Remembering Patrick Muldoon (1968–2026)
News
View AllNewsDodge City Steakhouse Closure: Sudden Shutdown on Russ Avenue
Waynesville -- April 20, 2026: The local dining landscape on Waynesville’s busy Russ Avenue shifted abruptly this past weekend as Dodge City Steakhouse shuttered its doors permanently. The closure, which took place on Friday, April 17, 2026, has left both employees and local patrons searching for answers.
Federal Shift: Patient Protections for Medicare Advantage Sidelined
Washington, DC -- April 19, 2026: A series of federal consumer protections designed to shield Medicare Advantage patients from losing access to their doctors has been shelved this month.
April 20, 2026
NC AG Jeff Jackson Leads Charge in Freezing $6.2B Nexstar-Tegna Merger
Raleigh -- April 19. 2026: In a significant legal victory for North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a coalition of state leaders, U.S. Dist...
April 20, 2026
Former McDowell Guidance Counselor Sentenced to 28 Years for Child Sex Crimes
April 19, 2026: A former McDowell County High School Guidance Counselor was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to child sex crimes.
April 20, 2026
Tragic Friday Night Collision on US 64 Claims Two Lives
April 29, 2026: A late-night crash east of Lenoir has claimed the lives of a 78-year-old man and an 11-year-old child, leading to multiple felony charges against a Hickory man who fled the scene.
April 19, 2026Sports
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SportsMountain Soccer on the Rise: A Regional Roundup
WNC -- April 20, 2026: Western North Carolina is currently experiencing a "soccer gold rush." From historic trophy wins to the growth of professional women's sports, here is what you need to know about the teams making waves in our backyard.
North 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.
April 17, 2026
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, 2026Business
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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 AllEntertainmentRemembering Patrick Muldoon (1968–2026)
Entertainment News -- April 20, 2026: The entertainment world is mourning the sudden loss of Patrick Muldoon, the charismatic actor and producer who c...
2026 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.
April 17, 2026
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, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleThe Thirsty Island: Finding Our Way Back to a Connected WNC
WNC -- April 19, 2026: As we celebrate Earth Day 2026, Western North Carolina is facing a stark meteorological reality. According to the NC Drought M...
Mayor 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...
April 18, 2026
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, 2026Outdoors
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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