Thunder Pig

• 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. Quiet conditions continue for most of Monday before a decaying convective line crosses the area Tuesday morning.

2. Two frontal systems bring rain chances Wednesday and again early in the weekend.

WEATHER SPONSOR

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DAY 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....Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

..TUESDAY....Showers likely, mainly in the morning. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.

..WEDNESDAY....A chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

A statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service is currently in place. Open burning of any kind is illegal.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected Monday through Thursday. The potential for widespread severe weather is low at this time, but isolated storms may produce gusty winds, small hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rain.

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

State and Local News

Senator calls for hospital impact report at HCA stockholder meeting; proposal fails | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)

• Some NC candidates reject parties. Here’s how they get on your ballot. [NC Local]

• Water wars: Booming population, drought driving tension in NC statehouse and beyond [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Asheville Tourists' celebrate opening day at renamed McCormick Field [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• NC lawmakers used campaign money on travel, food and rent. See top spenders [Raleigh News & Observer]

April 25th Presidential Assassination Attempt

Secret Service react to Shooter at White House Correspondents' Dinner | PBS NewsHour

Security Footage of Secret Service Checkpoint | C-SPAN

White House Correspondents' Association Dinner (Full Video) | PBS NewsHour

D.C. officials share updates on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting | PBS NewsHour

• WHCA dinner shaken by shooting; Trump evacuated, gunman faces charges [The Hill]

Trump holds press conference after shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner | PBS NewsHour

Suspect identified in White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting incident | ABC News

• Inside the Ballroom: Chaos and Confusion [Politico Magazine]

• Who is Cole Allen? California man named as suspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting [Fox News]

• Shots fired as gunman charges toward ballroom at White House correspondents’ dinner. Trump unharmed [AP News]

• How gunfire sparked chaos at Trump press dinner [BBC News]

Iran War News

Is the US Blockade Against Iran Really Working? | Sealift & the US Merchant Marine | What's Going on With Shipping?

Trump cancels US delegation trip to Pakistan for Iran peace talks | DW News

• Iran Update Special Report, April 25, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• AP News Liveblog [AP News]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• BBC Liveblog [BBC News]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Fox News Liveblog [Fox News]

• Talks in Pakistan on hold as Iran’s top diplomat leaves Islamabad and Trump’s envoys are a no-show [AP News]

• Iran war: What’s happening on day 58 as Tehran-Washington talks stall? [Al Jazeera]

• US cancels envoy travel, shifts from talks to pressure as Iran’s divisions deepen - analysis [Jerusalem Post]

• In 8 weeks, the Iran war has dented the U.S. economy. The damage could linger, economists say [CBS News]

Trump cancels US delegation trip to Pakistan for Iran peace talks | DW News

World News

Ukraine accuses Russia of 'nuclear terrorism' on 40th anniversary of Chernobyl | BBC News

• Colombia highway bomb attack kills 14 [DW News]

• (Yonhap Interview) UNC deputy chief cautions against changes to 'proven framework' over DMZ control [Yonhap News Agency]

• World leaders react to Washington gala shooting [France 24]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 25, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

Peace talks: Will Putin agree to meet Zelenskyy? | World News Tonight | TVP World

National News

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - April 25, 2026 | ABC News

• A sudden shift: ICE arrests drop nearly 12% after Minneapolis killings and immigration shake-up [AP News]

• Mexico says 2 US federal agents who died were not authorized to participate in any local operation [Politico]

• Trump looks to dazzle royals while UK’s ‘special relationship’ in peril [The Hill]

• Democrats divided on whether removing Trump is a useful midterm message [Reuters]

• Michelle Obama agrees with Angel Reese’s decision to accept a fine to avoid reporters [Fox News]

Financial News

Bloomberg This Weekend | Mix Messages on Iran Talks, DOJ ends Powell probe, Trump's "Triumphal Arch" | Bloomberg Television

• Why the Iran war might not raise your grocery bill until next year [Yahoo Finance]

