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

Hurricane Helene relief from the North Carolina General Assembly, the fifth package adding to the more than $1.4 billion aleady appropriated, has stalled. Sens. Ralph Hise, Brent Jackson, Warren Daniel and Kevin Corbin are teaming with Reps.