BUDGET TALKS: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is getting into the thick of its budget process as it heard requests from A-B Tech and Asheville City Schools during its meeting Tuesday, May 2

Drugs, teacher pay, budget, preschool and more: County Commission­ers to talk priorities during retreat

On the heels of a joint meeting with Asheville City Council, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold its annual retreat on Friday, Feb. 17. The meeting, while official, does not have any action items on the docket. But commissioners will discuss policy issues they would like to prioritize in the upcoming years. Commission […]

Pisgah Legal Services leads local movement to protect Obamacare

In an effort to emphasize the importance of access to affordable health insurance coverage for North Carolinians, Pisgah Legal Services held a press conference Tuesday in partnership with the North Carolina Justice Center. Speakers included political and legal advocates for the ACA, as well as residents who offered stories about their experiences with affordable care and health insurance.

Resolution against discrimina­tion, committee appointmen­ts among first issues new board will consider

The newly constituted Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold its first post-election meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The agenda is relatively light and will be the first helmed by Brownie Newman, who is transitioning from commissioner to chair, and will be the inaugural meeting for Commissioners Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and Robert Pressley. The board will […]

District 1, Buncombe County Board of Commission­ers: Beach-Ferrera running unopposed

Democrat Jasmine Beach-Ferrara is running unopposed. Read her thoughts on zoning, HB2, the economy, body camera footage and more below. You can also view her campaign finance report here. There are two ways to view Xpress’ Q&A with the candidates: Either click the candidate’s picture to see a text version of their answers or click […]

UPDATED: Spending takes off in Buncombe commission­er races; Chair candidates loan campaigns big bucks

The two candidates for Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners have loaned their campaigns a combined total of $272,000. Democrat Brownie Newman loaned his campaign $42,000 and Republican Chuck Archerd loaned himself $230,000 according to the candidates’ campaign finance reports.

Asheville LGBTQ community to celebrate progress, call for change at Blue Ridge Pride Festival on Oct. 1

Author, transgender activist and newcomer to Asheville Tina Madison White reflects on the state of the Pride movement in 2016. White is the director of operations for Blue Ridge Pride Center, which will host its eighth annual Pride Festival Saturday, Oct. 1 in Pack Square Park in Asheville.