Edge2d ago

The #AVLWatchdog has a story about #ticks, and the southward spread of #Lyme disease.

https://avlwatchdog.org/lyme-disease-is-here-biltmore-forests-ticks-prove-it-scientists-say/

Lyme disease is here — Biltmore Forest’s ticks prove it, scientists say

The town of Biltmore Forest has an irregular, oblong shape, hemmed as it is on all sides by natural and manmade barriers: Interstate 40 to the north; Hendersonville Road to the east; the Blue Ridge Parkway to the south; and, to the west, the thick woods of the Biltmore Estate and, beyond it, the French […]

Asheville Watchdog
EdgeMay 4

The standard Fox News fare of BS and partisan slurs over reality apparently targeted #Asheville a week or so ago and I had missed it.

They did manage to talk only to Republicans.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/charming-mountain-escape-battling-homelessness-homeowners-say-turned-postcard-city-go-zone

Today, the #AVLWatchdog had a pretty good rejoinder, including the fact that one of the Repubs they had interviewed is not only running for Governor, but also the head of Trump's FEMA, which should be providing funds for the area to recover after Helene:

https://avlwatchdog.org/opinion-i-spent-an-afternoon-in-downtown-asheville-and-lived-to-tell-about-it/

Once-charming mountain escape now battling homelessness homeowners say turned postcard city into no-go zone

Residents say Asheville's downtown has become unsafe due to rising homelessness, public intoxication and encampments worsened by Hurricane Helene.

Fox News
EdgeApr 13

A great video from the #AVLWatchdog on one of the deaths at Mission Hospital since HCA purchased the system in 2019.

No one is blaming the nurses. This is all down to HCA and their abysmal cost-cutting, leaving untrained, and badly over-loaded staff caring for very sick patients.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW2bJ0RCXj7/?igsh=MTZhNnd6bXM1a2Q4eA%3D%3D

#Asheville #Hospital

Asheville Watchdog on Instagram: "Investigative reporter Ted Clifford discusses his story about 88-year-old Lucero Sierra whose death was one of two cited in a federal investigative report on Mission Hospital’s most recent Immediate Jeopardy sanction. #avlnews #nonprofitnewsroom #hca"

8,742 likes, 514 comments - avlwatchdog on April 7, 2026: "Investigative reporter Ted Clifford discusses his story about 88-year-old Lucero Sierra whose death was one of two cited in a federal investigative report on Mission Hospital’s most recent Immediate Jeopardy sanction. #avlnews #nonprofitnewsroom #hca".

Instagram
EdgeFeb 23

An excellent #AVLWatchdog article about the challenges our trail system are still facing, almost 18 months after hurricane Helene. The extraordinary work of volunteers is ongoing, as is the hugely increased risks of wildfire and property damage.

Thank you to everyone who does this kind of work anywhere in the world, so others can enjoy the beautiful spaces.

#Asheville #MST #AT #Hiking

https://avlwatchdog.org/opinion-some-trails-around-here-are-still-a-huge-mess-making-the-woods-a-fire-danger/

Opinion: Some trails around here are still a huge mess — making the woods a fire danger

Let’s get this out of the way first: I’m pretty sure my colleague, photojournalist Katie Linsky Shaw, is trying to kill me. Back in November, Katie and I had the bright idea to go paddling on the French Broad River with MountainTrue, whose workers were picking out plastic piping and other debris from the Helene […]

Asheville Watchdog
EdgeFeb 3

For anyone following the mess at #MissionHospital in #Asheville, apparently CMS is finally getting serious about the recurrent deadly ineptitude and isn't falling for "we'll staff up for a month until this goes away" BS.

Via the #AVLWatchdog

https://avlwatchdog.org/citing-systemic-and-recurring-patterns-of-harm-at-mission-cms-rejects-hospitals-latest-plan-of-correction-sets-new-deadline/

Citing “systemic and recurring patterns” of harm at Mission, CMS rejects hospital’s latest plan of correction, sets new deadline

Citing “systemic and recurring patterns of noncompliance found during previous surveys,” the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services harshly informed Mission Hospital CEO Greg Lowe last week that its latest Immediate Jeopardy citation — the third in less than two years — would require “enhanced” remedies for continued participation in the CMS program. Mission […]

Asheville Watchdog
EdgeJan 19

The #AVLWatchdog has a story on our country's slide into "irresponsible ignorance" as Buncombe County NC announces 5 cases of #measles.

