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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, February 22, 2026

Weather Briefing for Sunday, February 22, 2026

• ...Gusty Winds and Cold Today and Monday...

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NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

1. 1. A brief return of winter weather with very gusty NW winds, accumulating snow for portions of the mountains, and below normal temperatures Sunday through Tuesday.

2. Near-critical fire weather conditions are expected each afternoon through Tuesday.through Tuesday.

3. Temperatures warm throughout the week, with a possible cold front increasing rain chances across the area early Thursday into Friday.

WEATHER SPONSOR

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It is time for new leadership in the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. I have the education and experience to successfully lead and represent the Office into the future. I will listen and respond to concerns of every citizen. I will ensure the employees have equal opportunities for promotion and transfer. Please trust me with your vote. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 828-371-4475, Facebook: Bob Cook for Sheriff. Early voting begins February 12, 2026, and the primary is March 3, 2026.

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GENERAL FORECAST

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

..TODAY....Mostly sunny and blustery. Much cooler with highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow showers after midnight. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch possible. Blustery, cold with lows around 16. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. Chance of snow 40 percent. Wind chill values as low as 2 below.

..MONDAY....Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny. Blustery with highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 55 mph, decreasing to 45 mph in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 2 below in the morning.

..MONDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear and blustery, cold with lows around 16. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph, decreasing to 30 mph after midnight.

..TUESDAY....Mostly sunny. Not as cool with highs in the upper 40s. West winds around 5 mph.

..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows around 30.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Strong gusty winds behind a cold front across the entire area through tonight, with the strongest gusts of 50-65 mph over the highest peaks of the mountains. Wind chills in the teen and single digits outside the mountains with single to sub-zero digits for the mountains.

Strong gusty winds continue Monday across the entire area, with the strongest gusts of 45-55 mph over the highest peaks of the mountains. Winds should diminish Monday night. Wind chills in the teens to lower 20s outside the mountains and single digits for the mountains.

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

State and Local News

Helene recovery continues in Chimney Rock | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)

• Asheville for Ukraine rally in Pack Square Park shows solidarity with Ukrainian people [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Immigration arrests left NC restaurants short-staffed and job sites idle, owners say [NC Newsline]

• SBI investigates group that hosted bourbon distillery trips over improper lobbying allegations [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Concord listed as potential site for ICE warehouse. City says it’s unaware of plans [Raleigh News and Observer]

• NC road repair costs from Helene near $5.8B, I-40 project at $2B [Asheville Citizen-Times]

Other News

How will Trump's new tariffs affect the global economy? | Sky News

USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, 3 other warships enter Mediterranean Sea amid Iran tensions | NBC News

• Federal Judge: Masked ICE Agents Violate Fourth Amendment [AP News] [See Decision at Bloomberg Law]

• Homeland Security suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs [AP News]

• Bianco says ‘Democrat policy is indefensible’ as GOP candidates top California governor polling [Fox News]

• 'It will not be automatic or immediate': Companies brace for a messy tariff refund process [Yahoo News]

• Trump to hike global tariffs to 15% from 10%, ‘effective immediately’ [CNBC]

Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs | Balance of Power: Late Edition 2/20/2026 | Bloomberg Television

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Feb. 21, 2026 | ABC News

Hungary blocks EU aid, Slovakia considers cutting Ukraine’s emergency energy | TVP WORLD

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 21, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• From Venezuela to immigration crackdown, Project 2025 provided Trump's roadmap [BBC News]

• Bacon signals Trump’s new tariff order ‘will be defeated’ by Congress [The Hill]

Senegal in turmoil after student protest over financial aid | DW News | DW News

• An Unbothered Jimmy Wales Calls Grokipedia a ‘Cartoon Imitation’ of Wikipedia [Gizmodo]

• Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links [Ars Technica]

• This Week In Space podcast: Episode 198 — A Dragonfly on Titan [Space.com]

Explaining Why NASA's Starliner Report Is So Bad | Scott Manley

No Explosion, Just Darkness: The Case of the Vanishing Star | Anton Petrov

• 'Ethereum Is Going Hard': Vitalik Buterin Backs Censorship Resistance Upgrade [Decrypt]

• Crypto market retraces almost all 2024-2025 US election pump gains [Coin Telegraph]

"AI Centaurs" vs "Slop Cannons": Economic Bifurcation in the Age of AI | Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep 28 | Bitcoin Magazine and Bitcoin Policy Institute

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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.

