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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Most of the money is for debris removal and road repair. -
Chai Pani Restaurant Group and Montgomery Sky Farm were recognized for Outstanding Restaurateur and Best Chef: Southeast. -
Homelessness has increased by 9% over the last year, according to an annual survey conducted in mid-February. -
While facing a $14.2 million budget gap, the city is also considering raising property taxes while hoping to give its nearly 1,400 employees a raise for the sixth year in a row. -
Policy makers believe these hubs, which “saved the day” during Hurricane Helene by providing access to clean water, satellite internet and other resources, are deserving of public investment. -
In North Carolina, $200 million in awarded grants have hung in the balance while state officials fought for the funding. -
The red-haired social media phenomenon is making waves for his hot takes on real estate, local politics and everything in between. -
Around 35 miles from Linville Gorge to Mount Mitchell State Park are still under construction. -
Maggie Ullman and Drew Ball led the way, each collecting about 16% of the votes. -
On Sat. Feb. 28, the city will reveal three possible designs for the French Broad River Park system and two designs for Azalea Park at an AB-Tech open house.
