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Coverage of the meetings of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen.

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Thursday, May 28, 2026

Mountain Voices Community Chorus Presents “Songs of Peace & Light” – June 16, 2026 at 7 pm


Mountain Voices Community Chorus Presents 
“Songs of Peace & Light” – June 16, 2026 at 7 pm

A Free Community Concert Featuring Show Tunes, Pop, Gospel & Patriotic Selections
Submitted by Theresa Ramsey

FRANKLIN, NC – Mountain Voices Community Chorus warmly invites the public to their 2026 Spring Concert, “Songs of Peace & Light,” on Tuesday, June 16, beginning at 7:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 66 Harrison Avenue in Franklin, NC. Admission is FREE, with donations gratefully accepted to help offset the cost of music (tax-deductible for this 501(c)(3) organization).

This year’s concert promises an uplifting evening of music across a wide range of styles, including show tunes, pop favorites, gospel, and patriotic selections. The program opens with a lively ensemble piece, Mountain Music, featuring fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, and percussion, before moving through an inspired selection of beloved songs including Dream, Look to the Rainbow, Trip a Little Light Fantastic, and the soaring You’ll Never Walk Alone. Following an intermission performance by Pinnacle Brass, the second half turns to the sacred and patriotic – gospel selections including Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel and Appalachian Psalm, and a moving tribute to those who serve(d), closing with Make Me a Channel of your Peace and Let There Be Peace on Earth.
RECENTLY ADDED! A second concert has been added on July 24, 2026 at 7 pm at the Mountain City Playhouse located at 186 Playhouse Drive in Mountain City, GA.
Mountain Voices Community Chorus is a 45-voice mixed community chorus with members from western North Carolina and northeast Georgia. Founded in 2015 and directed by Beverly Barnett, the chorus rehearses year-round to prepare for its summer and winter concert seasons. Pianist Mary Pittman leads a full ensemble of local instrumentalists – including strings, brass, flute, percussion and more – to bring each performance to life.

“This concert is about bringing hope and harmony to our community,” said Director Beverly Barnett. “We’ve chosen music that speaks to peace, light, and the resilience of the human spirit – something we can all celebrate together.”

Those interested in joining Mountain Voices Community Chorus for future concerts are encouraged to visit their Facebook page or contact Beverly Barnett directly at (828) 508-6052 or bevobie@aol.com.

News and Weather Briefing for Thursday, May 28, 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 cold front tracks across the forecast area Thursday. This will allow showers and thunderstorms to return this afternoon and evening, keeping the isolated strong to severe storm threat and isolated flash flood threat around.

2. A front stalls just south of the area, keeping mainly diurnal rain chances through the weekend. Drier air may finally work into the entire area from the north by the middle of next week.


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. Partly sunny with a slight chance of showers this morning, then mostly sunny with a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

..FRIDAY....Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds around 5 mph.

..FRIDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

..SATURDAY....Showers likely. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 70. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

..SUNDAY....Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent.


HAZARDOUS WEATHER



Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. These may produce some isolated heavy downpours and result in localized flooding.







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






State and Local News


• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]




• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]

Floodwaters move faster post-Helene, officials warn | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



NC employees can't use job info in prediction market bets | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)



• NC GOP lawmaker removes name from anti-abortion bill after social media outcry [NC Newsline]

• JetZero adjusts early NC hiring targets, citing state budget delay [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Buncombe County to buy former Asheville Mall JCPenney for $5M [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• Meet the NC student who will compete in finals of Scripps National Spelling Bee [Raleigh News & Observer]






Iran War News


China Now Controls 70% of Shipbuilding: Can the U.S. Make a Comeback? | What's Going on With Shipping?



