HOUSING
Asheville’s homeless count climbs despite concerted efforts, new permanent shelter
Homelessness remains stubbornly high in Asheville, with the most recent official count showing the city had 739 people experiencing homelessness as of January 2024, up from 573, in 2023. The change is a 29 percent increase year over year. The number of people without shelter rose from 171 to 219, or 28 percent, but that increase mainly resulted from a more accurate, detailed counting process, the city said. The city of Asheville released the annual “Point-In-Time” count information Thursday, and officials noted the new methodology resulted in a more thorough, accurate count of homeless people. The new methodology determined that…
Keep readingHEALTHCARE
Staff reductions contributed to Mission’s soaring profits after HCA sale, draft report says
Mission Hospital’s patient care profits have skyrocketed since its purchase by HCA Healthcare in 2019, largely because of cost cutting measures that have led to significantly lower staffing levels than at hospitals across the state and nation, according to public data. A 12-page working draft report out of Wake Forest University titled “Mission Hospital’s Financial Performance Under HCA” collates information from federal data, HCA’s own projections, and other studies to show how the Asheville hospital has prospered since the $1.5 billion purchase five years ago. In 2019, Mission’s profits from patient care were just under $20 million, according to the…
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Meet Asheville Watchdog’s newest investigative reporter: Victoria Ifatusin
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Answer Man: Baby bats falling to their deaths? Help! And, what books have been banned in Buncombe County Schools?
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In wake of triumphant opening, Asheville Museum of History wrestles with internal turmoil
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Busier season for prescribed burns should mean less-busy wildfire seasons
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Answer Man: Why did Ace Hardware in south Asheville move? Are address numbers required in city, county?
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies, and the real answers: Question: Hey, Answer Man, if you haven’t seen it, ACE Hardware on Hendersonville Road…
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Answer Man: Is A-B Tech, Mission clinical training suffering? Are we seeing more birds earlier because of global warming?
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies, and the real answers: Question: Question related to HCA — historically, there has been a relationship with A-B…
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Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies, and the real answers: Question: What is the status of repairs, and more importantly, upgrades to the Thomas…
Opinion: Two Asheville City Council members won’t say the Pledge of Allegiance. Is that a big deal anymore?
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Mission Hospital still at risk of losing federal funding
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Budget shortfall forces big changes at UNCA
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