Wake Up, Asheville!

Today's newscast includes stories about:Asheville's North Fork Reservoir remains murky, and a boil water advisory is still in place, while the city explores new treatments to improve water clarity in affected areas.While 677 roads have reopened in Western North Carolina, 582 remain closed, with repairs expected to take years and billions of dollars due to extensive storm damage.Canton's flood-stricken paper mill faces uncertain redevelopment as a potential sale stalls, adding to the town's recovery challenges following Hurricane Helene.Former President Donald Trump visited Swannanoa, pledging support for storm recovery while inaccurately criticizing FEMA's efforts in Western North Carolina.Buncombe County's early voting saw record turnout, with over 13,000 voters in the first two days, as residents remain committed despite the storm's aftermath.

Today's newscast includes stories about:Power is being restored to most of Western North Carolina, with only 1,000 Duke Energy customers still without electricity, mainly in Bat Cave and Chimney Rock.Asheville has restored water to 95% of the city, but some areas still face outages due to pipeline issues, and a citywide boil water notice remains in effect.Buncombe County Schools will reopen on Friday with a two-hour delay, providing bottled water for schools without potable water, as staff adjusts to changes.North Carolina has confirmed 95 storm-related deaths, with Buncombe County having the highest toll, as recovery efforts and search operations continue.Early voting in Western North Carolina saw high overall turnout, but storm-affected areas like Buncombe County reported significantly lower numbers than in 2020.

Today's newscast includes stories about:Asheville opened two debris processing sites in West Asheville to handle waste from Hurricane Helene, causing concerns from nearby residents about health risks and environmental impacts.Asheville City Schools (ACS) is now focusing on using bottled water to reopen by Oct. 28, instead of drilling wells at every school as initially planned.U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Asheville's River Arts District with Gov. Roy Cooper to see the damage from Hurricane Helene firsthand.An updated report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed 125 deaths related to Hurricane Helene, with Buncombe County having the highest toll at 42 fatalities.Buncombe County announced changes to 16 of its 80 Election Day polling locations due to storm damage, approved under the Disaster Recovery Act.

Today's newscast includes stories about:Buncombe County Commissioners approved nearly $29 million for recovery efforts and delayed property reassessments for a year due to storm damage.Asheville public housing residents faced major post-Hurricane Helene challenges, including unsanitary conditions and water shortages.Asheville Police Detective Sam DeGrave is working to reunite families with hundreds of photographs displaced by the floods.Well-drilling permits have surged, with over 100 applications since Hurricane Helene.North Carolina's entire portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed.

Today's newscast includes stories about:The U.S. Forest Service is working to reopen sections of Pisgah National Forest, with the Pisgah Ranger District expected to open soon, but the Appalachian and Grandfather districts still face extensive recovery due to fallen trees and landslides. (Full story: Carolina Public Press)The Asheville Brewers Alliance is coordinating aid for nearly 100 local breweries affected by the storm, ranging from temporary closures to total destruction. (Full story: Mountain Xpress)Asheville's unhoused population, already vulnerable, is facing additional strain after Helene displaced even more residents. (Full story: The Assembly NC)92 people remain unaccounted for following Helene, though that number fluctuates as agencies work to consolidate search efforts. (Full story: WLOS)Love Asheville From Afar, a new initiative by Explore Asheville, is connecting global consumers with local businesses through online shopping and donations to support recovery. (Full story: Always Asheville Fund) 

Today's newscast includes several stories related to storm recovery, returning water service, resuming school and boosting resources for the elderly and disabled. We also have a piece about the start of early voting in North Carolina. 

Today's newscast features stories about:An overall progress report on recovery efforts in our region.Water restoration progress in Asheville.A visit from Gov. Roy Cooper focusing on small business needs.Lack of running water forcing shifts in prenatal and postpartum care.A podcast episode focusing on North Carolina as an electoral swing state.

