Friday, June 26: TDA Budget + Housing Authority Staff Cuts + Bus Route Shifts + A New LEAF

Friday, June 26: TDA Budget + Housing Authority Staff Cuts + Bus Route Shifts + A New LEAF

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Buncombe tourism authority approves $34.5M budget with new spending restrictions [https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-06-25/buncombe-tourism-authority-approves-34-5m-budget-amid-tighter-spending-restrictions] * Asheville housing authority cuts staffing amid financial challenges [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/25/asheville-housing-authority-slash-workforce/90694598007/] * Marshall plans cultural center in historic courthouse after storm recovery effort [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/madison/2026/06/25/marshall-courthouse-built-in-1907-could-become-63-seat-concert-space/90659124007/] * Multimodal Transportation Commission votes on Asheville Rides Transit restructuring [https://mountainx.com/news/local-government/multimodal-transportation-commission-discusses-future-options-for-bus-service/] * LEAF Fest formally ending after 30 years, making way for new October gathering [https://mailchi.mp/e723543099c4/lake-eden-reunion-passes-available-now-for-rsvps-16632940?e=6000e5ed73]

Thursday, June 25: Home Repair Money + Buncombe Schools Chief Leaving Early + New Skating Rink

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Asheville reallocates $19 million for home repairs and halts data center projects [https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2026-06-24/asheville-moves-19m-toward-helene-home-repair-and-issues-data-center-moratorium] * Buncombe Schools superintendent announces retirement a year early [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/education/2026/06/24/rob-jackson-retires-as-buncombe-county-schools-chief/90663808007/] * Haywood County jail staff cleared in death of inmate Carl Friberg [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/24/state-clears-jail-staff-after-inmate-dies-of-infection/90664341007/] * How are local nonprofits spending the donations they received after Helene? [https://avlwatchdog.org/local-nonprofits-received-a-flood-of-donations-after-helene-how-are-they-spending-the-money/] * Temporary skating rink to replace the Carrier Park rink lost to Helene [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-temporary-skating-rink-to-be-built-in-downtown-asheville-for-682000/]

Wednesday, June 24: Buncombe Tax Appraisal Limbo + Post-Helene Tourism + Holiday Airport Traffic Spike

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Buncombe County faces $2.1 million loss from potential property appraisal moratorium [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/06/23/buncombe-property-appraisal-moratorium-costs/90642354007/] * Lawmakers debate bill to exempt Buncombe County from home valuation freeze [https://wlos.com/news/local/property-bill-buncombe-county-tax-homeowners-north-carolina-governor-josh-stein-lawmakers-politics-valuation-freeze-helene-counties-commissioners-residents-community] * Answer Man: New water intake planned for Asheville water system? [https://avlwatchdog.org/answer-man-new-water-intake-planned-for-asheville-water-system-is-carl-mumpower-moving-on/] * Visitor perceptions continue to challenge Western North Carolina tourism recovery [https://wlos.com/news/local/tourism-helene-wnc-western-north-carolina-visit-nc-magazine-storm-hurricane-community-data-state-officials?teaserSource=trending] * Flights to Asheville jump 34% during July 4 week—6th most in U.S. [https://mountainx.com/blogwire/flights-to-asheville-jump-34-2-during-july-4-week-6th-most-in-u-s/]

Tuesday, June 23: Overdose Deaths + New Deputy Arrest Details + 'Unauthorized Camping' Ban

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Bodies found in vacant Asheville housing units, overdoses cited [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/22/three-die-in-six-months-at-pisgah-view-apartments/90610555007/] * New details in former Madison County chief deputy arrest [https://wlos.com/news/local/court-records-reveal-new-details-in-former-madison-co-chief-deputy-arrest] * NC Senate panel resurrects ‘unauthorized camping’ homeless ban [https://ncnewsline.com/2026/06/10/nc-senate-panel-resurrects-unauthorized-camping-homeless-ban/] * Asheville bus route changes due to I-26 construction closures [https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-bus-schedules-change-closing-interstate-26-ramps-multiple-permanently-north-carolina-department-transportation-routes] * Opinion: Asheville is a protest town, and some protesters’ stories are extraordinary [https://avlwatchdog.org/opinion-asheville-is-a-protest-town-and-some-of-the-protesters-stories-are-extraordinary/]

Monday, June 22: New Asheville Hospital? + Buncombe Schools Investigated + Domestic Violence Training

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * UNC Health seeks to build new 92-bed hospital in Asheville [https://www.bpr.org/health/2026-06-18/unc-health-applies-to-build-new-92-bed-hospital-in-asheville] * US Education Department investigates Buncombe Schools over transgender restroom policies [https://ncnewsline.com/2026/06/18/us-education-department-investigates-two-nc-school-districts-over-transgender-restroom-policies/] * Former Madison County chief deputy arrested in Arizona on criminal charges [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/19/former-madison-county-sheriffs-office-chief-deputy-arrested-charged-crimes-involving-inmates/90623145007/] * WNC police departments enhance training for high-risk domestic violence identification [https://wlos.com/news/local/domestic-violence-north-carolina-program-western-franklin-sylva-police-reach-hotline-national-jeff-jackson-attorney-general-justice-department-safety-community-sexual-assault-human-trafficking-] * $18 million in grants available for debris cleanup in Western North Carolina [https://mountainx.com/blogwire/ncdeq-announces-18-million-available-to-support-debris-cleanup-efforts-in-wnc/]