BPR informs, inspires, connects, and reflects the people and places of Western North Carolina, on air at BPR News & BPR Classic and online at https://www.bpr.org/https://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mlvsutrey22xGovernor Josh Stein on a Thursday visit to Canton called on Congress to send more money to western North Carolina to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Helene. https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-05-15/in-canton-gov-stein-calls-for-more-federal-funding-for-water-infrastructure-post-helene15 May 2026 17:04 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvsutrey22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mlt3mxpzu22mA year and a half after Helene flooded the IPEX plastic plant, there’s still a lot of PVC pipe in the French Broad River. On Tuesday, residents, officials and advocates gathered in the town of Woodfin to discuss the longstanding problem. https://www.bpr.org/climate-environment/2026-05-13/community-frustration-grows-around-ipexs-post-helene-plastic-pollution-in-the-french-broad-river14 May 2026 15:03 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlt3mxpzu22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mlr5b7hpvk2zFollowing a heated public comment period, Asheville City Council voted to accept a $1.14M federal grant to APD to fund a real-time intelligence center allowing police to search and monitor cameras across the city. https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2026-05-13/asheville-council-accepts-police-tech-funding-hears-budget-proposal13 May 2026 20:27 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlr5b7hpvk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mlqq2xyqqc25Kyrylo Gencho was at home in Kharkiv when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. He arrived in Asheville in November 2022 seeking a stable, peaceful life.13 May 2026 16:31 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqq2xyqqc25https://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mlo6cd7ui22bIf you walk through downtown Saluda in Polk County or the nearby town of Tryon, you’ll see one storefront after another displaying signs supporting the Saluda Grade Trail, a rails-to-trails project inching closer to reality. https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-05-11/saluda-grade-trail-organizers-share-latest-updates-at-spring-forum12 May 2026 16:07 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlo6cd7ui22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mllzvjbigc2eFEMA approved 142 buyouts in Buncombe County on Friday, bringing the total number of approved properties up to 189 in the county. https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-05-11/fema-greenlights-more-than-140-buyouts-in-buncombe-county11 May 2026 19:43 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mllzvjbigc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mllouthx7225From the Asheville Watchdog: Mission Hospital has no plans to add staff in key areas – including trauma care, security, and nursing administration – as part of its recently approved, now-contested, 95-bed acute-care expansion. https://www.bpr.org/health/2026-05-08/in-quest-for-more-beds-mission-plans-to-keep-staff-lean-con-application-shows11 May 2026 16:26 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mllouthx7225https://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mlenumnmbs2eFarmer Jamie Ager, the Democratic nominee in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District race, said Thursday that alleged misconduct by his Republican opponent, Rep. Chuck Edwards, is “sad for the country” and “not the story of leadership.” https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2026-05-08/jamie-ager-says-rep-chuck-edwardss-alleged-misconduct-is-sad-for-the-country08 May 2026 21:19 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlenumnmbs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mldweqgr422oThe Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council on Thursday passed an indefinite moratorium on data centers, following several other counties and municipalities throughout North Carolina that have made similar moves. https://www.bpr.org/climate-environment/2026-05-07/ebci-passes-indefinite-moratorium-on-data-centers08 May 2026 14:19 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mldweqgr422ohttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mlbqa7amz22lMembers of the National Council on the Arts came to Asheville this week to talk about the importance of the arts in Hurricane Helene recovery. The visit comes as federal funding for the arts is in a precarious position under President Donald Trump. https://www.bpr.org/arts-performance/2026-05-07/national-council-on-the-arts-visits-asheville-to-explore-role-of-arts-in-helene-recovery07 May 2026 17:24 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbqa7amz22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3ml74ed2umk22Buncombe County officials caught an earful over the FY 2026-27 budget during Tuesday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting as none of the 11 residents who spoke during public comment supported the spending plan. https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2026-05-06/buncombe-proposes-tax-increases-for-next-years-budget06 May 2026 16:23 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml74ed2umk22https://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3ml4uhzg4ds2rThe city of Asheville is considering allocating an additional $19.2M for the repair of single-family homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. This policy proposal comes after BPR published a series on the dearth of funding for the program in Asheville. https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-05-05/asheville-helene-home-repair-shift05 May 2026 18:56 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4uhzg4ds2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3ml4ljg2yf22fWith @theassemblync.bsky.social and @grist.org: Harm reduction groups and health care workers helped avert the worst after Hurricane Helene. But what about the next emergency? https://www.bpr.org/climate-environment/2026-05-05/helene-frayed-the-safety-net-for-people-who-use-drugs-the-community-wove-it-back-together05 May 2026 16:16 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4ljg2yf22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3ml2iy4ajmk2nBPR recently published an investigation showing the city of Asheville set aside just $3M for Helene home repair, mistakenly believing the state would cover the majority of the cost. Readers had questions. We sat down with our reporters to learn