Entertainment
16 hours ago in Arts & Culture, Community, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, On The Town, Outdoors
State of Asheville stages: Montford Park Players
Over a year and a half after the widespread devastation of Tropical Storm Helene, which hobbled business, tourism and the arts across Western North Carolina, 828newsNOW takes a look at how the theater community has recovered. First up, the Montford Park Players.
21 hours ago in Entertainment, Music
Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny top Spotify’s first all-time most streamed artists list
It's her, hi! Taylor Swift has topped Spotify's first ever list of the most streamed artists of all time, published Thursday morning. She's followed by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny. That comes as no surprise: In 2025 the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was named the streaming giant's most played artist of the year for a fourth time, dethroning Swift.
24 hours ago in Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local
Things to do in Asheville and WNC: April 24-26
Local favorites and seasonal events highlight a busy weekend across the 828.
2 days ago in Arts & Culture, Community, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Perspectives
‘Venus in Fur’ at Attic Salt is meta, intense, intimate theater
"Venus in Fur," directed by Jeff Catanese and starring Kate McGunagle and Alex McDonald Villarreal, is an intimate, psychological two-hander about sadomasochism, 19th century literature and the power dynamics between actors and their directors.
2 days ago in Entertainment, Music
Alan Osmond, the eldest member of the Osmonds, has died at 76
Alan Osmond, the eldest member of the chart-topping family act The Osmonds, died Monday after decades with multiple sclerosis. He was 76.
2 days ago in Entertainment
An Instagram DM changed everything for Rachel Reid, Jacob Tierney and ‘Heated Rivalry’
To the cheers and applause of thousands of BookCon attendees, "Heated Rivalry" author Rachel Reid and director-screenwriter Jacob Tierney walked on to the main event stage at New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center. The two Canadians have been international celebrities for just a few months, and still find themselves wondering if all the noise is for someone else.
3 days ago in Arts & Culture, Asheville History, Community, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, On The Town
George Masa documentary to make world premiere in Asheville
George Masa was a Japanese photographer whose pictures helped establish the Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Despite his historical impact, little is known about Masa in his private life. In "A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story," filmmaker Paul Bonesteel attempts to unearth the story of the legendary photographer.
3 days ago in Entertainment
Book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs, with ‘Sold’ topping the list
Book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs, according to the American Library Association. And efforts to have titles removed have never been more coordinated or politicized.
3 days ago in Entertainment
South Korean police seek to arrest K-pop mogul behind BTS
South Korean police said Tuesday they are seeking to arrest music mogul Bang Si-Hyuk, chairman of the agency behind K-pop supergroup BTS, as they expand an investigation into allegations that he illegally gained more than $100 million in an investor fraud scheme.
Features
3 days ago in Lifestyle
What to know about psychedelic retreats, a booming business with few safety guardrails
Surging interest in the purported benefits of psychedelic drugs has given rise to books, documentaries and conferences dedicated to the mind-altering substances. Now add one more business to the list: psychedelic retreats.
4 days ago in Lifestyle
To make hosting less stressful, strive for connection and not perfection
Inviting friends and family members over for a celebration, holiday or routine dinner provides an opportunity for connection, but pressure to serve good-tasting food in a clean and welcoming environment can deter many people from hosting or prevent them from being fully present with their guests when they do.
2 weeks ago in Music, Lifestyle
It’s music festival season. How to stay safe and healthy while enjoying the show
Music festival season has arrived: a time to gather outside with friends, listening to tunes, dancing, and maybe even getting the chance to rub shoulders with musicians you love.
2 weeks ago in Features, Trending
Happy 69th birthday to Fatou, the world’s oldest gorilla living in captivity
Fatou, the world's oldest gorilla living in captivity, celebrated her 69th birthday with a feast Monday, munching on cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks and lettuce at the Berlin Zoo.
2 weeks ago in Lifestyle
Travelers face higher costs and fewer flight options as jet fuel prices swing
A new reality is setting in for travelers worldwide: rising fees, fewer flight options and difficult decisions about whether a trip is worth the cost.
3 weeks ago in Lifestyle
Can a single therapy session make a difference? Experts say yes, with the right mindset
Experts say an increasing number of people who, at least for now, have decided to forgo the weeks, months or even years that traditional therapy implies in favor of a more targeted approach.
News from 828NewsNOW
12 hours ago in Community, Education, Local
May 1 rally shifts Buncombe County Schools to teacher workday
Buncombe County Schools has announced that schools will close for a teacher workday on Friday, May 1, the date of a statewide educator rally in Raleigh, N.C., citing safety concerns.
16 hours ago in Arts & Culture, Community, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, On The Town, Outdoors
State of Asheville stages: Montford Park Players
Over a year and a half after the widespread devastation of Tropical Storm Helene, which hobbled business, tourism and the arts across Western North Carolina, 828newsNOW takes a look at how the theater community has recovered. First up, the Montford Park Players.
18 hours ago in Local, Native Advertising
Ground broken on long-awaited I-26 Connector in Asheville
$1.8B project aims to ease congestion, improve safety and link key regional corridors by 2031
21 hours ago in Local, Native Advertising, Outdoors
Drought persists across Asheville area as rain relief expected this weekend
More than 238,000 in Buncombe County affected as state officials maintain burn ban amid dry, windy conditions
Sports
21 hours ago in Sports, Trending
NFL teams are almost on the clock as draft night in the Steel City has arrived
Put aside the mock drafts because it's time for the real deal. The NFL draft is here in the Steel City.
21 hours ago in Sports
Players say MLB’s robot umpires are shrinking the strike zone
Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald knows that — in theory — Major League Baseball's new Automated Ball-Strike system shouldn't favor batters or pitchers.
2 days ago in Sports
Cowboys plan for George Pickens to play on franchise tag in 2026 without long-term deal
The Dallas Cowboys are planning for George Pickens to play on the franchise tag this year and won't negotiate with the star receiver or his agent on a long-term contract, executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said Wednesday.
2 days ago in Sports
Sabres power play goes ice-cold again as series against the Bruins shifts to Boston for Game 3
The Sabres haven't been able to push the Bruins around on the ice. What's worse, Buffalo hasn't been able to take advantage of their power plays when Boston pushes back.
What's Going On
Trending
21 hours ago in Sports, Trending
NFL teams are almost on the clock as draft night in the Steel City has arrived
Put aside the mock drafts because it's time for the real deal. The NFL draft is here in the Steel City.
21 hours ago in National, Trending
Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in a historic shift
President Donald Trump's acting attorney general on Thursday signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug, a major policy shift long sought by advocates who said cannabis should never have been treated like heroin by the federal government.
2 days ago in National, Trending
Wildfires across Georgia and Florida have destroyed nearly 50 homes and are forcing evacuations
Wildfires burning across the southeastern U.S. forced more people to flee Wednesday after destroying nearly 50 homes in Georgia and causing some schools closings as drought and winds fueled flames.
Late Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy still looms over British monarchy 100 years after her birth
Queen Elizabeth II lives on at the Cool Britannia gift shop across the road from Buckingham Palace. Four years after the queen's death, the shop is doing a brisk business in mugs, tea towels and key rings bearing the likeness of Britain's longest-reigning monarch as the nation marks the centenary of her birth on Tuesday.



