This episode is the sixth installment in our Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast.
One of the state’s only cryptocurrency mining operations is located a few miles outside Murphy at North Carolina’s far-western tip – and it’s driving the neighbors crazy. Even at a house a mile away, the sound can make it seem like you're next to a busy freeway. It comes from massive computer servers that are running the complex computations needed to power cryptocurrency. The out-of-state companies were drawn here by cheap electricity and a lack of zoning restrictions, forcing the leaders of Cherokee County to balance their conservative love of unfettered property rights with the need to address a modern nuisance. To learn more about how Murphy and Cherokee County are charting a future that brings more tourists while keeping out noisy cryptomines, WUNC spoke with County Commissioner Ben Adams.
State auditor candidates face off in rare statewide runoff election
Previewing the 2024 legislative session with Sen. Gale Adcock
Social studies teacher from 'the Neglected Northeast' wins NC House seat
Meet the ECU student who defeated a 10-term NC lawmaker
Making sense of NC's primary results
Big changes for 2024 voters under new election laws
NC 2024 primary: Races to watch on the Republican Party ballot
NC 2024 primary: Races to watch on the Democratic Party ballot
Main Street NC: Star's quest to replace 100-year-old infrastructure
Main Street NC: Lumbees help turn Robeson County toward GOP
Main Street NC: Hurricane-ravaged downtown rebuilds on higher ground
Main Street NC: 'Tremendous change' in the state's fastest-growing town
Main Street NC: The state's fastest-shrinking towns seek a turnaround
With new GOP-advantage redistricting maps, where do NC Democrats go from here?
A slew of environmental changes become law as NC lawmakers override vetoes
A long-awaited budget bill passes and casinos strike out
Happy hours and Sunday ABC store runs: NC reconsiders alcohol laws
Key senator talks budget delays, vetoes and eastern NC
Top NC House Democrat criticizes legislature's slow summer
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