Matt Peiken

Wake Up, Asheville!

News EN ↓ 225 episodes

Catch up on all the Asheville news every weekday morning. Our newscast podcast draws stories from across the local news media landscape to keep you in-the-know in under four minutes.

Author

Matt Peiken

Category

News

Podcast website

WakeUpAVL.transistor.fm

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Tuesday, Nov. 18: ICE protests in Asheville + Local Fires + Biltmore Village Rebuilds + TDA Funds for PGA? 18.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: In Asheville, residents protest against border patrol agents operating in Charlotte Panther Creek fire 60% contained; Ox Creek fire 10 acres 40% contained Biltmore Village rebuilds with community help, grants for Helene damage repairs Opinion: Is the Biltmore Championship golf tournament a good use of TDA funds? Or is it tone deaf? Nonprofit’s approach: Wha...

Monday, Nov. 17: Asheville's ICE position + Lexington Sidewalk + Walton Refresh + Troll Arrival 17.11.2025

Today's episode includes these stories: ICE Plans: Asheville leaders reject participation in possible federal immigration raids. Sidewalk Fix: Lexington Avenue replacement project advances with 2026 construction timeline. Energy Savings: State buildings cut use, saving $200M; A-B Tech excels. Walton Refresh: Asheville launches new engagement phase for historic pool redesign. Troll Arrival: Arboret...

Friday, Nov. 14: HCA Violated Terms? + Swannanoa Housing + Kat Williams Dies + The Backswing of Sports Tourism + School Board News 14.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: ‘Incompetent Leaders’: AG says HCA violated oncology agreement at Mission Hospital. Swannanoa Housing: 170 affordable units approved to aid post-Helene recovery. Kat Williams: Asheville blues legend dies unexpectedly at 58. School Board: Audit clean; superintendent’s contract extended despite concerns. The Backswing: Asheville spent years securing Biltmore...

Thursday, Nov. 13: UNCA Hires Consultant + Parkway Business Struggles + I-40 Freeze Gridlock + Climbing at Chimney Rock 13.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: UNCA Taps Advisors for Campus Planning: Firm to design review process for future university projects. Businesses Along Parkway Face Uncertainty: Landslides cripple tourism; repairs delayed until 2026. Former Student Sentenced in Fatal Crash: Driver pleads guilty after deadly high-speed prom wreck. Freeze Turns I-40 Into Gridlock: Refreeze causes 20 crashes,...

Wednesday, Nov. 12: Mission Avoids Penalties + HCA Profits Soar + LEAF Needs Support + Airport Delays + Montreat Lodge OKd 12.11.2025

Today's episode includes these stories: Mission Avoids Penalties: Mission escapes major sanctions after repeat “Immediate Jeopardy” safety citation. HCA Profits Rise: HCA Healthcare posts $3.8B revenue jump, raises annual forecast. LEAF Needs Support: Arts nonprofit LEAF launches fundraiser after storm losses and funding cuts. Airport Delays Continue: Asheville travelers face delays, cancellations...

Tuesday, Nov. 11: Black Flight + Heating Aid + PGA's Return + Highway Closures + Yoga Center's Sale 11.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Asheville Watchdog Series: Final “Losing Our Soul” report spotlights community-led efforts to rebuild Black Asheville. Heating Aid at Risk: Federal shutdown threatens LIEAP heating assistance for low-income WNC residents. I-26 Bridge Work: Nightly I-26 closures underway as crews remove the old Blue Ridge Parkway bridge. PGA Returns to Asheville: Biltmore Ch...

Monday, Nov. 10: Rare Edwards Interview + Property Tax Appraisals + New Oakley Firehouse + Mother Earth Transition 10.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Congressman Interviewed: Rep. Chuck Edwards touts Helene aid work, blames Democrats for shutdown. Recovery Funds: WNC counties receive $155M in new federal disaster relief allocations. Property Reappraisal: Buncombe to reassess all properties in 2026 after Helene losses. Public Safety Plan: Asheville advances $14.5M Oakley complex with solar-powered fire st...