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Published at 6.00am on Sunday, February 22, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Weather Briefing for Saturday, February 21, 2026

• ...Hazardous weather not expected today or tonight...

• [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. 1. Two rounds of precipitation are expected through Saturday evening with generally light amounts and no major impacts expected.

2. A brief return of winter weather with very gusty NW winds, accumulating snow for portions of the mountains and below normal temperatures Sunday through Tuesday.

3. Near normal temperatures return through midweek before a potential cold front increases rain chances by the weekend.

WEATHER SPONSOR

Macon Media Weather is being sponsored by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook.

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. Rain likely this morning. Patchy fog this morning. Highs in the upper 50s. North winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest this afternoon. Chance of rain 70 percent.

..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Lows around 30. West winds around 5 mph, increasing to northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph after midnight.

..SUNDAY....Mostly sunny and blustery. Much cooler with highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy and blustery, cold with lows around 17. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

..MONDAY....Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny. Blustery with highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 55 mph, decreasing to 45 mph in the afternoon.

..MONDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy and blustery, cold with lows around 15.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Strong gusty winds are expected behind a cold front Sunday into Monday across the entire area, with the strongest gusts likely over the highest peaks of the mountains. A Wind Advisory may be needed for the mountains.

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

Special Section: Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs 6-3

Inclusion is not endorsement. This news section is meant to provide a service to Readers to raise awareness of what is being reported about events in the world.
• Supreme Court strikes down tariffs [SCOTUSblog]

• A breakdown of the court’s tariff decision [SCOTUSblog]

• Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Global Tariffs 6-3[Macon Media]

• Live updates: Trump says he’ll enact a 10% global tariff by executive order [AP News]

• Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Sweeping Global Tariffs [Ground News]

CEO behind lawsuit that took on Trump's tariffs at Supreme Court speaks out on ruling | CBS News

President Trump Reacts to Supreme Court Decision on Tariffs | C-SPAN

• 6 Takeaways From the Supreme Court’s Tariff Decision [New York Times]

Stocks Gain as Court Blocks Tariffs; Yields Climb | The Close 2/20/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Trump gives grudging praise to liberal trio who helped sink his tariffs [Fox News]

• Trump calls Supreme Court justices who ruled against tariffs ‘a disgrace’ [MS NOW]

• Trump announces new 10% global tariff after raging over Supreme Court loss [CNBC]

• Trump has other tariff options after Supreme Court strikes down his worldwide import taxes [Yahoo Finance]

Stocks Whipsaw as Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs | Bloomberg Television

Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs struck down by US Supreme Court | BBC News and BBC Politics

State and Local News

WNC businesses react to Trump tariff change | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)

• Gov. Stein releases statement after appeals court ruling on Duke Energy rates [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• NC businesses, conservatives celebrate Supreme Court ruling striking down Trump tariffs. [NC Newsline]

• Tariffs decision: Where NC candidates for Congress stand after SCOTUS ruling [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Many NC residents are shocked by higher energy bills this month. Here’s why [Raleigh News and Observer]

• NC keeps expanding its role in immigration enforcement. Why it matters [Asheville Citizen-Times]

Other News

Poll shows public support for removing Andrew from royal line of succession following arrest | Sky News

Concerns are growing over chatbots causing users to go into 'delusional spirals' | NBC News

• Texas man was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent last year during a stop, new records show [AP News]

• Trump gives Iran 10-day ultimatum, but experts signal talks may be buying time for strike [Fox News]

• Sticky new inflation data expected to keep Fed on hold [Yahoo News]

• What the Supreme Court ruling against Trump tariffs means for your money [CNBC]

Stocks Gain as Court Blocks Tariffs; Yields Climb | The Close 2/20/2026 | Bloomberg Television

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Feb. 20, 2026 | ABC News

Trump doubles down on tariffs after Supreme Court ruling | TVP WORLD

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 20, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• How will Trump's new 10% global tariffs work and what's next? [BBC News]

• Johnson says Congress, administration will ‘determine the best path forward’ after SCOTUS tariff ruling [The Hill]

Trump vs. the world order | Mapped Out | DW News

• Disney Didn’t Want Tony Gilroy to Say ‘Fascism’ While Promoting ‘Andor’ [Gizmodo]

• After fueling test, optimism grows for March launch of Artemis II to the Moon [Ars Technica]

• 'This is really getting real.' NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket fueling test went so well, astronauts could launch March 6 [Space.com]

Why Fires In Space Are So Dangerous | Scott Manley

The Sun Just Cracked Open 3I/ATLAS Revealing New Surprises | Anton Petrov

• Bitcoin Sell Pressure Is Easing, But Whales Keep Dumping on Exchanges: CryptoQuant [Decrypt]

• White House floats limited stablecoin rewards in third crypto, bank meeting [Coin Telegraph]

Why Alt Season Never Happened: Understanding Liquidity | Ben Cowen

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Become a Patron!

