORSHIPS
WEATHER SPONSOR
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DAY SPONSOR
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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....Mostly sunny this morning, then becoming partly sunny. Areas of fog this morning. A chance of showers. A slight chance of thunderstorms this morning, then a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest this afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.
..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
..TUESDAY....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Patchy fog. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..TUESDAY NIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Showers. Lows in the upper 50s. East winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..WEDNESDAY....Rain. Highs in the lower 60s. East winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Rain, mainly in the evening. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
A few strong to severe storms are possible during the afternoon and early evening hours with damaging winds being the main threat. Heavy downpours will also be possible which could lead to localized flooding.
Thunderstorms are possible at times from Tuesday through Thursday. Isolated strong to severe storms are possible Tuesday. Damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall are the primary hazards.
POLLEN REPORT
Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium-high (7.4 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the medium range (6.2 out of 12.0)
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MACON CALENDAR
(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)
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
Friends of the Greenway would like to invite you to FROG FAIR, our Fall arts & crafts show and music festival on September 19, 2026 from 10-4 at the Greenway Visitor Center/FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main St, Franklin (at the Town bridge). We are providing an outlet for 45 area artists and crafters to showcase their wonderful items for your shopping pleasure! As a fund raiser event for FROG, we collect a vendor registration fee and sell breakfast and lunch items. Area musicians will donate their time and talent throughout the day. Mark your calendar and come enjoy the day. Hope to see you on Sept. 19.
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 91°F in Franklin in 1978
Lowest Temperature 31°F in Highlands in 1918
Greatest Rainfall 2.78 inches in Highlands in 1923
Record weather events for September in Macon County
Highest Temperature 98°F in Franklin on Sep 4, 1975
Lowest Temperature 27°F in Franklin on Sep 30, 1967
Greatest Rainfall 11.87 inches in Highlands on Sep 29, 1964
Greatest Snowfall no measurable snowfall has been recorded since records started being kept in 1873
Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of September
Highest Temperature 108°F Belhaven, Beaufort County Sep 25, 1921
Lowest Temperature 23°F Marion, McDowell County Sep 28, 2000
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 21.04 in Elizabethtown, Bladen County Sep 30, 2018
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WNC News
PGA TOUR boost for local business | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC
• MANNA FoodBank receives $6K check at Biltmore Championship Asheville [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Two years after Helene, recovery remains unfinished across WNC [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• County to continue without data center moratorium [The Franklin Press]
• 25 years of caring: Pregnancy Care Center celebrates milestone, looks to the future [Macon Sense]
• HCA CEO pledges to do better at Mission in closed-door meeting [Asheville Watchdog ]
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NC News
ICE arrests in North Carolina top 5,000 in 2026 so far; leading to fear, anxiety, advocates say | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)
• NC Democrats look to win two deep-red U.S. House seats. Why Trump’s recent NC visit matters [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Under the Dome: How the midterm elections could impact executive and legislative power in NC [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]
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National News
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Sept. 20, 2026 | ABC News
NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Sept. 20 | NBC News
Q&A Podcast: Andrea Mitchell, NBC Chief Washington Correspondent | C-SPAN
• Trump Says Planned Washington Arch Will House Drones and Snipers [Newsweek Magazine]
• Trump on Iran: ‘My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up?’ [The Hill]
• Trump decries Democrats as ‘communists,’ even as he looks to impress China’s communist leader [AP News]
• White House strips CNN of TV pool assignment as Trump’s press ban escalates Yahoo News]
Moscow's worst night? Capital rocked by massive drone and missile attack | World News Tonight | TVP World
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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 | ||
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| to: |
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| cc: |
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| 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 Monday, September 21, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
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