An iconic tourist attraction in an area of western North Carolina among the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene has reopened to the public. North Carolina Gov.

On Monday the North Carolina Senate approved another $700 million in Hurricane Helene relief funds as the hard-hit parts of western North Carolina continue to recovery from the destructive storm.

Half a billion dollars in additional Hurricane Helene relief appeared on its way to approval at the North Carolina legislature Thursday as lawmakers prepared to take much of the summer off. The last-minute push to help western North Carolina’s recovery comes as the state’s Republican legislative leaders struggle to reach a deal on the broader