• Former housing authority leader files wrongful termination lawsuit against agency
• Could Asheville water customers face restrictions amid drought?
• Drought crisis threatens crops in Western North Carolina farms
• Just Economics executive director plans to step down
• Asheville opens new era at renovated stadium, same result

• Buncombe County faces $41 million budget gap for fiscal year 2026-27
• Asheville police increase presence in public housing to improve safety
• Blue Ridge Parkway cleanup aims to cut wildfire danger after Helene
• Backlash in Asheville with emergence of Christian nationalism to justify Iran war
• Asheville Merchants Fund awards $780,000 to support Buncombe County nonprofits

• Marijuana rarely top charge in Asheville arrests, often secondary offense
• Marshall takes a step to revitalize Blannahassett Island
• Wild West of NC: Three sheriffs in hot water with the same DA.
• Cemetery project aims to preserve and honor Black history
• Community concern grows as rangers search for stray dogs along parkway

• Asheville faces budget gap impacting property tax rates and homeowner expenses
• Canton family settles C-section malpractice lawsuit with HCA, Mission Hospital
• 50 Years Later: Virginia Olson murder investigation in Asheville
• A statewide public art initiative is rolling out at Pack Memorial Library
• Opinion: Are Asheville's and North Carolina’s dog bite rules too lax?

• Costco's Asheville plans hinge on I-26 Connector funding challenges
• Asheville police plan to address complaints of disorder downtown
• Asheville's new ordinance for abandoned buildings and current inventory details
• 4 bicycle thieves nabbed after nearly $50K in losses reported
• Protester banned from Rep. Chuck Edwards’ McDonald’s franchises

• State of the City: Updates on downtown Asheville projects and safety initiatives
• Despite no revenue from it, city says it didn’t whiff on renaming McCormick Field
• Activists challenge U.S. Forest Service changes to forest protections in WNC
• Asheville Fire Department launches Community Emergency Response Team
• First freight train rolls through restored Old Fort Loops this weekend

• Two students charged after loaded firearm, ammunition found at Roberson High
• Asheville delays vote on surveillance funding amid public concerns
• A quicker, cheaper college degree: UNC System could offer option with fewer credits.
• NC House committee advances constitutional amendment limiting property tax increases
• Brewery owner John Richardson runs for Black Mountain Town Council

• Asheville's funding confusion leaves homeowners in need after Hurricane Helene
• Asheville council to review $1.1M grant for police intelligence hub
• Do Buncombe tax assessors who work in real estate have conflicts of interest?
• Proposed apartment complex near Round Top estate raises community concerns
• Buncombe County's largest public park opens atop Deaverview Mountain

• Court ruling halts Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan over endangered species concerns
• First EBCI member nominated for North Carolina House District 119
• McCormick Field rebranded as HomeTrust Park after 100 years of history
• Virginia Olson cold case revisited 50 years later in Asheville's community
• City Seeks Community Input on Proposed Sites for New Pickleball Complex

• Ramp closures for I-26 Connector begin April 16 with bus service changes
• Looking Glass Fire contained; Jack Branch Fire updates in Pisgah National Forest
• Proposals for a unified fire district in Buncombe County raise key questions
• Criticism mounts over awarding of acute care beds to Mission Hospital
• WNC parks receive $4 million for recovery from Hurricane Helene

• Asheville housing authority lays off a fifth of workforce amid budget shortfall
• Asheville police captain's 2024 earnings surpassed $300,000 due to overtime
• Potential changes to cannabis laws in North Carolina and their implications for WNC
• Growth in West Asheville spurs demand for more shopping options, including Costco
• Arts organizations tackle funding cuts while working on recovery plans

• DHS Secretary Mullin visits Hickory Nut Gorge
• Asheville roundtable targets federal plan affecting protected forests
• Asheville renews contract with bus operator despite concerns
• Community feedback shapes future of Charles D. Owen Park in Swannanoa
• New McCormick Field signs require City Council approval

• Buncombe County lost population for the first time in ages
• Forest Service overhaul could impact Asheville research hubs
• FEMA announces funding for home buyouts in Helene recovery effort
• Here's what goes into fire ban decisions
• Eaton expanding with 300 high-wage jobs in Buncombe County

• Buncombe County Schools request more funding after NC Supreme Court ruling
• Affordable housing project approved amid traffic concerns in Asheville
• Developer says Asheville Ramada project still underway
• Mission Hospital unit’s core nursing staff plunged in years before woman’s death
• Drawing from Real Life: Comics anthology inspired by Helene

• Housing funding challenges hinder recovery for Hurricane Helene survivors in WNC
• Homelessness count reveals rising numbers and personal stories from Asheville residents
• $8 million grant for Pisgah National Forest restoration projects
• EBCI suspends Qualla Enterprises board amid investigation into misconduct
• A-B Tech wins accolades at regional culinary competition and heads to nationals

• Despite multiple sanctions, Mission Hospital receives state approval to add 95 beds
• Buncombe County eyes $500M-plus budget amid rising costs
• Two Asheville disability service nonprofits merge operations
• Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute supports NASA's Artemis II mission tracking
• Burial Beer plans new River Arts District taproom

• Burn ban fails to stop surge in North Carolina wildfires
• Management plan for NC national forests breaks federal law, judge rules
• Buncombe County increases budget, Asheville plans service cuts amid financial challenges
• Asheville City Council considers eliminating parking minimums to boost housing development
• Tracy Parkinson named MHU’s Executive Vice President and Provost

• Wildfires in North Carolina prompt statewide burn ban amid drought conditions
• Asheville-to-Salisbury train project gains momentum and support from local leaders
• Kindergarteners and K-2 Black students made gains, but education gaps remain
• Blue Ridge Parkway repairs expected to be completed by end of year
• Rollins community celebrates families moving into new homes

