Asheville Local Frequency: Free Buses, Protest Rallies, and Beloved Cafe Closes After 32 Years

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Tuesday, May 20, 2025. It’s a beautiful start to the day here in the mountains, with sun breaking through the clouds and temperatures expected to reach into the upper seventies. Whether you’re heading to work or looking for a reason to get out and explore Asheville, there’s plenty happening around town. Let’s start with transportation updates. Strive Not to Drive Week continues, and the city is making it easier for everyone to try out greener options. All Asheville city buses are free today, so leave the car at home and hop on board for your commute or errands. Just a heads-up for anyone traveling through the area: I-26 will see overnight closures this week, with detours set up for both east and westbound traffic, so allow some extra time if you’re heading out in the evening. And if you’re driving west on U.S. 74 near Waynesville, keep an eye out for a landslide that’s closed the right lane—crews are working to clear things up as quickly as possible. Closer to Weaverville, NCDOT is making progress on the new bridge over Reems Creek, which should help ease local bottlenecks once finished. In community news, emotions ran high over the weekend as hundreds gathered downtown to protest proposed federal budget cuts. Organizers, including Indivisible Asheville, voiced concerns over impacts to vulnerable communities, social security, and public services, culminating in a dramatic march and “die-in” at Pack Square. The demonstration was largely peaceful but managed to briefly disrupt traffic through downtown as locals made their voices heard. For those looking to get out and enjoy Asheville’s vibrant culture today, the calendar is as full as ever. Downtown galleries and shops in the River Arts District are open, and after last year’s major flooding from Hurricane Helene, there’s renewed appreciation for the creativity and resilience on display in this community. Speaking of Helene, if you’re interested in the ongoing story of recovery and preparedness, tune in tonight for the PBS FRONTLINE documentary “Hurricane Helene’s Deadly Warning,” which includes local perspectives on what it takes to rebuild and protect our city from future disasters. If you’re hungry, today’s your last chance to visit Laughing Seed Cafe before it closes its doors after thirty-two years as a staple on Wall Street. Stop by for a taste of Asheville history and help send off this beloved spot in style. Finally, as we approach Memorial Day, mark your calendars for the annual ceremony at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain next Monday at 10 a.m. It’s a special chance to honor those who served and reflect on the sacrifices made right here in our region. That’s all for your Asheville Local Frequency today. Take care, enjoy what our city has to offer, and drive safe out there. This has been Asheville Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.