Good morning, Hickory.

North Carolina’s jobless rate fell to 3.4% in September 2026 + nonfarm employment grew as key private sectors added jobs despite some industry losses, signaling a positive trend in the state’s job market.

Catawba County Library is adding 135 Roku devices and over 100 Wi-Fi hotspots to its lending collection to boost streaming and learning, and branch demonstrations will begin November 3 (2–4 p.m.) at Maiden with more classes planned for November.

Residents are invited to submit comments on Carolina Lithium’s air-quality permit for a Gaston County lithium mine by Friday, Oct.

23. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality extended the deadline by one week after an Oct. 13 hearing + will review feedback before a final decision.

The Lights of Love fundraiser by the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation will end soon, offering ornaments and lights for purchase to support the UNC Health Blue Ridge Cancer Center and local cancer patients.