Friday, Nov. 7: Food Insecurity + Resignation After Threat + School Funding + Worker Shortage 07.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Food Insecurity: Shutdown deepens hunger crisis as SNAP aid freezes for 30,000 residents. Disaster Aid: Feds release $155M more for WNC storm recovery amid delays. Threat Resignation: Henderson County Democrat chair quits after threats tied to protest. School Funding: Educators decry cuts, call for renewed support for public schools. Worker Shortage: Waynes...

Thursday, Nov. 6: Election Results + Housing Conditions + County Strategic Plan + Food Truck Pilot 06.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Election Results: Dee Lawrence elected Weaverville mayor; Woodfin council sees major turnover. Races Outside Buncombe: Sylva, Waynesville voters choose leaders amid growth and culture debates. Housing Conditions: Evergreen Ridge tenants report worsening mold, leaks, and limited protections. Strategic Plan: Buncombe adopts 2030 roadmap focusing on recovery,...

Wednesday, Nov. 5: New Housing Authority CEO + Traffic Enforcement + Outdoor Venue Planned 05.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Housing Authority: Ella Santos named Asheville Housing Authority CEO after year-long vacancy. Traffic Enforcement: APD issues 563 citations in Halloween safety campaign, no fatalities. Resilience Grants: Asheville seeks $415M in FEMA funds for hazard mitigation projects. Investigation: Chief Justice Newby’s ruling legalized GOP gerrymandering before 2024 el...

Tuesday, Nov. 4: Mission Fulfills Promise + River Debris + MANNA Moves 04.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Mission Staffing: Hospital hires 200 new workers, but nurse retention concerns persist. River Cleanup: MountainTrue removes 10,000 pounds of Helene debris from rivers daily. MANNA Moves: Food bank relocates to Mills River facility after storm damage. Winter Shelter: Asheville expands Code Purple beds, offers free transit to sites. Park Funding: Shutdown for...

Monday, Nov. 3: UNCA behind promised schedule + Woodfin, Weaverville elections + Gentrification series 03.11.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: UNCA Development: University delays commission on controversial stadium project atop campus forest. Food Response: Buncombe, nonprofits expand aid as shutdown threatens SNAP, WIC access. Municipal Elections: Woodfin, Weaverville voters decide key races amid growth, recovery debates. Gentrification Series: Watchdog examines how “slim-tall” homes reshape Ashe...

Friday, Oct. 31: Code Purple expands + Weaverville election nears + Gillespie Gap protected 31.10.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Code Purple: Asheville approves shelter plan with expanded services. Weaverville Election: Candidates focus on growth, housing and safety near new hospital. Early Voting: Madison County trims voting sites from three to one. Land Protection: Foothills Conservancy secures 834 acres at Gillespie Gap. Greenway Project: Nasty Branch Greenway to honor Southside h...

Thursday, Oct. 30: Why Black AVL leaves + Recovery boards + Tourism rebound 30.10.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Urban Renewal: AVL Watchdog details Southside’s destruction and lasting impact on Black Asheville. Recovery Boards: City Council forms four advisory groups to steer Helene recovery. Tourism Rebound: Hotels recover faster than rentals as Asheville tourism slowly improves. River Cleanup: MountainTrue gets $750K grant to expand post-Helene restoration work. Fo...

Wednesday, Oct. 29: Aid stoppage looming + Money for recovery jobs + Another NC-11 challenger 29.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: Shutdown may delay SNAP, WIC aid for 1.4M North Carolinians Federal grant releases final $4M for Helene recovery jobs UNC professor Paul Maddox joins Democrats challenging Rep. Chuck Edwards UNCA Lecture Series explores Southern Indigenous identity and environment Holiday flights to Asheville down 9%, among nation’s steepest declines

Friday, Oct. 24: Assault appeal + SNAP delays + More affordable housing + New gallery leadership 24.10.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Assault Appeal: Swannanoa man appeals conviction for assault during Trump’s 2024 visit. SNAP Delays: Shutdown threatens food aid for 30,000 Buncombe residents, nonprofits brace. Affordable Housing: Haywood Street opens 41-unit Lady Gloria Ridge Community downtown. Gallery Leadership: Blue Spiral 1 names Nicole McConville as new director. Cherokee Exhibit: W...

