WFAE Local Content

Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene destroyed Lake Lure’s beloved Flowering Bridge, the structure is set to be rebuilt with more than $2.5 million in federal funds. Republican Congressman Tim Moore says the FEMA grant will cover 90% of the cost to replace the 1925 stone arch bridge, which volunteers had transformed into a public garden. The landmark was declared damaged beyond repair after the storm, and demolition began last month.

The rivers and streams of western North Carolina are still recovering from Hurricane Helene almost a year later. Contractors have pulverized those streams with heavy equipment to remove storm debris — causing a second ecological disaster in the storm’s wake.

The Independent Picture House, JMD Law and Appalachian Theatre of the High Country are founding members of WFAE’s Corporate Circle.

Over the past several months, immigration enforcement activity, both real and rumored, has frightened communities across Charlotte. Latino residents, regardless of status, have been adjusting their daily lives. Many have reduced shopping, gathering and other public activities. While headlines often focus on political arguments and border statistics, the local consequences are playing out quietly, in corner stores, laundromats and bakeries.

We get guidance on who is eligible and how to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles on Tuesday easily won the Democratic primary, getting 71% of the vote against four opponents. That’s a rout. But the results also showed some softening of support compared to her three previous primaries, when she got 85%, 84% and 87%.

After a 3-nil win over Inter Miami Saturday night, Charlotte FC has clinched a Major League Soccer playoff spot. Idan Toklomati scored all three goals. Coach Dean Smith said the Israeli forward is coming into his own.

The Carolina Panthers started slowly again on Sunday, and lost again despite a second-half rally that closed the gap from 27-3 to the final score of 27-22. Quarterback Bryce Young had two early turnovers that got them behind and played catch-up all afternoon.s Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, who got their first win of the season Sunday.

Starting Monday, Hickory’s Riverwalk overwater bridge will be closed to the public for electrical repairs to the lighting system and conduit, which were damaged during Hurricane Helene. The work is expected to take four to six weeks to complete. All other portions of the elevated Riverwalk trail will remain open.

Seismic activity returned to South Carolina over the weekend, as an earthquake was recorded in an area that’s recently experienced lots of tremors. The State newspaper reports South Carolina’s first earthquake of September was a 1.7 magnitude event at 8:28 Saturday night, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. The earthquake was near Ware Shoals, which is the Greenwood County area where 16 quakes were confirmed in a 10-day span in August. There have now been 29 confirmed earthquakes in South Carolina in 2025.

Triangle-based Duke Health has crossed into the Piedmont region, expanding its footprint into Atrium Health and Novant Health territory. Duke acquired Lake Norman Regional in Mooresville in April and will rebrand the hospital as Duke Health Lake Norman. What will this mean for health care?