Matt Peiken
Wake Up, Asheville!
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.
Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: WakeUpAVL.transistor.fm
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Friday, Feb. 20: Costco Withdraws from AVL + Property Appraisals + Helene Costs + Drought Details + Anti-ICE Walkout 20.02.2026 4:04
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Costco withdraws application for highly anticipated Asheville location Buncombe is mailing new property value notices in 2026 reappraisal Tropical Storm Helene road repair costs near $5.8B in North Carolina Drought tightens grip on Asheville, Buncombe County 200+ students at A.C. Reynolds High School latest to hold anti-ICE walkout
Thursday, Feb. 19: Bond Proposals + FEMA Reimbursements + UNCA 'Innovation' + Day of Protest 19.02.2026 4:17
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Buncombe County lays groundwork for November bond referenda FEMA to reimburse western N.C. nearly $1.4M for Helene response costs NCInnovation Pipeline Program Launches at UNC Asheville Protesters gather at Pack Square and Edwards’ office as part of National Day of Action New Asheville documentary looks at urban renewal's impact on Black residents...
Wednesday, Feb. 18: French Broad Boost + Local Leaders Advice Stein + Early Voting Trends 18.02.2026 3:58
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Gov. Stein Announces $5.7M for French Broad flood resilience projects Three WNC leaders to advise governor on storm recovery, gangs, disability Local restaurants relaunch and regroup on the flood plain Democrats lead early voting turnout in Buncombe County primary G roups rallying in Asheville, Hendersonville for National Day of Action
Tuesday, Feb. 17: Helene Funding Holdup + Cotton Mill Reopens + Billy Strings' AVL Impact + UNCA Walkout 17.02.2026 3:52
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: WNC still awaits billions in Tropical Storm Helene relief funding Buncombe County explores single fire district tax rate UNCA students and community members hold a 'walk out' on campus Cotton Mill studios reopen more than a year post-Helene Mayor Manheimer presents Billy Strings key to the city
Monday, Feb. 16: WNC Drought Deepens + Counting Homeless + Defending DEI + Police Imposter Surrenders 16.02.2026 3:52
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: WNC drought deepens despite rain; Buncombe now “severe" Volunteers conduct Buncombe homelessness count; results expected this spring Asheville, Buncombe defend DEI outreach; deny race-based allocations NC-11 Democrats must win rural WNC; party invests long-term Police-impersonation suspect surrenders; held without bond
Friday, Feb. 13: Canton Tech Pause + Local Measles Cases + Republican Challenger + Media for Unhoused 13.02.2026 3:58
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Canton approves yearlong moratorium on data centers, crypto mining Buncombe confirms seventh measles case; lists exposure sites Fairview roadside fires traced to catalytic converter debris, not arson NC-11 GOP primary: Green Beret Adam Smith challenges Edwards Asheville street paper The Intersection offers income, counters stereotypes
Thursday, Feb. 12: Renew NC Stalls + AVL Passenger Rail + New Police Outlet + Sheriffs Misconduct Allegations 12.02.2026 3:52
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Helene survivors fear ReBuild NC déjà vu as Renew NC stalls Study boosts Asheville passenger rail push; service eyed by 2035 Asheville police to open Tanger outlet resource center DA moves to oust WNC sheriffs over alleged misconduct Mission Hospital listening sessions set for March 9–10
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Medicare Fraud Settlement + Road Repairs Lagging + Epstein Fallout Ripples to Asheville 11.02.2026 4:03
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Asheville rheumatologist settles alleged Medicare billing for foreign drugs Helene private-road program can fund only 300 repairs Lake Lure refilling; aims to reopen by Memorial Day Rural WNC clinics reeling after federal primary-care program cut Asheville band Wednesday leaves Wasserman over Epstein-linked CEO
Tuesday, Feb. 10: AirBnB Lawsuit + Tree Funds Unused + Returning Food-Lost Keepsakes 10.02.2026 3:52
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Airbnb lawsuit may set North Carolina liability precedent * Asheville’s $500,000 tree fund sits unused after four years MountainTrue returns flood-lost keepsakes while clearing Helene debris * $290 million to restore Pisgah, Nantahala forests after Helene * UNC Asheville track coach Joel Williams dies after cancer battle
Monday, Feb. 9: Officers' Off-Duty Wrongs + Rental Property Taxes + Council Candidates Forum + French Broad Testing 09.02.2026 4:06
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Asheville officer DWI arrest; Hendersonville captain fired for time abuse Buncombe tax fight could reclassify Airbnbs as commercial Asheville council hopefuls tout housing, bike safety; consensus at forum Judge skeptical in WCU early-voting lawsuit; decision imminent MountainTrue tests find mostly clean French Broad post-Helene
Friday, Feb. 6: New Alert System + Realty Market Steadies + RAD Campus + Final Reparations Report 06.02.2026 3:47
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: New Rave alerts replace CodeRED after cyberattack glitches Asheville market steadies: $500K median, listings linger longer $7.5M RAD Creative Campus planned as flood-resilient arts hub Reparations report urges Black wellness investments, “Black Joy Fund” Stephens-Lee High’s legacy: civil rights leadership, “Castle on Hill”
Thursday, Feb. 5: Immigrant Worker Protections + Commissioner Sues County + Transit Rail Push 05.02.2026 3:53
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Asheville weighs Fourth Amendment workplace protections amid immigration enforcement fears Commissioner Horton sues Buncombe, alleging illegal adult-care funding suspension NCDOT report: Restoring Salisbury–Asheville rail could add 5,000 jobs Canton to hear proposed ban on data centers, crypto mining Johnston Boulevard sidewalk project starts; Wes...
