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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.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Sunday, July 19, 2026

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• 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. Increased convective coverage expected today with some severe thunderstorms. Damaging winds are likely to be the main hazard. Elevated convective coverage continues Monday with a few severe storms. Typical diurnal shower and thunderstorm chances Tuesday, before a cold front brings increased coverage and the potential for more severe weather on Wednesday. ↑ Back to Top

SPONSORSHIPS

WEATHER SPONSOR

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This half price sale is for those who sign up during July and remains effect for the rest of the year. Current sponsors receive the half price discount automatically.

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....Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 50 percent.

.MONDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Mostly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s. Light and variable winds, becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 90 percent.

.MONDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening. Lows in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 70 percent.

.TUESDAY....Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

.TUESDAY NIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Scattered showers and thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening. A few storms may become strong to severe, producing strong gusty winds and localized flooding.

Thunderstorm activity to be more confined to the higher terrain Monday afternoon and evening. Heavy downpours and gusty winds could accompany any storms.

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (2.3 out of 12) today with Grasses, Plantain, Chenopods being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (2.3 out of 3.0).

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

Benefit for Randy Drinnon
July 25th at 5pm
Learn more on Facebook

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

7-18-26—Two Troubadours...George James and Gary Gibson.

7-25-2026---Bill Petersen will be singing the blues along with maybe some originals. Then, up from Florida, hear John Bois and the Emotional Support Band.

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 97°F in Franklin in 1986
Lowest Temperature 47°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2009
Greatest Rainfall 3.79 inches in Highlands in 1959

Record weather events for July in Macon County

Highest Temperature 101°F in Franklin on Jul 29, 1952
Lowest Temperature 34°F in Highlands on Jul 27, 1911
Greatest Rainfall 21.15 inches in Highlands on Jul 29, 1879
Greatest Snowfall no measurable snowfall has been recorded since records started being kept in 1873

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of July
Highest Temperature 109°F Albemarle, Stanly County Jul 28, 1940
Lowest Temperature 32°F Celo, Yancey County Jul 10, 1961
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 21.15 in Highlands, Macon County Jul 29, 1879

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WNC News

Photo ID ballots approved in NC | WLOS-TV Asheville, NC

Reporter Denied Entry At Whatley Campaign Event on Public Property

• Haywood GOP officials bar Citizen Times reporter from Whatley event [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Why Downtown matters. Community conversation with Joe Minicozzi [Macon Sense]
• Asheville Watchdog reporters win top awards for investigations, features, photography [Macon Media]
• Stumped by the dump: Swain grapples with landfill closure, transfer station concerns [Smoky Mountain News]

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NC News

NC farmers say food safety remains top priority amid parasite outbreak ID | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Mass surveillance authorized on NC highways, all other state roads [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Key takeaways from NC auditor’s report on Cary spending and town’s response [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Cooper’s money lead over Whatley continues to grow in NC’s US Senate race [NC Newsline]

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National News

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir | ABC News

NBC Nightly News Full Episode - July 18 | NBC News

• Trump defends data centers, slams New York's 'terrible' moratorium [USA TODAY]
• MyPillow founder not registered to vote in state he wants to lead [The Seattle Times]
• Trump election speech divides a GOP wary of midterms [The Hill]
• Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota pushes farther into the US and engulfs DC in haze [AP News]
• Trump administration activates never-before-used 'alien terrorist' deportation court [Yahoo News]

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World News

Black Sea Escalation: Ukraine Shifts Tactics to Target the Dark Fleet | What's Going on With Shipping?

Two US troops killed and one missing in Iran missile attack | BBC News

• Middle East live: US strikes target Revolutionary Guard to 'punish' Iran for killed troops [France 24]
• Iran Update Special Report, July 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Ukrainian drones strike warehouse of Russia's largest online retailer [TVP World]
• Trump shifts his tone on Jimmy Carter while grappling with Iran, inflation and his own legacy [AP News]

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Iran War News

Iran war enters perilous new phase, with more US troops dead | DW News

• Iran Update Special Report, July 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: US bombs Iran; Trump says soldiers killed ‘a sad thing’ [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: US renews strikes on Iran after two military personnel killed by Iranian attack [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

Did Zelenskyy miscalculate Ukraine’s reshuffle? | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia kill at least 8, wound dozens [Al Jazeera]
• 1 killed, 8 injured in an overnight Russian attack on Kyiv [AP News]

