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Thursday, June 18, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Thursday, June 18, 2026

6/18/2026 05:07:00 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. Rain chances increase this afternoon through tonight as the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur cross the area. Widespread rainfall and embedded thunder are expected; instances of locally heavy rainfall and damaging wind cannot be ruled out. A cold front will bring an end to the rain by late Friday.

2. Dry conditions briefly settle over the area Saturday, then diurnal rain chances return Sunday and continue through the middle of next week.

3. Increased Fire Danger this afternoon across the NC Piedmont, as strong gusty winds and hot temperatures overlap with critically dry fuels.

WEATHER SPONSOR

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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 chance of showers and thunderstorms this morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..TONIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms. Showers, mainly in the evening. Patchy fog. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

..JUNETEENTH....Partly sunny in the morning, then clearing. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the morning.

..FRIDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

..SATURDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs around 80. North winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon.

..SATURDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.

..SUNDAY....Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER



A frontal system will approach the area later this morning. Multiple rounds of showers and storms are possible into late tonight. A few strong to marginally severe storms are possible, along with isolated flooding. Damaging wind gusts the only concern with any storm that may become severe.

Also, strong winds are likely in the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains into the early morning hours, while breezy conditions can be expected in the valley later today.





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




State and Local News






• Future of the Macon County Library and the Fontana Regional Library Discussed by Commissioners and the Public [ Macon Media ]

(video) Macon County Public Library Board (06-16-2026) | Macon Media



(video) Buncombe County ranks 5th for fentanyl death rate | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



• A sweeping election bill is on hold as Senate leaders propose giving auditor more power over voting process. Here’s how to weigh in. [NC Local]

• Delivery drones, e-bikes and driver’s license renewals in focus at NC legislature [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• NC House elections bill adds requisites for military, overseas voters [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• NC doctor anticipates summer COVID spike. Watch for these symptoms [Raleigh News & Observer]



Iran War News


US and Iran peace plan full details - end to hostilities “on all fronts” | BBC News



Did Iran Just Break the U.S. Blockade? 5 Million Barrels of Iranian Oil at Sea (17 June 2026) | What's Going on With Shipping?



• Iran Update Special Report, June 17, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• France24 Liveblog [France 24]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Fox News Liveblog [Fox News]

• US and Iran sign initial deal to end war, ease sanctions and open strait as nuclear talks continue [AP News]

• Iran war day 111: Tehran warns US as 14-point plan takes effect [Al Jazeera]

• Why on Earth would Trump endorse Iran's ballistic missile program - comment [Jerusalem Post]

• What's in the 14-point US-Iran peace plan? [DW News]

• Oil prices fluctuate as Trump's Iran deal could fully reopen Strait of Hormuz [Fox News]



World News


Ukraine & Iran-dominated G7 summit concludes | World News Tonight | TVP World



G7 summit hailed a success by Macron thanks to developments on Ukraine and Iran | FRANCE 24 English



• (video) Inside Story: Will Ukraine become an EU member? [Al Jazeera]

• Seoul stocks end at record peak of above 9,000 on extended chip rally [Yonhap News Agency]

• NATO chief focuses on alliance unity after US alters pledges [DW News]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 17, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]


National News


Tropical storm and tornado strike: ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - June 17, 2026 | ABC News



NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - June 17 | Delaware hospital shooting, FBI foils White House plot | NBC News



• ‘A million years isn’t enough': Victims’ relatives confront Gilgo Beach serial killer at sentencing [AP News]

• Trump defends letting Iran maintain missile arsenal [Ground News]

• Most believe civil liberties under threat: Survey [The Hill]

• Georgia Republicans reject bid to redraw congressional maps [UPI]

• Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson's roommate and lover received limited immunity: prosecutors [Fox News]


Financial News


FOMC Press Conference, June 17, 2026 | Federal Reserve



Economist Says Weakening Central Bank Independence Is a “Popular Idea” | FRONTLINE PBS



Trump Signs US-Iran Deal, Warsh Fuels Fed Rate Hike Bets | Daybreak Europe 6/18/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Gold Jumps as US-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Counters Hawkish Fed [Yahoo Finance]

• Oil falls as International Energy Agency forecasts supply glut next year after U.S.-Iran deal [CNBC]


Science and Technology


The Oxygen Solution to the Fermi Paradox | John Michael Godier



• Music Publishers Truncated Musk’s ‘DMCA Plague’ Tweet to Back Piracy Case, X Tells Court [Torrent Freak]

• AI coding agents taught robots how to install GPUs and cut zip ties [Ars Technica]

• Russia Might Be Ready to Give Up on Its Leaky ISS Module [Gizmodo]

• Researchers found 8 common food additives linked to high blood pressure and heart disease [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1331: A drug for cervical cancer [Microbe TV]

