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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The agency approved $59 million in new funding for buyouts statewide. -
The reallocation would take months but could fund the repair of more than 50 homes that belong to some of the city’s most vulnerable homeowners. -
BPR recently published an investigation showing the city of Asheville set aside just $3M for Helene home repair, mistakenly believing the state would cover the majority of the cost. Readers had questions. We sat down with our reporters to learn more. -
Downhill skaters fly as fast as 70 miles per hour down winding mountain roads. The terrain in Asheville draws riders from across the country in pursuit of great rides and a growing cultural scene. -
Asheville set aside just $3 million for Helene home repair, mistakenly believing the state would help cover construction. This leaves hundreds of homeowners waiting for answers. -
The state is putting $800 million towards home repair, but due to a city policy decision, Asheville has to pay its own way. -
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.
