Wake Up, Asheville!

Friday, July 3: Buncombe Budget Setback + Relaxed Nursing Credentials + Riverfront Redesign Plan

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Buncombe officials voice frustration, confusion over new state tax law [https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2026-07-02/nothing-but-bad-news-buncombe-officials-voice-frustration-confusion-over-new-state-tax-law] * Mission Hospital to relax degree requirements for nurses [https://avlwatchdog.org/mission-hospital-to-relax-degree-requirements-for-nurses/] * Swannanoa death reclassified as homicide; BCSO seeks silver Nissan Rogue [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-swannanoa-death-reclassified-as-homicide-bcso-seeks-silver-nissan-rogue-in-case/] * Asheville’s new riverfront park plan comes with a more flood-resilient design [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-07-01/ashevilles-new-riverfront-park-plan-brings-back-favorite-amenities-and-a-more-flood-resilient-design] * Here's what Asheville’s Downtown Improvement District accomplished in its first year [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-what-ashevilles-downtown-improvement-district-accomplished-in-its-first-year/]

Thursday, July 2: Ager Joins Centrist Pledge + $700M for Helene Recovery + Firestorm Books Sues SC

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Ager joins centrist Democratic pledge 'Promise to America' for campaign [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/07/01/why-jamie-ager-signed-the-promise-to-america/90750659007/] * Analysis: 11th Congressional District will be decided in counties beyond Buncombe [https://avlwatchdog.org/victory-in-north-carolinas-11th-congressional-district-will-be-decided-in-counties-that-look-very-different-from-buncombe/] * A proposed state budget sets aside $700M for Helene recovery [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-06-30/a-proposed-state-budget-sets-aside-700-million-for-helene-recovery-most-would-help-unlock-federal-disaster-aid] * Asheville bookstore sues South Carolina Corrections over book destruction policy [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/07/01/asheville-bookstore-sues-sc-prison-system-for-destroying-their-books/90707985007/?utm_source=pash-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=1122CT-E-NLETTER65] * Asheville-area organizations step up to help neighbors stay cool during extreme heat [https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-buncombe-county-north-carolina-nonprofit-organizations-help-neighbors-stay-cool-extreme-heat-summer-temperatures-homeless-abccm-community-july]

Wednesday, July 1: Massive Apartment Complex Eyes Floodplain + Public Housing Patrol + Craggy Prison's Future

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Developer proposes 549-unit apartment complex in Asheville's floodplain [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/06/30/swannanoa-river-road-apartment-proposal-asheville-floodplain/90736563007/] * Asheville creates Housing Team to patrol public housing [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-creates-housing-team-to-patrol-public-housing/] * Community vigil highlights concerns over Mission Hospital's quality of care [https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-north-carolina-community-holds-vigil-mission-hospital-health-care-church-patients-union-staff-employees-doctors-nurses-advocacy-mourning] * What will become of Craggy Prison after closure? [https://avlwatchdog.org/answer-man-what-will-become-of-craggy-prison-after-closure-paving-for-annandale-avenue-no-pitch-count-tally-at-tourists-games/] * VIDEO: Step into a rehearsal of Terpsicorps' 'AscenDANCE' [https://seehearwnc.com/p/video-terpsicorps-dance]

Tuesday, June 30: Special Meetings Legal? + Murder Hearing Delayed + AVL Women to Soccer Playoffs

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Local government officials discussing public business behind closed doors. Is that legal? [https://nclocal.org/2026/06/29/local-government-officials-are-discussing-public-business-behind-closed-doors-is-that-legal/] * Hearing delayed for teen, co-defendant in Fairview family killings [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-hearing-delayed-for-teen-co-defendant-in-fairview-family-killings/] * Attorney in Equity Erased series arrested in court for disobeying child custody orders [https://avlwatchdog.org/attorney-in-equity-erased-series-arrested-in-court-for-disobeying-child-custody-orders/] * Program helps neurodivergent adults gain job skills at Biltmore Estate [https://wlos.com/news/local/building-careers-biltmore-estate-program-helps-neurodivergent-adults-workforce-project-search-internship-asheville-jobs-employment-interns-arc-north-carolina] * Asheville City SC clinches second straight women's league division title [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-city-sc-clinches-second-straight-usl-w-league-division-title/]

Monday, June 29: New Police Enforcement Programs + Does 'Immediate Jeopardy' Matter? + Riverfront Resilience

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Asheville police increase downtown enforcement under new safety initiative [https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-police-department-apd-increase-enforcement-new-downtown-plan-safety-initiative-local-businesses-residents-visitors-tourism-patrols-law-enforcement] * Asheville police: Detailed tips help crack down on trafficking, OD hotspots [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-police-detailed-tips-help-crack-down-on-trafficking-od-hotspots/] * Will Western NC hospital face 'immediate jeopardy' again? Will it matter? [https://carolinapublicpress.org/75976/mission-hospital-immediate-jeopardy-future-unclear-western-nc-hca-asheville/] * Jabil announces $102 million expansion in Flat Rock, creating 148 jobs [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/26/hendersonville-nc-jabil-flat-rock-factory/90707423007/] * Riverfront redesign for resilience post-Helene in Asheville [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/26/asheville-unveils-french-broad-riverfront-redesign-after-helene-parks-recreation-outdoors/90692653007/]