• Buncombe tax reassessment shifts burden from businesses to homeowners
• Tourism officials consider sports complexes for visitor attraction
• Wildfires burning in Asheville area, Jumping Branch Fire reaches 175 acres
• Legacy of Asheville's Big Flush water system cleanse 30 years ago
• Haywood commissioners to appoint interim tax collector after sudden resignation

• ‘We’ve got to fight until Trump is gone’: Asheville’s 3rd No Kings rally draws record crowd
• Impact of Hurricane Helene on homelessness in Buncombe County
• U.S. 64 reopens for public traffic after 18-month closure
• NC elections officials caution against ‘saying stupid things’
• Asheville's plans for a new performing arts center after 60 years

• Asheville's proposed budget cuts impact arts grants, community services
• Asheville approves $55M contract for bus system
• Buncombe lawmaker publicizes lewd message from UNC trustee 
• Second water main break disrupts service in Woodfin
• No Kings protests planned across Western North Carolina this weekend

• Asheville sues over HVAC failures at Harrah's Cherokee Center
• Asheville City Council takes another step toward new arts center
• Buncombe DA-elect accused of mishandling appellate cases and missing deadlines
• Asheville council OKs rate hikes for water, stormwater, sanitation
• After man's death in Asheville, FBI identifies him as wanted for 1988 armored car theft

• Fire danger high across Asheville area amid drought conditions
• Asheville woman charged after shooting injures seven in downtown incident
• Kmart property in West Asheville remains vacant amid redevelopment struggles
• Asheville’s music industry is bigger than it was 2016, but structurally different
• A Marshall man didn’t report to prison, so a judge sent his mother to jail

• 'Wandering officers' widespread across Western North Carolina police departments
• From buckets to blacktop: NC lawmakers rethink how future transportation dollars are spent
• Community support drive for TSA officers at Asheville Regional Airport
• Proposed 226 affordable apartments in Shiloh neighborhood of Asheville
• Cleanup begins at Mountaineer Inn after years of neglect and unpaid taxes

• Sackler family seeks board seat at Ingles Markets amid performance concerns
• FEMA plans to relaunch climate resiliency grant program for North Carolina projects
• Buncombe County closes on Deaverview Mountain land
• The latest report from the Government Accountability Project of Asheville
• Would a new performing arts center in Asheville be a boon or a threat to The Block?

• HCA board opposes Mayfield's proposal for transparency on Mission Hospital's acquisition
• Buncombe County plans unified fire tax district for better emergency coverage
• Roy Cooper brings campaign to Asheville, addressing rising living costs and data center regulations
• Dispute continues between Black Mountain businesses and town after failed meeting
• Great Mother March empowers individuals through creative expression and unity

• Debate over Buncombe's Craggy Dam: Value, cost, benefit and future in doubt
• New SNAP Requirements could stress county budgets
• Madison County considers rezoning for general store amid community concerns
• Asheville launches study on stormwater system and nuisance flooding issues
• $5 million awarded to prevent homelessness in Asheville-Buncombe area

• Asheville leaders commit to 'urgency' after recent shootings, but also cite challenges
• Buncombe County homeowners face sticker shock over newly assessed property values
• Asheville Regional Airport update: parking fees studied; support for unpaid TSA workers
• Black Mountain moves public safety staff after building deemed unsafe
• $1M in grants for A-B Tech's high school work-based education program

• Mission Hospital to evaluate leadership's 'capacity and competency'
• Here's what Chuck Edwards has to say about Iran war, FEMA reform and more
• Hickory Nut Gap Farms CEO Jamie Ager spells out contrasts with Edwards
• Nearly 6,000 acres intentionally burned across WNC already this month
• Van Noort: UNCA’s future will not be secured by standing still

• HUD addresses home repair funding challenges in WNC after Hurricane Helene
• Prosecutors drop charges against veteran who burned US flag in protest
• Josh Morgan resigns after eight years at Shining Rock Classical Academy
• Proposed greenway in Swannanoa aims to reduce flooding and boost resilience
• Buncombe County hosts property appeal clinics in April, final appeal deadline May 5

• Asheville among cities to benefit from GE Aerospace expansion
• AG Jackson secures $2.5M in restored federal funding for public schools
• New YouthBuild program supports career development for local youths
• 'We're 100 years behind': Buncombe County begins work on first Pedestrian Plan
• Volunteers in Marshall working on Rollins, Blannahassett Island projects

• Asheville leaders address gun violence with new safety initiatives, community partnerships
• Mission Hospital independent monitor meets with public in Asheville, Brevard
• Defendants guilty in West Asheville Library assault case
• With dam removal on table, tensions flare between conservationists, wastewater officials
• These Asheville services might see fee hikes this year

• No Pipe Dream: PVC pipe cleanup still happening on the French Broad
• How to weigh in on Asheville's new riverfront park design concepts
• Study: Craggy Dam's removal from could lower flooding risks, improve water quality
• National Park Service targets climate signage in the Great Smoky Mountains
• Haywood Community College hosts second annual WNC Environmental Summit

• Second Asheville fatal shooting in three days, city's first this year
• State law restricts downzoning, affecting Buncombe County’s planning efforts
• Bill Hart named as City of Asheville Water Resources Director
• Canton secures land for wastewater treatment and redevelops paper mill site
• Opinion: ART buses sometimes look empty, but service is more complicated than we realize

• All Helene-damaged Blue Ridge Parkway sections to reopen by end of year
• Costco considering a return to development negotiating table, says Mayor Manheimer
• After 37 years of effort, work on the I-26 Connector finally getting started
• Mother gives birth in jail toilet after seeking medical assistance
• Asheville restaurants navigate post-storm recovery and prepare for spring tourism

• Update on six Asheville-area law enforcement officers arrested in past year
• Senators say Noem 'hampered' disaster response as delayed FEMA money comes to WNC
• Dogwood Health Trust helps launch collaboration to strengthen WNC health centers
• Asheville Regional Airport reports strong passenger growth despite hurricane challenges
• EBCI residents respond to proposed name change to Eastern Cherokee Nation

