Felicia Sonmez
Growth and Development ReporterFelicia Sonmez is a reporter covering growth and development for Blue Ridge Public Radio.
Prior to joining BPR, Felicia worked for more than a dozen years as a print journalist, including as a national political reporter for The Washington Post. From 2013 to 2018, she was based in Beijing, where she worked as a China correspondent for the international wire service Agence France-Presse and as an editor for The Wall Street Journal. She also spent a year in advanced Chinese language study as a Blakemore Fellow at Tsinghua University.
A native of Hackensack, New Jersey, Felicia graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Government. She loves hiking, backpacking and listening to live music. She is the proud owner of a tuxedo cat named Yogurt.
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The most recent data show 739 people living unhoused in Asheville and the surrounding area, but new methodology in counting played a role in the documented increase, officials said. -
Wednesday’s vote was being closely watched for whether the board would include affordable housing among 'tourism-related expenses.' -
Planning board cites new members and the need for further study in delaying a vote on restricting rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs. -
The push for restrictions comes as Buncombe County faces a shortage of affordable housing. -
Buncombe County will soon decide whether to tighten restrictions on short-term rentals on sites such as Airbnb and VRBO. -
The 27-acre project has ignited opposition from community members who have raised concerns about traffic, pedestrian safety and environmental conservation. -
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority has $9.5 million to allocate and may use some tourism tax money to support affordable housing projects. -
At a public hearing in Asheville, two dozen people sounded off about Duke’s plan for natural gas generation instead of relying more heavily on renewables. -
Concerns over rising electric bills will likely be one of the topics Tuesday night at a public hearing in Asheville. -
The county wants to join the North Carolina attorney general’s lawsuit, citing extended wait times in the emergency room.