Iran TV obtains 'initial unofficial' draft of US deal | BBC News



• Iran Update Special Report, May 27, 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]

• Kuwait says it faces a missile and drone attack as shaky ceasefire in Iran war again challenged [AP News]

• Iran war day 89: Lebanon strikes kill 31 as ceasefire tensions rise [Al Jazeera]

• UN adds Israeli entities to blacklist of countries that commit sexual violence - exclusive [Jerusalem Post]

• Iran war: Trump says US will 'watch over' Strait of Hormuz [DW News]

• Iranian regime may try to ‘string out’ talks, terrorism analyst warns [Fox News]






World News


Kyiv urgently appeals to U.S. for air defense capabilities | World News Tonight | TVP World



UK spy chief: Almost 500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine war | Sky News



• Aid cuts and climate change drive deadly malaria surge in Zimbabwe [Al Jazeera]

• BOK lifts S. Korea's growth forecast to 2.6 pct for this year amid robust chip-driven exports [Yonhap News Agency]

• Canada to buy Swedish surveillance plane over US models [DW News]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 27, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Think it’s hot now? The next five years will smash records, UN says [AP News]




National News


ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 27, 2026 | ABC News



NBC Nightly News Full Episode - May 27 | NBC News



• 9 missing after Washington paper mill tank rupture and officials say there’s no hope of survivors [AP News]

• After Protests Outside Synagogues, New York Makes It a Crime to Block Entry to a House of Worship [Ground News]

• Entertainers unveiled for 250th US birthday bash on National Mall [The Hill]

• Newsom signs bill to curb Trump interference in California elections [UPI]

• NASA chief pulls back curtain on Trump UFO files after bizarre finds surface in buried fed records [Fox News]




Financial News


Iran War: US Launches Strikes as Trump Rejects Easing Sanctions | Daybreak Europe 05/28/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures drop following US strikes in Hormuz [Yahoo Finance]

• Oil jumps 3% after Iran says it targeted U.S. airbase following fresh American strikes [CNBC]




Science and Technology


The T. rex of the Sea Was Just Discovered | 7 Days of Science and Ben G Thomas



• Mexican President Responds to World Cup Piracy Concerns, Prefers ‘Open’ Broadcasts [Torrent Freak]

• Happy, who taught researchers that elephants can recognize themselves, is euthanized [NPR]

• Nvidia bets $150B on Taiwan as Trump’s plan to make US an AI hub backfires [Ars Technica]

• Elon Musk Says America’s Kamikaze Drones Used the Wrong Starlink Subscription [Gizmodo]

• Researchers block key protein that helps Parkinson’s spread through the brain [Science Daily]

• Kraken Now Lets You Earn Yield on Bitcoin Holdings via Lending Vaults [Decrypt]

• Crypto markets shed $80B after fresh US strikes on Iran [Coin Telegraph]

• Porter Stansberry Warns of US Financial Collapse by 2029 on Pompliano Podcast [Bitcoin.com]

"The Banks are Feeling FOMO" on Bitcoin Lending w/ SALT Lending CEO Shawn Owen | BMP Ep 10 | 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, May 28, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Wednesday, May 27, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Wednesday, May 27, 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. Diurnal thunderstorms return today, but with a lower heavy rain threat overall than the last few days. Coverage is expected to be mainly confined to North Carolina. A low-end severe weather risk is possible, with damaging wind the main hazard.

2. Diurnal rain and thunder chances continue through at least the end of the week. The pattern becomes murky, but likely still unsettled, through the beginning of next week.


WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available




DAY SPONSOR


This space available




GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY....Mostly cloudy. Areas of fog this morning. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms this morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then mostly cloudy after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows around 60. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

..THURSDAY....Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

..THURSDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 50s. Northeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

..FRIDAY....Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..FRIDAY NIGHT....A chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Showers likely. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 70 percent.


HAZARDOUS WEATHER



Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. These may produce some isolated heavy downpours and result in localized flooding.







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






State and Local News


• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]




• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]

Heavy rain damages western NC | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



What supplies are needed for your hurricane kit? | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)



• Advocates rally at NC legislature to oppose potential ICE detention expansion [NC Newsline]

• Republican lawmakers consider shortening NC’s early voting period [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• WNC home repairs after Helene face $500 million funding gap [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• Former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson faces lawsuit in NC after admitting porn habit [Raleigh News & Observer]






Iran War News


China Now Controls 70% of Shipbuilding: Can the U.S. Make a Comeback? | What's Going on With Shipping?



Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes | BBC News



• Iran Update Special Report, May 26, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• France24 Liveblog [France 24]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• US military says it carried out ‘self-defense’ strikes in Iran, including on missile launch sites [AP News]

• Iran war day 87: Trump says US not in rush to sign deal, dashing optimism [Al Jazeera]

• Trump's Board of Peace's official fund receives 'zero dollars' despite billions pledged - report [Jerusalem Post]

• Iran medicine shortages worsened by war [DW News]

• Trump moves Cabinet meeting from Camp David to White House as Iran talks intensify [Fox News]






World News


U.S. to pull 50% of deep-strike capability from Europe? | Morning Report | TVP World



Trump has ANOTHER medical. What don't we know about Trump's health? | Sky News



• ‘Naturally scared’: India’s Muslims denied public spaces for Eid prayers [Al Jazeera]

• N. Korea tests new lightweight missile launcher, tactical cruise missiles under Kim's watch [Yonhap News Agency]

• Ukraine: EU summons Russian envoy after call to leave Kyiv [DW News]

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 26, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• US has deported thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans to danger in Mexico, Human Rights Watch says [AP News]




National News


ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 26, 2026 | ABC News



NASA’s Jared Isaacman shares moon base plans | NBC News



• ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an ‘alarming’ rate, an AP investigation finds [AP News]

• US draws up plans to halt immigration, customs processing at 'sanctuary city' airports [Ground News]

• Cook Political Report shifts Texas Senate rating toward Democrats after Paxton runoff victory [The Hill]

• South Carolina Senate adjourns without new map, defying Trump [UPI]

• MAGA triumph: Trump ally Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in bitter Texas GOP primary war [Fox News]




Financial News


Memory Mania Overshadows Investors' Fears Around Iran War | Insight with Haslinda Amin 5/27/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• White House promises lower energy prices 'as soon as the Straits are open,' but analysts say to prepare for a 'Hormuz Hangover' [Yahoo Finance]

• CNBC Daily Open: The $1 trillion club just got bigger [CNBC]




Science and Technology


The Level1 Links with Friends Show May 27 2026: Meta Momfluencers Muddle Murmurs



• Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week – 05/25/2026 [Torrent Freak]

• NASA lays out moon base plans with landers, buggies and drones at the top of the list [NPR]

• NASA takes steps toward building Moon Base, including discussing a “perimeter” [Ars Technica]

• Majority of Americans Support Ban on Surveillance Pricing and Electronic Shelf Labels [Gizmodo]

• Large Hadron Collider detects strange particle behavior that could rewrite physics [Science Daily]

• TeraWulf Stock Pops as Bitcoin Miner Acquires Kentucky Site to Meet AI Power Demands [Decrypt]

• Bitcoin mining stocks jump as AI infrastructure boom boosts sector outlook [Coin Telegraph]

• Trump Appoints Former Attorney General Pam Bondi to White House AI Advisory Panel [Bitcoin.com]

Bitcoins Return to Its Roots: Why Home Mining is Making a Comeback | Bitcoin 2026 | Bitcoin Magazine



Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!



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


Published at 9.00am on Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Tuesday, May 26, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Tuesday, May 26, 2026







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

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]





NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

1. Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms continue into the weekend. Drier conditions may return briefly on Friday but confidence is low. We will have a better shot at dry weather early next week as high pressure builds in from the north.


WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available




DAY SPONSOR


This space available




GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY....Cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.

..WEDNESDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Showers likely in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows around 60. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..THURSDAY....Partly sunny with a chance of showers. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

..THURSDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then mostly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.


HAZARDOUS WEATHER



Locally heavy downpours and flash flooding possible as more showers and thunderstorms occur.

The wet pattern continues on Wednesday and Thursday, although additional heavy rains and flooding aren`t expected those days.







