ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The year 2025 marked a milestone for 828newsNOW as the local outlet completed its first full year of reporting, expanding its coverage with a focus on the people, places and stories that define Asheville and Western North Carolina.

During the past year, the newsroom used original series to highlight the region’s distinctive character. Among them was Strangeville, which explored legends, folklore and unexplained chapters of Western North Carolina history. Stories examined figures and places such as Cornelia Vanderbilt, the hauntings and horror at Broughton Hospital, a presidential nominee’s home in Asheville and the history of Craggy State Prison.

Another project, Tombstone Tales, looked at lives from the region’s past whose legacies — whether widely known or nearly forgotten — helped shape the area. That series included stories on the world’s heaviest twins, the Balsam Mountain crash of 1903, the slaves who built a WNC railroad, the quiet legacy of the Broughton Hospital Cemetery and an enduring mystery at Riverside Cemetery.

The region’s enthusiasm for food also inspired Fork & Dagger, a weekly anonymous restaurant review column. Written by “Grub Scout,” the series takes an independent approach, with no reservations, press perks or advance notice. Reviews are based on walk-in visits, paid for like any other customer and offer candid assessments of dining experiences across Western North Carolina.

Among the restaurants featured this year were Open Oven, All Souls Pizza, Crusco and Little D’s. The column also drew attention for memorable moments — including what one review dubbed a “saltless disaster.”

As 828newsNOW looks ahead, the newsroom remains focused not just the news but on telling stories that reflect the culture, history and everyday life of Asheville and Western North Carolina.