Thursday, Oct. 23: Redistricting finalized + Gerrymandered power grab + I-40 toll plan + Helene recovery 23.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: Redistricting Finalized: NC GOP passes map potentially adding one seat, weakening Dem Rep. Davis. Fiedler Column: Watchdog critic condemns GOP gerrymandering as undemocratic power grab. I-40 Toll Plan: Officials weigh adding express toll lanes between Clyde and Asheville. Helene Recovery: Buncombe allocates $14M for storm repairs, landslide mitigation. Neig...

Wednesday, Oct. 22: Gerrymander approved + Mission Hospital sanctioned + No plan to move RAD 22.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: Redistricting Map: NC GOP approves new gerrymandered map likely adding one U.S. House seat. Mission Sanctioned: Federal regulators place Mission Hospital in ‘immediate jeopardy’ over safety. Voter Trial: Groups challenge NC’s same-day registration law as discriminatory. RAD Report: Asheville denies plans to relocate River Arts District despite study. Campgr...

Tuesday, Oct. 21: Hospital competition + Closed meetings probe + Airport expansion + Bears released 21.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: Hospital Expansion: Four health systems compete to add 129 beds in Buncombe. Closed Meetings Probe: Buncombe commissioners face investigation over possible open-meetings violation. Redistricting Map: NC GOP targets First District to expand congressional majority. Airport Expansion: Asheville airport begins South Terminal demolition for $400M upgrade. Bear R...

Monday, Oct. 20: Mission cited + Black population decline + 'No Kings' rally + Woodfin election 20.10.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Mission Cited: State cites Mission Hospital for safety failures, risking federal sanctions. Black Population Decline: Asheville’s Black community shrinking amid gentrification and rising housing costs. Flood Resilience Grants: Three WNC counties get $1M for French Broad flood mitigation. Woodfin Leadership: Mayor McAllister faces ethics fallout, unfinished...

Friday, Oct. 17: Students hit at bus stop + Day of action + Indigo DeSouza homecoming 17.10.2025

Today's newscast includes these stories: Bus Stop Crash: Two students hospitalized after being hit near T.C. Roberson. Social District Delay: Council postpones South Slope vote amid equity, displacement concerns. Local Elections: Waynesville, Canton, Clyde races focus on recovery and smart growth. Day of Action: Asheville joins national “No Kings” protests opposing authoritarian policies. Indigo D...

Thursday, Oct. 16: Early voting begins + New Orange Peel owners + Helene transformed relationships 16.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: Early Voting: Weaverville, Woodfin elections open today; polls run through Nov. 1. Helene Relationships: Storm tested — and transformed — love, loss, and resilience across WNC. City Council: Asheville joins RenewNC housing program; debates social district, new events. ADA Settlement: NC nursing homes must admit patients with substance use disorders. Orange...

Wednesday, Oct. 15: FEMA delays + Community organizer suspects arson + A.C. Reynolds alum sets record 15.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: FEMA Delays: Gov. Stein criticizes stalled Helene relief; 300 applications unapproved. Organizer Fire: Activist Jen Hampton’s car burns in suspected arson incident.* Pedestrian Plan: Buncombe launches committee to improve walkability, safety, and access. Land Conservation: Conserving Carolina surpasses 50,000 acres protected across WNC.* Local NFL Star: A.C...

Tuesday, Oct. 14: Redistricting vote + Housing impact + Cannabis scrutiny + From actor to cadet 14.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: Redistricting Vote: NC GOP plans new map to gain additional congressional seat. Housing Impact: Shutdown delays loom, but WNC homelessness programs remain stable. Cannabis Scrutiny: Sen. Tillis questions Cherokee marijuana program; tribe defends legality. Campus Recovery: Warren Wilson secures $1.5M for Helene damage repairs. Late-Career Recruit: At 65, act...

Monday, Oct. 13: Richmond Hill reopens + WNC nonprofit burnout + The next Greta Thunberg? 13.10.2025

Today’s newscast includes these stories: Richmond Hill Park largely reopened; disc golf returns Oct. 25. WNC nonprofits face burnout, funding shortfalls one year post-Helene. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy helps first responders manage trauma, depression. Nine-year-old’s Tubing for Trash inspires community waterway cleanups. More ‘No Kings’ rallies planned across WNC to defend democracy.

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