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Pruett Norris

Pruett Norris is a staff reporter and film critic for 828newsNOW. He is a member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) and graduated from Appalachian State University with degrees in English and Electronic Media/Broadcasting. He enjoys vampire movies, Scrabble and hanging out with his cat, Tommy Chainsaw. Contact him at pruett@828newsNOW.com.

Education
1 hour ago
Buncombe County Schools superintendent announces retirement after 34 years

After 34 years serving in North Carolina public schools, Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Rob Jackson has announced his retirement, effective Aug. 31, 2026.

Firefighters on an aerial ladder in front of a brick building, with onlookers and two red fire trucks nearby.
Crime & Safety
3 hours ago
Fire at 131 Main brings emergency response to Biltmore Park

A fire broke out this evening at local restaurant 131 Main in Biltmore Park, bringing emergency response vehicles to the area.

Cartoon astronaut floating among stars on a mural, with teal and blue waves and a metal railing in the foreground.
Local
8 hours ago
Asheville Tourists fans turn backpacks into care packages for veterans

Asheville is home to a large community of veterans, but many are in need of support. Yesterday, Asheville Tourists fans enacted “Operation Packs for Patriots,” a volunteer event where participants assembled care packages on behalf of local veteran nonprofits.

Community
1 day ago
Asheville I-26 Connector project: Questions answered

The I-26 Connector project is now underway across Asheville, prompting questions about scope and reach. 828newsNOW reached out to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for answers.

Three smiling women stand on a sunny street, holding a colorful parade poster saying 'Marshall's Mermaid Parade & Festival'.
On The Town
2 days ago
Marshall Mermaid Parade returns this weekend for ‘magical’ post-Helene celebration

The Mermaid Parade and Festival is Marshall’s biggest event of the year. According to the organizers, it is the mountain town’s most magical, too.

Indoor exhibition hall with booths and multicolored fabric ribbons hanging from the ceiling overhead.
Arts & Culture
3 days ago
ArtsAVL releases long-term arts recovery plan for Buncombe County

The ArtsAVL proposal, the Asheville-Buncombe Arts Recovery Framework, focuses on uniting and strengthening seven different areas of the local arts economy.

Smiling couple sitting with a white dog on a wooden deck outdoors, with a metal lattice fence and greenery in the background.
Pets
5 days ago
Monchu rescue: Community unites to save dog from floodwaters

Thousands of people breathed a sigh of relief this week after Monchu, a local dog swept downriver by swift floodwaters, was rescued after going missing for over 24 hours. The lost pup went viral on social media, where some posts received over 10,000 reactions.

Brick church with red-tiled roof visible through surrounding trees; foreground banner reads “Donate Here” for All Souls Cathedral rebuild.
On The Town
6 days ago
All Souls Cathedral estimates $10 million needed to restore Biltmore Village landmark

As Biltmore Village continues to recover from Tropical Storm Helene, All Souls Cathedral has remained shuttered. While restoring the church is estimated to cost millions, staff say that the congregation remains as active as ever.

LED variable-message sign on a trailer with a solar panel top in a construction zone.
Crime & Safety
1 week ago
Citations surpass 15 at former Patton Avenue U-turn

The Asheville Police Department has reported double digit numbers for citations and warnings issued to motorists who have attempted a now-illegal U-turn at the intersection of Patton Avenue and Regent Park Boulevard.

Mountain valley with green forest, rolling hills, and a blue sky framed by pine branches in the foreground.
Outdoors
1 week ago
Hikes of WNC: Lookout Trail

As peak hiking season hits Western North Carolina, trek out to Montreat outside of Black Mountain, N.C. for a climb up Lookout Trail. The technical route requires stamina and some rock scrambling, but its views of the Swannanoa Valley are unmatched.

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