• Buncombe County primary election turnout nears 55,000 votes
• Martin Moore elected Buncombe County's first Black district attorney
• NC universities prepare for federal digital accessibility deadline
• Asheville resident seeks help for loved one stranded in Kuwait
• Street paper is also an income stream for Asheville's unhoused

• Ager landslide, Moore wins DA, six moving on to city council general election
• New outdoor venue Hellbender to open in Asheville with concert series
• Warren Wilson, Mars Hill U + WCU part of program to bolster social work workforce
• Potential performing arts center in Asheville raises displacement concerns for East End
• Former Moog property sold and transformed into hub for displaced businesses

• NC-11 Democrats oppose DCCC's early support for Jamie Ager
• Asheville City Council and Buncombe County DA races highlight today’s primary
• Local officials marshaling effort to bring Costco back to the table
• Madison County secures $3 million for new Public Safety Center funding
• A rundown of the controversy over UNC Asheville's proposed soccer stadium

• FEMA announces $166 million for North Carolina storm and COVID recovery efforts
• Asheville faces $26.4 million budget gap, exploring tax increases and cuts
• Asheville-Buncombe receives $5 million for homelessness prevention initiative
• Concerns arise over Helene recovery plan for North Carolina national forests
• Hive Ambition's inaugural women's business social in March

• Questions, caution about reparations recommendations amid federal scrutiny
• Attorney found guilty of property theft through fraud
• Storm damage and grant delays endanger historic Black cemetery restoration
• Walton Street pool design progresses
• DA won't seek death penalty in Henderson County poisoning case

• Residents respond to Asheville's $30M budget shortfall discussion
• Asheville unveils plans for a new performing arts center development
• Demolition plans for Mission Hospital's St. Joseph's campus
• Leaders work to revive Asheville Costco development plans
• City Council seeks funding for downtown road safety study

• Veteran Smith works to distinguish himself in challenge for NC-11 seat
• DA considers pursuing death penalty in murder-by-poison charges
• Suspended APD officer had previous domestic incidents before alleged assault
• Pisgah Forest service worker sues over age discrimination claims
• Asheville Downtown Association launches state of downtown survey

• Analysis: Costco's retreat underscores Asheville's dysfunction
• National Dems back Ager in NC-11 Democratic primary
• Asheville to host G20 finance leaders in August, September
• Fewer men at UNCA reflects growing gender gap statewide
• Historic Riverview Station in Asheville sold, set for restoration after Helene

• Asheville police officer charged with assault same day he was sworn in
• Mission Hospital fired an ‘outspoken’ nurse. Supporters allege retaliation
• Asheville is the most lethal big city in the state for cyclists
• Southeastern Container to invest $31M in Buncombe expansion
• Asheville appears more than 100 times in Epstein files

• Costco withdraws application for highly anticipated Asheville location
• Buncombe is mailing new property value notices in 2026 reappraisal
• Tropical Storm Helene road repair costs near $5.8B in North Carolina
• Drought tightens grip on Asheville, Buncombe County
• 200+ students at A.C. Reynolds High School latest to hold anti-ICE walkout

• Buncombe County lays groundwork for November bond referenda
• FEMA to reimburse western N.C. nearly $1.4M for Helene response costs
• NCInnovation Pipeline Program Launches at UNC Asheville
• Protesters gather at Pack Square and Edwards’ office as part of National Day of Action
• New Asheville documentary looks at urban renewal's impact on Black residents*

• Gov. Stein Announces $5.7M for French Broad flood resilience projects
• Three WNC leaders to advise governor on storm recovery, gangs, disability
• Local restaurants relaunch and regroup on the flood plain
• Democrats lead early voting turnout in Buncombe County primary
• Groups rallying in Asheville, Hendersonville for National Day of Action

• WNC still awaits billions in Tropical Storm Helene relief funding
• Buncombe County explores single fire district tax rate
• UNCA students and community members hold a 'walk out' on campus
• Cotton Mill studios reopen more than a year post-Helene
• Mayor Manheimer presents Billy Strings key to the city

• WNC drought deepens despite rain; Buncombe now “severe"
• Volunteers conduct Buncombe homelessness count; results expected this spring
• Asheville, Buncombe defend DEI outreach; deny race-based allocations
• NC-11 Democrats must win rural WNC; party invests long-term
• Police-impersonation suspect surrenders; held without bond

Buncombe confirms seventh measles case; lists exposure sites

Fairview roadside fires traced to catalytic converter debris, not arson

NC-11 GOP primary: Green Beret Adam Smith challenges Edwards

Asheville street paper The Intersection offers income, counters stereotypes

• Helene survivors fear ReBuild NC déjà vu as Renew NC stalls
• Study boosts Asheville passenger rail push; service eyed by 2035
• Asheville police to open Tanger outlet resource center
• DA moves to oust WNC sheriffs over alleged misconduct
• Mission Hospital listening sessions set for March 9–10

• Asheville rheumatologist settles alleged Medicare billing for foreign drugs
• Helene private-road program can fund only 300 repairs
• Lake Lure refilling; aims to reopen by Memorial Day
• Rural WNC clinics reeling after federal primary-care program cut
• Asheville band Wednesday leaves Wasserman over Epstein-linked CEO

• Airbnb lawsuit may set North Carolina liability precedent*
• Asheville’s $500,000 tree fund sits unused after four years
• MountainTrue returns flood-lost keepsakes while clearing Helene debris*
• $290 million to restore Pisgah, Nantahala forests after Helene*
• UNC Asheville track coach Joel Williams dies after cancer battle

• Asheville officer DWI arrest; Hendersonville captain fired for time abuse
• Buncombe tax fight could reclassify Airbnbs as commercial
• Asheville council hopefuls tout housing, bike safety; consensus at forum
• Judge skeptical in WCU early-voting lawsuit; decision imminent
• MountainTrue tests find mostly clean French Broad post-Helene

• New Rave alerts replace CodeRED after cyberattack glitches
• Asheville market steadies: $500K median, listings linger longer
• $7.5M RAD Creative Campus planned as flood-resilient arts hub
• Reparations report urges Black wellness investments, “Black Joy Fund”
• Stephens-Lee High’s legacy: civil rights leadership, “Castle on Hill”

• Asheville weighs Fourth Amendment workplace protections amid immigration enforcement fears
• Commissioner Horton sues Buncombe, alleging illegal adult-care funding suspension
• NCDOT report: Restoring Salisbury–Asheville rail could add 5,000 jobs
• Canton to hear proposed ban on data centers, crypto mining
• Johnston Boulevard sidewalk project starts; West Asheville expects 18 months

• 23,000 tons salt spread; icy roads linger statewide
• Mission Hospital cited after measles patients waited unisolated
• Buncombe DA Democrats split on decriminalization, accountability, reform
• 70,000 NC voters risk provisional ballots over missing ID
• Beaver Lake drained to fix hurricane-stuck valve; refilling

• Bitter cold, black ice greeted Asheville area yesterday
• Asheville firefighters want pay raises for their 'most vulnerable'
• Asheville violent crime dropped in 2025, fewest homicides since 2017
• Ingles’ sales, profits surged as grocery prices soared following pandemic
• Students challenge state after early voting sites cut at NC universities

• WNC schools go virtual after storm dumps 14.5 inches.
• Code Purple shelter overflows; unhoused man yields bed during snow.
• UNC Asheville woods panel criticized as insider-only, closed-door process.
• Mission Hospital again in immediate jeopardy; regulators cite patient risk.
• Asheville DEI, $30M gap to face NC House committee scrutiny.

• Winter Storm Watch: up to seven inches possible through Saturday
• Downtown Asheville holiday traffic up; recovery still uneven
• Blue Ridge Parkway visits hit 17.5 million, highest since 2006
• Asheville eases ADU conversions, removing variance and fee
• Fontana Regional Library director resigns amid board tensions

• Asheville approves $15.5M Helene small-business recovery grants
• Nearly $1M HOME funds for WNC rent, repairs, down payments
• UNC Asheville forms advisory committee for 200-acre Millennial Campus
• ABCCM anticipates spike in heating aid as temps plunge
• YouthBuild CORE-2 offers free GED and construction training

• Asheville projects $30M gap; tax hike likely
• Helene’s shadow: Asheville hospitality jobs down, lodging sales
• NC elections board ends WCU early voting; Madison spared
• Buncombe DSS partners with Foster Family Alliance for permanency
• Black Mountain Brewing deck approved despite fire rules, records show

• Buncombe bailiff indicted for perjury in Guyton mistrial
• Asheville may shift $17M from apartments to home repairs
• Buncombe seeks input for first countywide pedestrian plan
• Health officials warn low measles shots; hotline, clinic open
• UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Hall gets $36M arts renovation

• Helene triggers landslide mapping overhaul toward resilience, real-time monitoring
• UNC Asheville expands Access Asheville aid to neighboring states
• Council weighs moving West Asheville police center to Tanger Outlets
• Asheville sues Mountaineer Inn owners over neglect, unpaid taxes
• Saniway vacuum shop closing signals end of service retail era

• Estate alleges HCA legal fraud in wheelchair-van death suit
• Mosley, Morman eligibility challenged; Keith Young residency questions linger
• Thermo Fisher to close Weaverville plant by end-2026
• Manheimer campaigns on housing, Helene equity, higher-wage jobs
• Architect urges UNCA to rethink Woods with community-driven vision

• NC House panel targets Asheville, Raleigh equity programs
• Asheville to rewrite broken development ordinance by 2029
• Buncombe locks in school funding formula through 2029
• Federal cut endangers WNC full-service community schools rollout
• Franklin votes to return Noquisiyi Mound to Eastern Band Cherokee

• Asheville missing-middle zoning reforms stall amid gentrification fears
• Buncombe weighs LIFT funding: river parks vs indoor center
• Buncombe and Wake counties create 911 disaster backup pact
• Woodfin surf wave aims to spark tourism, new businesses
• UNC Asheville removes “Batland” art as woods protests grow

• Pine Gate sells 1GW solar portfolio in bankruptcy deal
• I-40 west of Asheville could get first toll lanes
• East Asheville booster pump station awaits Hazen & Sawyer report
• Veteran interim manager Richard Hicks tapped to lead Black Mountain
• Leicester stump dump proposal sparks dust, noise, traffic worries

• 20 file for Asheville council, including former councilmember Keith Young
• Suit alleges forced labor, strip searches at teen centers
• NC gets $213M rural health aid amid Medicaid cuts
• Over 1,000 Buncombe customers lose power, most in Swannanoa
• ABCCM Safe & Warm drive seeks coats, heaters, donations

• Judge advances petition to remove DA Ted Bell
• U.S. 176 closure keeps Saluda businesses stranded post-Helene
• All Asheville Proterra electric buses sidelined amid parts shortage
• Buncombe 2026 property listing open; Feb. 2 deadline
• Asheville plans Eagle–Market cultural corridor linking Pack Square

• Vic Morman joins Buncombe sheriff race, cites outreach priorities
• Asheville warming sites expand as Code Purple shelters activate
• DK Wesley sworn in as Asheville city manager Jan. 8
• Mellon-backed corridor redesign links Pack Square to The Block
• Costco Asheville proposal stalls amid industrial-land, small-business concerns

• Free Helene-recovery campground planned beside Swannanoa warehouse
• NCDOT starts buying land for I-26 Connector north section
• Buncombe opens 2026-27 grants: housing, aging, equity, health
• Elk tangled in toddler swing reignites NC hunting debate
• WCU education leader: UNC syllabi-posting mandate chills academic freedom

• Renew NC disaster-housing deadline extended to Jan. 31.
• Wrongful death suit connects Mission/HCA to alleged hit+run.
• Former Rep. Wilma Sherrill, UNCA champion, dies at 86.
• Asheville High Athletic Hall of Fame names inaugural class.
• John Boyle: Asheville may crack down on neglected, abandoned buildings.