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Financial News

China AI Selloff, Wildfire Smoke, Trump's Clash With Iran | Bloomberg This Weekend: July 18, 2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Trump may have to choose between an endless quagmire and ceding the Strait of Hormuz to Iran [Fortune Magazine]
• Foreclosures hit highest level since 2019, sparking interest from bargain hunters [Yahoo Finance]
• Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce in 27 states due to cyclosporiasis outbreak [CNBC]

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Science News

A Visitor From the Edge of Galactic History: The Truth About 3I/Atlas | Anton Petrov

• NASA’s Artemis III Lander Test Will be a "Dress Rehearsal" for Returning to the Moon! [Universe Today]
• They were drilling off Oregon. What they found could shake the entire West Coast [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 17 – 26 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

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Technology News

The Great Lunar Boom - Building a Civilization on the Moon | Isaac Arthur

• Google-backed satellites for wildfire detection launch as smoke chokes US, Canada [Ars Technica]
• Flock’s CEO Is Sorry for Calling Privacy Activists ‘Terrorists’ [Gizmodo]
• FIFA World Cup Triggers a Global Anti-Piracy Crackdown [Torrent Freaks]

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Interesting Videos

We Asked the Universe About Dark Energy Again. It Gave the Same Strange Answer | PBS Space Time

What Would It Cost to Keep The ISS Up? | Q&A 441 | Fraser Cain

Why the Lunar-Mass Primordial Black Hole Discovery Was Just Debunked | Anton Petrov

Nigeria’s mysterious art treasures | DW Documentary

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CRYPTO NEWS

S&P 500: Seasonal Correction Starting in August/September? | Benjamin Cowen

• Three Men Jailed for Posing as Police in $5.3M UK Crypto Fraud [Decrypt]
• French gambling regulator orders ISPs to block Polymarket [Coin Telegraph]
• Trump’s $1.4B Crypto Income Draws Scrutiny as Senate Weighs CLARITY Act [Bitcoin.com]

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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

We Hacked Flock Safety Cameras in under 30 Seconds. 🫥 | Benn Jordan

• 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:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
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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Support Macon Media

• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at Facebook Subscription
• Become a Patron: patreon.com/MaconMedia
• PayPal: paypal.me/MaconMedia

Published at 6:00am on Sunday, July 19, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

font-size: medium;

Flock Camera Debate: Matthew Crenshaw of Oconee County Council District #2

7/18/2026 04:02:00 AM 4th Amendment , American History , American Revolution , Flock Cameras , US Constitution 0 comments

Flock Safety license plate reader cameras have sparked intense debate in Macon County. While praised for aiding law enforcement in solving crimes and locating missing persons, critics argue the technology enables warrantless mass surveillance that threatens personal privacy and Fourth Amendment rights. In this context, Oconee County Councilman Matt Durham’s recent Facebook video addressing his constituents offers a principled examination of the trade-offs between public safety and individual liberty. This article is divided into parts, the video, a summary, an exploration of the historical and constitutional background, and a transcript of what Councilman Durham said, formatted for reading.

Flock Camera Debate: Matthew Crenshaw of Oconee County Council District #2

Summary

In his July 15, 2026, Facebook Video, Oconee County Councilman Matt Durham informed constituents about Flock Safety ALPR cameras deployed by the Sheriff without county council involvement, public hearing, or ordinance. He noted that South Carolina sheriffs (as in North Carolina) operate as independently elected constitutional officers, limiting council oversight, but stated he would have opposed the cameras had they come before the body.

Durham evaluates decisions using three criteria:

Does it raise taxes? (Minimal impact here, ~$2,500/year per camera.)

Does it grow government? (Yes, by expanding reach.)

Does it infringe personal liberty? (Yes, decisively.) He highlighted how the cameras capture vehicle data, store it in a searchable nationwide database, and enable reconstruction of travel histories without warrants, probable cause, or judicial oversight—bypassing traditional Fourth Amendment protections.

He balanced this by recognizing real benefits: crime-solving, stolen vehicle recovery, identification of suspects, and locating missing vulnerable individuals. Sheriff Crenshaw supports the technology, has testified in its favor, and has implemented local safeguards like audits and required justifications for searches. Durham expressed support for deputies and the goal of public safety but insisted the issue transcends utility to become a core freedom question.

Constitutional Concerns and Historical Parallels

Durham argued that the system sidesteps the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause supported by oath or affirmation. He drew a direct parallel to colonial-era general warrants (writs of assistance), which allowed broad, suspicionless searches by British officials. These were fiercely opposed by James Otis in his 1761 speech, where he famously declared that such instruments annihilated liberty and that "a man's house is his castle." Otis's arguments profoundly influenced the Founders and the inclusion of the Fourth Amendment.

