News

The 2013 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book finds that children in the U.S. continue to make gains in education and health, despite the growing number of children who live in poverty.  David Hurand spoke with Laura Speer about the well being of children living in North Carolina.

Gas prices are expected to remain stable in the Asheville area through Independence Day. David Hurand spoke with a senior petroleum analyst with Gas Buddy Dot Com.

Arts and Culture Guru and Beer Guy, Tony Kiss marches into the weekend.  On tap, lots of live theater, great music, and a couple of new movies.

The North Carolina General Assembly is expected to adopt  some form of tax code reform during its present session.  Among the proposals, changes to the way the state collects sales taxes, including charging sales tax on some professional services.  Also under consideration, tightening or eliminating exemptions that benefit most not-for-profits.  David Hurand spoke with the Managing Director of Diana Wortham Theater about one proposal that could lead to higher ticket prices.

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is set to approve the county 2013-2014 fiscal year budget. The $337 million spending plan includes a significant increase in the county property tax rate.  David Hurand spoke with Mt. Xpress reporter Jake Frankel about the budget.

The flow of public money for candidates running for the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the State Supreme court is coming to an end.  The  state budget that the Republican controlled General Assembly is expected to approve eliminates funding for the judicial candidates.  David Hurand spoke with the Executive Director of the Institute for Southern Studies, which publishes Facing South and Southern Exposure, Chris Kromm about the demise of public financing of judicial races.

The first Asheville Autism Pride Week runs June 16th-through June 22nd.  David Hurand spoke with one of the events participants  Dave Spicer.  To see the full schedule of Autism Pride Week events visit their web site.
http://autismprideweek.org

It's been a record setting wet Spring for much of Western North Carolina. David Hurand spoke with Atmospheric Sciences Professor and WCQS weather expert Ed Brotak about why the region has seen so much rain and the June to November Hurricane Season.

Tony Kiss checks out the entertainment scene and offers his suggestions for the Father's Day
Weekend.

Many farmers and back yard gardeners have been spending a great deal of time working in the rain.  David Hurand spoke

with WCQS gardening expert Alison Arnold about the wet Spring and plants that are thriving.

Asheville City Council has made it clear  it will not drop the city's legal challenge of a state law that transfers control of  the Asheville Water System to the Metropolitan Sewerage Distrct and a Regional Authority.  David Hurand spoke with Mt. Xpress Senior News Reporter David Forbes about the will of council and a recent email exchange between members of the local delegation to the General Assembly and Mayor Terry Bellamy.

Tony Kiss takes a look at the Arts and Culture scene in Western North Carolina.  High on his agenda, lots and lots of live theater, an Art Walk, free music from the porch of the Thomas Wolfe House, and a couple of new movies.

The first of two annual River Arts District Studio Strolls takes place Saturday and Sunday (June 8th - 9th).

David Hurand spoke with Asheville Citizen Times reporter Jason Sandford about the pace of change along the river in Asheville.

It has been a couple of weeks since the North Carolina Senate sent its' version of a new state budget to the house.  While many lawmakers have focused much of their attention on the budget and proposals to overhaul the state tax system, Republican members of the General Assembly from Buncombe County have been busy introducing bills that directly effect local government.  David Hurand spoke with Asheville Citizen Times reporter Mark Barrett bout the unusual number of bills that hit close to home...

An Asheville Public School teacher has been named a recipient of the Yale University Distinguished Music Educator award.  David  Hurand spoke with Ruben Orengo about the honor and his career as a musician and teacher.

A delegation  from Ural Federal University in Ekaterinburg, Russia recently spent ten days in Western North Carolina.  David Hurand spoke with members of the delegation following lunch at the Rotary Club of Asheville.  

Tony Kiss takes a look at the weekend entertainment scene. High on his list, The Odd Couple at Flat Rock Playhouse, music at the Altamont and a couple of new movies and The Life of Pi in 3D.