Tuesday, July 7: FEMA Buyouts Begin + Feds Probing Buncombe Schools + Shelter Could Close

Tuesday, July 7: FEMA Buyouts Begin + Feds Probing Buncombe Schools + Shelter Could Close

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Buncombe County starts FEMA buyouts for Helene-damaged properties [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/07/06/fema-buyouts-begin-for-helene-damaged-buncombe-county-properties/90783812007/] * Federal probe into transgender use of Buncombe school bathrooms raises legal issues [https://carolinapublicpress.org/76029/federal-probe-into-transgender-use-of-nc-school-bathrooms-raises-legal-issues/] * $1 million stormwater drainage project to have minimal impact on West Asheville traffic [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-1-million-stormwater-drainage-project-to-have-minimal-impact-on-west-asheville-traffic/] * Asheville Salvation Army shelter at risk of permanent closure due to funding issues [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/07/03/downtown-asheville-salvation-army-shelter-might-close-permanently/90787510007/?utm_source=pash-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=1122CT-E-NLETTER65] * Asheville Planning and Urban Design Director Dahl retiring [https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of-asheville-announces-the-retirement-of-planning-and-urban-design-director-steph-monson-dahl/]

Monday, July 6: Hospital Competition Redux + Veterans Housing + 'Don't Let Them Have a Vote'

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Four health systems to again compete to add new acute care beds in Buncombe County [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/07/03/buncombe-county-acute-care-beds-applicants/90782142007/] * ABCCM's new veterans housing project in Asheville supports mental health and training [https://mountainx.com/news/community-news/abccm-discusses-plans-for-permanent-housing-for-veterans/] * ‘Don’t let them have a vote’: Text messages about WCU polling site from auditor’s office staff [https://nclocal.org/2026/07/02/texts-show-communications-with-jackson-board/] * Buncombe County invites public to learn about elections before November vote [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-buncombe-county-invites-public-to-learn-about-elections-before-november-2026-vote/] * Madison County opens new 1,500-seat arena at fairgrounds in Marshall [https://wlos.com/news/local/new-arena-opens-no-county-tax-dollars-used-county-manager-madison-tourism-rodeos-fireworks-fairgrounds-agriculture-events-center-north-carolina]

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]