• Politics U.S. imposes sanctions on Chinese ‘teapot’ refinery for buying Iranian oil [CNBC]

Science and Technology

Experimental Evidence That Universe Could Just Vanish One Day | Anton Petrov

• Palantir employees are talking about company’s “descent into fascism” [Ars Technica]

• Largest 3D Map of the Universe Is Adding Serious Fuel to the Cosmology Crisis [Gizmodo]

• DNA research just rewrote the origin of human species [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1317: Dead shrimp walking [Microbe TV]

The AI Question that No AI Person Asks | vlogbrothers

Crypto News

Bitcoin: Heikin-Ashi Candles | Benjamin Cowen

• Elon Musk’s Grok Most Likely Among Top AI Models to Reinforce Delusions: Study [Decrypt]

• Trump’s official memecoin extends slide as he hosts exclusive investor gala [Coin Telegraph]

• ‘The Whole World Is a Casino’ – Bitcoin Rallies Again, and so Does Belief – Week in Review [Bitcoin.com]

Support Macon Media

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Published at 6.00am on Monday, April 27, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

Weather Briefing for Sunday, April 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. A dry air mass settles into the western Carolinas for Sunday behind a weakening cold front. Seasonable temperatures and dry conditions will continue.

2. A series of storm systems will bring several rounds of rain chances through the week. Confidence in timing and any severe potential remains low at this time.

WEATHER SPONSOR

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DAY 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....Patchy fog this morning. Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

..MONDAY....Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

..MONDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

..TUESDAY....Showers. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening, then showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 80 percent.

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

State and Local News

False school threats strain safety resources and can bring serious charges, police warn | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)

• Law-and-order Senate nominee Michael Whatley faced arrest for skipping court in 2015 NC traffic case [NC Newsline]

• How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending April 24 [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Ingles board fight: Proxy advisors back Sackler-linked firm for board [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• NC Rep. Carla Cunningham switches party affiliation after losing March primary [Raleigh News & Observer]

April 25th Presidential Assassination Attempt

Secret Service react to Shooter at White House Correspondents' Dinner | PBS NewsHour

Iran War News

World News

National News

Financial News

Science and Technology

Crypto News

Support Macon Media

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

Become a Patron!

Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia

Published at 6.00am on Sunday, April 26, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

Weather Briefing for Saturday, April 25, 2026

4/25/2026 04:46:00 AM 2026 Weather , Daily Weather Briefing 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. A round of much-needed rainfall will provided some relief from ongoing drought conditions Saturday, as a cold front crosses the area from the west.

2. A series of frontal systems have the potential to bring rain chances next week. However, confidence is low regarding the daily forecast as timing differences continue in the model guidance.

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....A chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers this morning, then showers this afternoon. Highs around 70. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows around 50. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

..SUNDAY....Mostly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the mid 70s. North winds around 5 mph.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. East winds around 5 mph.

..MONDAY....Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

..MONDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers after midnight. Lows around 50. Chance of rain 30 percent.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

A statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service is currently in place. Open burning of any kind is illegal.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected today through Thursday. The potential for widespread severe weather is low at this time, but isolated storms may produce gusty winds, small hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rain.

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

State and Local News

Fire rips through historic building in Asheville's River Arts District (04-24-2026) | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)

360 Aerial View of the Wayah Bald Tower by Franklin NC DJI 0087 | Tibi Highland Rider

• North Carolina educators plan May Day march on Raleigh for public school funding [NC Newsline]

• NC lawmakers revisit marijuana policy as Trump reclassifies drug [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Salvage Station fire could push back concert venue project for years [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• NC Rep. Carla Cunningham switches party affiliation after losing March primary [Raleigh News & Observer]

Iran War News

Logistics in the Indian Ocean During Operation Epic Fury | Sealift & the US Merchant Marine | What's Going on With Shipping?

