Local Politics · Asheville, NC
Early in-person voting for the November 3 midterm election opened Thursday and continues until 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 across North Carolina, with Buncombe County Elections Director Corinne Duncan emphasizing that voters may use any early-voting site within their county and can register on the spot. Voters must present an acceptable photo ID; those without one can obtain a free ID from their county elections office during early voting or cast a provisional ballot. The absentee ballot request deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, with completed ballots due by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. The ballot includes races for U.S. Senate, all House seats, the General Assembly, and local offices, plus three constitutional amendments; Buncombe County alone has 32 different ballot versions.
Local Business · Asheville, NC
North Carolina's temporary gas tax suspension, signed into law by Governor Josh Stein and effective through November 30, is producing noticeable price drops for Asheville-area drivers, with one station going from $4.19 to $3.68 per gallon week over week. However, some smaller stations report difficulty passing savings along immediately because they hold fuel purchased at higher prices. Skyland Exxon Rescue One Towing general manager David Lindsay said he chose to absorb the cost of lowering prices rather than wait for existing inventory to sell through, but acknowledged not every independent operator can afford that approach. The suspension applies to gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels statewide.
Public Safety · Asheville, NC
An Asheville resident shared a video of himself playing electric guitar to deter black bears from a dumpster, following incidents where bears broke into his vehicle and pilfered trash. While the incident was captured on video, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officials urge residents to secure garbage, remove bird feeders, and never leave pet food outside to prevent bears from losing their fear of humans. Wildlife experts warn that bears accustomed to human food sources pose safety risks and often face fatal outcomes. The article also notes a public hearing is set regarding proposed bear-feeding rules for Buncombe County.
Community News · Asheville, NC
Several hundred demonstrators marched from the Asheville courthouse plaza to Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Saturday as part of the nationwide 'No Kings' movement. Organizers from Asheville Fights Back Network estimated attendance at around 500 people, focusing on voter participation and election protection. Community organizations, including the nonpartisan coalition WNC Votes!, set up booths to provide information on early voting and registration checks. The event was part of a broader series of demonstrations held across western North Carolina.
