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

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/]

Friday, June 19: Drowning at Hooker Falls + Ineligible for Grants + Weaverville Pickleball Complex

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Juvenile drowned at Hooker Falls in Dupont State Recreational Forest [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/18/two-drownings-western-north-carolina-dupont-state-forest-lake-james/90603325007/] * Asheville grant program has eligibility issues impacting storm-affected businesses [https://wlos.com/news/local/some-businesses-ineligible-asheville-recovers-together-small-business-grant-program-eligibility-requirements-14-million-dollars-application-helene-funding] * IPEX responds to press inquiry, but still no contact with MountainTrue [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/madison/2026/06/18/ipex-dedicated-to-debris-cleanup-french-broad-river-mountaintrue-tropical-storm-helene-asheville/90589964007/] * Hickory Nut Gorge residents cope with ongoing recovery challenges [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-06-16/a-hard-rain-reveals-the-slow-road-to-recovery-in-hickory-nut-gorge] * Weaverville warehouse to become 12-court pickleball facility [https://wlos.com/news/local/weaverville-indoor-pickleball-facility-ballcrank-arcade-fairgrounds-reems-creek-road-former-balcrank-corporation-food-business-vendors-lease]

Thursday, June 18: Costco Talks Continue + Buncombe Bonds on Ballot + AVL Data Center Moratorium?

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Discussions resume for Asheville's first Costco store as city highlights affordability [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/17/costco-asheville-store-considered-again/90590094007/] * Buncombe County plans $70 million bond referendum for housing and open space [https://mountainx.com/news/local-government/buncombe-approves-resolution-for-special-bond-referendum-to-appear-on-2026-ballot/] * Asheville considers one-year moratorium on data centers due to potential impacts [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/17/asheville-data-center-proposal/90575282007/] * General Assembly could limit how Buncombe County spends tourism dollars [https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-06-16/a-bill-making-its-way-through-the-general-assembly-could-limit-how-buncombe-county-spends-tourism-dollars] * Family seeks answers after missing Asheville woman found dead [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-family-seeks-answers-after-missing-asheville-woman-found-dead/]

Wednesday, June 17: Third Pisgah View Overdose + Regional James Beard Winner + Post-Helene Rebuilds

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Missing woman found dead of suspected overdose, the third this year at Pisgah View [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/16/missing-woman-found-dead-in-asheville-housing-authority-apartment/90560456007/] * Leicester's Taylor Montgomery wins James Beard Award for Southeast's Best Chef [https://ashevegashotsheet.substack.com/p/taylor-montgomery-wins-james-beard-award-leicester?utm_campaign=email-post&r=1maju&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email] * Asheville restaurant workers discuss sustainable careers in the food industry [https://mountainx.com/food/food-news/asheville-restaurant-workers-owners-speak-on-sustaining-careers-in-the-industry/] * Community feedback shapes flood-conscious redesign for Blannahassett Island in Marshall [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/madison/2026/06/16/marshall-nc-island-redesign-proposals-flood-conscious-after-helene/90562437007/] * Why hasn't Carrier Park been fully repaired after Helene? [https://wlos.com/news/ask-13/carrier-park-not-fully-repaired-after-hurricane-helene-tropical-storm-asheville-north-carolina-wnc-ask-13-repairs-closed-recreation-area-debris-flood-recovery-project-city]

Tuesday, June 16: Public Input on New Chief + UNCA South Campus Woods + Food Scarcity

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Asheville seeks public input in search for new police chief [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/15/asheville-hiring-police-chief/90521361007/] * UNCA committee favors developing South Campus amid transparency concerns [https://mountainx.com/news/environment/unca-committee-leans-toward-south-campus-development-as-transparency-concerns-persist/] * Buncombe County faces potential tax hikes due to NC appraisal bill [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/06/15/nc-property-appraisal-bill-tax-rate-hikes-buncombe/90505210007/] * Bounty & Soul expands free food distribution amid 300% increase in need [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-bounty-soul-expands-free-food-distribution-amid-300-increase-in-need/] * Asheville's evolution from tuberculosis haven to modern wellness mecca [https://www.theassemblync.com/news/health/asheville-tuberculosis-health-mountain/]