Deep-Sea Explorers Found Something We’ve Never Seen Before | 7 Days of Science




AI and Crypto News


Kevin Warsh's First FOMC as Fed Chair | Benjamin Cowen



• France to Phase Out Non-Quantum Encryption as Bitcoin Security Concerns Grow [Decrypt]

• Ryan Salame’s wife to face charges over FTX-funded congressional run [Coin Telegraph]

• Tether Trims Bitdeer Stake After AI Push Lifts Bitcoin Mining Stock [Bitcoin.com]

Spotlight Series Ep. 2: Rep. Nick Begich | 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, June 18, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Read More

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

North Carolina Requires Enhanced Veterinary Standards for Livestock and Pets from Screwworm-Affected States"

6/17/2026 02:05:00 PM 0 comments

Due to the detection of New World Screwworm in the United States, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will enforce additional interstate movement health requirements for warm-blooded animals, including livestock, horses, dogs and cats, entering North Carolina from states affected by a New World Screwworm Infested Zone.

All warm-blooded animals imported into North Carolina from an Infested Zone must have an accredited veterinarian complete the normal importation requirements and comply with the NWS National Continuity of Business Standardized Animal Movement Guidance. Learn more in the release below! #NCAgriculture

More info: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/06/15/ncdacs-enacts-movement-restrictions-animals-imported-states-affected-new-world-screwworm

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News and Weather Briefing for Wednesday, June 17, 2026

6/17/2026 04:56:00 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. Rain chances increase again Thursday into Friday as the remnants of a tropical low approaches the area from the Gulf. Locally heavy rainfall and damaging winds cannot be ruled out. Drier conditions return over the weekend behind a cold front.

WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available


/>

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 around 80. West winds around 5 ph.

..TONIGHT....Mostly clear in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 40 percent.

..THURSDAY....A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

..THURSDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..JUNETEENTH....Partly sunny with a chance of showers. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

..FRIDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

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






• Future of the Macon County Library and the Fontana Regional Library Discussed by Commissioners and the Public [ Macon Media ]

(video) Macon County Public Library Board (06-16-2026) | Macon Media



(video) Expected impacts latest likely tropical storm | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



• Protests in Raleigh as NC lawmakers push for election law changes [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• NC House elections bill adds requisites for military, overseas voters [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• NC opts out of ‘State Fair’ celebration for America’s 250th, citing finances [Raleigh News & Observer]



Iran War News


Trump says Iran will 'never have a nuclear weapon’, as he attends G7 summit | BBC News



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

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• France24 Liveblog [France 24]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Fox News Liveblog [Fox News]

• Trump goes after Netanyahu as he pursues deal with Iran, putting their friendship to the test [AP News]

• Iran war day 109: Tehran, Washington, sign MoU electronically [Al Jazeera]

• Iran has fired drones at commercial ships in Hormuz strait since MoU's signing, source tells 'Post' [Jerusalem Post]

• US, Iran, Hezbollah spar over murky terms of ceasefire deal [DW News]

• Vance reveals Trump lesson guiding Iran deal strategy as Tehran faces 60-day deadline [Fox News]



World News


Moscow oil refinery hit in retaliation for strike on Kyiv cathedral | World News Tonight | TVP World



Russian warship fires 'warning shots' at UK yacht in Channe | FRANCE 24 English



• Trump says he will push for peace in Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy at G7 [Al Jazeera]

• Gov't to ease civilian-restricted inter-Korean border boundaries for wider public access [Yonhap News Agency]

• G7 vows new Russia sanctions amid optimism for Ukraine peace [DW News]

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


National News


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



NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - June 16 | Delaware hospital shooting, FBI foils White House plot | NBC News



• Authorities say they disrupted planned drone, gun attack on White House UFC cage-fighting show [AP News]

• Former Trump Attorneys, Aides Plead Not Guilty to Wisconsin Fake Elector Felony Charges [Ground News]

• Trump falls short in Georgia governor’s race: 5 takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries [The Hill]

• Trump says he'll send Iran deal to Congress for approval [UPI]

• Democracy ’26: Live primary results from DC, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and California [Fox News]


Financial News


Trump to Offer Iran Financial Boost in Peace Deal | Daybreak Europe 6/17/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Fed expected to hold rates steady this week as rate hike talks heat up and US strikes a deal with Iran [Yahoo Finance]

• Central banks are bringing gold reserves home as geopolitical risks rise [CNBC]


Science and Technology


Computex 2026: Not Start Ups... Slop Ups... | Level1Techs



• Music Labels Win Canadian Site Blocking Order Against Y2Mate, YTMP3, and Savefrom [Torrent Freak]

• Trump admin tries to block Clean Air Act lawsuit over xAI’s gas turbines [Ars Technica]

• For the First Time, ChatGPT Reportedly Has Less Than Half of the AI Assistant Market [Gizmodo]

• New plasma trick could unlock smaller, more powerful computer chips [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1330: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]

America Spent $500 Million Fighting Kudzu. Three Unexpected Species Did It For Free | Agriculture Flow




AI and Crypto News


The SpaceX IPO | Benjamin Cowen



• Alibaba Is Building Qwen-Robot: The Operating System for the Robot Economy [Decrypt]

• Congress reaches deal on housing bill with CBDC ban until 2030 [Coin Telegraph]

• FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Wants to Launch a New Token After Prison [Bitcoin.com]

AI's Nuclear Arms Control Moment: Fable, Mythos & Wargaming Cyber 9/11 | BPH Ep 40 | 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 Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Read More

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Tuesday, June 16, 2026

6/16/2026 05:28:00 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 with below-normal temperatures and comfortable humidity today. Rain chances remain low overall, but a few showers are possible in the lower Piedmont this evening through Wednesday.

