Local Politics · Asheville, NC
Democrat Roy Cooper was projected to win North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat over Republican Michael Whatley, while Democrat Jamie Ager won the NC-11 Congressional District race against Jennifer Balkcom, according to the Associated Press. In Asheville, Kim Roney defeated incumbent Mayor Esther Manheimer in the mayoral race, per unofficial results from the N.C. State Board of Elections. Voting was extended at five precincts in Columbus, Lenoir, Wilson, and Hertford counties after delays at polling locations, and a required post-election hand-count audit is scheduled for all 100 county boards on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Buncombe County set a record with 96,838 early voters, surpassing its previous mark of 78,000 in 2018.
Local Politics · Black Mountain, NC
Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker is retiring after five years leading the department, joining at least eight town leaders and employees who have left or announced plans to leave in 2026. Departures include the town manager, assistant town manager, two town council members, the town clerk, the building inspector, and Fire Chief John Coffey, who resigned last month to take a position in Weaverville. Mayor Michael Sobol described the period as difficult, attributing some departures to what he called a "toxic soup" in the town, while Interim Town Manager Richard Hicks cited better salaries and new opportunities as reasons for turnover. Hicks said the interim or next town manager will need to address filling the vacant positions.
Community News · Asheville, NC
Blue Ridge Public Radio is hosting a free, live community discussion on Tuesday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre in downtown Asheville about Hurricane Helene recovery in Western North Carolina. The program will feature photography and audio excerpts from "A Man-Made Disaster," a three-part investigative podcast produced by BPR in collaboration with FRONTLINE, which examines how changes to FEMA have slowed recovery, leaving debris uncleared and counties managing millions in cleanup debt. The event follows the podcast's November 9 launch and invites attendees to hear from and question people involved in reporting on and leading recovery efforts. Seats must be reserved in advance.
