Tuesday, July 14: Edwards Sells McDonald's Franchises + Rural Health Initiative + Cat Weirdos Struggling

Tuesday, July 14: Edwards Sells McDonald's Franchises + Rural Health Initiative + Cat Weirdos Struggling

Today's Asheville newscast references these stories: * Chuck Edwards sells McDonald's franchises during tight congressional race [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/13/rep-chuck-edwards-sells-western-north-carolina-mcdonalds-business/90899368007/] * Affordable Care Act enrollment declines across North Carolina counties this year [https://www.theassemblync.com/news/health/healthcare/affordable-care-act-enrollment-dropped-in-almost-every-n-c-county-this-year/] * Impact Health to lead rural health initiative in Western North Carolina [https://mountainx.com/blogwire/impact-health-to-lead-landmark-rural-health-initiative-in-western-north-carolina/] * Asheville wins $585,000 grant to study Hilliard Avenue improvements [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-wins-585000-grant-to-study-hilliard-avenue-improvements/] * Asheville Cat Weirdos fund struggles amid economic pressures and donation decline [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/07/13/asheville-cat-weirdos-emergency-fund-faces-helene-economy-strain/90852031007/]

Monday, July 13: FEMA Support, Denial + Recovering Lost Mementos + Housing Costs

Today's Asheville newscast references these stories: * FEMA allocates $48 million for North Carolina disaster recovery projects [https://wlos.com/news/local/fema-helene-north-carolina-western-wnc-asheville-mitchell-rutherford-funds-buncombe-county-henderson-polk-hazard-mitigation-program-community-safety] * The things Hurricane Helene carried away—and the woman trying to return them [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-07-09/the-things-hurricane-helene-carried-away-and-the-woman-trying-to-return-them] * FEMA denies help for bridge damage in Candler after Helene [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/07/10/fema-denies-funding-helene-damage-candler-nc-land/90783807007/] * High housing prices, low wages driving young people away from Asheville [https://avlwatchdog.org/high-housing-prices-low-wages-driving-young-people-away-from-asheville/] * Asheville affordable housing: Who can actually afford it? [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-affordable-housing-who-can-actually-afford-it/]

Friday, July 10: Council Addressing Tax Rate + Nursing Home Inspections + Urban Bears on Camera

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Asheville tax rate: Council to hold special meeting after state law changes [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-tax-rate-council-to-hold-special-meeting-after-state-law-changes/] * Man indicted for attempted kidnapping in Bent Creek trail incident [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/07/09/bent-creek-attacker-kidnapping-indicted-felony/90860416007/] * As Buncombe County ages, there aren’t enough volunteers to inspect nursing homes [https://avlwatchdog.org/as-buncombe-county-ages-there-arent-enough-volunteers-to-inspect-nursing-homes/] * Urban Forestry Commission seeks greater role in Asheville's environmental planning [https://mountainx.com/news/local-government/urban-forestry-commission-pushes-for-greater-involvement-in-citys-environmental-planning/] * Cinematographer films Asheville's black bears for BBC wildlife series [https://www.bpr.org/climate-environment/2026-07-09/meet-the-wildlife-cinematographer-filming-ashevilles-bears-for-a-global-audience-on-the-bbc]

Thursday, July 9: UNC Health Buys Westgate + Shelter Facing Closure + Trump Pardons Local Mechanic

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * UNC Health purchases Westgate Shopping Center as it seeks to build new hospital [https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-07-07/unc-health-purchases-westgate-shopping-center-as-it-seeks-to-build-new-hospital-in-asheville] * Did a federal agency tell state regulators not to talk to the press about Mission Hospital? [https://avlwatchdog.org/did-a-federal-agency-tell-state-regulators-not-to-talk-to-the-press-about-mission-hospital/] * Property appraisal moratorium's uneven impact on tax rates in Buncombe County [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/07/08/wnc-senator-who-drafted-nc-appraisal-moratorium-could-benefit-from-it/90822511007/?utm_source=pash-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=1122CT-E-NLETTER65] * Asheville Salvation Army shelter faces potential closure amid funding crisis [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/07/08/funding-crisis-threatens-asheville-homeless-shelter/90820830007/] * Trump pardons Hendersonville mechanic convicted of violating Clean Air Act [https://www.bpr.org/climate-environment/2026-07-08/trump-pardons-hendersonville-mechanic-formerly-convicted-of-violating-the-clean-air-act]

Wednesday, July 8: State Budget's Local Impact + Police at Tanger Outlets + Lake Lure Rebound

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * What does the state's new budget mean for WNC? [https://nclocal.org/2026/07/02/the-state-has-a-budget-plan-what-does-it-mean-for-wnc/] * Asheville explains decision to lease police space at Tanger Outlets [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-explains-decision-to-lease-police-space-at-tanger-outlets/] * Community members voice concerns about Mission Hospital's care quality [https://mountainx.com/news/community-news/community-members-come-together-to-discuss-ongoing-issues-at-mission-hospital/] * I-26 to close evenings through Thursday between Airport Road and Brevard Road [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-i-26-to-close-between-airport-road-and-brevard-road-for-3-nights-this-week/] * Lake Lure area sees tourism rebound two years post-Hurricane Helene [https://carolinapublicpress.org/76037/hickory-nut-gorge-lake-lure-chimney-rock-recovering-two-years-after-helene/]