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Laura Hackett

Senior City Editor

Laura is based in Asheville, NC and has written for AVLtoday since March 2021. Before joining 6AM City, she wrote for Mountain Xpress and created content for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce (the 2019 National Chamber of the Year). In her free time, she loves exploring her city by bike, testing out new restaurants, and hanging out with her dog Iroh at the park.

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History
How Buncombe became a slang word for nonsense
Let’s debunk how our county’s name became synonymous with gibberish.
August 11, 2025
 · 
Laura Hackett
City
10+ hall of fame musicians from the Asheville area
From Nina Simone and Roberta Flack to Luke Combs and Billy Edd Wheeler.
June 9, 2025
 · 
Laura Hackett
A photo of the starry night sky at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
Culture
The unique history of Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
PARI is one of only three International Dark Sky-certified Parks in North Carolina — and it has fascinating ties to NASA and the Cold War.
April 16, 2025
 · 
Laura Hackett
Basketball player shooting a hoop
Sports
SoCon Basketball Championships kick off in Asheville
Here’s to a weekend of nonstop ball.
March 3, 2025
 · 
Laura Hackett
AVLtoday_dobra_tea
Business
20+ sober-friendly or alcohol-free places for a drink in Asheville
There are plenty of spots around to take a spirit-free sip — from mocktails and nonalcoholic beers to kava and tea.
January 7, 2025
 · 
Laura Hackett
View of the Asheville skyline after dark
Culture
Unwritten rules of Asheville
Tell us you’re from Asheville without telling us you’re from Asheville.
September 22, 2024
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Laura Hackett
Shelves and aisles at Asiana Market in Asheville, NC
Culture
10+ international grocery markets in Asheville
Take your tastebuds on a trip around the world and enjoy cuisine from every corner of the Earth — without leaving the Land of the Sky.
August 9, 2024
 · 
Molly Wilson
Flat Iron Sculpture
History
Follow the history of Asheville’s Urban Trail
Asheville’s historical Urban Trail has everything from a giant flat iron to a swinging bell to a bronze version of Thomas Wolfe’s shoes.
May 13, 2024
 · 
Laura Hackett
eastern phoebe
Culture
20 birds to look and listen for this season
From the American Goldfinch to the Carolina Wren — these avians can be found all around the area.
April 23, 2024
 · 
Brook Bolen
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