more. https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-05-04/hud-investigation-audience-questions04 May 2026 20:25 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2iy4ajmk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mkzrtt3bjc2vDisasters like Hurricane Helene level communities and upend even the stablest lives. For people recovering from addiction, the financial strain and fractured routines that follow can rupture the stability they’ve spent years working toward. https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-05-04/helene-substance-use-recovery04 May 2026 13:31 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkzrtt3bjc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mksybibmks27Western North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards is reportedly under investigation by the U.S. House Ethics Committee over unspecified allegations. https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2026-05-01/rep-chuck-edwards-allegedly-under-investigation-by-house-ethics-committee01 May 2026 20:38 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksybibmks27https://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mksiqeroak2gPublic Media Giving Days are underway, and we’re celebrating something essential: local public media. Show that BPR matters to you and keep us strong by donating now! https://www.bpr.org/announcements/2026-04-30/public-media-giving-days-202601 May 2026 16:00 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksiqeroak2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mkqecfb2j22mTwo hospital systems are appealing a recent decision by the state Department of Health and Human Services to allow Mission Hospital and Novant Health to expand in Buncombe County. https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-04-29/adventhealth-unc-health-appeal-decision-allowing-mission-and-novant-to-expand-in-buncombe30 Apr 2026 19:35 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqecfb2j22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mkpqjckock2gPublic Media Giving Days is back! Stand up for the station that stands up for you by making a gift today — and choose from limited‑time thank‑you gifts created just for this moment. https://www.bpr.org/announcements/2026-04-30/public-media-giving-days-202630 Apr 2026 13:41 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkpqjckock2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mkksj2ckds2hOver the years, the Buncombe County Special Collections has collected the stories of communities in and around Asheville. Now, the library is setting its sights on a new endeavor: the Leicester History Project. https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-04-22/leicester-history-project-aims-to-share-stories-of-rural-communities-in-nw-buncombe-county28 Apr 2026 14:33 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkksj2ckds2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mkiiaapcx22oPaul Bonesteel has been digging into the life story of Japanese photographer George Masa for decades. This week, his exploration of Masa’s life goes even further in a new documentary that will premiere at Asheville’s Fine Arts Theatre. https://www.bpr.org/arts-performance/2026-04-21/the-life-of-george-masa-a-pivotal-figure-in-preserving-wnc-nature-is-reconsidered-in-a-new-documentary27 Apr 2026 16:24 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkiiaapcx22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mkbf32wzos2uA fire caused “significant” damage to the former Asheville Waste Paper Company building, an iconic River Arts District structure slated to be the new home of the Salvage Station music venue. https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-04-24/overnight-blaze-causes-significant-fire-damage-to-new-salvage-station-venue24 Apr 2026 20:39 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbf32wzos2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mkaol3mp3k2zFEMA announced Thursday another $260 million in reimbursements to local governments and state agencies for money they spent recovering after Hurricane Helene. https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-04-23/fema-works-to-clear-backlog-of-reimbursements-for-nc-releases-260-million24 Apr 2026 13:56 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkaol3mp3k2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mk6psa4lhs23Swain County Commissioners Tuesday unanimously passed a 12-month moratorium on new data centers in the county. https://www.bpr.org/climate-environment/2026-04-22/swain-county-unanimously-passes-data-center-moratorium23 Apr 2026 19:13 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6psa4lhs23https://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mk6ael5sm223Across the Southeast, 416,000 roadless acres of wilderness are protected by a unique federal law called the “Roadless Rule” — one that may soon be repealed. https://www.bpr.org/climate-environment/2026-04-22/these-southeastern-forests-could-soon-lose-protection-if-the-roadless-rule-is-repealed23 Apr 2026 14:37 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6ael5sm223https://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mk3omyh6222fPaul Bonesteel has been digging into the life story of Japanese photographer George Masa for decades. Next week, Bonesteel’s exploration of Masa’s life goes even further in a new documentary that will premiere at Asheville’s Fine Arts Theatre. https://www.bpr.org/arts-performance/2026-04-21/the-life-of-george-masa-a-pivotal-figure-in-preserving-wnc-nature-is-reconsidered-in-a-new-documentary22 Apr 2026 14:14 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3omyh6222fhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mjzs23pjk22lMarshall isn't giving up on Blannahasset Island, despite the significant flood damage sustained during Hurricane Helene. On Sunday, community members gathered at Marshall High Studios for a visioning event aimed at shaping the island’s future. https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-04-20/the-town-of-marshall-takes-a-step-to-revitalize-blannahassett-island21 Apr 2026 20:10 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzs23pjk22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/blueridgepublic.bsky.social/post/3mjzimuef5s2hPlease join us in giving a warm welcome to Eddie Garcia, BPR's next News Director! Eddie brings two decades of experience in editorial leadership, public radio and audio engineering to his role, and we're thrilled to have him aboard. Learn more: https://www.bpr.org/announcements/2026-04-17/blue-ridge-public-radio-welcomes-eddie-garcia-as-news-director21 Apr 2026 17:21 +0000at://did:plc:5e4yytgbbbtwig6ave6nobrt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzimuef5s2h