Laura Hackett

Asheville

Reporter at Blue Ridge Public Radio

reporter for @blueridgepublicradio | send tips 👉 [email protected]

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Articles

Buncombe revives post-Helene health survey axed by federal cuts

2 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

Buncombe County is moving forward with a post-Helene health survey despite federal cuts abruptly canceling the project in April. The CASPER survey is used when communities have experienced severe and high-profile threats to public health. Usually, local governments partner with the CDC to run the survey but the service stopped last month when at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were dismissed.
'Mall Rats’ artist group helps reimagine vacant space in Asheville Mall

2 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

Erik Mace is a member of the Asheville Mall Rats, a group of artists who are obsessed with malls. “We talk about malls all the time and how we all have different experiences with them, but there is a shared kind of language and a shared nostalgia,” Mace said.
Data breach at Asheville medical provider prompts class action lawsuit

2 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

A class action lawsuit is moving forward against an Asheville medical provider over a data breach affecting about 193,000 patients. The lawsuit consolidated the cases of five former Asheville Eye Associates patients who allege their data was compromised in November 2024. Robert Woodsmall, a former patient, alleged in his original complaint that the ophthalmology practice failed to use reasonable security procedures and properly secure and safeguard private information.
Last Night at Commission: Residents debate a property tax increase that could fund schools

2 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

Swannanoa resident Susan Kask begged the county to raise her taxes at last night’s Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting. “An excellent education system isn't free,” she said during the public hearing about the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. “So, please raise my taxes and invest in our schools and community.
Subterranean worlds: the enduring fascination of the Appalachian sinkhole

2 weeks ago | biltmorebeacon.com | Laura Hackett

Lauren Bacchus is one of many Ashevillians who have found themselves strangely enamored with the city’s sinkholes. She’s a member of the Asheville Sinkhole Group — an online watering hole of more than 3,400 members — where locals eagerly discuss the chasms that mysteriously emerge throughout the city.
In WNC, Gov. Stein asks for an additional $891 million in Helene recovery

2 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

Western North Carolina needs $891 million in additional Hurricane Helene recovery funding from the state, Gov. Josh Stein says. At a Monday press conference, held at Carolina Domes, a small business in Rutherfordton, Stein spoke alongside North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. "In the face of so many unmet needs and unanswered prayers, it is time for the state of North Carolina to be bold," Stein said.
'A transformational opportunity.' HUD approves Asheville's $225M recovery plan

3 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

The White House has approved Asheville’s spending plan for $225 million in disaster recovery funds. Two months ago, City of Asheville leaders agreed to remove language about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from the plan. Money will go towards rebuilding infrastructure and housing, small business recovery and climate resiliency. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program issued the grant after Hurricane Helene.
Last night at Council: Asheville floats tax increase to pay for employee raises

3 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

Raises for employees and maintaining core services are the top priorities in the proposed City of Asheville budget shared at last night’s City Council meeting. This $256 million proposed budget would give most city employees a 3% raise, with additional increases for some firefighters and police officers – but the city can't afford to do that unless they make cuts or bring in more money.
‘Terminated’: Arts organizations in WNC see federal grants canceled

3 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett

Jennifer Pickering got the email that said her grant was canceled a week before LEAF Global Arts’ annual spring retreat. Over the weekend, thousands attended the festival at Lake Eden in Black Mountain. Barns and tents surrounding the lakeshore buzzed with dance classes and musicians from all over the globe. Among the dozens of workshops, some featured artists who shared lessons from surviving natural disasters.
Subterranean worlds: The enduring fascination of the Appalachian sinkhole

4 weeks ago | bpr.org | Laura Hackett |Katie Myers

This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. Lauren Bacchus is one of many Ashevillians who have found themselves strangely enamored with the city’s sinkholes. She’s a member of the Asheville Sinkhole Group — an online watering hole of more than 3,400 members — where locals eagerly discuss the chasms that mysteriously emerge throughout the city.