Non-profits and agencies that work with the immigrant community in Western North Carolina say they're disappointed by the Henderson County Sheriff's decision to renew its agreement with federal immigration authorities.

The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded a grant to connect local students with agriculture opportunities in the region. The Center for Environmental Farming Systems was awarded over $1 million dollars to develop a more connected food system in Western North Carolina. The 3-year-project will bring together the three regional community colleges - Tri-County Community College, Southwestern Community College and Haywood Community College - and Western Carolina University as well as other

The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded a grant to connect local students with agriculture opportunities in the region. The Center for Environmental Farming Systems was awarded over $1 million dollars to develop a more connected food system in Western North Carolina. The 3-year-project will bring together the three regional community colleges - Tri-County Community College, Southwestern Community College and Haywood Community College - and Western Carolina University as well as other

Western Carolina University has grown leaps and bounds in the last 10 years . However, that hasn't been the case for the Cullowhee area. Here's more on the growth of college town . Jackson County 's Planning Board wants to know how residents want to see the Cullowhee Valley grow. Charles Hill is 76 years-old, and moved to Cullowhee from South Georgia 22 years ago. He lives in the Cullowhee River Club and is hoping for more river access and restaurants. "I'm most interested in the River Park and

President Trump this week renewed his pledge to battle the country's opioid epidemic. Trump spoke at a national drug abuse conference in Atlanta. Here in Western North Carolina, students are working to raise awareness about the epidemic. BPR's Helen Chickering reports from A.C. Reynolds High School, where students organized an opioid education summit.

Different organizations that represent the Latinx community in Henderson County are dealing with the fallout from arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Last year over 25,000 people marched at the state capital in Raleigh to support public school teachers through the Red 4 Ed NC cause. This year they'll do it again on May 1 st . Franklin High School teacher John deVille is the vice president of North Carolina Association of Educators. He's also on the Red 4 Ed advisory board. He says May 1st isn't a protest. "I wouldn't want to frame it as a protest. We're calling a day of advocacy," says deVille who has taught at FHS for the last 23 years. Last

There's no marker or memorial to commemorate the victims of one of Western North Carolina's biggest tragedies, but Haywood County musicians Buddy Melton and Milan Miller have immortalized the Cowee Tunnel disaster through song.

Despite this week's summer temperatures, the weather will chill across the mountains this weekend. Here are tips from a horticulture expert on when you should start planting for summer. Don't be fooled by the flowers and tomato plants on sale across the region, says Christy Bredenkamp Horticulture Extension Agent for NC State. We aren't past the "frost-free" date just yet: "So the Internet says the end of April is the last frost date and May 4th or 5th and May 10 and May 15th. I've seen all

UPDATE: Tuesday 5:45 p.m. - Shortly before its scheduled meeting was to begin Tuesday evening, Asheville City Council pushed back a public hearing and potential vote on a proposal to turn the historic Flatiron Building into a hotel until its next meeting May 14th. The plan would turn the 93-year-old building on Battery Park Avenue in downtown into an 80-room hotel with restaurants on its bottom floor. City staff recommend council members approve the plan, but there has been strong pushback from