Connect with us

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Dan DeWitt joins Asheville Watchdog as deputy managing editor/senior reporter • Asheville Watchdog

Published

on

avlwatchdog.org – KEITH CAMPBELL – 2025-07-03 07:00:00


Asheville Watchdog has hired Dan DeWitt as deputy managing editor and senior reporter, starting July 7. DeWitt, a veteran journalist with deep ties to western North Carolina, previously worked 28 years at the Tampa Bay Times and launched the digital news site Brevard NewsBeat in 2021. His investigative reporting covered issues like affordable housing shortages, hospital decline, and nonprofit waste. DeWitt praised Asheville Watchdog as a model for local accountability journalism. Founded in 2020, Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit focused on investigative journalism for Asheville and Buncombe County, supported by donations and a mix of volunteers and staff.

Asheville Watchdog has hired Dan DeWitt, a veteran journalist with deep ties to western North Carolina, in the newly created position of deputy managing editor/senior reporter.

DeWitt starts July 7. He is The Watchdog’s second new journalism hire this year.

“We’re thrilled to continue to grow our team of journalists,” Publisher Bob Gremillion said. “Dan has produced excellent journalism in the region for several years and we look forward to seeing his impact on Asheville and Buncombe County.”

DeWitt, who worked at the Tampa Bay Times for 28 years before moving to western North Carolina, launched Brevard NewsBeat in 2021. As the digital news site’s editor and sole reporter, he has written in-depth, investigative stories on a variety of issues, including the shortage of affordable housing, the decline of Transylvania Regional Hospital following HCA Healthcare’s purchase of the Mission Health System in 2019, and wasteful spending at a high-profile nonprofit.

“I’m thrilled to be joining The Watchdog,” DeWitt said. “Not only do I know it as a great publication, but it’s regarded in journalism circles across the country as one of the best and most inspirational examples of the grassroots efforts to revive local reporting and accountability. I can’t wait to start working with this talented and highly accomplished team.” 

From 1989 to 2017, DeWitt worked in the Hernando County bureau of the Tampa Bay Times, formerly the St. Petersburg Times and one of the best regional news outlets in the country. He covered multiple beats, including police, courts, the county commission, schools, business and the environment.

While covering growth and development, DeWitt wrote stories that led to the fraud conviction of a prominent local builder and the imprisonment on federal embezzlement charges of the executive director of a local housing authority. From 2007-2017, he wrote reported columns on local politics and business three times a week.

DeWitt received a bachelor’s degree in history from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Michigan.

Founded in 2020, Asheville Watchdog is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization created and run by award-winning retired journalists and media executives and funded by community donations. A mix of volunteers and paid employees, The Watchdog focuses on investigative and accountability journalism on topics of vital interest to the citizens of Asheville and Buncombe County.


Asheville Watchdog welcomes thoughtful reader comments on this story, which has been republished on our Facebook page. Please submit your comments there.


Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Keith Campbell is the managing editor of The Watchdog. Email kcampbell@avlwatchdog.org. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.

Original article

The post Dan DeWitt joins Asheville Watchdog as deputy managing editor/senior reporter • Asheville Watchdog appeared first on avlwatchdog.org



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This content primarily serves as a factual announcement of a journalist’s hiring at a nonprofit investigative news outlet. It provides background on Dan DeWitt’s career and the mission of Asheville Watchdog without promoting any ideological stance. The language is neutral and focuses on journalistic credentials and accountability reporting. There is no indication of political bias in the reporting itself, though the nonprofit’s mission to cover local accountability could appeal broadly across the political spectrum. Overall, it reads as objective news without framing that suggests partisan leanings.

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

North Carolina’s racial gerrymandering trial ends with dueling expert testimony

Published

on

ncnewsline.com – Lynn Bonner – 2025-07-11 04:30:00

SUMMARY: A federal trial in Winston-Salem reviewed claims that North Carolina’s 2023 election district maps dilute Black voting power, violating federal law. Civil rights groups and voters argued Republican legislators racially gerrymandered districts to reduce Black voters’ influence, especially in the Piedmont Triad, Mecklenburg County, and eastern NC’s 1st Congressional District. Lawyers cited a drop in districts where Black voters could elect preferred candidates, despite population growth. Republicans contended districts were drawn for partisan advantage, not race. Expert witnesses debated whether race or partisanship drove redistricting. The three-judge panel, appointed by Republican presidents, will rule by early August.

Read the full article

The post North Carolina’s racial gerrymandering trial ends with dueling expert testimony appeared first on ncnewsline.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Water plant resumes production in Mebane, but restrictions remain

Published

on

www.youtube.com – ABC11 – 2025-07-10 19:46:33


SUMMARY: The city of Mebane is gradually restoring water production after floodwaters damaged its Grand Haven Water Treatment Plant, which caused a major water emergency. Residents were previously unable to shower at home, prompting community efforts including the Alamance County YMCA and local businesses offering shower access. Many businesses remain closed due to water shortages, and water distribution sites are operational, distributing bottled water amid concerns supplies may dwindle. Repairs to key plant components like pump motors and electrical breakers are ongoing. While water production has resumed, authorities warn it could take days to return to normal, and residents may notice water discoloration during this period.

The Graham-Mebane Water Treatment Plant has resumed production, moving a step closer to gradually returning to normal water.

https://abc11.com/post/tropical-storm-chantal-damage-nc-water-plant-resume-production-mebane-restrictions-remain/17056799/
Download: https://abc11.com/apps/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@abc11_wtvd
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@abc11_eyewitnessnews

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

PETA sues American Kennel Club over standards for French bulldogs, other breeds

Published

on

www.youtube.com – ABC11 – 2025-07-10 12:44:35


SUMMARY: PETA is suing the American Kennel Club (AKC) over breeding standards for popular dog breeds like French bulldogs, pugs, and dachshunds. PETA argues these standards promote unhealthy traits causing lifelong suffering, such as bulldogs’ large skulls and shortened faces that impede breathing. The lawsuit cites UK research showing French bulldogs have poorer health, and notes the Netherlands banned breeding short-nosed dogs. Dachshunds’ long backs and short legs also lead to painful conditions. The AKC rejects PETA’s claims, stating it is committed to dogs’ health and well-being. This lawsuit continues a long-standing conflict between PETA and the AKC.

The animal rights group PETA sued Tuesday to try to force the American Kennel Club to abandon the standards it backs for hyper-popular French bulldogs and some other breeds, contending that the influential club is promoting unhealthy physical features.

More: https://abc11.com/post/peta-sues-american-kennel-club-breeding-standards-french-bulldogs-other-breeds/17038437/
Download: https://abc11.com/apps/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@abc11_wtvd
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@abc11_eyewitnessnews

Source

Continue Reading

Trending