The Tenth Amendment Center and privacy advocates have similarly critiqued modern mass surveillance tools like ALPR networks for enabling "general warrant"-style tracking through technology, eroding expectations of privacy in public movements (echoing Carpenter v. United States principles on long-term location data).

Durham distinguished phone tracking (opt-out possible; requires judicial warrant) from passive camera surveillance (inescapable on public roads; no prior judicial check). He rejected the "nothing to hide" argument, asserting that in a free society, the government must justify its actions to the people, not vice versa. He raised practical risks: potential abuse (citing recent Greer, SC firings), private company data storage and hacking vulnerabilities, and limited local control over a national network.

He called for transparency, encouraged attendance at the upcoming County Council committee meeting with Sheriff Crenshaw, and invited public questions. Durham stressed ongoing dialogue with the county attorney and sheriff while committing not to erode liberties incrementally for security gains—a theme resonant with Founding-era warnings against trading essential liberty for temporary safety.

Historical and Constitutional Background General warrants were broad legal instruments used by the British government that authorized officials to search any property or arrest any person without specifying the location, items, or individuals involved. In the American colonies, these were primarily implemented as Writs of Assistance, which gave customs officers unlimited power to search for smuggled goods, effectively placing the liberty of every colonist in the hands of petty officers. The controversy peaked in 1761 when lawyer James Otis challenged the writs in the Massachusetts Superior Court, arguing they violated fundamental English rights and the principle that "a man's home is his castle." Although Otis lost the case, his arguments galvanized colonial resistance; John Adams later described the event as the "spark in which originated the American Revolution." This widespread outrage directly motivated the Founding Fathers to prohibit general warrants in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that future searches required specific warrants based on probable cause. Sources Used "General Warrants: From Colonial British to the NSA and FBI Today" | Tenth Amendment Center https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2014/10/15/general-warrants-from-colonial-british-to-the-nsa-and-fbi-today/ "Against Writs of Assistance (1761) by James Otis" https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/james-otis-against-writs-of-assistance-february-24-1761 "Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution" | Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Verbatim Transcript (Cleaned and Readable Format)

Speaker: Matt Durham, Oconee County Councilman, District 2

Date: July 15, 2026

Hey, folks, Matt Durham here. So let's talk about Flock cameras. And to be honest, until people started reaching out to me several months ago, I had never heard of Flock. The issue never came before county council, and there was never a vote. There was no ordinance and no public hearing on this installation of these cameras.

And that's because in South Carolina, the sheriffs, they're constitutional officers elected directly by you, the people. He runs his office the way he sees fit. County council does not run it for him. But I can tell you this, that if it did come before county council, I would have voted no. And here's why.

It's because I run every decision through three simple questions. And if the answer is yes to any one of them, I vote no. And the first is, does it raise taxes? These cameras probably would not have raised taxes to about $2,500 a year a piece. Sheriff has five.

Now. There's others in the county from the municipalities in the state, but it would not raise taxes. The second is, does it grow government? I'd say at the very least, these cameras expand government's reach. And the third is, does it infringe on personal liberty?

And in my opinion, it blows right past this one. These cameras, they record vehicles that pass them and store that information in a searchable database that's connected together all the cameras throughout the whole country, not just in Oconee County, South Carolina, but the whole country is connected together. And they can help reconstruct where a vehicle has traveled. So there's no warrant that's required before this information is collected or used. And there's no jurors that stand between you and the government when that data is gathered or used.

So here's what I do believe. I believe that something with this much impact on privacy ought to face the public before it goes up, not have to get explained after the fact. So I want to be fair, because the cameras, they do do real good. In my research, I found in conversation with the sheriff that they do solve crimes. And right here in Oconee county, they've solved crimes.

They've recovered stolen vehicles to help identify suspects. They help locate missing children and missing elderly citizens. And Sheriff Crenshaw, he supports this technology, and he's testified before the South Carolina Senate in favor of it. He has said that lives have been saved, and I take him at his word on that. Listen, I support our deputies, and that's not changing.

And if you want criminals caught and children found, you're not wrong. And I want that, too. But let me tell you what I believe it costs because this technology does come with a cost beyond the $2,500 per year. Because this isn't a technology debate, this is a freedom debate. And here's what I believe it does.

I believe it side steps the Fourth Amendment. So the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution says that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated. And no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation. So we have probable cause under oath. So why did our founders put that in the constitution? It was because the crown used what was called general warrants.

There was no named suspect, there was no specific crime. There was a piece of paper that let the King's men search whoever they please and go looking for a reason afterwards. Our founders bled to end that. Now look at what we built on our roads. There's no named suspect, no specific crime.