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






State and Local News


• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]




• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]

Communities across western North Carolina honor service members on Memorial Day | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



100 Deadliest Days of Summer begins on Memorial Day | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)



• UNC Board of Governors gives initial OK to UNC Wilmington medical school [NC Newsline]

• How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending May 21 [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• NC lawmakers debate changes in adult care home inspections [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• NC snake eats venomous copperheads. What to know about the ‘secretive’ creatures [Raleigh News & Observer]






Iran War News


12 Weeks of Crisis: A Full Recap of the Strait of Hormuz Blockade | Is a Deal Near? | What's Going on With Shipping?



Trump calls critics of his potential Iran deal 'losers' | BBC News



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

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• France24 Liveblog [DW News]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• US military says it carried out ‘self-defense’ strikes in Iran, including on missile launch sites [AP News]

• Iran war day 87: Trump says US not in rush to sign deal, dashing optimism [Al Jazeera]

• IDF strikes Hezbollah infrastructure targets as Home Front Command tightens northern guidelines [Jerusalem Post]

• US launches 'self-defense strikes' on Iran as Israel orders Hezbollah attacks [DW News]






World News


Pope Leo declares crusade against AI | World News Tonight | TVP World



The World Cup city in the middle of drug cartel heartland | Sky News



• WHO chief says suspected Ebola deaths at 220 as epidemic ‘outpacing us’ [Al Jazeera]

• Lee calls for stepped-up efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines [Yonhap News Agency]

• Uganda confirms 2 new Ebola cases, DRC infections hit 900 [DW News]

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

• Leaders keep a wary eye on Belarus for signs it might offer Russia help in Ukraine [AP News]




National News


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



Meet the Press NOW — May 25 | NBC News



• Officials lift evacuation orders for some California residents living near a damaged chemical tank [AP News]

• Massie teases 2028 comeback after primary loss to Trump-backed challenger [Ground News]

• Races to watch in Texas’s primary runoffs: Cornyn-Paxton, Chip Roy’s attorney general bid, House contests [The Hill]

• Trump lays wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier [UPI]

• These 5 cities are seeing big home price cuts [Fox News]




Financial News


Why Bitcoin Is The Only Exit From The Federal Reserve | The Wolf Of All Streets



Oil Climbs as US Strikes Iran Targets | The Asia Trade 5/26/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Oil Rebounds as Strikes Near Strait Muddy Outlook for Iran Deal [Yahoo Finance]

• CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter: Tariffs eased. Trust didn’t. [CNBC]




Science and Technology


Why Does the Universe Exist at All? | Arvin Ash



• Italian Police Target “Previously Unseen” Streaming Piracy Tech That Looks Familiar [Torrent Freak]

• Citing Gandalf, Pope Leo says we must “disarm” AI [Ars Technica]

• China Launched Artificial Embryos to Orbit to Find Out If We Can Have Space Babies [Gizmodo]

• Eating more beans and soy could slash high blood pressure risk by nearly 30% [Science Daily]

• Trump Media Moves Over $200 Million in Bitcoin as Losses Pile Up: Arkham [Decrypt]

• Crypto PAC money pours into Texas primary runoffs, as prediction markets favor challengers [Coin Telegraph]

• Meltem Demirors Says Banks Won as Bitcoin ETFs Pull Crypto Into Wall Street’s Orbit [Bitcoin.com]

Bitcoins Return to Its Roots: Why Home Mining is Making a Comeback | Bitcoin 2026 | Bitcoin Magazine



Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!



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


Published at 9.00am on Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins


Monday, May 25, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Memorial Day, May 25, 2026







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

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]





NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

1. Patchy dense fog is possible through this morning. Another round of rainfall may develop today into tonight, but confidence is limited.

2. Rainy weather with potential for afternoon storms continues through at least Wednesday. A cold front and some drier air may arrive by Thursday, but the pattern is highly uncertain past this point.


WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available




DAY SPONSOR

Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media for today.

They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.


GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY....Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers this morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Patchy fog. Highs in the lower 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Patchy fog in the evening, then areas of fog after midnight. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..TUESDAY....Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..TUESDAY NIGHT....Showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening, then showers likely after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.

..WEDNESDAY....Showers likely in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows around 60. Chance of rain 80 percent.