Wednesday, Feb. 4: Mission's 'Jeopardy' Details + DA Candidate Details + Voters At Risk + Beaver Lake Drainage 04.02.2026 4:00
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: 23,000 tons salt spread; icy roads linger statewide Mission Hospital cited after measles patients waited unisolated Buncombe DA Democrats split on decriminalization, accountability, reform 70,000 NC voters risk provisional ballots over missing ID Beaver Lake drained to fix hurricane-stuck valve; refilling
Tuesday, Feb. 3: Cold Fallout + Firefighters' Raises + Violent Crime Drop + Ingles' Profits + Early Voting at WCU 03.02.2026 4:08
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Bitter cold, black ice greeted Asheville area yesterday Asheville firefighters want pay raises for their 'most vulnerable' Asheville violent crime dropped in 2025, fewest homicides since 2017 Ingles’ sales, profits surged as grocery prices soared following pandemic Students challenge state after early voting sites cut at NC universities
Monday, Feb. 2: Post-Storm Schooling + Code Purple Overflow + UNCA Panel Criticized + Mission's 'Immediate Jeopardy' 02.02.2026 3:51
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: WNC schools go virtual after storm dumps 14.5 inches. Code Purple shelter overflows; unhoused man yields bed during snow. UNC Asheville woods panel criticized as insider-only, closed-door process. Mission Hospital again in immediate jeopardy; regulators cite patient risk. Asheville DEI, $30M gap to face NC House committee scrutiny.
Friday, Jan. 30: Storm Watch + Tourist Traffic Up + Rental Hurdles Eased + Library Director Resigns 30.01.2026 4:06
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Winter Storm Watch: up to seven inches possible through Saturday Downtown Asheville holiday traffic up; recovery still uneven Blue Ridge Parkway visits hit 17.5 million, highest since 2006 Asheville eases ADU conversions, removing variance and fee Fontana Regional Library director resigns amid board tensions
Thursday, Jan. 29: Recovery Grants + Home Help + UNCA Advisory Group + Heating Aid + Youth Support 29.01.2026 3:54
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Asheville approves $15.5M Helene small-business recovery grants Nearly $1M HOME funds for WNC rent, repairs, down payments UNC Asheville forms advisory committee for 200-acre Millennial Campus ABCCM anticipates spike in heating aid as temps plunge YouthBuild CORE-2 offers free GED and construction training
Zelda Briarwood: Bringing Vantage of Community, Social Work to Congressional Campaign 22.01.2026 19:49
In this special episode, former social worker Zelda Briarwood talks with Matt Peiken about their campaign for Western North Carolina's Congressional seat. This bonus episode is one of four this week featuring candidates on the Democratic Party primary ballot for North Carolina's U.S. House District 11.
Dr. Paul Maddox: Pledging to Identify, Study, Fix Problems in Congress 21.01.2026 24:13
In this special episode, cancer researcher Dr. Paul Maddox talks with Matt Peiken about his campaign for Western North Carolina's Congressional seat. This bonus episode is one of four this week featuring candidates on the Democratic Party primary ballot for North Carolina's U.S. House District 11.
Dr. Richard Hudspeth: Proposing Internal Congressional Medicine as Democratic Party Candidate 20.01.2026 28:04
In this special episode, family physician Dr. Richard Hudspeth talks with Matt Peiken about his campaign for Western North Carolina's Congressional seat. This bonus episode is one of four this week featuring candidates on the Democratic Party primary ballot for North Carolina's U.S. House District 11.
Jamie Ager: From Farm to the Table of Politics, Candidate for Congress 19.01.2026 30:37
In this special episode, Hickory Nut Gap Farm co-founder Jamie Ager talks with Matt Peiken about his campaign for Western North Carolina's Congressional seat. This bonus episode is one of four this week featuring candidates on the Democratic Party primary ballot for North Carolina's U.S. House District 11.
Thursday, Jan. 15: Asheville Projects $30M Budget Gap + Hospitality Jobs Down + Early Voting Locales Trimmed 15.01.2026 3:57
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Asheville projects $30M gap; tax hike likely Helene’s shadow: Asheville hospitality jobs down, lodging sales NC elections board ends WCU early voting; Madison spared Buncombe DSS partners with Foster Family Alliance for permanency Black Mountain Brewing deck approved despite fire rules, records show
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Buncombe Bailiff Perjury + Money for Home Repairs + Input on Pedestrian Plan 14.01.2026 3:54
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Buncombe bailiff indicted for perjury in Guyton mistrial Asheville may shift $17M from apartments to home repairs Buncombe seeks input for first countywide pedestrian plan Health officials warn low measles shots; hotline, clinic open UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Hall gets $36M arts renovation
Tuesday, Jan. 13: WNC Landslide Mapping + UNCA Expands Access + City Sues Mountaineer Inn 13.01.2026 3:49
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Helene triggers landslide mapping overhaul toward resilience, real-time monitoring UNC Asheville expands Access Asheville aid to neighboring states Council weighs moving West Asheville police center to Tanger Outlets Asheville sues Mountaineer Inn owners over neglect, unpaid taxes Saniway vacuum shop closing signals end of service retail era
Monday, Jan. 12: HCA Fraud Allegation + Candidacies Challenged + Thermo Fisher Plant Closing + Manheimer's Platform 12.01.2026 4:06
Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: Estate alleges HCA legal fraud in wheelchair-van death suit Mosley, Morman eligibility challenged; Keith Young residency questions linger Thermo Fisher to close Weaverville plant by end-2026 Manheimer campaigns on housing, Helene equity, higher-wage jobs Architect urges UNCA to rethink Woods with community-driven vision
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