Buncombe County is planning to purchase the former JCPenney site at the Asheville Mall for $5 million, turning it into the county’s first standalone emergency operation center. County officials outline the importance of the new center after Hurricane Helene.

A group of 10 housing advocates say the city shouldn’t give Renew NC more money for housing — and that Asheville should rely on bond funding and nonprofit efforts to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Transportation officials are hoping the project — one of the most expensive in state history — will lead the crucial highway to a more resilient future.

Rivercane enthusiasts hope this native bamboo can help to heal old harms to land and people – and strengthen the riverbank against the next flood.

Two WNC communities among the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene will get new flood storage, restored wetlands and stabilized riverbanks along the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers.

Asheville is pursuing several costly infrastructure upgrades, including a new water mainline at North Fork Reservoir and two pre-treatment plants.

Gov. Josh Stein and Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett joined local, state and federal officials to announce the long-awaited reopening of the lake, 20 months after Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina.

Washington has sent $686 million to help western North Carolina counties rebuild their water infrastructure. But the money is far from enough, Stein said.

The agency approved $59 million in new funding for buyouts statewide.

Ager, the Democratic nominee in the 11th Congressional District race, made the remarks in an interview with BPR after a rally in Asheville.