Like journalists all across America, news professionals in Asheville, Buncombe County and the surrounding area find themselves struggling with issues both economic and political. Newspapers are seeing falling subscription rates and staff cuts.  Radio and television newsrooms face audience skepticism about media bias, fostered by accusations on social media and other internet sources.

To provide an update on the state of local news outlets, LAF will host a panel of leading journalists and editors at its February 22nd Critical Issues luncheon.

The panelists are Peter Lewis, reporter and managing editor for Asheville Watchdog; Karen Chávez , interim executive editor of the Asheville Citizen-Times; Jeff Pope, general manager of Blue Ridge Public Radio; Scott McLeod, owner-publisher and editor of the Smoky Mountain News, and Brian Nemitz, news director at WLOS-TV. Here are short biographies of each of the panelists.

This could be your best chance to ask questions of the people who report the news. We hope you can join us.

WHAT: LAF's February 22nd Critical Issues Luncheon

WHERE: The Country Club of Asheville, 170 Windsor Road

TIME: Food Service begins at 11:45am, the program at 12:15pm

COST: $25 for LAF members, $35 for nonmembers

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by12 Noon, Tuesday, February 14th. RSVP to Nancy Williams