JetBlue accused of using customers’ private data to set ticket prices | NBC News

• Iran Update Special Report, April 24, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• AP News Liveblog [AP News]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• BBC Liveblog [BBC News]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Fox News Liveblog [Fox News]

• Trump sends envoys to Islamabad as Iran rules out direct talks [AP News]

• Capture of ships by US, Iran violates international law, shipping body says [Al Jazeera]

• No meeting planned with US, Iran will talk to Pakistan, Iran's Foreign Ministry says [Jerusalem Post]

• In 8 weeks, the Iran war has dented the U.S. economy. The damage could linger, economists say [CBS News]

What happened when the BBC cold-called US President Donald Trump? | BBC Americast | BBC News

World News

How can the US sink Iran's mine-laying ships? | Iran War Briefing Day 56 with Prof Michael Clarke | Sky News

• Colombia, Venezuela hold key talks in post-Maduro visit [DW News]

• S. Korea, U.S. making efforts toward 'normalization' amid U.S. intel curb controversy: Seoul official [Yonhap News Agency]

• Major Russia drone and missile attack kills several, wounds dozens in Ukraine [France 24]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 24, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

Will Poland be forced to sit at the same table as Russia at G20? | World News Tonight | TVP World

National News

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - April 24, 2026 | ABC News

• Justice Department to allow firing squads for executions in move to ramp up capital punishment [AP News]

• ‘Shot across the bow’: How Washington plans to take on prediction markets [Politico]

• Hegseth responds to pope’s criticism: ‘We know what authority we have’ [The Hill]

• Justice Dept drops investigation into Fed Chair Powell, removing obstacle to Warsh [Reuters]

• Mamdani in the hot seat after first veto derails bipartisan effort to combat antisemitism: 'Disappointed' [Fox News]

Financial News

Wall Street Week | Anthropic Cybersecurity Risk, BYD Goes Global, The Billionaire Next Door | Bloomberg Television

• What are your chances of being audited now that the IRS is using AI? Jury is still out [Yahoo Finance]

• AI data center backlash threatens Pennsylvania GOP incumbents in 2026 election [CNBC]

Science and Technology

Human Evolution Has Accelerated Over the Past 10,000 Years | 7 Days of Science

• This is who’s developing Golden Dome’s orbital interceptors—if they’re ever built [Ars Technica]

• Astrobotic’s Detonation Engine Fires 4,000 Pounds of Thrust in Wild Test [Gizmodo]

• Giant prehistoric insects didn’t need high oxygen after all, study finds [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1316: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]

Magnetic Monopoles & Magmatter - The Strongest Material That Might Exist | Isaac Arthur

Crypto News

Bitcoin Dominance | Benjamin Cowen

• Bitcoin 'Q-Day' Draws Nearer as Quantum Researcher Breaks Simplified Key [Decrypt]

• BlackRock drives 7-day Bitcoin ETF inflow streak as BTC nears $80,000 [Coin Telegraph]

• Bitcoin Bonuses Expand as Fold Brings Payroll-Linked Rewards to Employers [Bitcoin.com]

Support Macon Media

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

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Published at 6.00am on Saturday, April 25, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

Weather Briefing for Friday, April 24, 2026

4/24/2026 04:31:00 AM 2026 Weather , Daily Weather Briefing 0 comments

• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• ...INCREASED FIRE DANGER ACROSS MUCH OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FROM 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH 8 PM THIS EVENING...

• [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. Warm temperatures and near-critical RH expected again this afternoon. Bans on outdoor burning continue in both North Carolina and South Carolina.

2. Pattern change this weekend and into early next week, with rain chances every day but Monday.

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....Sunny. A slight chance of showers this afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

..SATURDAY....A chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy with showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows around 50. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..SUNDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. North winds around 5 mph.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

A statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service is currently in place. Open burning of any kind is illegal.

...INCREASED FIRE DANGER FROM 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

Relative humidity is forecast to fall to 20 to 30 percent across much of region this afternoon, while temperatures are forecast to be 2 to 3 degrees warmer than Wednesday. Winds are expected to be lighter at around 5 mph, but the low humidity combined with very dry vegetation and warm temperatures will result in an elevated threat for the rapid spread of wildfire across the area, especially this afternoon.

