The world often tells us vacations are for couples, families, or groups of friends. But what if your soul is craving something different? What if you're yearning for an adventure that's solely yours – a "bravecation" where you step outside your comfo...

Ready to rally the troops? Here are some Friendcation activity ideas adaptable to your corner of Western NC, tailored for different vibes and age groups, all designed for a 2-to-5-day getaway within about 50 miles of your home base:The Energetic Expl...

Ever wonder how the books end up on the shelves in your kid's school library? Usually, it involves trained librarians and teachers picking books they think fit the curriculum and are right for different age groups, following rules set by the local sc...

Less is Now: Spring Cleaning with Purpose (And Sanity)

Inspired by The Minimalists and that nagging pile of stuff you keep ignoring If you've watched The Minimalists: Less Is Now on Netflix, you know exactly where I'm going with this. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus remind us that our stuff — t...

Speaking Out, Is Anyone Listening?

A Town Hall Marked by Engagement and FrustrationTensions ran high at U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards' (R-NC) town hall in Asheville on March 13, where hundreds of constituents gathered to voice their concerns. Hosted at Asheville-Buncombe Technical...

Western North Carolina is still rebuiding after Hurricane Helene swept through in September 2024, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Trees—nature's best defense against flooding, erosion, and extreme weather—were lost in staggering numb...

Tens of millions of federal grants recently canceled by the Trump adminstration directly support programs for teacher retention andtraining across North Carolina. Practically speaking, this implies that previously used vital financial suppo...

The Trump administration is taking steps to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, a move that would drastically change the landscape of public schooling in America. One of the biggest consequences? The loss of Title I funding—the $18 billion fe...

Welcome to 2025! Whether you are an experienced business owner, a new entrepreneur, or just thinking about starting your own business, this year looks promising for growth, new ideas, and chances to succeed. The business world keeps changing, and to ...

Homelessness is a multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide. While various factors can lead to homelessness, mental illness, addiction, and alcoholism play significant roles in exacerbating this social problem. The interplay betwee...

As we bid farewell to 2023, an examination of the climate in western North Carolina reveals a region grappling with the complexities of a changing climate. From rising temperatures to unpredictable precipitation patterns, the region is experiencing t...

Western North Carolina has been known for a long time as a beautiful and attractive place to live because of its beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture, and friendly towns. Behind this picture-perfect front, however, a growing rental problem has ...