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

Published at 6.00am on Saturday, February 21, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Global Tariffs 6-3

2/20/2026 10:55:00 AM Donald Trump , Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump , SCOTUS , Tariffs 0 comments

Executive Summary

In Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (Nos. 24–1287 and 25–250, decided February 20, 2026), the Supreme Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. President Trump had declared national emergencies under IEEPA to address drug trafficking from Canada, Mexico, and China, as well as persistent trade deficits, imposing broad tariffs (e.g., 25% on most Canadian/Mexican imports, 10% on Chinese imports for drugs; at least 10% on all imports for deficits, with modifications). Challengers—small businesses and states—successfully argued that IEEPA's grant of power to "regulate... importation" does not include the taxing power of tariffs, which is constitutionally vested in Congress. The Court vacated one lower court judgment for lack of jurisdiction and affirmed the other, emphasizing separation of powers, statutory text, and the major questions doctrine. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion, with concurrences from Justices Kagan (joined by Sotomayor and Jackson) and Jackson, and dissents from Justices Thomas and Kavanaugh (joined by Thomas and Alito).

Longer Summary

This 170-page Supreme Court opinion consolidates two cases challenging President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), enacted in 1977 (91 Stat. 1626; 50 U.S.C. §1701 et seq.), to impose widespread tariffs. The document includes the syllabus (pp. 1–6), the majority opinion by Chief Justice Roberts (with partial joins), concurring opinions, and dissenting opinions. Below is a detailed breakdown based on the full content.

Background and Facts

Shortly after taking office in 2025, President Trump identified two "unusual and extraordinary" foreign threats under IEEPA: (1) the influx of illegal drugs from Canada, Mexico, and China, which he deemed a public health crisis (Presidential Proclamation No. 10886, 90 Fed. Reg. 8327; Exec. Orders Nos. 14193–14195, 90 Fed. Reg. 9113–9123); and (2) "large and persistent" trade deficits, which he said hollowed out American manufacturing and undermined supply chains (Exec. Order No. 14257, 90 Fed. Reg. 15041).

To address these, he declared national emergencies and invoked IEEPA's authority to "deal with" such threats by regulating importation/exportation of property with foreign interests (§1702(a)(1)(B)). Specific actions included:

Drug Trafficking Tariffs: 25% duty on most Canadian and Mexican imports; 10% on most Chinese imports (with subsequent increases, reductions, and modifications).
Reciprocal (Trade Deficit) Tariffs: At least 10% duty on all imports from all trading partners, with higher rates (up to dozens of nations facing more); later adjusted multiple times.

No prior President had used IEEPA for tariffs of this scope, amount, or duration.

Procedural History

The cases were consolidated for review:

No. 24–1287 (Learning Resources, Inc. et al. v. Trump): Two small businesses sued in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging IEEPA does not authorize tariffs. The court denied the government's motion to transfer to the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) and granted a preliminary injunction, finding no such authority under IEEPA (784 F. Supp. 3d 209). Petitioners sought certiorari before judgment.
No. 25–250 (Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, Inc. et al.): Five small businesses and 12 states sued in the CIT, which granted summary judgment for plaintiffs. The Federal Circuit, en banc, affirmed in relevant part (149 F. 4th 1312), holding that IEEPA's "regulate... importation" does not authorize "unbounded" tariffs.

The Supreme Court granted certiorari in both (argued November 5, 2025) to resolve whether IEEPA authorizes presidential tariffs.

Holding and Majority Opinion (Chief Justice Roberts)

The Court held that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs, vacating the judgment in No. 24–1287 (and remanding with instructions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction) and affirming in No. 25–250.