• DA Todd Williams won’t seek fourth term in 2026. 
• Buncombe unemployment hits 3.7%, matching state average post-Helene. 
• NASCAR’s Greg Biffle flew Helene relief missions in WNC.
• Homeless woman 'not guilty' after insanity plea.
• Asheville arts center still in flux; Harrah’s ruled out.

• Jared Wheatley joins crowded Asheville City Council race
• UNCA grad students oppose stadium, offer alternative vision
• East Fork ends contracts early, plans $2.5M expansion
• Diabetic man sues Spruce Pine over violent arrest
• Hendersonville spill sends wastewater into Mud Creek

• Asheville gets $2.4M for Recreation Park Helene repairs
• Mosley seeks re-election amid residency, tax, voting scrutiny
• Buncombe bed-expansion bids clash after AdventHealth win in court
• Asheville Christian Academy ex-coach pleads guilty; gets 30-year sex registry.
• WNC mayors: markets, housing, trails — and 2026 affordability worries

• NC elections board probes Mosley residency, cross-state voting claims
• Judge orders FEMA restore $200M NC mitigation grants*
• Florida doctor sentenced for stealing Helene relief donations in Swannanoa
• Cold breaks lines; Haw Creek water outage into Tuesday night
• Flat Rock church trails honor enslaved people, descendants, history

• FEMA buyouts stalled; 500+ Helene homeowners stuck paying mortgages.
• Asheville seeks ideas to rebuild Helene-ravaged riverfront parks.
• Renew NC funds small rentals for landlords promising affordable rents.
• Haw Creek housing fight: Boyle says NIMBYism blocks improvements.
• Buncombe shifts seven polling sites; Claxton move sparks criticism.

• Court ruling clears AdventHealth’s 67-bed Weaverville hospital construction.
• Mosley kept Atlanta homestead exemption while serving Asheville council
• Ball files for Asheville City Council; won’t seek commission reelection
• Black Mountain Brewing disputes cease-and-desist; urges independent planning investigation
• Beacon Park bike park planned on Swannanoa mill site

• Three Democrats and a primary challenger target Edwards in NC-11.
• National Democrats now label NC-11 a top 2026 battleground.
• Black Mountain town manager resigns after building inspection failures.
• Survey finds widespread food insecurity at five North Carolina colleges.
• Nina Simone’s restored Tryon childhood home now awaits public future.

• Helene recovery funding tops $1B for Western North Carolina
• Davis Mountain Road residents still stranded amid Helene landslide repairs
• Economic coalition opposes Enka Costco, warns of lost industry
• Big Ivy residents fight Forest Service plan to cut old-growth
• Asheville educator breaks worship-visit record, celebrates interfaith diversity

• Buncombe Sheriff Miller seeks third term to expand reform-minded, accredited policing.
• Detention officer fired after clerical mix-up, repeated Buncombe jail lapses.
• Downtown BID judged effective through ambassadors, cleaning, hospitality and referrals.
• Hospital delays leave Madison County relying on distant, overburdened Mission.
• Brewery challenges deck closure after Black Mountain concedes past permitting errors.

• Code Purple extends shelter options during ongoing WNC freeze
• New DEQ program helps WNC communities secure Helene recovery grants
• MountainTrue crews haul tons of Helene debris from WNC creeks
• State readies Helene-funded multi-family, workforce housing programs for WNC
• Auggie the dachshund fights Asheville’s silliest sidewalk chalk citation

• Asheville taps DK Wesley as next city manager post-Helene
• Helene damage pushes six WNC counties into higher distress tiers
• Mission Hospital earns Level I trauma status amid safety concerns
• East Fork Pottery plans major Asheville expansion, adding higher-wage jobs
• Helene-displaced businesses revive Asheville’s Five Points creative corridor

• Adam Smith presents primary challenge to Chuck Edwards.
• Advocates urge more housing, support as Buncombe homelessness hits 755.
• County explains 2026 reappraisal: higher values won’t always raise taxes.
• Many WNC Homeowners still haven’t applied for rebuilding assistance.
• Saluda Grade Trail advances after corridor purchase, despite storm delays.

• Asheville plans civilian team to handle minor crash investigations.
• Asheville restarts urban forest planning, seeks broad community input.
• Tropical Storm Helene cuts Ingles profits, prompts Swannanoa store rebuild.
• New law lets some Asheville private-school staff carry guns.
• Fiedler: GOP reshapes election oversight, advancing Trump-aligned voter strategy.

• Asheville seeks public input on Helene-damaged riverfront park recovery.
• Lindsey Prather launches re-election bid in Buncombe’s shifting District 115.
• Hendersonville launches Build Hendersonville, inviting residents’ ideas for improvements.
• Ben Long’s frescoes form a living heritage trail across WNC.
• Thomas Wolfe Award finalists celebrate Western North Carolina’s literary richness.

• Regulators cite deadly failures as Mission Hospital remains noncompliant.
• Report: Helene-battered small farms struggle as federal aid denied.
• Asheville violent crime falls sharply, even as property offenses rise.
• Retired judge Danny Davis challenges Rep. Mark Pless in 118th.
• Pisgah Conservancy marks decade of volunteer-driven forest restoration projects.

