Asheville

Opinion pieces in several North Carolina newspapers, including the Asheville Citizen Times, the Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer, are urging readers to remember Hurricane Helene while acknowledging climate change as a factor, regardless of political affiliation. The commentaries argue that recognizing the role of a warming climate in extreme weather should not be a partisan issue as communities continue recovering from the storm.

A bear broke into a home in Asheville, North Carolina, in an incident wildlife officials say illustrates why residents must secure food sources. Officials are reminding people to lock trash cans, remove bird feeders and avoid leaving food outside, as bears seeking easy meals increasingly venture into residential neighborhoods.

Environmental Protection Agency officials held a roundtable meeting in Hendersonville, North Carolina, according to the Asheville Citizen Times. The gathering brought agency representatives together with local participants for discussion, though details of the topics and outcomes were not immediately available. It comes as communities across western North Carolina remain focused on environmental and recovery issues.