Today's newscast includes stories about:The re-openings of Asheville and Buncombe County Schools.Hopeful outlooks for rebuilding in the River Arts District.WNC hospitals regaining stability from storm disruptions.   A look at a candidate for Buncombe County Commission chair, Amanda Edwards.Republican lawmakers contradict themselves over false claims regarding disaster relief.

Today's newscast includes stories about:Assurances for a secure, on-time election in Buncombe County.A look at a candidate for Buncombe County Commission chair, Amanda Edwards.A group of volunteer pilots helping flying supplies to remote areas.An Asheville neighborhood bonds together to blaze a path out.Henderson County students back in class next week.

Today's newscast includes storm-related stories about:Many veterans in the region without homes.Mission Health transferring some patients from three of its facilities due to ongoing water outages.FEMA has confirmed its personnel assisting in Western North Carolina won't be redeployed to Florida.Virtually nobody in Buncombe County washed out by Hurricane Helene carried flood insurance.Comprehensive directions to resources now and down the road.

Today's newscast focused on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has stories about:The flow of disinformation in the wake of the storm.Woodfin's mayor critical of FEMA's efforts in his community.A story of loss and resilience from an artist in Marshall.The loss of beloved music venue Salvage Station.The fate of other businesses around the RAD and Biltmore Village.

Today's newscast has a variety of stories devoted to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts:The damage to the River Arts District.Asheville's water supply.One artist's story of loss and resilience.A crush of need and staffing boosts at Mission Hospital.

Today's newscast includes stories about:Updates on the local impacts of Hurricane Helene's approach.A look into how Buncombe County investigates domestic abuse cases.The last in a series of conversations with Asheville City Council candidates, this one focusing on Sage Turner.Construction crews working to improve accessibility in Asheville parking garages.

Today's newscast includes stories about:The potential impact of Tropical Storm Helene on Western North Carolina.A series of episodes with Asheville City Council candidates continues with a conversation devoted to Kim Roney, on The Overlook with Matt Peiken podcast.An uplifting financial turn for UNC-Asheville.A rebound for the Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission.An alert for a rise in whooping cough.

Today's newscast includes stories about:A series of episodes with Asheville City Council candidates continues with a conversation devoted to Kim Roney, on The Overlook with Matt Peiken podcast.A developer is suing the town of Woodfin.A tropical storm is likely to impact Western North Carolina later this week.The Buncombe County TDA has contracted with someone who faces financial judgements elsewhere.Details on voting by mail in North Carolina.

Today's newscast includes stories about:A deep look at the upcoming election for the board of Buncombe County Schools.The landscape of new supportive housing facilities for Asheville's homeless population.A conversation with Asheville City Council candidate Tod Leaven on The Overlook with Matt Peiken podcast. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoes a bill that would increase private school voucher funding and require sheriffs to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement officials.

Today's newscast includes stories about:A conversation with Tod Leaven, one in a continuing series of interviews The Overlook with Matt Peiken podcast is producing with every candidate for Asheville City Council.A look into North Carolina as a swing state in playA preview of tomorrow's City Council meeting.Proposals are open for managing downtown's first Business Improvement District.

Today's newscast includes stories about:A conversation with Asheville City Council candidate CJ Domingo.A unanimous vote on the fate of Buncombe County property tax assessor Keith Miller.A rebound for the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission.New deer hunting rules and dates in North Carolina.

Today's newscast includes stories about:A first-year report card on Compass Point Village.County Commissioners approving funding for the Enka Recreation Destination project.An interview with Asheville City Council candidate Kevan Frazier.The NC General Assembly diverting $463 million in public school funding to clear the waitlist for private education vouchers.A look at how climate change will impact North Carolina.

Today's newscast includes stories about:The second in a series of conversations with candidates for Asheville City Council.Fundraising contrasts between candidates to chair the Buncombe County Commission.Public input wanted for the Chamber of Commerce's economic plan.The dismissal of the Buncombe County assessor.Change at the top of Mission Hospital.