Part I (Unanimous): Outlines the facts, IEEPA's text, and procedural history.
Part II–A–1 (Joined by Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Barrett, Jackson): Emphasizes Congress's exclusive constitutional power under Article I, §8 to impose taxes, duties, and tariffs (citing Gibbons v. Ogden, 9 Wheat. 1, 201; The Federalist No. 48). The government conceded no inherent presidential peacetime tariff authority, relying solely on IEEPA's "regulate... importation." The Court rejected this as a "sweeping delegation" of Congress's core taxing power.
Part II–A–2 (Joined by Gorsuch and Barrett): Applies the major questions doctrine (West Virginia v. EPA, 597 U.S. 697; Biden v. Nebraska, 600 U.S. 477), requiring "clear congressional authorization" for extraordinary powers. Tariffs here are economically and politically significant (dwarfing prior cases), with no historical precedent under IEEPA. Congress delegates tariff powers explicitly and with limits elsewhere, not vaguely. No exceptions for emergencies or foreign affairs apply, as the Framers vested tariffs solely in Congress peacetime (Merritt v. Welsh, 104 U.S. 694).
Part II–B (Joined by Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Barrett, Jackson): Statutory interpretation: IEEPA lists powers like "investigate, block, regulate, direct and compel" but omits "tariffs" or "duties." "Regulate" means to control or adjust, not tax (Black's Law Dictionary; no statute equates regulation with taxation). Neighboring verbs confirm sanctions-like actions, not revenue-raising. A contrary reading would violate the Export Tax Clause (Art. I, §9, cl. 5). Rejects arguments from Commerce Clause history, IEEPA's predecessor (Trading with the Enemy Act), wartime precedents, and cases like FEA v. Algonquin SNG (426 U.S. 548) and Dames & Moore v. Regan (453 U.S. 654).
Part III (Joined by Gorsuch and Barrett): Addresses jurisdiction and remand.

Concurring Opinions

Justice Kagan (joined by Sotomayor and Jackson): Agrees IEEPA lacks tariff authority but via ordinary statutory tools (text, context, history) alone, without major questions doctrine (pp. 1–7). Tariffs are taxes, not mere regulation; IEEPA's spectrum of powers (compel to prohibit) excludes revenue-raising.
Justice Jackson: Agrees with Kagan but adds legislative history from House/Senate Reports on IEEPA and TWEA, showing Congress intended sanctions, not tariffs (pp. 1–5).
Justice Gorsuch (concurring): Emphasizes separation of powers and reluctance to infer ambiguous delegations.
Justice Barrett (concurring): Focuses on the "practical understanding of legislative intent" in major questions cases.

Dissenting Opinions

Justice Thomas: Argues IEEPA's "regulate" includes tariffs as a form of commerce regulation, drawing from historical Commerce Clause views and wartime precedents.
Justice Kavanaugh (joined by Thomas and Alito): IEEPA authorizes tariffs as a means to "regulate importation" (citing Yoshida Int'l, Inc., 526 F.2d 560; Algonquin). Rejects major questions doctrine here; views tariffs as within presidential foreign affairs discretion. Historical chain from TWEA supports this; no constitutional issue as tariffs regulate, not just tax.

The opinion reinforces Congress's primacy over tariffs, limiting executive emergency powers to statutory bounds. The full document Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (Nos. 24–1287 and 25–250,) includes citations, footnotes, and appendices on tariff impacts. Download the 107-page PDF [LINK]

If your device cannot download or process a PDF, a readable copy has been embedded below.

Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (Nos. 24–1287 and 25–250)

What Others Are Saying

Trump's Global Tariffs Struck Down by Supreme Court | Bloomberg Television https://youtu.be/o_NfkVMPjr0 NBC: Supreme Court strikes down most of Trump's tariffs in a major blow to the president https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-strikes-trumps-tariffs-major-blow-president-rcna244827 AP News: Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, upending central plank of economic agenda https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9 Fox News: Supreme Court blocks Trump tariffs in major test of executive branch powers https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-decision-donald-trump-tariff-powers New York Times Liveblog: Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Sweeping Tariffs https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02/20/us/trump-tariffs-supreme-court?unlocked_article_code=1.NlA.VbQJ._4IMgASnl5rB

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Published at 11.00am on Friday, February 20, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Weather Briefing for Friday, February 20, 2026

2/20/2026 07:06:00 AM 2026 Weather , Advisories Watches and Warnings , Daily Weather Briefing 0 comments

• ...After Rain/Storms This Morning, Gusty Winds Expected...

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

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NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

1. 1. A cold front brings scattered showers this morning, with drier conditions developing briefly behind the front this afternoon before rain chances return this evening into tonight. Gusty winds linger through this evening before lighter winds return tonight.

