Singled Out: Should the city ban plastic bags?
Volume
29
/ Issue 39
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
iStock
River cleanup crews and single-stream recyclers liken single-use plastic bags to an everlasting infestation. Retail store advocates say they provide an affordable, convenient option for store owners and consumers. Should the city of Asheville become the state’s first municipality to pass a ban, risking potential legal challenge?
arts
Look Homeward: A new monthly series on influential WNC writers
Xpress' new “Look Homeward” feature begins with Thomas Wolfe, but aims to eventually shift focus to other celebrated writers with ties to WNC, including, but not limited to Wilma Dykeman, John Ehle…Joe Fishleigh wins 2023 Xpress Poetry Contest
This year's competition asked writers to draft an original, previously unpublished piece on the theme of hope.Best Medicine with Morgan Bost: Bring on the out-of-towners
In her latest column, Morgan Bost invites out-of-town comics to share their takes on The Land of the Sky.Around Town: Book chronicles Carolina Mountain Club’s 100-year history
The Carolina Mountain Club marks its 100th anniversary with a new book. Plus, an author uses Black Mountain as a inspiration for her YA novel, a Buddhist monk will discuss…food
What’s new in food: Dining Out for Life returns
Dining Out For Life is back for its 21st annual event. Also: 12 Bones Brewing celebrates its 4-year anniversary; Hood Huggers International rings in its 20th year; and more!living
Gardening with Xpress: Managing tiny but formidable flea beetles
Tiny flea beetles are here to stay, and will affect your garden to some extent. But organic gardening is about finding balance, not controlling nature for our benefit alone.news
Q&A: A developer’s perspective on value of conservation
Andy Baker has spent the last 17 years building a home for himself, his family and many others through his development projects in Western North Carolina. Originally from Michigan, Baker…Thinking green: All hands on deck
Joe Franco is a senior at UNC Asheville, majoring in international studies with minors in political science and environmental studies.Thinking green: Bridging community and environmentalism
LaKyla Hodges is the equity and education manager of Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.Thinking green: Take heed
Anne Craig is an environmental activist.Asheville considers ban on single-use plastic bags
“A third of microplastics we’re seeing in the French Broad watershed is coming from these plastics that we might use for 12 minutes and end up throwing away. So anything…Thinking green: adaptiveness and resiliency
Roger Helm is an instructor on global climate change at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville.Air quality continues to improve, but vigilance remains essential
Air quality continues to improve, but not at the same rate everywhere, researchers find.Canton mill closure may challenge sustainable forestry
Along with the economic impact, the loss of the mill will also harm sustainable forestry in Western North Carolina, says EcoForesters Co-Director Andy Tait. The Canton facility, Tait explains, was…Q&A: Woman creates Mon-stors to ‘eat’ toys
"I knew that if I wanted my child to use whatever toy storage solution we had, it needed to be fun and like a game. "ACS board recommends pay raises for school employees
The Asheville City Board of Education approved budget recommendations that include a 7% increase to each pay level for certified staff, which include teachers, and starting pay for all hourly…Buncombe seeks new county park via partnership
Within the next few years, Buncombe County residents may have new public trails to roam close to downtown Asheville. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 18 to…opinion
Letter: The terrible costs of tick-borne disease
"Ask your representatives and senators for North Carolina free tick testing, an accurate tick count sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, education in the schools and public…Letter: We don’t need ‘Cop City’
"We don’t need or want our local police getting such training."Letter: How green are electric vehicles?
"The global mining industry is rapidly expanding, with tragic ecological and humanitarian consequences."Don’t go in the water
My story: Every day needs a night
I have a T-shirt with text on the front that reads, “Every day needs a night.” I was thinking of this recently as I drove home from a friend’s house…Letter: Antisemitism persists, even in Asheville
"It shouldn’t have to be that way, but antisemitism is constantly rearing its ugly head, even in liberal Asheville."Armored star