HAZARDOUS WEATHER



Showers and thunderstorms will affect much of the area today, mainly after 11am







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






State and Local News


• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Franklin [Google Drive (89 page PDF)]




• County Manager Presents Annual Budget Message to County Commissioners [ Macon Media ]

Helene-impacted veteran receives new home | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



Indy Car, NASCAR pay tribute to Kyle Busch three days after his death | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)



• Whatley backs Trump’s $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization fund’ despite GOP revolt on Capitol Hill [NC Newsline]

• NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell tells Kyle Busch family 'we got you' before start of Coca-Cola 600 [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• When is Memorial Day 2026? From Decoration Day to a federal holiday [Asheville Citizen-Times]

• Rattlesnakes are part of the routine for workers rebuilding I-40 in Western NC [Raleigh News & Observer]






Iran War News


12 Weeks of Crisis: A Full Recap of the Strait of Hormuz Blockade | Is a Deal Near? | What's Going on With Shipping?



Negotiations towards a deal with Iran are ‘constructive’ says Trump | BBC News



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

• Jerusalem Post Liveblog [Jerusalem Post]

• France24 Liveblog [DW News]

• Al Jazeera Liveblog [Al Jazeera]

• Asian shares mostly gain and oil prices fall after Trump says peace talks on Iran war are proceeding [AP News]

• Iran war day 86: Trump announces potential deal amid ‘cloud of mistrust’ [Al Jazeera]

• New US-Iran deal 'bad deal,' fails to address missiles, terror proxies, Israeli sources tell 'Post' [Jerusalem Post]

• Iran war: Trump says US won't 'rush into' deal with Tehran [DW News]

• White House blasts Cruz, Pompeo for trashing Trump peace efforts as Iran appeasement [DW News]






World News


U.S. and Iran close to peace deal, says Trump | World News Tonight | TVP World



Will Russia launch a major offensive on Ukraine this summer? | Sky News



• Africa Day 2026: Has the continent achieved true liberation? [Al Jazeera]

• S. Korean submarine arrives in Canada amid Seoul's bid for US$39.6 bln Canadian submarine deal [Yonhap News Agency]

• Cuba receives China rice shipment amid US threats, blackouts [DW News]

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

• Young men storm a Congo hospital treating Ebola patients to demand bodies of their kin [AP News]




National News


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



Remembering Kyle Busch | Full Pre-Race Tribute | NASCAR



• Southern California officials trying to prevent explosion or leak from damaged chemical tank [AP News]

• Bystander in serious condition after fatal shooting near White House checkpoint [Ground News]

• After San Diego shooting, Muslim Americans aim to turn grief into action [Al Jazeera]

• Navy chief undercuts Trump and Hegseth on Taiwan, Iran [The Hill]

• 19 hurt when stampede breaks out at S.C. beachfront motorcycle rally [UPI]

• White House gunman had criminal record, history of mental health issues [Fox News]




Financial News


Why Bitcoin’s Real Bull Run Hasn’t Even Started - Adam Back | The Wolf Of All Streets



Iran War: Trump Says 'No Rush' as US, Iran Inch Towards Deal | Daybreak Europe 05/25/2026 | Bloomberg Television



• Stocks and earnings surge, and Iran deal may be imminent: What to watch this week [Yahoo Finance]

• Americans are ‘entrenched’ in financial stress amid debt and price pressures [CNBC]




Science and Technology


We Thought Black Holes Ended in Singularities. They Might End In a Frozen Big Bang. | PBS Space Time



• Anna’s Archive Hit With $19.5m Default Judgment and Global Domain Takedown Order [Torrent Freak]

• SpaceX’s Starship V3—still a work in progress—mostly successful on first flight [Ars Technica]

• 99% of CEOs Expect AI-Driven Layoffs in the Next Two Years [Gizmodo]

• Beet juice lowers blood pressure in older adults in just 2 weeks [Science Daily]

• Now You Can Buy Bitcoin, XRP and More in ChatGPT via MoonPay [Decrypt]

• Crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang joins SpaceX mission to Mars [Coin Telegraph]

• Vitalik Warns Ethereum’s Smart Wallets Have a ‘Relay’ Problem Ahead of Major Upgrade [Bitcoin.com]

How China Hijacked Bernie & AOC's War on AI | Bitcoin Policy Hour EP 38 | Bitcoin Magazine



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Published at 9.00am on Monday, May 25, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins