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 device was found Sunday near the Folk Art Center in East Asheville, according to a news release from the National Park Service. -
Across the county, restrictions on short-term rentals have been put on hold — but a new problem has emerged. -
There are 2,400 fewer leisure and hospitality jobs compared with the same point last year, according to state Department of Commerce data. -
The Western North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the I-26 Citizens’ Coalition released joint recommendations on Tuesday. -
The reconstruction of the loops could pave the way for the eventual return of passenger rail service to Western North Carolina. -
The North Concourse will include 7 gates, a new ticket lobby and a TSA checkpoint, as well as restaurants and retail stores. -
Gerald Coyne, who leads the independent monitor team, said it’s essential for members of the community to stay involved in the process. -
Artist Tommy Lee McGee describes the words on the mural — ‘Each One, Reach One, Teach One’ — as a call to action in the Black community. -
The recovery involved dozens of construction workers, artisans and more. It comes as the first few Biltmore Village retailers are reopening as well. -
BPR’s Felicia Sonmez sat down with leaders of the Historic Biltmore Village Association to talk about the latest steps in the neighborhood’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.
