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

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/]

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/]