2. Humidity and rain chances increase Thursday, with periods of rain and gusty winds likely at times Thursday afternoon through Friday evening. Locally heavy rainfall and stronger, damaging winds cannot be completely ruled out either of those days. Drier air is expected to return for the weekend.

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. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. West winds around 5 mph.

..WEDNESDAY....Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

..THURSDAY....Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..THURSDAY NIGHT....Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then showers likely after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 90 percent.

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






• Future of the Macon County Library and the Fontana Regional Library Discussed by Commissioners and the Public [ Macon Media ]

(video) Macon County Planning Board (June 2026) | Macon Media



(video) Elk: A Reintroduction (The true story about elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



El Charro Structure Fire Closes Several Businesses | Macon Media




• Proposed NC election law would increase secrecy for political donors, change audit rules [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• North Carolina’s Senate race no longer a toss-up, top forecasters say [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• JetZero lands in Greensboro, as construction starts on record-setting, NC-funded site [Raleigh News & Observer]



Iran War News


Trump says deal to end war with Iran already signed and details released 'pretty soon' | BBC News



• Iran Update Special Report, June 15, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• France24 Liveblog [France 24]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Fox News Liveblog [Fox News]

• Trump’s Iran deal greeted with skepticism and scrutiny on Capitol Hill [AP News]

• Iran war day 108: Iran, US reach a tentative deal to end conflict [Al Jazeera]

• Israel cannot applaud an Iran deal that leaves key threats intact - editorial [Jerusalem Post]

• Iran updates: Netanyahu refrains from criticizing Iran deal [DW News]

• US could reimpose naval blockade if Iran 'misbehaves,' military analyst warns [Fox News]



World News


Russian strike damages UNESCO-listed monastery complex in Kyiv | World News Tonight | TVP World



Iran war 'has been a strategic disaster for the State of Israel', analyst says | FRANCE 24 English



• ‘Island surrounded by war’: Crimeans panic amid Ukrainian attacks [Al Jazeera]

• Pope Leo XIV's visit to N. Korea depends on Pyongyang's determination: cardinal [Yonhap News Agency]

• G7 summit: Ukraine and Iran head agenda [DW News]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 15, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]


National News


ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - June 15, 2026 | ABC News



B-52 Bomber Crash, Iran Deal, Flash Floods | NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - June 15 | NBC News



• Live updates: Trump joins other world leaders in France for second day of G7 summit [AP News]

• Green algae return to reflecting pool days into Trump’s renovation [Ground News]

• Carville: Trump ‘going to walk away’ from presidency by next Easter [The Hill]

• Trump heads to France for first G7 meeting since start of Iran war [UPI]

• Teen accused of killing stepsister on Carnival cruise ship ordered detained before murder trial [Fox News]


Financial News


G7 Allies Question Trump's Hormuz Optimism; Stocks Waver | Horizons Middle East & Africa 6/16/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 31-year high [Yahoo Finance]

• SpaceX IPO raises total of $85.7 billion as underwriters exercise ‘greenshoe’ overallotment option [CNBC]


Science and Technology


What really happened to the last Neanderthals? | Stefan Milo



• Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week – 06/15/2026 [Torrent Freak]

• Key mission for Europe’s commercial space enterprise scrubbed again [Ars Technica]

• Meta Is Testing Police Surveillance Tech for Its Smart Glasses [Gizmodo]

• Your brain was never designed for this much bad news [Science Daily]

• Beyond the Noise #108: President Trump’s childhood vaccine schedule [Microbe TV]

America Spent $500 Million Fighting Kudzu. Three Unexpected Species Did It For Free | Agriculture Flow




AI and Crypto News


Bitcoin: Time-Based Capitulation | Benjamin Cowen



• US Government Orders Anthropic to Pull Claude Fable, Mythos AI Models [Decrypt]

• Anthropic shutdown makes a strong case for decentralized AI: Grayscale [Coin Telegraph]

• Elon Musk's Net Worth Hits $1.3 Trillion as SpaceX Nears $3 Trillion Valuation [Bitcoin.com]

AI's Nuclear Arms Control Moment: Fable, Mythos & Wargaming Cyber 9/11 | BPH Ep 40 | 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 Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Read More