• Study finds Helene left French Broad River loaded with toxins.
• Democrats target Whatley’s Helene recovery record in 2026 Senate race.
• Asheville man admits hiding Starbucks bathroom cameras, recording unsuspecting customers.
• Salvage Station relocating indoors to River Arts District Homer building.
• Asheville seeks public input on post-Helene riverfront park recoveries.

• Local firm buys downtown Wells Fargo building; tenants stay put.
• City panel backs Orange Peel’s 6,000-cap riverside concert venue.
• Haw Creek subdivision eyes court fight after bridge access denial.
• Environmental groups sue Forest Service over Nolichucky salvage logging.
• Buncombe libraries restore and expand hours after Helene service cuts.

• Deputy Jackie Stepp appointed Asheville’s interim police chief during transition.
• Emma residents sue to block townhouses, preserve cooperative mobile homes.
• State funds free childcare for Helene-impacted families across WNC.
• Indivisible Asheville organizers pursue tipping-point participation through sustained protests.
• New Pisgah Passage loop connects Brevard to surrounding public lands.

• State Incentives: Pratt & Whitney got fast-tracked funding despite missed job goals, sparking backlash.
• Haw Creek Vote: Asheville rejected a 49-home, 35-townhome plan over flooding concerns.
• Cost of Living: Report says single adults need $117K to live comfortably in Asheville.
• SoCon Deal: Asheville secured the Southern Conference basketball tournament through 2035.
• Civic Openings: Residents invited to apply for Asheville boards and commissions.

• Immigrant Support: Asheville and Buncombe reaffirm immigrant protections amid federal activity.
• Helene Recovery: Buncombe approves broad Helene recovery plan across county.
• Urban Forest: Asheville seeks input for urban-forest management plan.
• Book Exchange: Story Parlor owners expand programming.
• Odd NFL Record: Asheville Police set drone flag record in Charlotte.

• Immigration Resolution: Council member Roney proposes banning city property use for civil immigration enforcement.
• Ox Creek Fire: 10-acre Weaverville wildfire fully contained; evacuations lifted.
• Deaverview Park Plan: 342-acre park would expand city’s park lands by 60 percent.
• Brevard Police Chief: Captain Christy Wentzell becomes Brevard’s first woman police chief, starting January.
• Lumbee Recognition: Senate hearing advances 2025 Lumbee Fairness Act amid Cherokee opposition.

• In Asheville, residents protest against border patrol agents operating in Charlotte
• Panther Creek fire 60% contained; Ox Creek fire 10 acres 40% contained
• Biltmore Village rebuilds with community help, grants for Helene damage repairs
• Opinion: Is the Biltmore Championship golf tournament a good use of TDA funds? Or is it tone deaf?
• Nonprofit’s approach: Whatever it takes, breaking down perceived barriers

• ICE Plans: Asheville leaders reject participation in possible federal immigration raids.
• Sidewalk Fix: Lexington Avenue replacement project advances with 2026 construction timeline.
• Energy Savings: State buildings cut use, saving $200M; A-B Tech excels.
• Walton Refresh: Asheville launches new engagement phase for historic pool redesign.
• Troll Arrival: Arboretum debuts twelve giant Dambo sculptures through February.

• ‘Incompetent Leaders’: AG says HCA violated oncology agreement at Mission Hospital.
• Swannanoa Housing: 170 affordable units approved to aid post-Helene recovery.
• Kat Williams: Asheville blues legend dies unexpectedly at 58.
• School Board: Audit clean; superintendent’s contract extended despite concerns.
• The Backswing: Asheville spent years securing Biltmore Championship PGA event

• UNCA Taps Advisors for Campus Planning: Firm to design review process for future university projects.
• Businesses Along Parkway Face Uncertainty: Landslides cripple tourism; repairs delayed until 2026.
• Former Student Sentenced in Fatal Crash: Driver pleads guilty after deadly high-speed prom wreck.
• Freeze Turns I-40 Into Gridlock: Refreeze causes 20 crashes, five-hour I-40 backup.
• Climbers Gain New Access Near Chimney Rock: Nonprofits open 16-acre site with expert-level climbing routes.

• Mission Avoids Penalties: Mission escapes major sanctions after repeat “Immediate Jeopardy” safety citation.
• HCA Profits Rise: HCA Healthcare posts $3.8B revenue jump, raises annual forecast.
• LEAF Needs Support: Arts nonprofit LEAF launches fundraiser after storm losses and funding cuts.
• Airport Delays Continue: Asheville travelers face delays, cancellations amid lingering FAA flight cuts.
• Montreat Lodge Approved: Court clears Montreat’s Mountain Retreat Association to build new lodge.

• Asheville Watchdog Series: Final “Losing Our Soul” report spotlights community-led efforts to rebuild Black Asheville.
• Heating Aid at Risk: Federal shutdown threatens LIEAP heating assistance for low-income WNC residents.
• I-26 Bridge Work: Nightly I-26 closures underway as crews remove the old Blue Ridge Parkway bridge.
• PGA Returns to Asheville: Biltmore Championship to bring PGA TOUR golf back to Asheville in 2026.
• Yoga Center Sale: AyurPrana finalizes $3M purchase of Asheville Yoga Center, expanding wellness hub.

• Congressman Interviewed: Rep. Chuck Edwards touts Helene aid work, blames Democrats for shutdown.
• Recovery Funds: WNC counties receive $155M in new federal disaster relief allocations.
• Property Reappraisal: Buncombe to reassess all properties in 2026 after Helene losses.
• Public Safety Plan: Asheville advances $14.5M Oakley complex with solar-powered fire station.
• Local Food Transition: Mother Earth Food ends deliveries; Terramonga Farm to continue mission.

• Food Insecurity: Shutdown deepens hunger crisis as SNAP aid freezes for 30,000 residents.
• Disaster Aid: Feds release $155M more for WNC storm recovery amid delays.
• Threat Resignation: Henderson County Democrat chair quits after threats tied to protest.
• School Funding: Educators decry cuts, call for renewed support for public schools.
• Worker Shortage: Waynesville faces 40% public works turnover, launches pay study.

