Gerard Albert III
Western North Carolina Rural Communities ReporterEmail: galbert@bpr.org
Phone: 865-332-9439
Gerard Albert III covers Western North Carolina rural communities as a Report for America corps member. He joined BPR in July 2024 and has since covered Hurricane Helene and its aftermath throughout the region.
As misinformation swirled after the storm, Gerard published investigations into FEMA housing policies and a series of fact checks on subjects like the death toll. He continues to report on the long-term impact of Hurricane Helene on rural communities.
Gerard also serves as BPR's unofficial staff photographer.
He worked at WLRN in South Florida for two years, where he reported on affordable housing policy, local government accountability and the death penalty trial of the Parkland school shooter. He also covered the history of the Black community and criminal justice system in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
He earned a journalism degree from Florida International University, where he served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper.
In his free time, you can find Gerard kayaking, reading a book in his hammock, or making zines with his friends.
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The money will be used to make homes damaged by Hurricane Helene ready for the winter weather as they continue to be repaired. -
Sections of the parkway won’t reopen until late next year, leaving nearby businesses facing fewer visitors and less revenue. -
The bulk of the money will go towards reimbursing state emergency road and bridge work and millions are county governments as well. -
The project is years in the making and is expected to cost about $30 million before its completion. -
The governor announced the projects in Marshall as part of a state program to prevent flooding across the state. -
The National Flood Insurance Program expired after Congress and President Trump failed to reauthorize the program.
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Lawmakers spoke out against the impact of the government shutdown on WNC as the area waits for millions in federal relief funds. -
BPR spoke with several residents in the rural outpost of Henderson County about recovery of a community that has changed, but that they refuse to abandon. -
The funding levels for WNC farmers is on pace with state and federal support for the rest of the $60 billion disaster. -
This fall, Dierauf will travel to The University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship and plans to pursue master’s degrees in American Studies and Philosophical Theology.
