More than 400 untested sexual assault kits in the possession of the Asheville police department have been tested at the state crime lab, after state investigators last year determined there were around 15-thousand untested kits in various law enforcement agencies across North Carolina.

City Council plans to review a revised proposal to redevelop the Flatiron Building in downtown Asheville at its Tuesday meeting. The revised proposal cuts the number of hotel rooms from 80 to 71, which preserves the second floor for office space.

A Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and undocumented immigrant will headline one of Asheville’s annual fall events - an event that is changing its name this year.

The city of Asheville has released a new resource guide to help residents prepare for the effects of climate change. BPR’s Helen Chickering reports.

This month marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, viewed as the beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Pride celebrations commemorate this event and leaders like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. While Blue Ridge Pride is celebrated in September in Asheville, the organization is creating a virtual LGBTQ center to connect rural communities to resources.

Buncombe County Schools will be the first school district in the country to pilot a new student safety app. The Vitals App is designed to help school officials respond more effectively in crisis situations involving students with health or behavioral needs.

Hendersonville holds its first-ever Pride celebration Sat., June 15. While Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk supports the event, members of City Council and some religious groups oppose it.

Horace Kephart is remembered as one of the seminal authors of Southern Appalachia. He was also a key player in the founding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The first-ever biography of his life was just published. Here’s more on the book, “Back of Beyond” - and his complex life - from Swain County. A flute plays as a small group gathers at Horace Kephart’s graveside overlooking Bryson City to honor his memory. Published in 1913, his book “Our Southern Highlanders” chronicles his years

An immigration judge in Charlotte is ordering for the removal of a Salvadorian woman in Western North Carolina who fled gang violence in her home country.

Last month, Harrah’s Cherokee was awarded the naming rights for the U-S Cellular Center in Asheville. The organization’s bid offered $3.25 million over the next five years. General manager of Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center Chris Corl said a little over $300 thousand a year from those increased funds will go towards renovating the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The auditorium has not been updated since 1975. The main entrance for performers used to be a window that was converted into a door about 40