Mark Barrett
@markbarrettwnc.bsky.social
Freelance journalist just outside Asheville, N.C. Interests include local, state and national politics and government; housing and urban development; hiking; environment and just about anything to do with western North Carolina. Also @markbarrettact on X
Will anything break the cycle of problems at Mission Hospital in #Asheville? Neither hospital owners nor its critics are going away. Competition may help, but for now is caught up in the Certificate of Need process. #ncpol #nchealth #avlnews Here's my in-depth look: mountainx.com/will-anythin...
Will anything break the cycle of problems at Mission Hospital? – Mountain Xpress
mountainx.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Will anything break the cycle of problems at Mission Hospital in #Asheville? Neither hospital owners nor its critics are going away. Competition may help, but for now is caught up in the Certificate of Need process. #ncpol #nchealth #avlnews Here's my in-depth look: mountainx.com/will-anythin...
Local elected officials in the greater #Asheville area will discuss this afternoon whether to endorse adding toll lanes or something similar on I-40 in Haywood and western #Buncombe County as a way to get funding for widening. frenchbroadrivermpo.org/agendas-minu...
Agendas / Minutes
frenchbroadrivermpo.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Local elected officials in the greater #Asheville area will discuss this afternoon whether to endorse adding toll lanes or something similar on I-40 in Haywood and western #Buncombe County as a way to get funding for widening. frenchbroadrivermpo.org/agendas-minu...
According to the state auditor, this state government relief effort after hurricanes Matthew and Florence was a disaster all by itself. Lots of political implications here, but even more for ordinary folks affected. #ncpol insideclimatenews.org/news/19112025/rebuildnc-was-a-disaster-auditor-says/
N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency So Poorly Managed That State Auditor Couldn’t Determine Full Extent of Waste - Inside Climate News
The story of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency’s disaster response efforts was itself ”a disaster.” That’s what State Auditor Dave Boliek, a Republican, concluded in a scathing 506...
insideclimatenews.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
According to the state auditor, this state government relief effort after hurricanes Matthew and Florence was a disaster all by itself. Lots of political implications here, but even more for ordinary folks affected. #ncpol insideclimatenews.org/news/19112025/rebuildnc-was-a-disaster-auditor-says/
Several local organizations and the Southern Conference said today they've agreed that the Socon basketball championships will be played in #Asheville through 2035. #avlnews
November 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Several local organizations and the Southern Conference said today they've agreed that the Socon basketball championships will be played in #Asheville through 2035. #avlnews
Here's a strange story that may get little notice amid all the understandable crush of news about immigration raids: #ncpol www.wral.com/news/state/n...
NC Bar rebukes GOP push to publicize employees’ political affiliations
Republican operatives want to know the political parties and campaign contributions of state regulators who oversee lawyers in North Carolina. The State Bar said it doesn’t know that information and w...
www.wral.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Here's a strange story that may get little notice amid all the understandable crush of news about immigration raids: #ncpol www.wral.com/news/state/n...
Richardson had been in the position for about six months. We'll have to wait to see what this may mean for #FEMA response to #Helene in #WNC, #Asheville. #ncpol
wapo.st/4nYPtDa
wapo.st/4nYPtDa
FEMA head resigns. Richardson had been hard to reach during Texas floods.
David Richardson resigned Monday after a brief tenure leading the Federal Emergency Management Agency
wapo.st
November 17, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Richardson had been in the position for about six months. We'll have to wait to see what this may mean for #FEMA response to #Helene in #WNC, #Asheville. #ncpol
wapo.st/4nYPtDa
wapo.st/4nYPtDa
Reposted by Mark Barrett
NC’s Helene recovery avoided shutdown pitfalls, but local governments remain strained #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/14/n...
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/14/n...
How NC’s Hurricane Helene recovery dodged shutdown pitfalls • NC Newsline
Over 43 days, state leaders rushed to prevent key federal programs from lapsing and ensure that rebuilding in the mountains could continue.
ncnewsline.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:34 PM
NC’s Helene recovery avoided shutdown pitfalls, but local governments remain strained #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/14/n...
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/14/n...
Reposted by Mark Barrett
“We have learned that Asheville may be a targeted city.”
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
“We have learned that Asheville may be a targeted city.”
Getting healthy food to people via the HOP program in #WNC resulted in long-term savings to Medicaid, @politico reports, but #ncga halted funding. HOP backers say savings are real but take time. Legislative staff said it was money loser short-term. #ncpol #Asheville #Robbinsville #Brevard.
