Western NC Coverage

Coming soon: 20 mile mountain walkway, reports Business NC

Construction on an almost 20-mile greenway in western North Carolina will begin soon, eventually connecting the mountain towns of Hendersonville and Brevard on a paved path that only increases 20 feet in elevation. Here are the details.

7th earthquake in two weeks hits western NC Tuesday morning

Seven earthquakes have hit the same area of western North Carolina within the past two weeks -- all within a mile of each other.

Federal plan for Nantahala and Pisgah national forests greeted with criticism from environmentalists

A long-awaited land management plan for Nantahala and Pisgah national forests was released Friday by the U.S. Forest Service. Environmental groups say it's a disappointment.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area completes 'Blue Ridge Craft Trail'

There are so many artists in North Carolina, which is why the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area launched the Blue Ridge Craft Trail.

NC sanctuary bears in regulators' -- and perhaps soon hunters' -- crosshairs

As development and tourism increase in western North Carolina, human encounters with black bears are becoming more frequent. State and federal wildlife regulators say more bear hunting is needed.

NC sanctuary bears in regulators'--and perhaps soon hunters'--crosshairs

A black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains. North Carolina regulators are proposing to open three western bear sanctuaries to hunting. (Photo courtesy of Bill Lea)

NC sanctuary bears in regulators'--and perhaps soon hunters'--crosshairs

A black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains. North Carolina regulators are proposing to open three western bear sanctuaries to hunting. (Photo courtesy of Bill Lea)

NC sanctuary bears in regulators'--and perhaps soon hunters'--crosshairs

An alert black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains. North Carolina regulators are proposing to open three western bear sanctuaries to hunting. (Photo courtesy of Bill Lea)

NC sanctuary bears in regulators'--and perhaps soon hunters'--crosshairs

A black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains. North Carolina regulators are proposing to open three western bear sanctuaries to hunting. (Photo courtesy of Bill Lea)

NC sanctuary bears in regulators'--and perhaps soon hunters'--crosshairs

A black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains. North Carolina regulators are proposing to open three western bear sanctuaries to hunting. (Photo courtesy of Bill Lea)

NC sanctuary bears in regulators' -- and perhaps soon hunters' -- crosshairs

As development and tourism increase in western North Carolina, human encounters with black bears are becoming more frequent. State and federal wildlife regulators say more bear hunting is needed

By Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

After decades of devastation, a comeback for western NC forests

A long-term study in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park shows that the number of adult Fraser firs has increased over the last 30 years.

Anne McDarris, UNC MediaHub

State officials discuss Legionnaires' outbreak in western NC

Officials from the N.C. Department of Agriculture are providing an update on their findings in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak investigation that occurred in western North Carolina.

Peak leaf season in the Blue Ridge Mountains will be bright but a little late

The North Carolina mountains will see typically bright fall foliage this year, but the colors might be delayed because of warmer temperatures, Western Carolina University professor Beverly Collins said.

Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist

Minor earthquake felt in western NC

Residents of western North Carolina were wakened early Monday with a shock. According to the United States Geological Survey, an earthquake of 2.2 magnitude was reported just after midnight.

Western Carolina University chancellor dies after fight with brain cancer

The Western Carolina University community is mourning the loss of their chancellor, who died on Sunday after battling brain cancer.

Officials recommend evacuations in western NC ahead of storm

Officials in a North Carolina county where a woman died in a mudslide are recommending voluntary evacuations of some areas as a subtropical storm threatens.