Asheville Daily Planet https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/ Fri, 15 May 2026 09:06:54 GMT FeedCreator 1.8.0-dev (info@mypapit.net) State of the City address focuses on ongoing recovery... ... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7694-state-of-the-city-address-focuses-on-ongoing-recovery-as-engine-of-wnc-downtown-asheville-not-hitting-on-all-cylinders-mayor-says- From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The 2026 Asheville State of Downtown address, delivered by Mayor Esther Manheimer on April 14 at The Orange Peel in downtown Asheville, was defined by a theme of “positive

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:30:41 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7694-state-of-the-city-address-focuses-on-ongoing-recovery-as-engine-of-wnc-downtown-asheville-not-hitting-on-all-cylinders-mayor-says- According to Fox News’ report... ‘Once-charming mountain escape now battling homelessness; ... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7693-according-to-fox-news-report-once-charming-mountain-escape-now-battling-homelessness-homeowners-say-it-turned-postcard-city-asheville-into-no-go-zone-panhandling-public-intoxication-and-encampments-have-taken-over-the-once-charming-tourist- From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Fox News’ April 25 report highlighting an alleged major m “decline” in Asheville, “reflects real, documented challenges regarding public safety, homelessness, and staffing shortages, though local reports suggest the situation is

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:27:42 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7693-according-to-fox-news-report-once-charming-mountain-escape-now-battling-homelessness-homeowners-say-it-turned-postcard-city-asheville-into-no-go-zone-panhandling-public-intoxication-and-encampments-have-taken-over-the-once-charming-tourist- Sen. Mayfield calls for hospital impact report at HCA stockholder meeting; her proposal fails https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7692-sen-mayfield-calls-for-hospital-impact-report-at-hca-stockholder-meeting-her-proposal-fails From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A proposal calling for an impact report and for more transparency presented by state Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Asheville, was presented  to — and rejected by — HCA Healthcare, the

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:20:52 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7692-sen-mayfield-calls-for-hospital-impact-report-at-hca-stockholder-meeting-her-proposal-fails Corrections https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7691-corrections Because of a reporting error, the Daily Planet incorrectly referred to North Carolina Governor Josh Stein as “North Carolina Governor Mark Stein” in the April 15 edition of the Daily Planet

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:19:52 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7691-corrections Lake Lure nears full level, begins ‘soft opening,’ gears up for grand opening on Memorial ... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7690-lake-lure-nears-full-level-begins-soft-opening-gears-up-for-grand-opening-on-memorial-day-weekend-may-25 From Staff Reports

LAKE LURE, N.C. — Lake Lure was just 4 inches below its full level in mid-April, with the town in the midst of its limited “soft opening” running April 20 through the start of Memorial Day Weekend (May

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:18:34 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7690-lake-lure-nears-full-level-begins-soft-opening-gears-up-for-grand-opening-on-memorial-day-weekend-may-25 Black Mountain included on listing of 6 best WNC weekend trip options. ... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7689-black-mountain-included-on-listing-of-6-best-wnc-weekend-trip-options-artsy-small-town-charm-scenic-setting-walkability-highlighted From Staff Reports

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Black Mountain in mid-April was highlighted in a ranking by WorldAtlas as one of the top six Western North Carolina weekend trip options, celebrated for its walkable downtown, vibrant arts

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:16:58 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7689-black-mountain-included-on-listing-of-6-best-wnc-weekend-trip-options-artsy-small-town-charm-scenic-setting-walkability-highlighted Free public housing urged in Hendersonville https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/letters/7688-free-public-housing-urged-in-hendersonville Local public housing should be free housing.

Poor folks can’t afford a $501.20 “move-in” fee.

Poor folls can’t afford $288.00 in monthly rent. Poor folks can’t afford a monthly utilities bill.

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:11:48 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/letters/7688-free-public-housing-urged-in-hendersonville The Daily Planet’s Opinion: Is it ‘the Mamdani curse?’ N.Y. ... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7687-the-daily-planets-opinion-is-it-the-mamdani-curse-ny-mets-lost-12-straight-games-after-nyc-mayor-hugged-mr-and-mrs-met It’s the “Curse of the Mambino!” a New York Post headline cleverly — and accurately — declared on April 21.

The headline, a pun on the “Curse of the Bambino,” followed the then-11-game losing streak

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:10:01 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7687-the-daily-planets-opinion-is-it-the-mamdani-curse-ny-mets-lost-12-straight-games-after-nyc-mayor-hugged-mr-and-mrs-met Trump and Putin: Two wars, same playbook https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7686-trump-and-putin-two-wars-same-playbook By BILL PRESS
Syndicated Columnist


The maniacal leader of one country starts a war against another, not because he

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:08:35 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7686-trump-and-putin-two-wars-same-playbook By all means, let’s let the war crimes trials begin! https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7685-by-all-means-lets-let-the-war-crimes-trials-begin By VICTOR DAVIS HANSON
Syndicated Columnist


The Left and some on the Right went crazy over President Donald Trump’s

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:06:34 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7685-by-all-means-lets-let-the-war-crimes-trials-begin Politics as religion... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7684-politics-as-religion By TED RALL
Synicated Columnist

The first quarter of this century in the United States saw the rise and triumph of “team politics,” in which voters view the

