• Updated

FILE - Dustin Holmes, second from right, holds hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, while returning to their flooded home with her children Aria Skye Hall, 7, right, and Kyle Ross, 4, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 27, 2024, in Crystal River, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

  • Updated

FILE - Personnel from Urban Search and Rescue Utah Task Force 1 work in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Oct. 4, 2024, in Erwin, Tenn. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

  • Updated

FILE - Dustin Holmes, second from right, holds hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, while returning to their flooded home with her children Aria Skye Hall, 7, right, and Kyle Ross, 4, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 27, 2024, in Crystal River, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

It's not uncommon for real Christmas trees this year to cost $200 locally due to a multiple factors affecting supply and demand on a national level. Local businesses have different pricing strategies while national supply generally remains stable post-Hurricane Helene. Though rising costs contribute to higher prices, the spirit of Christmas continues to drive customers to shop local.

  • Updated

The Maryland Army National Guard has been assisting with recovery efforts in North Carolina in response to Hurricane Helene. Governor Wes Moore approved a team of 12 soldiers, along with two helicopters and three civilian firefighters from the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (MD-HART), for the mission.