Laura Hackett
Helene Recovery ReporterLaura Hackett is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning reporter for Blue Ridge Public Radio. She joined the newsroom in 2023 as a Government Reporter and in 2025 moved into a new role as BPR's Helene Recovery Reporter. Before entering the world of public radio, she wrote for Mountain Xpress, AVLtoday and the Asheville Citizen-Times. She has a degree in creative writing from Florida Southern College, and in 2023, she completed the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY's Product Immersion for Small Newsrooms program.
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New tax legislation is forcing Buncombe County to navigate new revenue shortfalls and reopen its budget — a month after the county had already approved one. -
The $63 million plan would bring back the velodrome, dog park and other beloved amenities while reshaping the riverfront with wetlands, river cane and floodable gathering spaces. -
The mountainous hills of Western North Carolina are welcoming athletes of a growing and dangerous sport -- downhill skateboarding.
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The package includes money for temporary housing, private roads and bridges, volunteer rebuild groups and local governments. But the largest share — $450 million — would cover the state and local portion of federal programs. -
The mountainous hills of Western North Carolina are welcoming athletes of a growing and dangerous sport -- downhill skateboarding.
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AVL Stonewall Festival brings three days of music, drag performances and dance parties to downtown Asheville. -
In response, some officials are urging lawmakers to pass another bill that would create a carve-out for counties still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
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Q-Hall, the city’s first women’s sports bar, will open on Asheville's South Slope within the next few months. -
The larger-than-life sculpture is based on a small wooden carving Shull’s father made three decades ago. -
Transportation officials say roadwork will continue in the Hickory Nut Gorge area through at least 2028. Residents say they’re already fatigued from living in a seemingly endless construction zone.
