Mountain Xpress

Mountain Xpress Independent, community-focused journalism since 1994. Free print edition available each Wednesday

We are excited to introduce a new illustrated feature -- 5 Things to Know About Asheville City Council -- courtesy of Am...
12/10/2025

We are excited to introduce a new illustrated feature -- 5 Things to Know About Asheville City Council -- courtesy of Ameena Batada.

It’s time for local K-12 students to share their creativity for the 2026 Mountain Xpress Kids Issues! The theme for 2026...
12/05/2025

It’s time for local K-12 students to share their creativity for the 2026 Mountain Xpress Kids Issues! The theme for 2026 is “My wildest, funniest or most important moment.”

Each year, we publish the colorful, engaging work of Western North Carolina young people. There is no fee to enter for possible publication, and the deadline for submissions is Friday, Jan. 30. We encourage all local schools and students to participate! 

For more, see link in bio.

It’s time for local K-12 students to share their creativity for the 2026 Mountain Xpress Kids Issues! The theme for 2026...
12/05/2025

It’s time for local K-12 students to share their creativity for the 2026 Mountain Xpress Kids Issues! The theme for 2026 is “My wildest, funniest or most important moment.”

Each year, we publish the colorful, engaging work of Western North Carolina young people. There is no fee to enter for possible publication, and the deadline for submissions is Friday, Jan. 30. We encourage all local schools and students to participate!

You will find all the details in the linked story below:

https://mountainx.com/arts/xpress-seeks-student-writing-and-art-for-2026-kids-issues/

Western North Carolina’s h**p industry faces an existential threat after a new federal spending bill moves to outlaw mos...
12/04/2025

Western North Carolina’s h**p industry faces an existential threat after a new federal spending bill moves to outlaw most THC-infused h**p products by November 2026. Business owners warn the change could harm the region’s economy and are organizing lobbying efforts. Lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, say the law prevents the sale of dangerous intoxicants.

On this week’s cover is Jimmy Gallagher, majority owner of Asheville Dispensary. 

In this issue, you'll also find:

Five Points neighborhood's unique microdistrict

Xpress seeks K-12 submissions for 2026 Kids Issues

Panelists share stories about experiences of homelessness

Owners of Story Parlor buy Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

📸 By Caleb Johnson

Today is Giving Tuesday. If you're in a position to make a financial contribution, please do consider taking a look at t...
12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday. If you're in a position to make a financial contribution, please do consider taking a look at this year's Give!Local — Xpress' annual guide to area nonprofits making an impact on local communities across Western North Carolina. This yearly project, sponsored by Ingles and First Bank, is a labor of love. 

Whether you're passionate about food security, the environment, animals, social justice, youth issues or health and wellness — the Give!Local guide is a great way to explore a number of potential organizations to donate to.

Go to givelocalguide.org today!

When you see a hot-air balloon flying in Western North Carolina, you’re likely awestruck at the romantic sight. You’re a...
11/18/2025

When you see a hot-air balloon flying in Western North Carolina, you’re likely awestruck at the romantic sight. You’re also witnessing advanced flying skills practiced by only a handful of local pilots, including Louise Egerton and James “Chief” Eagle. But as the pair prepares to retire from the sky, they’re seeking to pass on their knowledge to younger pilots.

In this issue, you'll also find:

A deep dive into Mission Hospital's recurring issues

WNC nonprofits strive to keep staff morale afloat amid multiple challenges

On rural stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway, businesses fear losing another tourist season

Indivisble Asheville organizer discusses the group’s ongoing quest to engage the public

📸 By Joshua Niven

Over the weekend, local officials and community members braced themselves for the potential presence of U.S. Customs and...
11/17/2025

Over the weekend, local officials and community members braced themselves for the potential presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Asheville. Currently, there have been no confirmed sightings of Border Patrol agents in the area. 

Today, local elected officials, faith leaders, union representatives and community organizations gathered at Land of Sky United Church of Christ to introduce a resolution that would prohibit the use of city-owned facilities, lots and parks as staging areas, processing locations or operation bases for civil immigration enforcement. Additionally, the resolution calls on the city manager's office to create standardized signage for private landowners who wish to restrict immigration enforcement activities on their property. It also would require city departments to have "know your rights" resources available to employees, tenants and security staff at city-owned facilities. 

Council member Kim Roney, who co-organized the event, said the resolution is not yet on the Asheville City Council agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 18 but urged the public to contact Council by emailing [email protected].

For more, see link in bio.

Photo by Brionna Dallara

The N.C. Arboretum has teamed up with researchers from Western Carolina University, the nonprofit EcoForesters and other...
11/12/2025

The N.C. Arboretum has teamed up with researchers from Western Carolina University, the nonprofit EcoForesters and others to restore woodlands devastated by Tropical Storm Helene. By combining conservation efforts with public education, the ambitious recovery project could become a model for revitalizing storm-damaged forests across Appalachia.

In this issue, you'll also find:

Civic boot camp shines light on running for office

Theater production explores Black Asheville in the 1950s

New CEO shares vision for YMCA of Western North Carolina’s future

Residents concerned over federal ICE agents seek answers from local officials

Less than a year after The Orange Peel’s partnership with Asheville Brewing Co. for Rabbit Rabbit (now known as Ashevill...
11/07/2025

Less than a year after The Orange Peel’s partnership with Asheville Brewing Co. for Rabbit Rabbit (now known as Asheville Yards) dissolved, the company announced plans for a new open-air venue on Thompson Street. The property was formerly home to Brouwerïj Cursus Kĕmē, which was destroyed by floodwaters from the Swannanoa River during Tropical Storm Helene.

With the project still in the development phase, marketing and special events director, Liz Tallent, says further details and an anticipated opening date are not yet available.

For more, see link in bio.

11/04/2025

This week's cover story by Edwin Arnaudin examines some of the unique challenges the Town of Woodfin faces in defining itself. 

“Woodfin is a little bit atypical in that we don't have a downtown or a Main Street like a lot of communities do,” says Town Manager Shannon Tuch. “And a lot of times, your identity and your hub come out of there.” 

Woodfin also does not have a post office, nor does it have its own ZIP code — sharing its 28804 with Asheville. 

Coming up with a visual representation for this story required creativity. We played off of the old television game show “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” Naturally, we substituted something more fitting for our region, a black bear, for Carmen. 

We hope Woodfin residents aren't offended by the story and recognize it is all in good fun. And we hope nonresidents make it a point to check out Woodfin's many wonderful offerings — from Taqueria Fast to Pennycup Silverline to Zillicoah Beer Co. (which, yes, is in Woodfin).

Happy Halloween, WNC! Be sure to grab our latest issue! 🎃 👻🕷️🤡🦇🧟‍♀️
10/31/2025

Happy Halloween, WNC! Be sure to grab our latest issue! 🎃 👻🕷️🤡🦇🧟‍♀️

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Our mission is to build community and strengthen democracy by serving an active, thoughtful readership at the local level -- where the impact of citizen action is the greatest.

Since 1994, Mountain Xpress has been an active partner in growing Asheville from a sleepy, boarded-up mountain town to the booming mecca for small business, tourism, arts, culture, and innovative thought that it has become. Throughout that evolution, Xpress has been committed to covering what matters most locally and serving as a vibrant platform for the dialogue and idea exchange that keeps this community thriving.