Birthplace of Country Music Celebrates “Hometown Stars” and Other Shorts

Birthplace of Country Music Celebrates “Hometown Stars”

Many great musical traditions, including country, folk and blues, were influenced by musicians in the Appalachian Mountains. The town of Bristol, which straddles Tennessee and Virginia, was officially recognized in 1998 by Congress as the birthplace of country music, and the town’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum celebrates and preserves that history.

A new exhibit, “Hometown Stars,” which runs from Feb. 7 until June 4, tells the stories of Southwest Virginia musicians from before World War II who recorded music but never achieved real fame. Instead, they performed locally and often held non-musical jobs, but they still had a big impact on the growing recording industry. Artists showcased in the exhibit include the Powers Family, Carl Martin and the Roanoke Jug Band. — Adrienne Fouts

Asheville to Retain Ownership of Water System

In a 5-2 decision, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the state legislature’s move to seize Asheville’s water system was unconstitutional. The verdict, delivered in a 42-page opinion on Dec. 21, 2016, reverses an appellate court decision to uphold the legislature’s attempt and follows a suit from the City of Asheville.

N.C. Company Exporting Biomass to Europe

According to the Triangle Business Journal, alternative energy company Enviva Biomass is now exporting their wood pellets to Europe from the port at Wilmington, N.C.

The facility has a pair of storage domes that can house about 50,000 metric tons of material.
Large-scale logging by the wood pellet industry has disrupted millions of acres of forest across the Southeast.

Signs of Life

In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.

Dan Buchanan stands in front of Double Island Volunteer Fire Department's fire engine

‘First Line of Defense’

During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.

Alice and Gary Stevens stand on their new 40-foot bridge with their dog in Watauga County, N.C.

The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery

Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.

Since the proposed federal prison near Roxana was first announced, it has faced opposition from some local residents. Photo by Willie Dodson

After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain

A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.

Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin after the storm. Photo courtesy of Ballad Health

The Washout and Rebuild

For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.

Shenandoah salamander. Photo by Rob and Ann Simpson

The Shenandoah Salamander

The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.

Birthplace of Country Music Celebrates “Hometown Stars” and Other Shorts