Good morning, Hickory.

A local veteran told how he once faced jail time and then joined the Army to serve as a medic in Vietnam—he later became a pastor, nurse and volunteer in McDowell County.

The Beatrice Cobb Trust awarded $540,000 to organizations in North Carolina—its gift shows that the late publisher of The News Herald still supports local causes.

WHKY partners with Second Harvest Food Bank for its second annual Turkey Drop, a drive-thru food donation event scheduled for November 26 from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. at WHKY Studios at 526 Main Avenue SE in Hickory—Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Newton will offer hot and iced drinks in the morning.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said that ByHeart Inc. Whole Nutrition Infant Formula has been recalled nationwide after 15 infants—one in North Carolina—were suspected of infant botulism, and they warned parents and caregivers to discard or return any impacted product found in their homes.

The Hickory Crawdads announced the tentative first pitch times for all 66 home games in the 2026 season.

Tuesday through Saturday games will start at 7 p.m. while Sundays begin at 2 p.m. (the May 24 game will start at 6:30 p.m. for a Memorial Day firework show, Education Day games on April 15th, May 7th, and May 20th will begin at 11 a.m. following a 6 p.m. opener, a Camp Day game is set for June 17th at 12:05 p.m., and a concert game on July 25th will have a 5 p.m. first pitch).

Hickory Holiday Parade

6-8 p.m. — Hickory Music Factory — Free entry — Enjoy lively performances by the HMF Steel Band and Jazz Band under the sails in downtown Hickory!