A system that watches everyone, records everyone, and then the government can go looking for a reason afterwards. And when you combine these camera systems with artificial intelligence, folks, you're looking at the digital equivalent of a general warrant. The Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution was not repealed, but what we now have is a system of cameras that can work around many of the protections the Fourth Amendment was designed to protect. So somebody I know, somebody saying, well Matt, your phone tracks you. What's the difference?

Well here's the difference. One, you can choose to leave your phone at the house. But two, if law enforcement wants the location history off your phone, they have to go before a judge. They swear an affidavit under oath and they show probable cause. So there's a jury that's standing between the government and your private data.

That's how the Constitution was designed. But these cameras, they skip that step. There's no judge, there's no oath, there's no probable cause before the data is collected or used. You're alive because you exist and you drove down the road. And if somebody tells you, well, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.

Well to that I say no sir. Because a free man doesn't justify his innocence to his government. The government justifies itself to him. And when we start getting that turned around, we no longer have a free country. So listen, there's been documented cases of this system being abused throughout the country.

In just this week it was reported that two officers in Greer were fired for abusing the Flock system. Now that's Greer an hour down the road. That's not Oconee County. And listen, I have no reports, no reason to believe anything like that has happened here. And I'm not suggesting it has or that it is happening.

But my concern is not with the people who wear the Oconee County Sheriff's Office uniform. It's with the design of the system itself. The data stored on a service operated by a private company. How many times has data been hacked by private companies? A company that does not answer to you on election day like I do.

And the data does not stay here in Oconee County. I've spoken with Sheriff Crenshaw and he's put safeguards in place. He conducts regular audits and he requires a specific reason every time someone searches the system. And I appreciate that. But Sheriff Crenshaw, he can audit his people.

He cannot audit every other agency that has access to this nationwide network. He can control his people. He cannot control theirs. So hear me plainly. This is not about lack of trust of a sheriff's office in Oconee County.

It's a lack of trust in every other agency that may have access to this network. So put it plainly. In general, I do not trust the government. I don't trust big data and I don't trust big tech. But this Tuesday at 4:30 in the afternoon, the County Council Law Enforcement, Public Health and Public Safety Committee will be meeting.

And Sheriff Crenshaw will be there because he's offered to be there. So he's going to answer questions about these cameras for the committee. So I want you to come hear him out. He knows his technology better than I do, and he's going to bring answers that I don't have. I don't serve on that committee.

So I'll be sitting in the audience just like you, listening. Because here's the thing. You and I have both been talking about these cameras in text messages, emails, Facebook comments, in the grocery store for months. But Tuesday we get a chance to hear directly from Sheriff Crenshaw himself. And listen, I don't know where this discussion ends.

I honestly don't know. I'm working with a county attorney to look at solutions that county council has as well as communicating with the sheriff. And I'm thankful that he's coming on Tuesday. And it's part of us working through this together. But I do know that I'm not [going to] sacrifice my children's freedom.

Listen, we never lose freedom all at once. It's chipped away piece by piece. And there's always a good excuse to give up that piece each time. But listen, none of us can make informed decisions until we understand exactly how this system works. That's what I've been trying to do for the last few months.

That's what we're continuing to do as a council. Now coming Tuesday night, and that's why Tuesday matters. So if you're available 4:30pm Tuesday, come on out to the County Council chambers on Pine Street in Walhalla and listen to the sheriff. If you have questions for the committee, send them to me. Hey, comment on this video directly and I'll try to gather them.

If it's shared, come back to the main video and leave them. And I'll send those to the committee members so they can gather them, ask questions about this system. So listen, I appreciate and thank you for allowing me to serve, and I hope everyone has a blessed night. And God bless.

News and Weather Briefing for Friday, July 17, 2026

7/17/2026 05:12:00 AM 2026 Weather , Daily Weather Briefing 0 comments

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• 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. Hot and humid conditions linger through the weekend.

2. Coverage of mainly diurnal showers and thunderstorms will increase through weekend as a weak cold front moves through our area. ↑ Back to Top

SPONSORSHIPS

WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

This half price sale is for those who sign up during July and remains effect for the rest of the year. Current sponsors receive the half price discount automatically.

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

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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. Sunny this morning, then partly sunny with showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. North winds around 5 mph this morning, becoming light and variable. Chance of rain 70 percent.

.TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

.SATURDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Mostly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then partly sunny with showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

.SATURDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

.SUNDAY....Partly sunny. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Increased chances of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could become strong, with torrential rains and flash flooding as the main concerns.