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:04:27 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7684-politics-as-religion The Candid Conservative: Don’t let the old man in... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7683-the-candid-conservative-dont-let-the-old-man-in “I don’t let the old man in.” 
— Clint Eastwood

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By CARL MUMPOWER
Special to

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 03:01:48 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7683-the-candid-conservative-dont-let-the-old-man-in Iran’s short-term marriages perk provides irrefutable evidence that Muslim nation is on the ... https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7682-irans-short-term-marriages-perk-provides-irrefutable-evidence-that-muslim-nation-is-on-the-skids By ROGER BUCKNER
Special to the Daily Planet

The other night (last week as a matter of fact), I was working on my college education at YouTube University, when I came upon a video

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:59:21 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/opinion/7682-irans-short-term-marriages-perk-provides-irrefutable-evidence-that-muslim-nation-is-on-the-skids HACA laying off 34 employees amid ‘organizational changes’ https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7681-haca-laying-off-34-employees-amid-organizational-changes From Staff Reports 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville announced 34 layoffs on April 7 — a cut affecting 21 percent of its workforce—primarily to address a $500,000 budget shortfall for the

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:58:13 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7681-haca-laying-off-34-employees-amid-organizational-changes APD to boost public housing presence in 1-year pilot program https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7680-apd-to-boost-public-housing-presence-in-1-year-pilot-program From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Asheville Police Department and the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville have launched a one-year pilot program designed to enhance safety and community stability by increasing police presence in

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:57:29 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7680-apd-to-boost-public-housing-presence-in-1-year-pilot-program Ex-leader of Asheville’s Housing Authority sues, claiming she was wrongfully terminated https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7679-ex-leader-of-ashevilles-housing-authority-sues-claiming-she-was-wrongfully-terminated- From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The former leader of the  Housing Authority of the City of Asheville filed a “wrongful termination lawsuit” on April 22 against the affordable housing agency.

In her lawsuit,

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:56:56 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7679-ex-leader-of-ashevilles-housing-authority-sues-claiming-she-was-wrongfully-terminated- New structure to replace Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center in Gerton https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7678-new-structure-to-replace-upper-hickory-nut-gorge-community-center-in-gerton From Staff Reports

GERTON, N.C. — Plans are advancing to build a new gathering place on the site of the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center (aka “the cornerstone of Gerton”),  according to its chairwoman,  the Hendersonville

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:55:51 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7678-new-structure-to-replace-upper-hickory-nut-gorge-community-center-in-gerton UNCA dedicates Oscar Wong Memorial Garden, honoring his life, leadership, contributions https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/unca/7677-unca-dedicates-oscar-wong-memorial-garden-honoring-his-life-leadership-contributions From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. —The University of North Carolina Asheville dedicated the Oscar Wong Memorial Garden on April 23, honoring the life, leadership, and lasting contributions of Oscar Wong as an entrepreneur, community leader, visionary and

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:53:44 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/unca/7677-unca-dedicates-oscar-wong-memorial-garden-honoring-his-life-leadership-contributions Van Morrison tribute band to open TR’s outdoor concert series https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/entertainment/7676-van-morrison-tribute-band-to-open-trs-outdoor-concert-series From Staff Reports

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — The band Street Choir: A Van Morrison Experience will open the city’s 2026 Music in the Park series with a tribute concert from 7 to 9 p.m. May 2 in the outdoor

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:52:15 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/entertainment/7676-van-morrison-tribute-band-to-open-trs-outdoor-concert-series ‘Pride and Prejudice’ play to be performed May 1-23 at Playhouse https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/entertainment/7675-pride-and-prejudice-play-to-be-performed-may-1-23-at-playhouse From Staff Reports 

FLAT ROCK, N.C. – A theatrical production of the Jane Austen literary classic “Pride and Prejudice” will open

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:51:35 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/entertainment/7675-pride-and-prejudice-play-to-be-performed-may-1-23-at-playhouse ‘Wizard of Oz’ to be season-opener (May 1-30) for Montford Park Players https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/entertainment/7674-wizard-of-oz-to-be-season-opener-may-1-30-for-montford-park-players- From Staff Reports 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. —   The Montford Park Players will open its 2026 season with a production of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” at 7:30 p.m. May 1 in the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St., Asheville.

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:50:38 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/entertainment/7674-wizard-of-oz-to-be-season-opener-may-1-30-for-montford-park-players- Vacation rental occupancy plunges 45% in Buncombe County, new report claims https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7673-vacation-rental-occupancy-plunges-45-in-buncombe-county-new-report-claims From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Vacation rental occupancy in 2025 dropped 45 percent in Buncombe County, according to a report released April 16 by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority report.

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:48:11 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7673-vacation-rental-occupancy-plunges-45-in-buncombe-county-new-report-claims Salvage Station announces its next steps after massive fire causes significant damage https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7672-salvage-station-announces-its-next-steps-after-massive-fire-causes-significant-damage From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Following a late-night April 23 blaze that heavily damaged its future site in the  Asheville Waste Paper building on Lyman Street in Asheville’s River Arts District, Salvage Station announced on April

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]]> john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) Mon, 04 May 2026 02:46:49 GMT https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7672-salvage-station-announces-its-next-steps-after-massive-fire-causes-significant-damage