North Carolina legislators return to Raleigh this week for what will very likely be the final session of 2024. It’s also the final opportunity for lawmakers to appropriate funds that would help the residents of western North Carolina who are still struggling to recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

When Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, many Christmas tree farms, a major source of income in that part of the state, suffered major damage.

The lawmaker representing Haywood and Madison counties told Queen City News he has not been approached by Republican leadership about any changes to the bill, but said he had not decided how he will vote if an override is pursued by the supermajority.

Toys for Tots anticipates a greater need this year for donations in western North Carolina after the Helene disaster.

According to FEMA, 33 families have temporary homes to call their own in Western North Carolina as of Thanksgiving and nearly 500 families have been approved for housing. FEMA is paying hotel costs for almost 12,000 survivors in the state. The federal agency has already paid more than $ 940,000 to help survivors with their rent.

Hurricane Helene took out critical infrastructure in western North Carolina, specifically water systems that were already under much strain.

A Western North Carolina winter festival is back and will run until Christmas. The 6th annual Winterfest is underway at Tryon International Equestrian Center.

They served 2,400 meals to residents in Burnsville and the surrounding communities on Thanksgiving Day. The nonprofit has been helping people in Western North Carolina since the beginning of October. In total, they've served over 350,000 meals in the state.

Equipment operators from across the country came to Western North Carolina to assist in cleanup from Tropical Storm Helene.