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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 12h

There are a few bright spots for Buncombe County in the latest unemployment report.

The county’s jobless rate is slightly higher than the statewide average, but far better than during the immediate aftermath of Helene.

www.bpr.org/growth-devel...

WNC job market not all doom and gloom as health care, education sectors grow

The latest jobs report shows some bright spots for Buncombe County in the long recovery from Hurricane Helene.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 19h

On a dusty day last fall, Donald Trump stood behind a podium in Swannanoa to deliver an update on a GoFundMe set up by his presidential campaign for survivors of Helene.

In three weeks, the drive had raised $7.7M. A year later, what exactly it paid for remains unclear.

www.bpr.org/helene-recov...

Trump raised $8 million for Helene survivors. Where did it all go?

The campaign bad-mouthed FEMA while using crowdfunding to donate to evangelical nonprofits.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 1d

Read more: www.bpr.org/education/20...

Are the kids alright? Mental health problems spike for students post-Helene

A year after Helene, students are wrestling with heightened mental health challenges, from anxiety and depression to an uptick in sleep issues and “externalizing behaviors” like aggression and substan...

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 1d

In a region already short on school therapists, Helene-related mental health struggles are expected to span years, jeopardizing students’ grades and the longer trajectory of their lives.

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 1d

A year after Helene, students and teachers across Western North Carolina are wrestling with heightened mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, sleep issues, aggression and substance use.

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 2d

Ridership for Asheville’s bus system has steadily declined since 2020, even as the city continues to grow. Now, the city has a new transit survey for people to take to inform ATC which road to take moving forward.

www.bpr.org/climate-envi...

A new transit survey and the future of Asheville’s bus system

As Asheville grows, the city is trying to make the most out of limited resources.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 5d

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority is investing $12.4 million in several tourism capital projects throughout the county, including a highly-anticipated facility in Swannanoa’s Beacon Village.

www.bpr.org/growth-devel...

Buncombe tourism authority awards $12.4 million for capital projects, including Swannanoa’s Beacon Park

The new multi-purpose outdoor destination in Swannanoa will receive $4.5 million, the TDA announced Wednesday.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 5d

Haywood County offered more services in Spanish for its Latino community during Helene than it had in past emergencies. The community’s experience demonstrates the challenges counties have in meeting the needs of all their constituents.

www.bpr.org/helene-recov...

‘Try harder.’ How one WNC county improved Spanish outreach during natural disasters

Haywood County offered many more services in Spanish for its Latino community during Helene than it had in past emergencies. The community’s experience demonstrates the challenges counties have in mee...

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 6d

The fight between federal lawmakers that has shut down the government is largely focused on health care funding, but a prolonged closure could impact Hurricane Helene relief funding in Western North Carolina.

www.bpr.org/politics-gov...

WNC may see delays in receiving federal Helene aid as government shuts down

Lawmakers spoke out against the impact of the government shutdown on WNC as the area waits for millions in federal relief funds.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 7d

Asheville City Council, concerned over the economic losses due to Hurricane Helene, is considering new strategies to boost downtown activity. One idea — relaxing part of the city’s noise ordinance — is slated for a vote at Council’s Oct. 14 meeting.

www.bpr.org/politics-gov...

Asheville floats noise ordinance changes

City officials and business owners say new rules will spur economic activity downtown.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 8d

Second Gear's building, one of the many businesses decimated by Hurricane Helene in the River Arts District, will take on a new life as a roller skating rink.

www.bpr.org/arts-perform...

New roller skating rink hopes to 'bring fun back' to the River Arts District

Asheville Hockey League is converting the former Second Gear building into an outdoor youth skating rink.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 9d

Efforts to prevent cuts that could significantly lower reimbursement to providers for services for North Carolinians on Medicaid stalled last week amid a three-way standoff between the state’s Senate, House of Representatives and governor.

www.bpr.org/health/2025-...

