In this edition of Local Matters—the Xpress weekly news podcast—reporter David Forbes talks about the controversy over the Bele Chere committee’s reluctance to book hip-hop artist DJ Kool, and gives updates on the ongoing food truck ordinance battle. Reporter Christopher George also gives a rundown of the recent Buncombe County Commission meeting. Podcast hosted by Xpress News Editor Margaret Williams.
Podcast produced by Steve Shanafelt. The theme music is “jam band spy song” by E. Lee.
We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.
We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.
‘controversy’? Only in your mind, xpress.
It is demonstrative how PC we have become that event officials become villains for merely discussing (or merely considering discussing) with police the exclusion of music with questionable lyrics. Nobody’s First Amendment rights are infringed by an event organizer’s decisions to exclude artists, the “aggrieved” can listen to the music on their own. This entire “contraversy” is just more media pandering to the self-absorbed.
[b]discussing with police the exclusion of music with questionable lyrics[/b]
You dont seem to fully grasp what actually happened. Maybe read the article?