• Election Results: Dee Lawrence elected Weaverville mayor; Woodfin council sees major turnover.
• Races Outside Buncombe: Sylva, Waynesville voters choose leaders amid growth and culture debates.
• Housing Conditions: Evergreen Ridge tenants report worsening mold, leaks, and limited protections.
• Strategic Plan: Buncombe adopts 2030 roadmap focusing on recovery, housing, and health.
• Food Truck Pilot: Asheville launches weekly downtown program to boost post-Helene tourism.

• Housing Authority: Ella Santos named Asheville Housing Authority CEO after year-long vacancy.
• Traffic Enforcement: APD issues 563 citations in Halloween safety campaign, no fatalities.
• Resilience Grants: Asheville seeks $415M in FEMA funds for hazard mitigation projects.
• Investigation: Chief Justice Newby’s ruling legalized GOP gerrymandering before 2024 election.
• Outdoor Venue: Orange Peel plans new flood-resilient Thompson Street concert space.

• Mission Staffing: Hospital hires 200 new workers, but nurse retention concerns persist.
• River Cleanup: MountainTrue removes 10,000 pounds of Helene debris from rivers daily.
• MANNA Moves: Food bank relocates to Mills River facility after storm damage.
• Winter Shelter: Asheville expands Code Purple beds, offers free transit to sites.
• Park Funding: Shutdown forces cutbacks to Smokies, Parkway operations as aid dwindles.

• UNCA Development: University delays commission on controversial stadium project atop campus forest.
• Food Response: Buncombe, nonprofits expand aid as shutdown threatens SNAP, WIC access.
• Municipal Elections: Woodfin, Weaverville voters decide key races amid growth, recovery debates.
• Gentrification Series: Watchdog examines how “slim-tall” homes reshape Asheville’s Black neighborhoods.
• Andrea Clark: Beloved photographer who chronicled Asheville’s Black history dies at 80.

• Code Purple: Asheville approves shelter plan with expanded services.
• Weaverville Election: Candidates focus on growth, housing and safety near new hospital.
• Early Voting: Madison County trims voting sites from three to one.
• Land Protection: Foothills Conservancy secures 834 acres at Gillespie Gap.
• Greenway Project: Nasty Branch Greenway to honor Southside history, construction begins next year.

• Urban Renewal: AVL Watchdog details Southside’s destruction and lasting impact on Black Asheville.
• Recovery Boards: City Council forms four advisory groups to steer Helene recovery.
• Tourism Rebound: Hotels recover faster than rentals as Asheville tourism slowly improves.
• River Cleanup: MountainTrue gets $750K grant to expand post-Helene restoration work.
• Food Aid: BeLoved Asheville launches “EAT Card” program to combat hunger locally.

• Shutdown may delay SNAP, WIC aid for 1.4M North Carolinians
• Federal grant releases final $4M for Helene recovery jobs
• UNC professor Paul Maddox joins Democrats challenging Rep. Chuck Edwards
• UNCA Lecture Series explores Southern Indigenous identity and environment
• Holiday flights to Asheville down 9%, among nation’s steepest declines

• Assault Appeal: Swannanoa man appeals conviction for assault during Trump’s 2024 visit.
• SNAP Delays: Shutdown threatens food aid for 30,000 Buncombe residents, nonprofits brace.
• Affordable Housing: Haywood Street opens 41-unit Lady Gloria Ridge Community downtown.
• Gallery Leadership: Blue Spiral 1 names Nicole McConville as new director.
• Cherokee Exhibit: WCU unveils permanent Cherokee language and culture display.

• Redistricting Finalized: NC GOP passes map potentially adding one seat, weakening Dem Rep. Davis.
• Fiedler Column: Watchdog critic condemns GOP gerrymandering as undemocratic power grab.
• I-40 Toll Plan: Officials weigh adding express toll lanes between Clyde and Asheville.
• Helene Recovery: Buncombe allocates $14M for storm repairs, landslide mitigation.
• Neighborhood Grants: Asheville to host Oct. 29 workshop.

• Redistricting Map: NC GOP approves new gerrymandered map likely adding one U.S. House seat.
• Mission Sanctioned: Federal regulators place Mission Hospital in ‘immediate jeopardy’ over safety.
• Voter Trial: Groups challenge NC’s same-day registration law as discriminatory.
• RAD Report: Asheville denies plans to relocate River Arts District despite study.
• Campground Renovation: Davidson River Campground closing until 2026 for major upgrades.

• Hospital Expansion: Four health systems compete to add 129 beds in Buncombe.
• Closed Meetings Probe: Buncombe commissioners face investigation over possible open-meetings violation.
• Redistricting Map: NC GOP targets First District to expand congressional majority.
• Airport Expansion: Asheville airport begins South Terminal demolition for $400M upgrade.
• Bear Release: Twelve rehabilitated cubs returned to wild; tracking continues statewide.

• Mission Cited: State cites Mission Hospital for safety failures, risking federal sanctions.
• Black Population Decline: Asheville’s Black community shrinking amid gentrification and rising housing costs.
• Flood Resilience Grants: Three WNC counties get $1M for French Broad flood mitigation.
• Woodfin Leadership: Mayor McAllister faces ethics fallout, unfinished projects before election.
• No Kings Rally: Thousands protest authoritarianism in Asheville’s Pack Square Park demonstration.

• Bus Stop Crash: Two students hospitalized after being hit near T.C. Roberson.
• Social District Delay: Council postpones South Slope vote amid equity, displacement concerns.
• Local Elections: Waynesville, Canton, Clyde races focus on recovery and smart growth.
• Day of Action: Asheville joins national “No Kings” protests opposing authoritarian policies.
• Indigo De Souza: Asheville native returns home for concert after losing Marshall home.

