LENOIR, N.C. – Trying to keep up with the news in these chaotic times almost seems to be a luxury, or perhaps even a distraction. So, periodically I will offer this “News in Review” segment, especially now that we are entering the warmer days of spring after a very long winter.
No Kings
Indivisible Caldwell County, a committee of people from Caldwell County and beyond have scheduled a No Kings Rally for Lenoir on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 4 – 6 p.m.
The Climate Crisis caused by Duke Energy
NC WARN of Durham, N.C. has been consistently pestering North Carolina Governor Josh Stein to take the lead in forcing Duke Energy to cease its massive expansion of fossil fuels and ongoing suppression of solar and wind power. Among its recent efforts include:
This documentary is must viewing for anyone fed up with the fossil-fuel mono-economy companies such as Duke Energy, Dominion Energy Industry and EQT Corporation that are primary contributors to the Climate Crisis and abuse of people through high power bills.
This is a Resolution that reveals, in detail, the damage being done by Duke Energy and the Climate Crisis.
The Town of Carrboro, N.C. has chosen not to appeal a court’s February dismissal of its groundbreaking climate lawsuit against Duke Energy Corporation. The town says the case is very strong and the court’s order did not challenge Carrboro’s allegations about Duke’s deception campaigns. Therefore, the Town is directing its focus toward NC Governor Josh Stein to rein in Duke Energy’s climate-wrecking behavior.
News and Commentary on Current Events in Appalachia and beyond
What Makes for a Great American?
That is a critical question to ask ourselves in these times, for whatever makes a great American ultimately makes a great America.
In this thought-provoking article, Alan Eddington, a retired priest and a member of our informal editorial board asks, “Why do we have the government that we have today, so corrupt, immoral, and inhumane? I posit that it is precisely because the USA is a ‘Christian’ nation!”
Associated Press reporter Mary Clare Jalonick has written a sentinel and exceptional first draft of history about the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 by supporters of Donald Trump.
WAR WITH IRAN! Opinions Aside, Our Job on the Home Front: Rationing, not Hoarding – and More
Whatever opinion you may have regarding the decision by President Trump to attack Iran in conjunction with Israel, we all have a responsibility to avoid the hoarding madness that occurred during the Pandemic. In short, we must self-ration. War is totally unpredictable, so plan and expect for the worse-case scenarios.
Have you noticed that since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched the war on Iran, that Jeffrey Epstein has disappeared from reporting by America’s major news organizations? Therefore, I wonder whether the mainstream media simply can’t multi-task or if those in charge of America’s legacy news organizations are complicit happy idiots.
Shadow Line Vineyard in Caldwell County is hosting an interest meeting for “A Community of Writers Gathering.” The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is part of my Community Engagement philosophy as well as the community-minded folks at Shadow Line Vineyard to help establish a potential new writing community with folks from Caldwell County and beyond.
‘Forging the Future’ is Theme for Western North Carolina Sculpture Park’s First Fundraiser
The Western North Carolina Sculpture Park, located in the Patterson area of Caldwell County, is holding it’s first fundraiser on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 3 to 6 p.m. It will be held at 1016 Harper Avenue in Lenoir. According to the Sculpture Center’s website, the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center exists to inspire the creation and appreciation of sculpture in the landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
© Michael M. Barrick, 2026. Feature Illustration by Public domain vectorson Unsplash
Appalachian Chronicle 