There is a potential of severe storms overnight Monday into Tuesday. Confidence is low on the timing, coverage, and extent of these storms. Stay tuned for further details or updates.

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

State and Local News

North Carolina Forest Service program trains inmates to fight wildfires | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)

B.R.I.D.G.E. Second Chance Through Service | NC Forest Service

• NC Republicans propose banning books, withholding pay over ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ [NC Newsline]

• ‘Parents not being able to parent’: NC lawmakers propose LGBTQ book ban, grill school officials [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• FEMA announces nearly $260 million for North Carolina [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• A bill to pause NC property tax revaluations could be law by May, Berger says [Raleigh News & Observer]

Iran War News

Boarded and Diverted | Three MSC Containerships Fired Upon By Iran | US Diverts Iranian Tankers | What's Going on With Shipping?

Trump warns U.S. will ‘shoot and kill’ Iranian mine boats | NBC News

• Iran Update Special Report, April 23, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• AP News Liveblog [AP News]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• BBC Liveblog [BBC News]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Fox News Liveblog [Fox News]

• Trump threats against Iran are a boon for prediction markets, including some backed by his son [AP News]

• Oil rises above $106 per barrel as US, Iran deadlocked in Strait of Hormuz [Al Jazeera]

• Pentagon email floats suspending Spain from NATO, 'punishing' other allies over Iran war conduct [Jerusalem Post]

• US could review Britain’s claim to Falkland Islands [The Telegraph (UK)]

President Trump says Iran strategy "working very well" | BBC News

World News

Inside Putin’s Russia: ‘We’re cut off from the outside world’ | BBC News

• Ukraine: Russian oil to Hungary, Slovakia has restarted [DW News]

• S. Korea secures over 74 mln barrels of crude oil for May: presidential aide [Yonhap News Agency]

• US-China AI race intensifies as DeepSeek releases 'reduced' cost model [France 24]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 23, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

EU faces energy crisis as Hormuz tensions push prices higher | World News Tonight | TVP World

National News

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - April 23, 2026 | ABC News

• Georgia blaze shows how climate change has led to more wildfires in the East [AP News]

• ‘All eyes are on Ron DeSantis’: Florida could make or break the GOP’s redistricting edge [Politico]

• Navy secretary’s removal points to Trump’s anxiety over shipbuilding [The Hill]

• US soldier charged with making $400,000 on Maduro removal bets [Reuters]

• Republicans fail to attach SAVE America Act to party-line funding package [Fox News]

Financial News

US-Iran Stalemate, Intel Soars & EU Opens Door to Ukraine Joining | Daybreak Europe 04/24/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Meta to cut 8,000 jobs, Microsoft offers buyouts to to staff as AI spending costs hit Big Tech workers [Yahoo Finance]

• TSMC shares jump to record high as Taiwan eases single-stock investment caps for funds [CNBC]

Science and Technology

Experiment Makes Something Move at 104% of Speed of Light! The Darkness Inside | Anton Petrov

• Visitors to this private space station won’t be wearing shorts and T-shirts [Ars Technica]

• How the First Surveillance Pricing Ban in America Falls Short [Gizmodo]

• Ancient mass grave reveals how a pandemic wiped out a city 1,500 years ago [Science Daily]

• TWiV 1315: Jabs for bats [Microbe TV]

Crypto News

Market Discussion with Gareth Soloway, Mike McGlone, And Scott Melker | Benjamin Cowen

• Founder of Solana Token Launchpad Believe Arrested on Assault, Strangulation Charges [Decrypt]

• Phishing, deepfakes, supply chain attacks to fuel 2026's biggest crypto hacks: CertiK [Coin Telegraph]

• New York Sues Coinbase and Gemini Over 'Prediction Markets' [Bitcoin.com]

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Published at 6.00am on Friday, April 24, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

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