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How Hurricane Helene impacted the job market in Western North Carolina: report

by Priya Shah โ€“ Business Editor
written by Priya Shah โ€“ Business Editor

Helene’s Aftermath: Western NC Labor Market Suffers Significant Job Losses

Storm Wiped Out Nearly 19,000 Positions, Report Finds

Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina extended far beyond flooded streets and damaged homes, triggering a sharp decline in the region’s labor market. A comprehensive report from the North Carolina Department of Commerce reveals the storm’s devastating effect on employment across various sectors.

Storm Deluge Causes Widespread Job Cuts

In the aftermath of Helene’s passage on September 27, 2024, the region experienced a substantial blow to its workforce. Total employment across all industries in Western North Carolina dropped by nearly 19,000 jobs, marking a 2.8% contraction. This loss occurred in a region that previously accounted for approximately 14% of the state’s total workforce.

Buncombe County Faces Steepest Employment Decline

Buncombe County bore the brunt of these job losses, with nearly 13,000 positions eliminated, a significant 9.3% decrease in employment. Other counties also faced severe repercussions. Avery County saw the sharpest percentage drop, with employment falling 13.5%. Mitchell and Yancey counties also reported substantial declines, at 6.5% and 11.4%, respectively.

Leisure and Hospitality Hit Hardest

The leisure and hospitality sector was particularly devastated, losing approximately 14,000 jobs, a 15.6% reduction. Manufacturing also experienced a downturn, with a 1.6% job loss, while the “Other Services” sector saw a 4.9% decline in employment.

Conversely, some sectors showed resilience and even growth. Trade, transportation, and utilities, along with education and health services, recorded an increase in employment following the hurricane. Despite these gains in certain areas, overall job levels have not yet fully recovered to pre-storm figures.

The report highlights that while job numbers have stabilized, full recovery to pre-hurricane levels remains an ongoing challenge for the Western North Carolina economy. The North Carolina Department of Commerce continues to monitor the situation and support recovery efforts.

For further details on the labor market impacts of Hurricane Helene, the full report is available via the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

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Entertainment

Public Broadcasting Cuts: WNCW and Blue Ridge Public Radio Face Uncertainty

by Julia Evans โ€“ Entertainment Editor
written by Julia Evans โ€“ Entertainment Editor

This article discusses the impact of significant budget cuts to public broadcasting, specifically affecting NPR and PBS, following approval by the House and Senate. The cuts, totaling $9 billion, are supported by President Donald trump and aim to reduce federal spending.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

The Cuts: The House and Senate have both approved $9 billion in spending cuts, which include reductions to public broadcasting (NPR, PBS) and foreign aid.
 Impact on WNCW: Martin Anderson, WNCW’s music director, estimates an 8% loss, equating to approximately $160,000 in CPB funding. He highlights WNCW’s role as a community service, providing essential data, especially during events like Hurricane Helene.
WNCW’s Operations: The station has 10 full-time and 20 part-time staff and operates on a $2 million budget, largely funded by listener donations. They have previously overcome funding losses by relying on their community.
 BPR’s Response: Ele Ellis, BPR’s CEO and general manager, estimates a $330,000 cut and hopes to raise the necessary funds rather than implement cuts to programming. The cuts are not expected to take effect for another year, giving them time to plan.
Republican Viewpoint: Merry Guy, Republican Party Chair for North carolina’s 11th Congressional District, acknowledges the importance of public radio but believes federal spending cuts are necessary due to government overspending. She expresses confidence that local stations can secure support from their listeners.
 debate on Bias: Anderson refutes the claim that public radio reporting has a liberal slant,stating that WNCW’s local news aligns with the NPR mission of delivering fair and balanced information.
* Broader Impact: Beyond news, the cuts could affect music licensing for public radio stations, potentially limiting their music catalogs. Anderson notes that public radio stations rely heavily on music programming.

in essence,the article highlights the financial challenges facing public broadcasting due to federal budget cuts,the potential impact on local stations like WNCW and BPR,and the differing perspectives on the necessity and consequences of these reductions.

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News

Missing Arizona Woman: Family in Asheville Seeks Answers in Silver Alert

by Emma Walker โ€“ News Editor
written by Emma Walker โ€“ News Editor

Here’s a summary of the provided text:

The article reports on the disappearance of Ms.Talbot, whose car was found in springerville, Arizona. The vehicle contained her belongings and her deceased dog, which her family states is highly unusual as she adored her pet.

Police Lieutenant Shane Bevington confirmed that the car was located outside the Springerville area in Apache County. Searches by the Apache County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety have been conducted but have not yet located Ms. Talbot.

Ms. Talbot has family in Asheville, North Carolina, including her grate-aunt Erica Morgan. morgan describes Talbot as having considered Asheville her home and having lived there for a meaningful portion of her life. While Talbot has been living in Arizona for the past 10 years, she maintained contact with her Asheville family, visiting occasionally.

Morgan mentioned that Talbot’s health had been declining over the past year, making communication and travel more difficult. talbot was reportedly planning to visit her son, who lives three hours away, and also intended to visit Asheville.

The circumstances of her disappearance, especially leaving her belongings and deceased dog in a totaled car, are considered very strange by her family. Morgan expressed concern about how a 67-year-old woman could have “entirely vanished” despite search efforts.

Ms. talbot is described as a white female, 5’8″ tall, weighing 130 pounds, with white hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a white, blue, and black floral blouse, a black jacket, and black jeans.

Her family is deeply worried and praying for her safe return.They also noted that she has a history of mental illness that has worsened in the past year and that she needs her family.

Anyone with data regarding Ms. Talbot’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Round Valley Police Department at 928-333-4240 or the Apache County Sheriff’s Office at 928-337-4321.

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