UNCA announces summer film series

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:23:49 GMT

Buncombe County surges to 5th in N.C. for fentanyl death rate, data shows

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:16:24 GMT

From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Buncombe County is ranked as the fifth-highest county in North Carolina for per-capita fentanyl-positive deaths, based on the data released by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for

Asheville City Council votes 4-3 to pass budget with tax increase

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:14:06 GMT

From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville City Council on June 9 voted 4-3 to approve a $275.8 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 with a property tax increase nearly 5 cents above revenue neutral.

Buncombe County relocates July 4 celebration this year to NBHS Fields

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:12:23 GMT

From Staff Reports

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. — For the nation’s 250th anniversary, Buncombe County is celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and more — but at a new location this year.

To that end, this year’s

Downtown Asheville to light up with Independence Day soirée

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:11:25 GMT

From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Downtown Asheville will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding with a block party from noon to 10 p.m. July 4 that will conclude with fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

Talks on possible Costco store for area? Back on track, Asheville mayor says. ...

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:08:01 GMT

From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The City of Asheville “is back in talks with Costco Wholesale regarding the opening of a store in the city,” Mayor Esther Manheimer told the Asheville Citizen Times on

U.S. Department of Education launches a probe into Buncombe County Schools over restrooms

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:07:19 GMT

From Staff Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced on June 17 that it has opened a Title IX investigation into Buncombe County Schools over its student restroom and locker

IPEX pipes still polluting French Broad River nearly 2 years post-Helene, nonprofit claims

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:04:59 GMT

From Staff Reports

WOODFIN, N.C. — Twenty months after Helene, “thousands of pounds of PVC pipes linked to international pipe manufacturer IPEX continue to be removed from the French Broad River,” according to local environmental groups, Asheville

IPEX responds to accusation, saying it ‘cares deeply’ and supports local recovery efforts

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:04:14 GMT

From Staff Reports

WOODFIN, N.C. — More than a month after MountainTrue held its first community meeting to encourage residents to pressure a local PVC manufacturer to help protect against a future debris disaster, as in Tropical

Even God can’t change the past —but President Trump is trying

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:58:41 GMT

The ancient Athenian poet Agathon wrote that “Even God cannot change the past.”

President Trump is attempting exactly that — rewriting history — through policy and rhetoric.

Testifying about the Jan. 6, 2021

The Daily Planet’s Opinion: Let’s pause on 250th birthday of U.S. ...

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:57:09 GMT

We urge our fellow Americans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding (known as the Semiquincentennial or America 250) to honor the nation’s core principles of liberty and self-government, reflect on its complex history and commit to advancing democracy.

Dems ruminate over an autopsy when they should be making hay

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:52:24 GMT

By CLARENCE PAGE

Syndicated Columnist

It seemed to take forever, but on May 21 the Democratic National Committee finally released its autopsy of its ill-fated 2024 presidential campaign.

Stop destroying civilization

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:49:51 GMT

By VICTOR DAVIS HANSON

Syndicated Columnist

In the #MeToo years, the Left’s signature slogan was “Believe all women!”

America’s bleak 250th

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:46:49 GMT

By TED RALL

Syndicated Columnist

Not least because I was 12 years old, the Bicentennial festivities felt very different from this year’s 250th birthday celebrations for the United States.

The Candid Conservative: On a mission to Mission

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:44:13 GMT

“HCA Healthcare is one of the nation’s largest for-profit hospital systems. Public and employee perception is highly polarized: investors and executives point to its financial success and corporate governance, while bedside clinicians and patient advocates frequently criticize its aggressive profit-first model, citing staff burnout
Read more...

Dems’ and legacy media’s bias, hypcrisy never ends, but Trump continues to win

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:39:58 GMT

By ROGER BUCKNER

Special to the Daily Planet

Much to the regret of some (Americans?), it seems we have another “Trump Wins Again” story regarding Iran; but, (don’t
Read more...

ABBA tribute band Mama Mia! aims to dazzle Walhalla in June 25 show

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:18:19 GMT

From Staff Reports

WALHALLA, S..C. — The ABBA tribute band Mama Mia! will perform a musical salute to ABBA at 7:30 p.m. June 25 in the Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad Street,
Read more...

Club Rewind Band to play high-energy ‘80s pop, rock hits

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:17:26 GMT

From Staff Reports

MAULDIN, S.C. — The Club Rewind Band will perform music for listening and/or dancing from 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 26 in the amphitheater adjoining the Mauldin Cultural Center at 101 East Butler Road
Read more...

Smokey Jones & the 3 Dollar Pistols to treat TR to ‘classic country’ on June 27

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:15:58 GMT

From Staff Reports

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — Smokey Jones & the 3 Dollar Pistols will perform in concert from 7 to 9 p.m. June 27 in the
Read more...

UNC Health applies to open new 92-bed hospital in West Asheville. ...

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:14:11 GMT

From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — UNC Health recently announced a proposed expansion to its system with a new, 92-bed acute care hospital in Asheville, near Westgate Mall and Patton Avenue.

Read more...

LEAF Festival canceled for this year

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com (John North) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:12:25 GMT

From Staff Reports

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The biannual LEAF Festival in Black Mountain has been officially canceled for the year and postponed until fall 2027.

Organizers stated the pause is necessary to ensure
Read more...

Asheville Daily Planet

UNCA announces summer film series

Buncombe County surges to 5th in N.C. for fentanyl death rate, data shows

Asheville City Council votes 4-3 to pass budget with tax increase

Buncombe County relocates July 4 celebration this year to NBHS Fields

Downtown Asheville to light up with Independence Day soirée

Talks on possible Costco store for area? Back on track, Asheville mayor says. ...

U.S. Department of Education launches a probe into Buncombe County Schools over restrooms

IPEX pipes still polluting French Broad River nearly 2 years post-Helene, nonprofit claims

IPEX responds to accusation, saying it ‘cares deeply’ and supports local recovery efforts

Even God can’t change the past —but President Trump is trying

The Daily Planet’s Opinion: Let’s pause on 250th birthday of U.S. ...

Dems ruminate over an autopsy when they should be making hay

Stop destroying civilization

America’s bleak 250th

The Candid Conservative: On a mission to Mission

Dems’ and legacy media’s bias, hypcrisy never ends, but Trump continues to win

ABBA tribute band Mama Mia! aims to dazzle Walhalla in June 25 show

Club Rewind Band to play high-energy ‘80s pop, rock hits

Smokey Jones & the 3 Dollar Pistols to treat TR to ‘classic country’ on June 27

UNC Health applies to open new 92-bed hospital in West Asheville. ...

LEAF Festival canceled for this year