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Triptych collage of three men: left bearded man in yellow-lit hallway looking up, center muscular armored warrior with a sword, right man with surprised expression.
Entertainment
1 month ago
‘Backrooms,’ He-Man and ‘Scary Movie’: New movies to see or skip in June 2026

Looking for a new movie to see as summer vacation starts? Check out our reviews of three major releases: the indie horror phenomenon “Backrooms,” the silly 80s throwback “Masters of the Universe” and the sixth installment of the long-running parody series “Scary Movie.”

Cartoon astronaut floating among stars on a mural, with teal and blue waves and a metal railing in the foreground.
Local
1 month 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.

Three smiling women stand on a sunny street, holding a colorful parade poster saying 'Marshall's Mermaid Parade & Festival'.
On The Town
1 month 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.

Mountain valley with green forest, rolling hills, and a blue sky framed by pine branches in the foreground.
Outdoors
1 month 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.

Three men stand side by side in a garden with orange lilies, mountains in the background.
Community
2 months ago
Sunshine, stories and sweet music fill Black Mountain Memorial Day ceremony

Veterans, their families and community members gathered at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery today for a Memorial Day ceremony.

Hands holding several green macarons in front of a circular Mills River Brewing Co. logo on a window.
Food & Drink
2 months ago
Rain or brine: Mills River Cheese and Pickle Festival draws 100s, despite bad weather

Cheese-crazed crowds and pickle-passionate people flocked through heavy rain to Mills River Brewing Company this weekend for the brewery’s second annual Cheese and Pickle Festival. The event featured a pickle-bobbing contest, an abundance of fried cheese and vendors hawking pickle wares of all kinds.

Grogu (Baby Yoda) statue sits on a mossy log in a sunlit, misty forest.
Entertainment
2 months ago
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is cute, copy-and-paste ‘Star Wars’

The first new “Star Wars” movie in seven years is here! While far, far away from the galaxy’s best “Star Wars” flick, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” offers up cuteness in overdrive.

American flag waving on a tall flagpole along a highway with a clear blue sky and streetlights nearby.
On The Town
2 months ago
Memorial Day 2026: Where to attend official ceremonies in WNC

This year, Memorial Day will be held on Monday, May 25, 2026, with several official ceremonies honoring fallen soldiers to be held in Western North Carolina. Find the best location for you.

A man and woman sit on outdoor concrete steps, smiling at the camera, with a colorful map and a white water bottle nearby, greenery behind them.
Perspectives
2 months ago
Biltmore, arts, hiking: Tourists explain what brings them to Asheville

Following Tropical Storm Helene, Asheville has struggled to regain its reputation as a premiere tourist destination. Nonetheless, tourists have kept coming. 828newsNOW asked a few visitors what inspired their visits to the Land of the Sky.

Graffiti-covered building wall with bright colors seen through foreground branches and cars nearby, urban scene.
Arts & Culture
2 months ago
Supporting southern artists: Local LGBTQ+ nonprofit plans collaborative fundraiser

The Campaign for Southern Equality has planned a multi-disciplinary, interactive community arts fundraiser at the Grey Eagle. Proceeds from the June 25 event will go to support LGBTQ+ artists.