Special Projects

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina — Save the Woods members hosted a community meeting to reinforce their demand to preserve the University of North Carolina-Asheville’s Forest. The gathering, held at the North Asheville Library, aimed to raise awareness about the potential destruction of the university’s 45-acre urban woodland. According to a recent proposal from Chancellor Kimberly van […]

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and only 12 minutes from Asheville, North Carolina, the small town of Swannanoah faced the power of Hurricane Helene, not standing a chance against the flooded river that swept their homes. Hundreds of people were forced to flee their communities, and hundreds more are living in campers amidst the […]

There’s music in the mountains. With a rich history of folk, Americana and string band music set against the backdrop of the Appalachians, western North Carolina continues to serve as a breeding ground for young artists sustaining the traditions of Southern singer-songwriters. Music and recreation journalist Grayson Haver Currin knows this better than anyone. A […]

After working out of a cramped apartment for eleven years, stepping into his own studio space was a dream for Colton Dion. Dion is an artist who was born and raised in the Asheville area. He focuses on sculptural painting and canvas work, with an emphasis on traditional landscapes and surrealism. He’s had a love […]

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the small town of Chimney Rock was devastated as Hurricane Helene tore through, leaving dozens of homes in ruins near the popular tourist destination of Lake Lure. In the following months, churches driven by their faith came together to support the town, providing food and aiding […]

The road into Chimney Rock, a charming village nestled in the mountains of North Carolina known for breathtaking natural scenery and proximity to the iconic Chimney Rock State Park, was blocked by devastation. When a team of student journalists approached the entrance, a man guarding the road said nobody could enter without Mayor Peter O’Leary’s […]

It was a rainy Thursday morning when three curious journalism students set out to explore the wilderness with Asheville native Callie Warner. A born environmentalist with mud on her boots and mountains in her soul, Callie carried a quiet reverence for the land, the kind of understanding that reshapes how outsiders see the world. Her […]

Hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains along a winding road leading to Lake Lure lies the Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach. A food pantry that has been up and operating since 2004. Only now accessible through one main road that takes you through deep Appalachian country. The Outreach has been ramping up, especially after Hurricane Helene. […]

Between the tourist destinations of Asheville and Black Mountain, lies a rural town called Swannanoa. During Hurricane Helene this small town suffered devastating flooding, washing away homes, businesses and infrastructure. The storm knocked out power and cell services, leaving the town’s citizens stranded with no way to contact the outside world. Six months later, the […]

North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains start slow. Small hills in the countryside ripple over each other and slowly turn into raw, jutting stone mountain faces gashed by meandering rivers that weave their way through awe-striking valleys. Tucked away amongst the miles of vast mountains, sits the city of Asheville and its outlying countryside towns. Within the […]

Student Journalists Carter Evenson Summer Fisher Stephanie Perez Akira Quinn Caleb Rose Ivy Skarda Alex Stahl Instructor Jessica McBride Digital Media Specialist Jeff Loomis This story is part of a semester-long investigative reporting project into the 2025 California wildfires. It was created by an advanced reporting class in the Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies program […]