From the Asheville Citizen-Times

"Thousands to Lose Unemployment Locally,"
by Jon Ostendorff

Nearly 2,000 people in Buncombe County will be without unemployment checks at the end of the month unless Congress moves to extend the program again.

... Senate Democrats have said they would support another extension, though the push will probably be wrapped up in House Speaker John Boehner’s negations with President Barack Obama over the fiscal cliff.

U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-Lake Norman, who represents most of Asheville, has voted to extend benefits in the past. His officesaid Friday that he is monitoring the negotiations between House leaders and the president. ...