Mountain Xpress

Radio Asheville launches an emergency alert network built to survive a total blackout, like occurred with Hurricane Helene Press release from Radio Asheville: In response to Hurricane Helene’s devastating blackout of all digital communication systems, Radio Asheville – WPVM 103.7 combines solar-powered backup broadcasting, phone-and-satellite text alerts, and a local ham radio partnership into one system designed to keep Western North Carolina informed even when the grid, cell towers, and...

Approval sought for ten neonatal beds in Buncombe County Press release from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: MH Mission Hospital LLLP has filed a certificate of need application with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to develop an additional 10 neonatal beds at Mission Hospital in Asheville. The project is expected to cost $25.9 million and would be completed in July 2029. A public hearing for this project will be held Oct.

Blue Ridge Rising Summit welcomes Parkway community leaders to discuss regional opportunities Press release from Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation: The third Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit welcomed nearly 200 attendees to explore paths of regional collaboration in tourism, economic development, outdoor recreation, marketing, and community initiatives within the 29 counties in North Carolina and Virginia that neighbor the Blue Ridge Parkway.

NCDEQ Division of Water Resources urges caution around discolored water ahead of holiday weekend Press release from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality: As the summer comes to an end and the Labor Day holiday is upon us, the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) reminds the public to avoid contact with discolored water that could indicate the presence of an algal bloom. Algae are naturally occurring in all waterbodies.

Asheville Regional Airport announces simplified parking options starting 9/10 Press release from Asheville Regional Airport: Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) will introduce simplified parking options beginning September 10. The changes are part of AVL’s planned efforts to improve the passenger experience while maintaining safe, secure and efficient roadway operations as construction continues on the airport’s terminal modernization project, AVL Forward.

Upon my arrival at Jeffrey Burroughs’ West Asheville home, I am greeted by the Asheville City Council candidate’s two rescue dogs, Jak and Fox, a terrier-Chihuahua mix and Chihuahua, respectively. Burroughs, who uses they/them pronouns, smiles as I step inside. Meanwhile, the small dogs sniff my shoes and bark. Burroughs hands me some treats to feed them but warns me that there’s a good chance the pups will remain animated throughout our conversation.

I-40 reconstruction advances as new data refines cost and schedule Press release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation: HARMON DEN – New geotechnical information gathered during reconstruction of Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge has provided engineers a more complete picture of conditions beneath the roadway, resulting in revised cost and schedule estimates for the largest reconstruction project in N.C. Department of Transportation history.

Press release from Buncombe County Air Quality: Thursday, September 3, 2026, is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. For up to date forecasts and discussion, go to: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ Please call our office if you have any questions.

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners moved several Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts forward Sept. 1, from rebuilding damaged parks and supporting affordable housing to buying out storm-damaged properties. The biggest piece is $24.2 million in federal disaster recovery money the county hopes to secure through North Carolina’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. Commissioners authorized staff to submit two applications by Wednesday, Sept. 16.