Just one word describes "Special" Envoy Steve Witkoff. That word is traitor. If you are helping Russia achieve its goal of conquering a neighboring country, you're not representing America's best interests. There's no spinning that.

Great article explaining why today's artificial intelligence systems (really Large Language Models) are artificial, but not so intelligent. Utilizing language models is not at all the same as understanding the concepts behind the words. In short, today's AIs don't really "know" anything at all.

If you've actually gone grocery shopping recently, it's pretty easy to tell that prices aren't down.

We can do away with it without a new Supreme Court. Nor do we need a constitutional amendment. There’s a far simpler way to get rid of Citizens United. Let me explain. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/how-to-get-rid-of-citizens-united

Great article by a Canadian who sees what's happened in America & is happening in Alberta & is issuing a call to action.

I'm not anti-military. As a country, we have to defend ourselves & I thank those who serve our country as members of the armed services. That said, a soldier with a gun kneeling at a Christian grave in front of a tank (with a No Climbing sign) doesn't exactly say Merry Christmas or Peace on Earth.

Did you know that North Carolina is the nation's second largest producer of Christmas trees? Nearly all of those are grown right here in the western part of our state. Buying a locally grown tree is a great way to support small farms and local agriculture! 🎄 #NC11 #WNC #WesternNC

I had a great day in Yancey County with a legend Johnny Deyton who took me to visit small businesses and farms, to tour some damage of the Cane River from Hurricane Helene, and had some fellowship with a lively crew at lunch.

The American people begged their leaders to stand up to Trumpism. Instead, their Senate “leader” sold them out. When courage becomes optional, democracy becomes impossible... open.substack.com/pub/thomhart...

Local mountains around Asheville as seen from my street have a dusting of snow this AM. The farther away & higher elevation ones up towards Tennessee I can't get a good picture of, but they're covered in white. I like to think of this just as a winter "preview", since Saturday it may be close to 70

For Schumer & the 8 Dems who sold out the people who elected them, just a reminder America the Great is the only major Western industrialized country that doesn't provide at least basic universal healthcare for its citizens. America, we can do better than this! Make America Healthy: Tax the Top 5%.

This pretty little scene in Asheville this morning is what happens when autumn abruptly comes to an end & winter suddenly arrives in a blast. Warmer weather is on the way back soon, but I'm guessing this glimpse of winter will now get people thinking about the upcoming winter holidays.

Groceries saw their biggest jump in nearly three years last month, a worrisome sign for inflation-weary shoppers. Tariffs are contributing to higher prices for imported staples like bananas and coffee.

Songs From the Road Band closed out the public celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Asheville Sessions with a performance at Wicked Weed Funkatorium. Such a great collab among bass guitar, guitar, mandolin, fiddle & banjo on traditional Appalachian roots tunes & 60/70s tunes done roots style.

Asheville's River Arts District (RAD) hosted RAD Fest 2.0 today & again tomorrow from 10 AM to 5 PM. All studios open in the Upper RAD plus pop up artists' booths in a couple of the parking lots. If you go, you gotta checkout the recently re-opened Marquee in the Lower RAD. Even better than before!

I was surprised last year to discover that some bonsai trees are bonsai versions of deciduous trees, meaning their leaves turn colors & fall off just like their bigger cousins. So this year I went back to the NC Arboretum in Asheville just in time to enjoy "Bonsai Autumn". Here's some pics.

The fall color show is rapidly approaching its end in the Asheville area. Some individual trees in town are still pretty, but the trees in the mountains are browning & losing their leaves. Possible snow Sunday night/Monday morning! Some pics from the NC Arboretum at the Blue Ridge Parkway today.

Grijalva: I do think that Speaker Johnson misplayed his hand. There are people all over this nation who were out there with signs that said, “Swear her in.” They wouldn’t have even known about me otherwise. Thank you for highlighting how corrupt the system you’re protecting really is.

Baker Farm & Winery at Buffalo Creek in Fallston, NC is a wonderful NC winery between Charlotte & Asheville. It's a great place to enjoy a glass or bottle of their wine, or a wine flight tasting. Charcuterie boards plus food trucks when they have events, like live music when we were there today.

Life in Asheville

Whether they end up in 1st or 2nd place in The Netherland's election, the center-left D66 party has the best chance to form a government, led by the youngest & 1st gay Prime Minister. @petebuttigieg.bsky.social are you watching this election? www.reuters.com/world/dutch-...

Thank you to everyone who came out to our campaign event in Madison County at the Old Marshall Jail last week. 200+ folks, all fired up to elect a voice for the people of Western NC! Special thanks to my friends Josh Copus for hosting us and Graham Sharp for bringing the fun. #NC11 #WNC

It did at least provide me an opportunity for some fog-shrouded pics. And the tree moss was really lichen it!