The Medicaid Program That Saved Money, Turned People’s Health Around — and Got Killed
The end of the Healthy Opportunities Pilot in North Carolina is a story of how MAHA might actually be realized — or not — at the state level.
www.politico.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Getting healthy food to people via the HOP program in #WNC resulted in long-term savings to Medicaid, @politico reports, but #ncga halted funding. HOP backers say savings are real but take time. Legislative staff said it was money loser short-term. #ncpol #Asheville #Robbinsville #Brevard.
Re: Mark Meadows. I should add that Trump's pardon won't affect charges against Meadows in state court in Georgia and, overall, probably won't have many practical effects. #WNC #avlnews #ncpol www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Supreme Court won’t hear Mark Meadows’ bid to sideline Georgia criminal case
Donald Trump's former White House chief of staff had tried to move the case into federal court.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Re: Mark Meadows. I should add that Trump's pardon won't affect charges against Meadows in state court in Georgia and, overall, probably won't have many practical effects. #WNC #avlnews #ncpol www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
Two with #WNC connections are among those Trump pardoned: Former WNC congressman Mark Meadows and Sidney Powell, an attorney who used to have a home in Biltmore Forest. #ncpol #avlnews apnews.com/article/rudy...
Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and others who backed efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss
President Donald Trump has pardoned his former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, onetime chief of staff Mark Meadows and others accused of backing the Republican’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
apnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Two with #WNC connections are among those Trump pardoned: Former WNC congressman Mark Meadows and Sidney Powell, an attorney who used to have a home in Biltmore Forest. #ncpol #avlnews apnews.com/article/rudy...
Big Falls on the Thompson River (Transylvania County, N.C.) looked good on Saturday.
November 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Big Falls on the Thompson River (Transylvania County, N.C.) looked good on Saturday.
Several of North Carolina's political experts say 2025 results could bode well for Democrats' chances in the state in 2026 -- but also say a lot could happen between now and then. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/06/d...
Do big 2025 wins for Democrats mean a blue wave in North Carolina? • NC Newsline
NC Democrats hope electoral successes in 2025 will lead to major victories in next year’s midterm elections. Political experts say it'll still be an uphill battle.
ncnewsline.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Several of North Carolina's political experts say 2025 results could bode well for Democrats' chances in the state in 2026 -- but also say a lot could happen between now and then. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/06/d...
The news story I'd like to read: Were Tuesday's results all about Trump vs. anti-Trump voters, Ds vs. Rs, conservatives vs. progressives or are there policy issues that seemed to move the needle for voters? Or, both? #ncpol
November 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The news story I'd like to read: Were Tuesday's results all about Trump vs. anti-Trump voters, Ds vs. Rs, conservatives vs. progressives or are there policy issues that seemed to move the needle for voters? Or, both? #ncpol
MANNA FoodBank & buncombecounty.bsky.social
work to reduce impact of loss of SNAP food benefits caused by federal gov't shutdown, which affects 29,000 people in county and 90,000 in 16 counties MANNA serves. County libraries accepting food donations. #avlnews #WNC #ncpol www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
work to reduce impact of loss of SNAP food benefits caused by federal gov't shutdown, which affects 29,000 people in county and 90,000 in 16 counties MANNA serves. County libraries accepting food donations. #avlnews #WNC #ncpol www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
buncombecounty.bsky.social
buncombecounty.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 3:04 PM
MANNA FoodBank & buncombecounty.bsky.social
work to reduce impact of loss of SNAP food benefits caused by federal gov't shutdown, which affects 29,000 people in county and 90,000 in 16 counties MANNA serves. County libraries accepting food donations. #avlnews #WNC #ncpol www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
work to reduce impact of loss of SNAP food benefits caused by federal gov't shutdown, which affects 29,000 people in county and 90,000 in 16 counties MANNA serves. County libraries accepting food donations. #avlnews #WNC #ncpol www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
President Trump has endorsed the reelection bid of Chuck Edwards in #NC11. Edwards does have opposition in the Republican primary but was already the favorite. #ncpol #WNC www.citizen-times.com/story/news/l...
'MAGA warrior': Trump endorses U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards' 2026 run in social media post
Edwards is running for a third term in Congress in the November 2026 elections and already faces a handful of Democratic and Republican challengers.
www.citizen-times.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
President Trump has endorsed the reelection bid of Chuck Edwards in #NC11. Edwards does have opposition in the Republican primary but was already the favorite. #ncpol #WNC www.citizen-times.com/story/news/l...
N.C. state government says SNAP (aka food stamps) benefits for November will be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues. About 1.4 million households in the state potentially affected. Gov. Stein asks @usdagov.bsky.social to use contingency funds. #ncpol www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-r...