Medicaid standoff could put health care for many North Carolinians at risk

Unless lawmakers or the governor act, provider rate cuts of up to 10 percent will take effect Wednesday, jeopardizing access to services across the state.

www.bpr.org

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Reposted by Blue Ridge Public Radio

Gregory Sickens, PBS Champion @gregorydickens.bsky.social · 10d

I just became a monthly donor for my local public radio station, @blueridgepublic.bsky.social because radio is how we stayed informed and participated as was feasible during Helene. Radio was our only way of being informed, AND the station set up text-only material for those with minimal service.

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 12d

This weekend, Asheville’s Blue Ridge Pride celebration is coinciding with the anniversary of Helene. And Asheville is getting a visitor: Pattie Gonia, climate drag queen and main event of a show called SAVE HER.

www.bpr.org/climate-envi...

“Climate drag” comes to Asheville at Blue Ridge Pride

Drag queen Pattie Gonia hopes to spread the message of pride, acceptance, and environmental justice

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 12d

Asheville’s settlement of a legal fight regarding the Human Relations Commission of Asheville could set an important precedent for courts across the country as they evaluate racially informed appointments to government boards.

www.bpr.org/politics-gov...

Asheville settles lawsuit over Human Relations Commission

The move may set a national precedent regarding racially informed appointments to government boards.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 13d

Read the story, initially published by the Mountain Xpress: www.bpr.org/climate-envi...

Asheville’s climate plan offers guide to Helene recovery and rebuilding, but much work remains

Originally adopted in 2018, the city’s roadmap for flood preparedness and climate adaptation is drawing renewed attention after Tropical Storm Helene revealed the risks of delayed implementation.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 13d

A year into Asheville’s recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, two familiar words echo through local environmental and planning circles: climate resilience. And the road map to get us there, say these experts, has already been written.

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 14d

However, BPR Helene Recovery Reporter Laura Hackett interviewed several service workers who say they feel overlooked as they struggle with stressful conditions, declining wages and underemployment amid the city’s post-Helene tourism slump.

www.bpr.org/helene-recov...

‘A great callousness’: The struggles of Asheville’s service industry post-Helene

One year after Helene, Asheville’s service industry contends with weaker tourism, fewer jobs and lingering storm trauma, all while trying to keep a happy face for customers.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 14d

Across Asheville, service industry workers are grappling with their mental health in the aftermath of Helene. Service industry workers serve as the backbone of Asheville’s identity and economy.

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 14d

Thanks for listening! This was a very moving story we were honored to share and preserve. 💙

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 14d

This is it! The final day of BPR’s "Be the Lifeline" fall drive. And with our permanent loss of federal funding, this drive means more than ever.

Give now by becoming a monthly Sustainer!

www.bpr.org/announcement...

Be the Lifeline for BPR during our Fall Drive

Join BPR to sustain local public media during our "Be the Lifeline” Fall Drive, happening Sept. 18-24, 2025.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 15d

Since last September, when Hurricane Helene ripped through Western North Carolina and caused more than 2,000 landslides in the region, state and federal geologists have been racing to figure out what went wrong — and how to make people safer.

www.bpr.org/helene-recov...

What Helene taught us about deadly landslides

When Darlene Kurkendall closes her eyes, she imagines the walls of her house falling away. She sees the people in her community — friends, neighbors, family — swept out of sight by a horrendous heap o...

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 15d

Former Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran will appear in court this week to face five charges, including rape and sexual assault.

www.bpr.org/politics-gov...

Former Swain County Sheriff faces rape charges in court this week

Former Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran resigned in June after allegations of sexual assault and rape. He faces five charges including rape and sexual assault.

www.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 15d

The loss of federal funding means we must rely on our community to keep BPR strong. Here’s how you can help: become a monthly Sustainer! Do it today!

donate.bpr.org/bpr/donate

Right now: Every dollar matters more.

donate.bpr.org

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Blue Ridge Public Radio @blueridgepublic.bsky.social · 15d

BPR’s signal stretches across 14 counties and the Qualla Boundary, connecting people, cultures, places, individuals and businesses. That connection is a lifeline.

Today, that lifeline depends on you.

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