2. Rain chances over the weekend with generally light amounts and minor to no impacts expected.

3. A brief return of winter with gusty NW winds, snow for portions of the mountains and below normal temperatures expected Sunday through Tuesday night.

WEATHER SPONSOR

Macon Media Weather is being sponsored by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook.

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....Patchy fog this morning. Mostly cloudy with showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms this morning, then sunny this afternoon. Breezy with highs in the upper 50s. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers after midnight. Lows around 40. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph, decreasing to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 30 percent.

..SATURDAY....Mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny. A 40 percent chance of rain. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain and snow after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Breezy with lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

..SUNDAY....Partly sunny. A chance of snow in the morning. Light snow accumulation possible. Windy, cooler with highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Chance of snow 50 percent.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Windy, cold with lows around 20.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service
Greenville-Spartanburg SC
639 AM EST Fri Feb 20 2026

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062-201245- Buncombe NC-Haywood NC-Yancey NC-Graham NC-Swain NC-Avery NC- Madison NC-Mitchell NC-Northern Jackson NC-Macon NC- 639 AM EST Fri Feb 20 2026

...GUSTY SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MACON...NORTHERN JACKSON...MADISON... SWAIN...MITCHELL...NORTHWESTERN AVERY...CENTRAL GRAHAM...HAYWOOD... NORTHWESTERN BUNCOMBE AND YANCEY COUNTIES THROUGH 745 AM EST...

At 637 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line extending from 7 miles west of Johnson City to 8 miles west of Murphy. A few thunderstorms were embedded with this this line. Movement was east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include... Franklin, Sylva, Waynesville, Burnsville, Bryson City, Marshall, Robbinsville, Newland, Cherokee, and Woodfin.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

State and Local News

Renew NC applicant pulls out of program amid 'lack of transparency' and slow pace | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)

• LIST: No Kings protests planned across western North Carolina in March [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Lowering U.S. & NC Flags in Honor of Civil Rights Activist Rev. Jesse L. Jackson [Macon Media]

• An NC advocacy group reports youth in solitary confinement. The state denies it. [NC Newsline]

• Flash-bang explosive device found near North Carolina early voting site, police say [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• President Trump flouts military tradition with partisan Fort Bragg speech [Raleigh News and Observer]

• NC keeps expanding its role in immigration enforcement. Why it matters [Asheville Citizen-Times]

Other News

• Jesse Jackson, Charismatic Champion of Civil Rights, Dies at 84 [New York Times]

Andrew arrest: 'This is going to be a very long investigation,' says ex-chief constable of BTP | Professor Michael Clarke | Sky News

Inside the $70 million luxury jet DHS wants to buy | NBC News

• Trump’s refusal to invite all governors to a White House meeting prompts group to back out [AP News]

• Anonymous donation raises reward for help finding Nancy Guthrie to over $200,000 [Fox News]

• Investors brace for 'knee-jerk market reaction' to a coming Supreme Court tariff decision [Yahoo News]

• Oil prices hit six-month highs after Trump warns Iran of ‘bad things’ if there’s no deal [CNBC]

US-Iran: Trump Gives Tehran 10 to 15 Days for Nuclear Deal | Daybreak Europe 02/20/2026 | Bloomberg Television

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Feb. 19, 2026 | ABC News

Inside Trump’s Board of Peace: $17B pledged to rebuild Gaza | TVP WORLD

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 19, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

• Liveblog: Police search at Royal Lodge continues for second day as Andrew released under investigation [BBC News]

• 5 takeaways from Trump’s Board of Peace launch event [The Hill]

The world will likely find out in 10 days if US to take military action against Iran says Trump | DW News

• CT Scans Reveal Gruesome Details of Inca Child Sacrifices [Gizmodo]

• Chevy Bolt, BMW i3, or something else? At $10K, you have lots of EV options [Ars Technica]

• NASA just fueled up its Artemis 2 moon rocket in 2nd critical test. Was it a success? (It sure looked like it.) [Space.com]

The Level1 Links with Friends Show February 20 2026: I Was Saying Boo-ance‬

NASA's Image of This Nebula Blew My Mind, Here's What It Shows | Anton Petrov

• Bitcoin ETFs Lose Another $166M as Five-Week Withdrawals Near $4B [Decrypt]

• White House floats limited stablecoin rewards in third crypto, bank meeting [Coin Telegraph]

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

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Published at 6.00am on Friday, February 20, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

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