Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman reported that the well-documented achievement gap between Black and white students closed slightly last year, while overall achievement for ACS students increased by 2.5% in 2023-24.
New Stories
Editorial memories from Xpress’ tricky, triumphant teens
The inescapable conclusion for me, was that a local news source, particularly the altweekly sort, lives and dies on its role as a community partner.
On the Record: Asheville City Council candidate Roberto ‘Bo’ Hess on the intersectionality of the arts, mental health and local government
In the fifth installment of Xpress’ limited series “On the Record,” Roberto “Bo” Hess discusses his youth, a life-changing event and how his profession as a social worker informs his views on the arts and local politics — all to the soundtrack of Erykah Badu’s 2000 album Mama’s Gun.
Buncombe County commissioners fire tax assessor
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners fired its tax assessor R. Keith Miller for a conflict of interest involving buying a South Carolina condominium with an employee under his supervision.
Speaker encourages creative thinking at BCTDA annual meeting
“The more we can share those experiences in a way that people believe, the more we can overcome that believability crisis,” speaker Rohit Bhargava told about 300 hospitality professionals at the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s annual meeting.
7 candidates compete for Black Mountain Town Council seats
Six are vying for three seats while one is unopposed in a special election. Managing growth and spending are top of mind for most candidates.
Drivers invited to test out electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) from 13 automakers, including Ford, Tesla, Chevrolet, Kia, Hyundai and Nissan will be at the free event, where EV owners will answer questions about the environmentally friendly vehicles and even offer test drives.
Around town: Inclusive theater camp presents collaborative performance
Rare Bird Inclusive Theatre Camp performs, Heritage weekend returns, ArtsAVL grantees announced and more!
What’s new in food: Wildwood Still debuts at Moxy hotel
The new rooftop bar and restaurant celebrates whiskey and Japanese flavors. Also in this week’s food news: Dogwood Cottage Baking expands to a larger space, Mother Ocean Seafood Market adds dinner service, chef Silver Iocovozzi gets another national nod, Westival festival highlights West Asheville restaurants, Regina’s welcomes fall pop-up events and much more.
Mission CEO Chad Patrick out in ‘restructuring’ effort, replaced by HCA North Carolina president Greg Lowe
The move comes just months after the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found Mission Hospital to be in immediate jeopardy, the most serious sanction a hospital can receive.
Letter: Runners, take a lesson from skiers
“It is unnerving and frankly annoying when there is no consideration given to those ahead of you just because they are going slower. For both of our safety, please try to do better!”
Letter: Come together to honor Asheville’s peace heroes
“These local groups and many more peace and justice groups make up a culture of peace in Asheville, envied by many other communities in our mountain region.”
Letter: On decision-making and homophobia
“I think any action prompted by homophobia is bound to have ill effects.”
Letter: Yancey County will lose pooled resources
“The Yancey County administration may be unaware of advantages gained by being in a three-county system, such as interlibrary loans of materials that a single system is unable to afford.”
Letter: Embrace of ignorance harms next generation
“It is our next generation who is being underserved by the blatant ignorance of bigots in their homes, their schools, their political offices.”