Mountain views, hiking trails an exploding food scene and more breweries per capita than anywhere else in U.S. It’s easy to see why the Asheville area is spilling over with tourists and newcomers. The boom is a boost for the economy but often makes for a busier and sometimes more challenging day for police and other first responders whose job it is to care for both tourists and the people who live here. WCQS’s Helen Chickering reports. Even on a cold weekday winter night, Downtown Asheville is

NPR will be in Asheville on Tuesday February 7th for the latest 'Going There' event. Weekend All Things Considered host Michel Martin will lead a night of performances and discussion on the topic 'What Happens When Your Hometown Gets Hot?' at the Diana Wortham Theater. Tickets for the event have sold out but there will be a live stream that night to watch. You can also join the conversation on Twitter by following @NPRMichel and @WCQS using the hashtag #HotHometown. In the week before the event,

NPR will be in Asheville on Tuesday February 7th for the latest 'Going There' event. Weekend All Things Considered host Michel Martin will lead a night of performances and discussion on the topic 'What Happens When Your Hometown Gets Hot?' at the Diana Wortham Theater. Tickets for the event have sold out but there will be a live stream that night to watch. You can also join the conversation on Twitter by following @NPRMichel and @WCQS using the hashtag #HotHometown. In the week before the event,

-Rep. Kevin Corbin seeks more K-12 funding, 'Whistle-blower' protection for local cops- With North Carolina lawmakers now back in Raleigh for this year’s long session, we’ve been talking with legislators out here in the west. One of the mountain’s newest legislators is Representative Kevin Corbin, a Republican of Macon County, who is by no means new to government. Before his victory for the District 120 seat — Corbin served for 20 years on the Macon County Board of Education, and six years as a

With lawmakers back in Raleigh for the long session, we’re talking to some of those legislators out here in the west. Representing the farthest district west in the Senate is Republican Jim Davis. District 50 covers some ground, spanning seven counties: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain. Davis resides in Franklin. The 70-year-old Senator has been in dentistry for over four decades. He’ll still be a practicing orthodontist on Mondays and Fridays in Franklin even during

Asheville has been dubbed Beer City, Bee City and even Climate City. In the future, Dog City may be added to that title. A local dog behavior specialist is on a mission to make the area the most dog friendly place in the country. But this isn’t a campaign to encourage more water bowls and dog biscuits, it’s about retraining people. WCQS’s Helen Chickering explains. Kim Brophey, “I’ve got the Elmo voice down, Look at the little puppy!” HC: That’s what I do “And some dogs like it and other dogs

Tuesday night the Asheville city council rejected a major hotel project in downtown along Haywood Street. An 8-story Embassy Suites hotel would have occupied the former spot of the Buncombe County Sheriff's office. By a unanimous vote the council voted down the plan, one of the few times a hotel project has been stopped in Asheville during the boom of the area's tourism industry. But the matter is far from over, as the developer of the proposed hotel is now challenging the vote in court .

As lawmakers head back to Raleigh for their long session, we’ve been talking to some of those legislators from out here in the west. One of the most influential lawmakers from our region is expected to be Representative Chuck McGrady, a Republican of Henderson County. McGrady will hold key positions in the legislature. Most notably as co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, McGrady will have a key role in shaping the two year budget. I asked him about the recent special sessions, one in

Smoky Mountain News political reporter Corey Vaillancourt was in Washington D.C. last week for the inauguration of president Donald Trump. He was also able to talk to Republican Congressman Mark Meadows of Western North Carolina. Meadows role figures only to grow as the GOP controls not just both chambers of Congress, but the White House as well. Vaillancourt spoke with WCQS news director Matt Bush about the interview, touching on topics such as Meadows role as the head of the hardline

Representatives cite adequate broadband as essential to economic development As technology advances, Basic access to broadband internet is essential to everything from economic development to education. Yet access is lacking in many areas throughout Western North Carolina, and officials like state Representative Kevin Corbin want to better connect the region. “I think it’s lacking in most rural areas, and it certainly is lacking here. In Macon County, internet is certainly available, and is