Disruption in SNAP Benefits in North Carolina as the Federal Government Shutdown Continues
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the November benefits for the 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance...
www.ncdhhs.gov
October 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
N.C. state government says SNAP (aka food stamps) benefits for November will be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues. About 1.4 million households in the state potentially affected. Gov. Stein asks @usdagov.bsky.social to use contingency funds. #ncpol www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-r...
The folks at @blueridgepublic.bsky.social Radio worked hard to serve their community when #Helene hit (and have been recognized with journalism awards as a result). Here's a story about one, Helen Chickering. #avlnews
www.ourstate.com/on-air-after...
www.ourstate.com/on-air-after...
On Air After Helene | Our State
Left without power, cell service, or Internet for weeks after Helene, western North Carolinians turned to a reliable source for vital information: radio.
www.ourstate.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The folks at @blueridgepublic.bsky.social Radio worked hard to serve their community when #Helene hit (and have been recognized with journalism awards as a result). Here's a story about one, Helen Chickering. #avlnews
www.ourstate.com/on-air-after...
www.ourstate.com/on-air-after...
Privacy office at @DHSgov finds 102 times over past 4 years when FEMA workers recorded info regarding politics or 2nd Amendment while canvassing disaster areas. 72 instances related to guns. Report does not specify #Helene, #WNC or aid impact: #ncpol content.govdelivery.com/attachments/...
content.govdelivery.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Privacy office at @DHSgov finds 102 times over past 4 years when FEMA workers recorded info regarding politics or 2nd Amendment while canvassing disaster areas. 72 instances related to guns. Report does not specify #Helene, #WNC or aid impact: #ncpol content.govdelivery.com/attachments/...
According to this story, a developer promised to build a $15M road in Mooresville at no cost to taxpayers. #ncga then appropriated the money out of state funds instead while developer officials were raining contributions on legislators' campaigns. #ncpol www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Developer offered $15M road to Mooresville, but lawmakers picked up the bill
The money trail for a Mooresville connector road involves a political insider, undisclosed connections and dozens of campaign donations.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:53 PM
According to this story, a developer promised to build a $15M road in Mooresville at no cost to taxpayers. #ncga then appropriated the money out of state funds instead while developer officials were raining contributions on legislators' campaigns. #ncpol www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
The #Asheville Citizen Times reports that no applications for grants to remove structures in danger of flooding in western NC have been approved since Helene. #avlnews #ncpol #WNC
www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2...
www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2...
Homeowners 'in limbo' as FEMA has yet to approve any Helene buyout program applications
Hundreds of property owners have applied for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, but no applications have been approved by the agency.
www.citizen-times.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The #Asheville Citizen Times reports that no applications for grants to remove structures in danger of flooding in western NC have been approved since Helene. #avlnews #ncpol #WNC
www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2...
www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2...
Nearly half of state spending on NC Promise, the program to make college more affordable at four #UNC system schools including Western Carolina U, goes to out-of-state students, Business NC reports. #WCU is the top recipient at expected $39.4M. #WNC #ncga #ncpol #nced mailchi.mp/businessnc/t...
Daily Digest: NC Chamber signs pact with Arab powerhouse
mailchi.mp
October 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
There was discussion at this event in #Asheville about the impact of President Trump's #BigBeautifulBill on people on #Medicaid in particular (3.1 million in NC) and low-income folks in general, plus whether it comports with Christian ethics. #avlnews #ncpol mountainx.com/news/communi...
Speakers at local forum say Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill will harm the most vulnerable – Mountain Xpress
mountainx.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
There was discussion at this event in #Asheville about the impact of President Trump's #BigBeautifulBill on people on #Medicaid in particular (3.1 million in NC) and low-income folks in general, plus whether it comports with Christian ethics. #avlnews #ncpol mountainx.com/news/communi...
The city of #Asheville says it and a private company are partnering to do "predevelopment" work for an arts and entertainment center larger than aging Wolfe Auditorium.
Looks like the Buncombe Tourism Development Authority is on board. #avlnews #avlgov More here: www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of...
Looks like the Buncombe Tourism Development Authority is on board. #avlnews #avlgov More here: www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of...
City of Asheville announces a public-private partnership for the development of an Arts & Entertainment facility - The City of Asheville
Asheville takes definitive steps toward realizing a new large-scale arts and entertainment facility.
www.ashevillenc.gov
August 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The city of #Asheville says it and a private company are partnering to do "predevelopment" work for an arts and entertainment center larger than aging Wolfe Auditorium.
Looks like the Buncombe Tourism Development Authority is on board. #avlnews #avlgov More here: www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of...
Looks like the Buncombe Tourism Development Authority is on board. #avlnews #avlgov More here: www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of...