Celebrating African-American heroes Heroes often spring from unimaginable hardship. Some cases in point: Born into slavery, Robert Smalls (1839-1915) stole the steamship “Planter” right out of the Charleston harbor in 1862, aided by nine other slaves. The group escaped to freedom, handing the ship over to the Union army. Smalls eventually became a U.S. congressman, … Read more
[Editor’s note: In the second of a two-part story, Xpress takes a look at the governmental and commercial forces that have changed the face of radio — both across the country and right here in Asheville.] For some folks, turning on the radio is as much a habit as flipping on the lights. But what … Read more
At the same time the FCC has been tilting toward more deregulation — and therefore consolidation — other groups across the country have been campaigning the federal agency for low-power FM licenses that would allow small radio stations to broadcast in a three- to seven-mile radius. Locally, three applicants are seeking low-power licenses: UNCA, the … Read more
They moved a little slowly — some with the help of canes — but their message to the commissioners was clear: Don’t end the group meal program for the elderly. A crowd of about 55 people, many of them elderly, filled the chambers of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on June 4 to protest … Read more