Today's newscast includes stories about:Short-term rental regulations in Buncombe County.A major rush-hour delay yesterday along I-26.Retooling the affordable housing plan for the former Ramada Inn.A six-part series of in-depth conversations with Asheville City Council candidates begins with a spotlight on Bo Hess."Kitchen appreciation fees" at local restaurants.

Today's newscast includes stories about:A six-part series of in-depth conversations with Asheville City Council candidates begins with a spotlight on Bo Hess.Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz is visiting Asheville tomorrow.A wave of lawsuits challenging North Carolina's elections process.A look at the agenda for Buncombe County Commissioners' meeting tomorrow."Serentity rooms" for local school teachers.  

Today's newscast includes stories about:Criticism of the ethics of former Buncombe County sheriff and current count commission chair candidate Van Duncan.A lawsuit over long emergency room wait times at Mission Hospital.The elimination of DEI jobs across North Carolina's public university system.A county warning over animal bites leading to rabies.Road work this weekend that could snarl area traffic.

Today's newscast includes stories about:The conversion of the former Cotton Mill warehouse into an apartment complex.A look at candidates for the Buncombe County school district board.Studying the merger of the county and Asheville City Schools districts.A state Supreme Court decision on whether Robert F. Kennedy's name will appear on the ballot.

Today's newscast includes stories about:A roundup from a recent City Council candidates forum.Bike and pedestrian data collection.Buncombe County changing garbage collection companies.The county considering stopping coverage of weight-loss drugs.Robert F. Kennedy's appearance on the North Carolina ballot.

Today's newscast includes:The final draft of the city's 2024 Affordable Housing PlanA back-and-forth in the North Carolina courts over whether Robert F. Kennedy's name will appear on the ballot.A third person charged in an alleged assault that happened during an event in the West Asheville Library.A shortage of school bus drivers.

Today's newscast includes a resolution in the remaining Aston Park littering charges, a review of proposals to add new beds to local shelters, the resumption of negotiations between Mission Hospital nurses and the hospital's management, progress with Asheville's water system since its failure more than two years ago and advice to gig-economy and service-worker taxpayers.

Today's newscast includes stories about a drop in the fiar market rental rate in Asheville, an Asheville organization looking to foster cross-community conversation, an Oxfam study that lists North Carolina last in the country for workers' rights and a local lawyer's campaign for a seat on the state Court of Appeals.

Today's newscast includes stories about expanding beds in local shelters, an interview with a local attorney running for a seat on the state Court of Appeals, a long-term transportation plan for Western North Carolina, an expansion of Mt. Mitchell State Park and a broadband boost for rural Buncombe County.

Today's newscast includes details about the strike vote among nurses at Mission Hospital, a probe into a botched investigation by Buncombe County Sheriffs, a conversation with Democratic candidate for Congress Caleb Rudow and a call to preserve parks facilities still in the process of renovations.

Today's newscast includes an update on a potential nurses strike at Mission Hospital, a conversation with U.S. Congressional candidate Caleb Rudow, efforts to crack down on drunk driving, local reaction to Kamala Harris' housing proposal and a look at the health of local tourism  

In today's newscast, we have stories about more charges from the state attorney general's office in the direction of HCA Healthcare, a potential nurses strike at Mission Hospital while six nurses there are honored, extended support for Asheville's Community Reparations Commission and a day of coordinated support for the unhoused.

Today's newscast includes a 10-year vision plan for Asheville's parks and recreation system, a data-driven assessment of the Merrimon Avenue road diet, a surge in unaffiliated voters in Buncombe County and groundbreaking for renovations at McCormick Field.

Today's newscast includes stories about a new form of accepted voter identification, a rural hospital southeast of Asheville changing hands, a drop in regional gas prices, and bidding farewell to a downtown outdoor climbing wall.

Today's newscast includes stories about a proposal to convert apartments in the Grove Arcade into a hotel, reparations and other items on tonight's city council agenda, a meeting between county commissioners and both local school districts and a record-setting year in local tourism.

