Friday, May 22: Family Values + Buncombe Bond Proposals + State Lawmakers Getting Local

Thursday, June 4: County Approves Budget + Edwards Distancing From Trump? + GOP Pressures

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Buncombe County approves $484M budget [https://mountainx.com/news/local-government/commission-approves-484-4m-budget/] * Ghosting story: Is Chuck Edwards distancing himself from Trump, or is it the other way around? [https://avlwatchdog.org/ghost-story-is-chuck-edwards-distancing-himself-from-trump-or-is-it-the-other-way-around/] * Buncombe County purchases JCPenney site for new emergency operations center [https://wlos.com/news/local/buncombe-county-commissioner-jcpenney-store-asheville-mall-emergency-operations-center-resolution-approve] * $25 million for recycling improvements in WNC after Hurricane Helene [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-06-02/25m-awarded-for-recycling-infrastructure-in-post-helene-wnc] * Jackson County Elections Chair alleges GOP pressured his early voting plan vote [https://nclocal.org/2026/06/03/jackson-county-board-of-elections-chair-alleges-raleigh-pressure-forced-his-vote/]

Wednesday, June 3: Grant for Small Business + Bike Lanes for Haywood + Women's Sports Bar

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Asheville launches $14.6 million grant program for small businesses [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-06-01/asheville-launches-14-6-million-grant-program-for-small-businesses-recovering-from-helene] * Chuck Edwards faces scrutiny in tough congressional race in North Carolina [https://www.theassemblync.com/news/politics/elections/chuck-edwards-jamie-ager-us-house-11th-district/] * Haywood Road to get new surface, bike lanes by fall [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/06/02/west-asheville-nc-haywood-road-resurfacing-bike-lanes-coming-in-november/90351987007/] * LEAF Global Arts pauses its fall festival, promising return in 2027 [https://theleaf.org/?blm_aid=151967] * Asheville’s first women’s sports bar takes shape downtown [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-ashevilles-first-womens-sports-bar-takes-shape-downtown/]

Tuesday, June 2: Fatal Shove Nets Probation + Arts Recovery Framework + Student Pathways

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Asheville man pleads guilty, gets probation in fatal 2024 crosswalk shove [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/01/asheville-man-pleads-guilty-to-fatal-crosswalk-shove/90317216007/] * ArtsAVL releases draft arts recovery framework for public review and feedback [https://mountainx.com/blogwire/asheville-buncombe-arts-recovery-framework-for-public-review/] * Use millions in disaster recovery grant money to build hundreds affordable rental units or to repair existing homes? [https://avlwatchdog.org/use-millions-in-disaster-recovery-grant-money-to-build-hundreds-of-new-affordable-rental-units-or-use-it-to-repair-existing-homes/] * New program offers Asheville students pathways to high-paying careers [https://wlos.com/news/local/new-program-helps-asheville-area-high-schoolers-step-into-high-paying-careers-buncombe-madison-county-technical-community-college-ab-tech-one-million-dollars-talent-gaps-helene] * Asheville mayor debate features transparency and surveillance clash between candidates [https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2026-05-28/at-the-first-asheville-mayor-debate-roney-and-manheimer-clash-over-transparency-and-surveillance]

Wednesday, May 27: Local Road Washouts + Alleged Attacker in Court + Housing Fund Debate

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Flash flooding triggers road washouts, closures across Asheville area [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-heavy-rain-sparks-flood-warnings-rising-rivers-across-asheville-area/] * Asheville trail attack suspect makes first court appearance [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-trail-attack-suspect-makes-first-court-appearance/] * Asheville debates fund allocation for home repairs versus affordable housing projects [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-05-26/renew-nc-nonprofit-home-repair] * Madison County planning board sends building issue to commissioners for review [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/madison/2026/05/26/madison-county-ridge-top-issue-building-on-mountaintop-controversy-development-mountain-views-vistas/89932021007/] * What’s new in food: Report offers insights into post-Helene farming [https://mountainx.com/food/food-news/whats-new-in-food-new-report-offers-insights-into-post-helene-farming/]

Tuesday, May 26: Bent Creek Scare Brings Charges + Sheriff's Officer Fired + Faster, Fewer Buses

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Felony charge added in Bent Creek assault case against Dillon Curtis [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/05/24/felony-charge-added-to-man-accused-of-bent-creek-assault/90246539007/] * Buncombe County jail officer fired for assisting inmates with drug concealment [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/05/22/buncombe-detention-officer-fired-charged/90216016007/] * Asheville transit plan pits faster buses against neighborhood coverage [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-asheville-transit-plan-pits-faster-buses-against-neighborhood-coverage/] * Rivercane's resurgence in WNC as climate solution and cultural resource [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-05-22/rivercane-wnc-climate-solution] * Opinion: North Asheville resident rightfully responsible for $40,000 to fix a sinkhole caused by street runoff [https://avlwatchdog.org/opinion-north-asheville-resident-paid-over-40000-to-fix-a-sinkhole-caused-by-street-runoff-the-city-takes-no-responsibility/]