• Early Voting: Weaverville, Woodfin elections open today; polls run through Nov. 1.
• Helene Relationships: Storm tested — and transformed — love, loss, and resilience across WNC.
• City Council: Asheville joins RenewNC housing program; debates social district, new events.
• ADA Settlement: NC nursing homes must admit patients with substance use disorders.
• Orange Peel Sale: Venue’s managers buy club, plan new 6,000-capacity outdoor site.

• FEMA Delays: Gov. Stein criticizes stalled Helene relief; 300 applications unapproved.
• Organizer Fire: Activist Jen Hampton’s car burns in suspected arson incident.*
• Pedestrian Plan: Buncombe launches committee to improve walkability, safety, and access.
• Land Conservation: Conserving Carolina surpasses 50,000 acres protected across WNC.*
• Local NFL Star: A.C. Reynolds alum Rico Dowdle sets record for Panthers.

* paid subscriptions required to access full story.

• Redistricting Vote: NC GOP plans new map to gain additional congressional seat.
• Housing Impact: Shutdown delays loom, but WNC homelessness programs remain stable.
• Cannabis Scrutiny: Sen. Tillis questions Cherokee marijuana program; tribe defends legality.
• Campus Recovery: Warren Wilson secures $1.5M for Helene damage repairs.
• Late-Career Recruit: At 65, actor Jerry O’Donnell trains as Asheville police cadet.

• Richmond Hill Park largely reopened; disc golf returns Oct. 25.
• WNC nonprofits face burnout, funding shortfalls one year post-Helene.
• Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy helps first responders manage trauma, depression.
• Nine-year-old’s Tubing for Trash inspires community waterway cleanups.
• More ‘No Kings’ rallies planned across WNC to defend democracy.

* paid subscriptions required to access full story.

Climate Resilience: 2018 plan resurfaces; leaders push action beyond past studies.
Backup Radios: Black Mountain builds solar-powered VHF system for disaster response.
Home Repairs: 3,000 families still waiting; federal delays stall Renew NC.
Forest Loss: Helene destroyed 25 acres of rare spruce-fir habitat.

School Lockdown – Bomb threat prompts brief closure, no danger found.

Church Threat – Asheville polling site targeted in Moldova election hoax.

Medicaid Cuts – Funding deadlock risks reduced care for 3.1 million.

All Souls – Historic church needs millions, community help to recover.

Transit Survey – City seeks public input to shape ART system.

Food Insecurity: Pantry visits, meal demand surge nearly year after Helene.

Climate Resilience: Advocates push city for stronger action on climate readiness.

River Arts District: Marquee gallery reopens after major flood renovations.

Blues Festival: Black Mountain festival to aid recovery with music and community spirit.

Helene one year later: Recovery mixed, with jobs up but housing and food needs rising.

County lessons: Pinder prioritizes training, resilient shelters, and a permanent EOC.

Bat Cave rebuild: $200M in road repairs underway, residents vow to stay.

Parkway access: Craggy Gardens reopens, $1.5M in upgrades planned.

Hospital lockdown: Three injured in shootings, Mission briefly secured.

Draft Recovery Plan: Buncombe unveils 114 projects; community feedback open until October.

This Day in History: 1978: President Carter visits Asheville; 1897: Vance Monument contract.

Asheville task force links gun cases, helping cut violent crime. /

$4.5M grant funds Deaverview Mountain parkland purchase, preservation. /

Edwards Avenue flooding worsens, residents demand lasting drainage solution. /

WNC residents may seek reimbursements for Helene-damaged private roads.

Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb retiring after 28 years. /

DOJ warns Asheville reparations plan may violate federal law. /

USDA plan threatens jobs, future of Asheville’s research station. /

Trout fishing rules start Oct. 1 amid hatchery setbacks. /

Protesters ‘Wrap the Woods’ to oppose UNCA stadium project.

Kim Roney again challenges Mayor Manheimer, prioritizing affordability and resilience. /

Buncombe weighs reparations plan addressing disparities in education, health, economy. /

Buncombe readies 2026 revaluation; new rules target fair assessments. /

McKibbon sues insurer for $12.5M Helene business-interruption coverage. /

Goombay Festival returns this weekend to Pack Square and YMI.

MANNA begins demolishing flood-ruined site; city prioritizes safety compliance / 

Woodfin riverfront greenway delayed; construction 2028, opening summer 2029 / 

Hundreds rally in Asheville for workers’ rights, living wages / 

Sept. 17 forum examines impacts of Trump’s omnibus bill / 

Feds release $184M AmeriCorps funds, restoring WNC Helene recovery jobs.

Asheville, ATG advance downtown arts venue; studies and grants forthcoming.

WNC rethinks flood alerts; counties eye sirens amid mixed results.

Mission Hospital targets 200 hires, bolstering staff before trauma review.

Rankin garage partially reopens; Wall Street upper levels closed.

Kuwohi road closes two mornings for Cherokee student programs.

Judge denies public dashcam release in Hendersonville shooting case.

Almanac: colder Asheville winter; heavier snow south, lighter north.

Boomtown FestAVL runs through Sunday; free Asheville Symphony finale.

Labor Day rally backs workers’ rights at Pack Square.

Asheville council expands panhandling bans to more high-traffic corridors.

Asheville legalizes e-scooters, skateboards in bike lanes citywide.

Asheville veteran arrested after White House flag-burning protest.

WNC luminaries dominate 2025 North Carolina Award honorees.

NAIA track championships coming to Asheville in 2026, 2027.

$10.9M lottery funds bolster Buncombe and Asheville school programs.

Council considers expanding no-solicit zones on Asheville’s high-speed corridors.

Asheville seeks public input for next city manager search.

FEMA adds $28M for Helene recovery; parks, roads, utilities.

Five Buncombe schools open serenity rooms supporting teacher wellness.