I am simply without words for how we can do this to ourselves.

https://avlwatchdog.org/opinion-measles-outbreak-one-more-sign-of-the-slide-into-irresponsible-ignorance/

Opinion: Measles outbreak one more sign of the slide into irresponsible ignorance

I don’t often agree with U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina who’s recently been quite vocal in his criticism of some Trump Administration policies. But when Tillis said in a floor speech earlier this month, “I’m sick of stupid,” referring to Trump’s push to take over Greenland, which is owned by Denmark, […]

Asheville Watchdog
EdgeJan 6

Want to thank @firefly for pointing out the 3 #measles cases now in #Buncombe County, my area near #Asheville

Falling vaccination rates, lying and stupidity have brought us here, and people are going to be hurt.

From the #AVLWatchdog
https://avlwatchdog.org/measles-spreads-to-buncombe-as-public-health-officials-worry-about-spread-in-the-face-of-declining-vaccination-rates/

Measles reported in Buncombe as public health officials worry about spread in the face of declining vaccination rates

A major outbreak of measles in South Carolina has spread to Buncombe County, with public health officials announcing three cases Tuesday and expressing concern that more will follow due to decreased vaccination rates and the highly contagious nature of the disease. The Buncombe cases are confined to three siblings whose family visited Spartanburg County, South […]

Asheville Watchdog
EdgeNov 12, 2025

The crippling of the #ACA will ultimately affect every American.

An excellent piece from #AVLWatchdog on what it means in the #Asheville area, where not only are premiums almost doubling, but because of HCA/Mission and the lack of competition in our hospital systems, we are also 15% over areas in the state like Raleigh.

https://avlwatchdog.org/theres-no-way-huge-aca-premium-hikes-force-buncombe-policy-holders-to-make-hard-choices-including-dropping-coverage/

“There’s no way”: Huge ACA premium hikes force Buncombe policyholders to make hard choices, including dropping coverage

Virginia Gilbert was shocked and angry after she learned last week that premiums for her Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance policy will more than double next year, jumping from $930 to $2,042. She was freshly outraged after U.S. senators reached an agreement this week to end the six-week government shutdown without securing an extension of […]

Asheville Watchdog
EdgeOct 21, 2025

#MissionHospital placed in "immediate jeopardy" for the 3rd time since HCA bought them. This is the harshest sanction that CMS can levy against a healthcare institution.

THREE TIMES.

Via the #AVLWatchdog

https://avlwatchdog.org/mission-hospital-placed-in-immediate-jeopardy-sanction-is-third-since-sale-to-hca/

#Asheville

Mission Hospital placed in immediate jeopardy; sanction is third since sale to HCA

This is a developing story and will be updated. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has placed Asheville’s Mission Hospital in immediate jeopardy, the third time since 2019 that the hospital has faced the harshest sanction that can be levied against a healthcare facility. Mission CEO Greg Lowe announced the sanction in a […]

Asheville Watchdog
EdgeAug 23, 2025

I'm no fan of Davis, but the Dems in NC have got to change something up and fast. What a way to shoot oneself in the foot.

https://avlwatchdog.org/democratic-congressional-candidate-moe-davis-suddenly-quits-his-kick-ass-campaign-with-a-facebook-slap-at-party-leaders/

#USPol #NCPol #AVLWatchdog

Democratic congressional candidate Moe Davis suddenly quits his “kick-ass” campaign with a Facebook slap at party leaders

In a grievance-laced midnight Facebook post, Democratic congressional candidate Moe Davis dropped out of the race Saturday, effectively positioning Fairview farmer Jamie Ager as the party’s frontrunner to take on Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards in the 2026 general election in the state’s 11th Congressional District. Davis’s decision came just hours before he, Ager and three […]

Asheville Watchdog