With lawmakers back in Raleigh, we’re speaking with some of those members from out here in the west. Today, Susan Fisher, an Asheville Democrat.

With lawmakers back in Raleigh, we’re speaking with some of those members from out here in the west. Today, Susan Fisher, an Asheville Democrat. Fisher represents Buncombe County in District 114 in the state House of Representatives.

Duke and North Carolina started their push for the Final Four this weekend on ‘foreign soil.’ Because of the NCAA boycott of North Carolina due to House Bill Two, the Blue Devils and Tar Heels found themselves playing in Greenville, South Carolina – rather than the far more familiar Greensboro where the games were initially scheduled. It was a full-house at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville all weekend for the first and second rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball championships. Tar

The home of Tryon’s most celebrated native now has new owners. Four artists from New York recently bought the house where legendary singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone was born. BPR news’ Helen Chickering has details. Perched on a hill in the crook of a windy road in the town of Tryon, sits a small wooden house, three rooms, a fireplace and a porch, unremarkable expect for the plaque near the front door that designates the home as the birthplace of legendary singer songwriter Nina

Duke and UNC’s men’s basketball teams begin their march for championships today in the NCAA tournament. But instead of getting a home state advantage, they’ll have to travel south of the border. Because of House Bill 2, the games will be played in Greenville, South Carolina instead of Greensboro. The NCAA pulled championship events from the state because of the law, which is still on the books. Repeal efforts are faltering. Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski has previously called the law "embarrassing."

The hotel boom in Asheville thanks to ever rising number of tourists visiting the city has been well documented ( though maybe the boom is coming to an end or at the very least slowing down ). But another surge in hotel construction has been happening right to the south of Asheville. Citizen-Times reporter Joel Burgess visited BPR News studios to talk about what is happening in Biltmore Village.

A busy week in Asheville city politics is wrapping up. First, Republican state senator Chuck Edwards introduced a bill that would create city council districts in Asheville. Currently all city council seats in Asheville are elected at-large, meaning anyone living anywhere in the city can run for any one of them. Edwards bill is similar to the one pushed by his predecessor Tom Apodaca that failed in the General Assembly last summer. Meanwhile, a study looking at what to do with the so-called 'Pit

Over 130 churches, synagogues, and other faith organizations in Western North Carolina are banding together to aid immigrants in the region. Congregations at several of the churches and synagogues involved have already declared they will offer sanctuary for those in fear of being deported. The rest are considering it. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville is one of those considering, or in ‘discernment.’ Reverend Lisa Bovee-Kemper says the statement of solidarity all 133 faith

With the legislature back to work in Raleigh, we’re talking to some of those lawmakers out here in the west. Today, Senator Terry Van Duyn, Democrat of Buncombe County.

With the legislature back to work in Raleigh, we’re talking to some of those lawmakers out here in the west. Today, BPR's Jeremy Loeb speaks with Senator Terry Van Duyn, Democrat of Buncombe County.