Good morning and welcome to the Under the Dome newsletter. I’m Emily Vespa. Gov. Josh Stein is asking state lawmakers for $1.07 billion in Hurricane Helene recovery funds to address Western North Carolina’s “immediate needs.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein asked state legislators Monday to roughly double their spending so far on recovery from Hurricane Helene, warning that waiting will cause more business closings, housing construction delays and students falling behind.

Gov. Josh Stein is asking the N.C. General Assembly to fund $1 billion in Helene storm recovery this spring, so Western North Carolina can have the money for “immediate needs.”