News
View AllNewsUnderstanding the "Cicada" COVID Variant: A New Approach
As spring unfolds across the Blue Ridge, we are seeing a change in the local landscape—not just in the blooming wildflowers, but in the health news
Eye in the Sky: APD Arrests Four in Major Bicycle Theft Sting
Asheville -- April 18, 2026: The Asheville Police Department (APD) took a significant bite out of local crime this week, arresting four men in connec...
April 18, 2026
Traffic Alert: 98 W Ramp in Waynesville to Close for 4 Nights Starting Monday, April 20
Waynesville -- April 18, 2026: I hear you. Let’s get every detail in there—the specific start date, the exact 4-night duration, the shortcut terminol...
April 18, 2026
Wildfire Alert: Firefighters Battle Multiple Blazes in Nantahala National Forest
WNC -- April 17, 2026: Firefighting crews and aviation resources are currently engaged with two active wildfires in the Nantahala National Forest following a spike in activity this past Thursday.
April 17, 2026
Brush Fire Near Walden Ridge Assisted Living Forces Brief Evacuation
A fast-moving brush fire along Hendersonville Road prompted the emergency evacuation of a nearby assisted living facility late Thursday night.
April 17, 2026Sports
View All
SportsNorth Buncombe Hosts Asheville in Pivotal Conference Clash
A pivotal softball game that could significantly impact the Mountain 5A/6A league standings is set for today as North Buncombe High School hosts Asheville at 5:30 p.m. at North Buncombe's home field in Weaverville.
Choosing Asheville’s First Pickleplex: Aston vs. Roger Farmer
Asheville -- Aoruk 16, 2026: Asheville is ready to stop "sharing" and start "serving." This month—fittingly, National Pickleball Month—the City of Asheville officially launched its search for the home of the city's first dedicated pickleball complex.
April 16, 2026
Baseball Returns to the Blue Ridge: What to Expect in 2026
Asheville -- April 13, 2026: As the seasonal crowds return to Western North Carolina, the Asheville Tourists are stepping into a historic year at McC...
April 13, 2026
McCormick Field to Host Big South Baseball Championship
Asheville will host the Big South Baseball Championship in May 2026, a six-team double-elimination tournament determining the Big South's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. The tournament is...
April 6, 2026
Brevard and West Henderson Secure Victories as Area Baseball and Softball Rivalries Heat Up
Local baseball and softball teams clashed in recent games, stirring up school rivalries and community pride. For Asheville residents, the performance of teams like the Asheville Bulldogs is a key...
April 3, 2026Business
View All
BusinessThe Great Mountain Reset: Why Asheville’s Rental "Dip" is a Regional Bloom
If you caught the recent headlines reporting a staggering 45% drop in Buncombe County’s vacation rental occupancy, you might think our regional tourism engine has hit a brick wall. But for those of us watching the data across the rest of Western North Carolina, the view from the porch looks quite different.
Asheville Regional Airport Reaches New Milestone with Baggage Claim Opening
Travelers arriving at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) today, April 17, 2026, are the first to experience the latest upgrade in the airport's massive $400 million expansion project.
April 17, 2026
The Grocery Games: Is Competition Finally Coming to Haywood County?
Haywood County -- April 17, 2026: t is a conversation that regularly ripples through checkout lines and local community boards across Haywood County: "When will we finally get an Aldi?"
April 17, 2026
Vortex Doughnuts Permanently Closes: A Sudden End for a South Slope Staple
Asheville -- April 16, 2026: A cornerstone of Asheville’s South Slope district has unexpectedly turned off its fryers for the last time. Vortex Dough...
April 16, 2026
New Level II NICU at AdventHealth Hendersonville: A Milestone for Local Families
Hendersonville -In a significant boost to the region's healthcare infrastructure, AdventHealth Hendersonville has officially opened the first and only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Henderson County.
April 16, 2026Entertainment
View All
Entertainment2026 Downtown After 5 Kicks Off with High Energy and "Stomp & Holler"
Asheville's beloved outdoor concert tradition returns to Pack Square Park today, April 17, 2026, officially launching the Downtown After 5 season.
WNC Let's Go to the Movies May 17 -23, 2026
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly afternoon, a high-octane thriller, or a thoughtful indie drama, the theaters across Western North Carolin...
April 17, 2026
Murphy’s Braden Rumfelt Hits Top 9: The Journey from Murphy to Disney Night
Braden Rumfelt's rendition of 'Superstition' secured his spot in the 'American Idol' Top 9. We explore how his Western North Carolina upbringing shaped his musical style and performance.
April 14, 2026
The Ultimate 2026 WNC Festival Guide: Your Passport to Mountain Magic
WNC -- April 13, 2026: From the high-octane roar of motorcycle rallies in Maggie Valley to the rhythmic "stomp and holler" of bluegrass in the shadow...
April 13, 2026
The Haunted Farm: First Halfway to Halloween in May
For the FIRST TIME EVER, The Haunted Farm is waking up from its slumber early! We’re halfway to our favorite holiday, couldn’t wait another six months...
April 12, 2026Lifestyle
View All
LifestyleMayor Peter O’Leary’s Spring 2026 Update: The Revival of Chimney Rock Village
Chimney Rock Village -- April 18, 2026: The Village is coming alive with activity this spring, marking the first full season of renewal since the dev...
The Rhythm Returns: Why Today’s Train Whistle is the Sweetest Sound in WNC
April 18, 2026: For 19 long months, a specific kind of silence has hung over the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge. But as of Saturday, April 18, 2026, the heartbeat of the mountains is back.
April 18, 2026
Lifestyle: Your WNC Weekend Guide — Earth Day, Maker Faires, and Mountain Heritage
WNC -- April 17, 2026: Western North Carolina is waking up this Saturday, April 18, with a massive lineup of community festivals.
April 17, 2026
Henderson County’s Summer of Transformation: Sports, Trails, and Family Fun
Henderson County -- April 15, 2026: As the mountain laurel begins to bloom across Western North Carolina, Henderson County is preparing for a landmark...
April 15, 2026
Waynesville Police Department’s K9 Loki to Get Donation of Body Armor
Waynesville -- Our local four-legged officers work just as hard as their human partners to keep Waynesville safe, now one of our own is getting an extra layer of protection.
April 14, 2026Outdoors
View All
OutdoorsBlue Ridge BoundL Craggy Gardens and Waterrock Knob Visitors Centers Reopen
Blue Ridge Parkway -- April 17, 2026: Spring in Western North Carolina isn’t just about the valley floor turning green; it’s about the gradual climb of life back up to the peaks.
High Stakes in the High Country: Transylvania Rescue Squad Handles Four SAR Calls in 36 Hours
Transylvania County -- April 14, 2026: The busy summer season has arrived early in the North Carolina mountains, and local rescue crews are already feeling the heat.
April 14, 2026
Tight Lines and New Realities: The Complete 2026 WNC Spring Fishing Guide
WNC -- April 13, 2026: As spring unfolds across the Blue Ridge, the rivers are calling. However, for 2026, "knowing before you go" isn't just a sugge...
April 13, 2026
WNC Parks Awarded Over $4 Million in Helene Recovery Grants
Western North Carolina -- April 9, 2026: A significant wave of revitalization is coming to the mountains as more than $4 million in grants has been gr...
April 10, 2026
"Rescue is Not a Certainty": Great Smoky Mountains Issue Rare Warning After 38 Emergencies in March
Great Smok Mountains -- April 5, 2026: The bottom line: National Park rangers are urging Western North Carolina visitors to prepare for dangerous spri...
April 5, 2026