With lodging and sales tax revenues down, the region could face an economic crisis on top of a natural disaster.
New Stories
Ingles reports storm losses up to $55 million
Four stores – in Swannanoa, Morganton, Newland and Spruce Pine – remain closed and are not expected to open for three to nine months.
Smart Bets: Center for Craft Emergency Relief Fund for WNC Artists
Emergency relief grants are being distributed to impacted artists and crafters within 29 counties on a rolling basis.
Brownie Newman leaves office on the heels of Helene
When Buncombe County Commission Chair Brownie Newman first walked out of his house that Friday morning after the wind died down, he was hopeful the effects of Tropical Storm Helene wouldn’t be that bad. Then he walked one block over to Pearson Drive. This wasn’t the way Newman thought he’d end his 12 years on the county commission.
Smart Bets: Lake Logan benefit concert and volunteer weekend
A weekend of music and food combines with post-Helene river and lake cleanup efforts in Haywood County.
Gardening with Xpress: Make growing spaces more resilient
Alternate waters sources, diversification and collaboration help growing spaces survive and thrive.
With Asheville’s nonpotable water restored, Flush AVL shifts focus to struggling small towns
Elle DeBruhl, co-founder of Flush AVL, discusses the group’s origins, its rapid growth, its new mission and what might be next for the group’s organizers.
Letter: You can’t go home again
“Anyway, Asheville was a lifetime base camp, but I just realized it will absolutely never be the same or even close to what it was to me ever again in my lifetime.”
‘Big week’ ahead for Asheville’s water: Turbidity drops some; curtain installation and upcoming mineral treatment should reduce it more
The curtain installation should take 24 to 36 hours, meaning the mineral application could possibly start by late Tuesday afternoon.
Letter: Connect the dots on storm, climate and war
“This monstrous hurricane is the natural result of our society’s addiction to oil and its endless wars to feed our habits. We are in a vicious cycle of death and destruction.”
Letter: FEMA misinformation must stop
“Stop the self-serving lies — FEMA seems to be doing an excellent job in the face of (now two) natural disasters.”
Letter: Church creates welcoming hub after storm
“Pastor Sam and Pastor Erin have reached back into recent history to create a safe and welcoming place for all to be nourished.”
Letter: Witnessing the disaster unfold from afar
“Existing in a world that is normal when your community is falling apart feels like it’s stretching your soul in opposite directions.”
Letter: A look at Edwards and Rudow, post-Helene
“Whether Rep. Edwards or Caleb Rudow wins in November, their roles and profiles will be greatly elevated by the long and difficult roads necessary to care for our communities and to implement our recovery and rebuilding. May they both be up to the task.”
Letter: Choose candidates who support public schools
“Public School Strong endorses only qualified candidates who pledge to support fully funded and inclusive public education.”
Letter: Democratic candidates offer know-how, experience
“We need the Democratic, practical and logical approach to governing, including for climate change and the transition to an environmentally conscious policy that works on being prepared for chaotic events like our Hurricane Helene and also promotes clean and renewable energy.”