The leaf show is still underway along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville between the NC Arboretum & Mt. Pisgah. Maybe a couple more weeks to go.

Good rainy morning, Asheville! Leaves still looking colorful, although it's weird that some trees are bare already and some are just starting to turn.

Great to see downtown Asheville bustling last night! Restaurants & bars were all lively & lots of people out walking. We tried, Jazmin, the just opened pan-Asian restaurant where Mayfel's used to be. Still soft opening, but it was packed (booked on Rezy day before even). Great food & service!

During Helene, the water level here at Ashworth Creek was over my head. Now, over a year later, time has passed but the scars and debris remain — and work needs to be done. But Republicans in Washington are more focused on building ballrooms than building bridges here in WNC. #NC11 #WNC #Helene

Pls no. For the good of the Dem Party & the country. It's time for change. I respect & admire Kamala. The way the election played out was very unfortunate. But even so, she failed to connect with voters, same as 2020 primaries. There is no reason to expect that to change www.bbc.com/news/article...

OMG my business SoundSpace here in Asheville NC just got a shout out in Rolling Stone. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Fall is progressing rapidly across Asheville & WNC. Tonight's expected freeze will mean an end to most of the fall flowers & anything left in the garden that isn't a winter vegetable. Some pictures from a hike earlier this week in the woods just south of Asheville.

It was a privilege to support Jamie Ager for Congress tonight at his fundraiser at Zadie's restaurant & hotel in historic Marshall, NC (near Asheville). As a small business person & farmer, with deep roots in WNC, Jamie is exactly the person we need representing NC-11 in Congress! #JamieForCongress

The official renaming of war-ravaged Portland, OR is underway. It offers a reset for a city that has undergone so much death & destruction. Best wishes to you for recovery & rebuilding Frogtown, OR! Make Frogtown Great Again.

EXCLUSIVE: One Saturday afternoon in October, my phone lit up with a notification. I glanced down at the message. “Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began. So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...

After my time as Attorney General and Governor, I didn't expect my public service to take me to Washington. Since we launched this campaign, a lot of folks have asked me: why run for the Senate? You can read my answer here: www.newsobserver.com/opinion/arti...

Look, Donald. The “very small, very ineffective” line worked when Stormy Daniels said it, not here.

FINALLY, tRump generated a crowd size large enough to beat Obama!

Fall is beautiful right now at Catawba Falls in Old Fort, NC, just outside Asheville. Pics were taken while hiking there yesterday morning. There's still time to visit & experience the majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall. Nothing quite like it!

Good morning Asheville/Weaverville!

I submitted my comments. I'm sure I'll get on some "watch list" somewhere, but I probably am already. This sort of blatant power grab is how democracy dies.

Republican leadership in the General Assembly has failed to pass a budget, failed to pay our teachers and law enforcement what they deserve, and failed to fully fund Medicaid. And now they are failing the voters of North Carolina.

A couple more pictures from this week's hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Pisgah National Forest between Brevard & Asheville, plus one looking into the woods behind my house in Weaverville (suburb of Asheville, but a little higher elevation & a little drier than AVL -- it's been a dry fall).

Leaf season is in full swing at mid to higher elevations in the Pisgah National Forest between Brevard & Asheville (see pics from yesterday) & rapidly descending down into Asheville itself. Given how warm it's been, still maybe 2-4 weeks to go depending on elevation & topography.

Great set of signs. Sadly, they could have stretched this out for several more blocks. The list of abuses grows daily.

It's deeply disturbing, childish (we all know tRump acts like a kindergartener) & probably against the law that government websites have a message not only blaming the Democrats for shutting down the government but using the term "The Radical Left Democrats". Isn't that a violation of the Hatch Act?

On National Coming Out Day, know that I will always be an ally to you — no matter where you are on your journey. I know that times may be scary, but you are seen, safe, supported, and loved here in Illinois.

Congrats to UNC Asheville for their women's golf coach, Ross Cash, being named 1 of the Top 20 coaches in the US. Several incredible golf courses in the Asheville area & across WNC. With our mild, sunny winters, you can golf almost year-round, except the worst days of winter. But watch for bears!

Reader’s Digest ranks Asheville as the Nicest Place in America! Come check out Asheville and the rest of western NC to see all they have to offer. www.rd.com/article/ashe...

The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.

BEST BIG CITY IN THE US 9 YEARS IN A ROW. While critics try to paint Chicago as something to fear, the rest of the world knows the truth — this is the best big city in America.