Mission Hospital and the Mission Nurses United union didn’t reach a deal on a new labor deal by midnight July 3, the expiration date for the current contract, increasing the possibility of a strike. Nurses told Asheville Watchdog that they and the hospital remain far apart on key issues, including compensation and retention.
New Stories
Edneyville teacher recalls part in D-Day anniversary celebrations in France
Jordan Chambliss went to France as part of the D-Day 80th Anniversary Collegiate Mass Band. She spoke with Xpress about how she got into music, why she decided to join the D-Day band and how her experiences in France affected her.
What’s new in food: New Woodfin shop makes fresh tortillas daily
Tortillas La Regia specializes in both flour and corn varieties. Also in this week’s food news, Cooperative Coffee Roasters adds a café, Fairview gets a new wine bar with garden vibes, Annie’s Culinary Garden offers takeout in Black Mountain, vegan seafood pops up in West Asheville and more.
Around town: The Big Crafty is back
The Big Crafty returns, Weaverville library gets a new logo, Romeo & Juliet adaptation comes to NC Stage, Jewish poetry conference and more!
Letter: Protecting our farming values
“I ask our representative, Chuck Edwards, to vote against any Farm Bill that stops states and voters from making laws to regulate agricultural products.”
PFAS – forever chemicals linked to serious health issues – found above safe levels at Buncombe, Henderson mobile home parks
Residents of five mobile home parks in Buncombe and Henderson counties rely on water systems that exceed the limit of PFAS compounds, known as forever chemicals, putting them at greater risk of cancer and other illnesses, Asheville Watchdog reports.
Letter: Mourning loss of UNCA drama program
“As good stewards of our state educational system, the Board of Governors understands that a wise manager helps an important but struggling program by adding resources rather than taking them away.”
Letter: Banish gridlock gremlins with electric vehicle hub
“Imagine this: Parking your car in a spacious, hassle-free parking lot of pervious concrete (with well-landscaped islands of trees and foliage), boarding a cozy electric shuttle and in minutes, you’re whisked away to any and all points throughout Asheville, east and west.”
The astonishing world of forest fungi
“But for all the botanical diversity these mountains are renowned for, there are roughly twice as many known species of local fungi as there are plants.”
Letter: Cartoon hits pyramidion on the head
“Although the cartoon was in jest, it is a good example of an easier and much less costly solution to the taxpayers.”
Letter: A disturbing turn of events for UNCA
“One suggestion would be for our legislature to stop handing out vouchers for private school attendance and focus on adequately funding public schools and universities.”
Asheville City Schools considers staff cuts
Even after making some cuts to increased expenditures and allocating $3 million from reserves, the district may need to cut staff to close the $1.2 million budget gap, she said.
Buncombe school board opposes private school vouchers
The Buncombe County Board of Education is not happy with the direction state legislators are taking in funding schools.
Green Roundup: Landowners along Ecusta Trail win $5M claim against federal government
After several years of litigation, a recent court ruling has required the federal government to pay over $5 million to 164 landowners along the proposed 19.4-mile Ecusta Trail. Compensation to individual property owners ranges from $223 to $191,061. The multiuse greenway, scheduled to be completed in 2028, will run along an unused railway corridor connecting […]