Today's newscast includes stories about the studied impacts of the Merrimon Avenue road diet, a new dashboard allowing the public to keep tabs on local hotel projects, a battle over short-term rental units in a Market Street condo, a new playground at Carrier Park and a message to drivers as the school year approaches.

Today's newscast includes a summary of Gov. Roy Cooper's speech at the final night of the Democratic National Convention, a new human resources director for the City of Asheville, coming budget cuts a local schools, a transformation ahead for Woodfin and a ruling in the case of Blue Ridge Community College's suspended police training program.

Today's newscast includes stories about more critical staff leaving Mission Hospital, updating short-term rental regulations in Asheville, telling the stories of this region's Black and Indigenous farmers, and restoring the Basilica of St. Lawrence.

Today's newscast includes stories about potentially merging Asheville City Schools into Buncombe County Schools, renovations to a county administration building, the discovery of mold in the county sheriff's evidence room, a violent offender who slipped through the crack of the local criminal justice system and potential insolvency of the state health plan.

Today's newscast includes stories about a potential strike among nurses at Mission Hospital, an actual stroke for AT&T Southeast workers, a call from City of Asheville for volunteers to help with bike and pedestrian data collection, an increase in the number of new residential permits in Asheville and the battle against mistrust in the state's elections system. 

Today's newscast includes stories about Asheville City Schools closing its deficit, the prospect of North Carolina going to Kamala Harris in the November election, trust in the accuracy of North Carolina elections, the latest turn in a proposal to convert the former Ramada Inn into permanent supportive housing and a call for having children vaccinated ahead of the upcoming school year. 

Today's newscast includes stories about a new critical study of Mission Hospital under the ownership of HCA Healthcare, a podcast episode detailing efforts to pressure HCA into changing its ways, a preview of net Tuesday's Buncombe County commission meeting and highway detours this weekend for road construction.

Today's newscast features stories about Donald Trump's campaign appearance in Asheville, the second half of a conversation with founders of Reclaim Healthcare WNC, record numbers for Buncombe County tourism, incentives for Asheville hoteliers and a look ahead at the state's first cannabis dispensary.

Today's newscast features stories about Donald Trump's campaign rally at Harrah's Cherokee Center, an initiative to eliminate medical debt for low- and middle-income patients, details about a coalition working to pressure Mission Hospital's parent company into substantive change and a look at renovations soon to begin at McCormick Field.

Today's newscast includes stories about a coalition designed to pressure HCA Healthcare to improve or sell Mission Hospital, a judicial ruling favoring Mission Health, details of hos Buncombe County Elections Services works on election night, challenges facing local solar energy use, and low pay for public school teachers. 

Today's newscast includes details of Donald Trump's schedule appearance in Asheville, an extension of the Wilma Dykeman Greenway, a reopening of the Citizens Police Academy, a local case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and the Carolina Mountain Club's quarterly Crew Day. 

Today's newscast includes stories about recyclables that aren't, historic homes making way for high-density living, Asheville firefighters supporting communities under threat of Hurricane Debby, a proposed conversion of Asheville Primary School and details state voting requirements and deadlines. 

Today's newscast includes stories about a county committee to address the regulation of short-term rentals, the City of Asheville's duel with a dueling piano bar, concern about a merger within Asheville City Schools, the tons of daily waste that go into local plastic bag use and Asheville Police looking forward to building relationships through National Night Out.

Today's newscast includes stories about the upcoming election for the Buncombe County Board of Education, a potential nurses' strike at Mission Hospital, the revival of the city's long-dormant "Peace Chimes" and columnist John Boyle's update to a an Asheville family pushed out by rising housing costs. 

Today's newscast includes stories about lane closures along I-26, the urban resistance work of an amateur videographer, the owners of the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill pushing back on repaying cash incentives it received and an attempt by the Republican gubernatorial candidate to change his tune on abortion rights.

Today's newscast includes stories about the expansion of Asheville Regional Airport, debunking election rules myths, the health of local hotel and short-term rental occupancy, the federal ratings of regional hospitals and how drought is affecting farmers around the state.