Justin McGuire of Mountain Xpress talks about the potential ups and downs with the recent legalization of sports betting in North Carolina.

We talk with Daniel Walton about his recent coverage for Mountain Xpress laying the tracks for the return of passenger rail through Asheville.

Cory Vaillancourt and Holly Kays of the Smoky Mountain News talk about what led up to the closure of the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill and what’s head for the people and the plant site.

Retired paralegal Mary Gallagher wrote a piece of musical theater from scratch. “At the Cafe” premieres inside the McGuire Theater at the Wortham Center Aug. 18-27.

Chris Corl of the City of Asheville lays out the condition of Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, the timeline for repairs and the costs of closure that go beyond financial.

Joe Minicozzi of Urban 3 lays out his stunning research showing that higher-value homes and land are systemically under-assessed and under-taxed, while properties at the lowest market values are over-taxed.

Lauren Yero married her interests in creative writing and ecological science to write her debut novel for young adults, titled “Under This Forgetful Sky.”

Jen Hampton of Asheville Food and Beverage United; and Ariana Lingerfeldt, a chef at Green Sage Cafe South Asheville, talk about organizing local food service industry workers.

In the second in our two-part conversation, I ask TDA president Vic Isley why hoteliers and other vacation rental owners have such an outsized presence on the committee that chooses which projects to fund.

This is the first in a two-part conversation with Vic Isley, president and CEO of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Among other topics, Isley addresses this question: Can there be too much tourism in Asheville?

Matt Peiken roamed the floors of The Big Crafty last weekend, asking "How do makers make it work in Asheville?" Local makers offer up their stories, lessons learned and advice.

Hendersonville author Meagan Lucas talks about portraying Appalachian women of truth, dignity and complexity in her new short story collection, “Here in the Dark.”

Andrew Jones of AVL Watchdog talks about his reporting on coming changes to school board elections and what it means for Buncombe County.

Representatives of the Carolina Mountain Club, Conserving Carolina and Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail talk about their work, their challenges and what’s ahead for our network of area trails.

Marcia Whitney of Verner Center for Early Learning and Greg Borom of Children First Communities and Schools of Buncombe County talk about their call for boosting funding for Pre-K schooling and childcare.

Jennifer Emert of WLOS-TV talks about her reporting for a three-part series about the medical cannabis program of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Asheville Tourists manager Nate Shaver talks about his path from having aspirations on the field to his current aspirations in the dugout.

Buncombe County Association of Educators; and Timothy Lloyd, a custodian at Asheville Middle School and incoming president for the Asheville City Association of Educators.

Michael Hayes talks with his about his “healing journey” toward founding Umoja Health, Wellness and Justice Collective.

Karen Peerson and Juan Holladay of Buncombe Alternatives talk about their work with teens who come to them from inside and outside the court system.