Showers and storms this weekend could possibly become strong to marginally severe. Torrential rains and flash flooding, especially over already saturated areas, will be the main concerns.

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (3.1 out of 12) today with Grasses, Plantain, Chenopods being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (2.8 out of 3.0).

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

Benefit for Randy Drinnon
July 25th at 5pm
Learn more on Facebook

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 98°F in Franklin in 1980
Lowest Temperature 41°F in Highlands in 1904
Greatest Rainfall 2.04 inches in Highlands in 1963

Record weather events for July in Macon County

Highest Temperature 101°F in Franklin on Jul 29, 1952
Lowest Temperature 34°F in Highlands on Jul 27, 1911
Greatest Rainfall 21.15 inches in Highlands on Jul 29, 1879
Greatest Snowfall no measurable snowfall has been recorded since records started being kept in 1873

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of July
Highest Temperature 109°F Albemarle, Stanly County Jul 28, 1940
Lowest Temperature 32°F Celo, Yancey County Jul 10, 1961
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 21.15 in Highlands, Macon County Jul 29, 1879

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WNC News

WNC county to remove Flock license plate reader cameras | WLOS-TV Asheville, NC

• Big Brother takes a hit. County says no to Flock cameras [Macon Sense]
• Macon County Board of Commissioners July 14, 2026, Part One Introduction and Public Comment [Macon Media]
• Stumped by the dump: Swain grapples with landfill closure, transfer station concerns [Smoky Mountain News]
• Parasitic illness cases reported in Buncombe County [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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NC News

NCSBE approves change to how county boards of elections handle ballots without photo ID | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Democrats on NC Elections Board call for investigation into recently resigned staffer [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• NC State Auditor releases audit on Cary spending. Read the full report [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Democrats’ request to question Woodhouse at the NC elections board is rejected. [NC Newsline]

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National News

Dangerous wildfire smoke blankets 19 states: ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - July 16, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - July 16 | Stomach illness, Bad air quality, Trump speechwriter | NBC News

President Trump Addresses the Nation | C-SPAN

• Fact-checking Trump's address: What he said about China and 2020 election, what documents show [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Trump rails against China in new 2020 election claims disputed by critics [The Hill]
• AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say [AP News]
• Family believes substance in Houston ICE shooting van is salt, attorney says, countering FBI suspicion of drugs [Yahoo News]

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World News

Targeting the Supply Lines (July 6-15): Imagery of All 136 Strikes | What's Going on With Shipping?

Iran targets military bases as US launches wave of strikes | BBC News

• China's Xi urges global cooperation on AI, warns against single-country dominance [France 24]
• Iran Update Special Report, July 16, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 16, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Belarus launches 'bomb shelter checks'. Is Russian pressure at play? [TVP World]
• (video) Train crew in Canada surrounded by intense flames [AP News]

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Financial News

Chip Selloff Deepens as Oil Climbs | Horizons Middle East & Africa 7/17/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Buffett says AI giants are ‘playing a game they don’t want to play’ in the AI race, reveals he was behind Berkshire’s $31 billion bet on Google [Fortune Magazine]
• China's Moonshot unveils world's largest open AI model, closing in on US rivals [Yahoo Finance]
• SpaceX aborts Starship test flight, sending stock lower [CNBC]

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Science News

A New Venus Life Panspermia Possibility | John Michael Godier

• Satellite Images of Pengiun Poo Reveal Climate Change's Impact on the Species [Universe Today]
• This ancient sea worm has “bio-metal” jaws unlike anything scientists have seen [ScienceDaily]
• First Atmosphere Detected on a Terrestrial World [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

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Technology News

Starship aborted launch, 16 July 2026 | FSciNews

• How hard is it to build orbital data centers, actually? [Ars Technica]
• A Rare Atlantic Niña Is Emerging Amid a Super El Niño. Here’s What That Means [Gizmodo]
• EU’s Top Court: Geo-Blocking Protects Publishers in Copyright Disputes, VPNs Not Liable [Torrent Freaks]

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Interesting Videos

CRYPTO NEWS

Bitcoin Market Cycles | Benjamin Cowen

• Feds Arrest Florida Man Over Video Game Malware That Stole $220K in Crypto [Decrypt]
• Bitcoin $107K buyers providing ‘early signals’ of 2026 bear-market bottom: Glassnode [Coin Telegraph]
• Peter Schiff Says Strategy Is No Longer a Leveraged Bitcoin Bet, Warns MSTR Shareholders of Infinite Dilution [Bitcoin.com]

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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
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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