Needle exchanges, disease testing, providing Narcan and other harm reduction efforts navigate complexities of Western NC communities.

Reducing drug harm in NC mountain counties is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Former Swain Co. sheriff faces sex crime charges from NC and Cherokees. He might avoid NC prosecution if judge buys mental fitness claim.

Unfit to stand trial? Ex-sheriff facing sex charges seeks to avoid prosecution. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Building interstate through rugged terrain and displacing neighborhoods part of the complex legacy of I-26 as construction continues.

I-26 projects through NC mountains have long history of controversy is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Federal funding woes have made housing recovery uneven after Helene. But state and nonprofit programs helping create success stories.

Places to stay. Western NC housing recovery continues 2 years after Helene. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

In many Western NC communities devastated by Helene, volunteer organizations have helped bring relief while government funding has been slow.

Filling the gaps after Helene. Volunteer groups have stepped up across the NC mountains over last 2 years. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

White House emphasizes administration's role in Western NC post-Helene recovery during G20 summit in Asheville. But some say it's a big "lie."

Rival Helene recovery narratives compete as Asheville hosts G20 summit is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Move to end Flock contract fails to placate Asheville residents who object to city's continued investment in other surveillance technology.

Asheville terminates Flock contract in heated council meeting is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Citizens groups push for NC governments to cut off contracts with Flock and similar surveillance companies. Some sheriffs defend programs.

Flock backlash growing in some Western NC communities is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Henderson is largest farming county in Western NC, but like other areas has been rapidly losing farmland. Some hope to reverse that.

Halting the loss of farmland in Western NC is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Strong fundraising by Democratic candidate Jamie Ager hints that race with Balkcom could be heated despite district's usual GOP slant.

GOP picks Balkcom to run in place of Edwards for NC congressional seat is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

The Rural Health Transformation Program could offer significant healthcare access improvements to the NC mountains.

Transforming healthcare in Western NC is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Even if HCA's operation of Mission Health is found in noncompliance, it may be able to wait out the expiration of the purchase stipulations.

Noncompliance issues plague Mission Health. But time might be on its side. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Helene turned some NC mountain communities into food deserts. Nonprofit efforts stepping forward with answers while stores remain closed.

Tackling the NC food deserts that Helene created is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.