Western Carolina University is unveiling NCDataDashboard.org , an online resource that shows key economic indicators and trends for all 100 counties in North Carolina. The site includes 12,000 unique data series according to the school, including information on employment, workforce, land, infrastructure and industry GDP. That data is broken down county by county. Two of those instrumental in creating the resource, WCU economics professors Angela Dills and Edward Lopez, joined BPR's Matt Bush

Our hosts take a look at some of the big topics in sports as June 2018 begins with BPR's Matt Bush - including the NFL's new national anthem policy making players stand or stay in the locker room during its performance, the recent Supreme Court ruling that will pave the way for legalized sports gambling across the U.S., and the Stanley Cup Finals which pit the long-suffering Washington Capitals against the upstart Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team on the cusp of winning a championship in

North Carolina Democrats held a news conference Tuesday blasting state Republicans for their process of adjusting the 2-year budget without allowing amendments. Democrat Darren Jackson of Wake County is the House minority leader. "The public had no involement. Our caucus had no involvement. Many in the other caucus had no involvement.... You have a budget that was written by a few insiders and lobbyists behind closed doors." During a press conference, Democrats presented some of the amendments

TRYON, N.C. (AP) — A TV news anchor and a photojournalist were killed Monday when a tree fell on their vehicle in North Carolina as they reported on flooding and severe weather associated with Subtropical Storm Alberto, the television station said. WYFF-TV Anchor Mike McCormick and photojournalist Aaron Smeltzer both worked in the Greenville, South Carolina, market for more than a decade, anchor Carol Goldsmith said on air, breaking the news. "Mike and Aaron were beloved members of our team —

John and Marcia continue their conversation with sports economist Andy Schwarz about the Historical Basketball League - a proposed sports league that would be the first to pay college baksetball players as they receive their education. In this episode, our hosts and guest focus on how the NCAA might react to the league. (Music featured includes Free Fall by Bio Unit)

For more than five decades, an iconic eatery in Maggie Valley served up healing helpings of homey charm and a hash brown casserole that can’t be beat. That all changed last summer, when owner Brenda O’Keefe closed the restaurant, citing health concerns. Residents worried that it would be the end of an era, but a year later, under new ownership, Joey’s Pancake House is set to reopen. As Brenda O’Keefe tells it, the year was 1966, when a fateful trip through a bustling little tourist town in

Health officials have confirmed four cases of pertussis, (whooping cough) in Buncombe County. Three other cases have been identified, which health officials say are connected to the four lab-confirmed cases. Dr. Jennifer Mullendore is director of Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services. She told BPR's Helen Chickering that the cases are spread out among students at five different schools. Here’s more from Buncombe County Health and Human Services: Buncombe County Health and Human

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina held its annual 'Power of the Purse' luncheon Tuesday. Award-winning journalist and Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa was the keynote speaker for the event. She spoke about immigration, the changing demographics of the U.S., and women in philanthropy. The last part is the focus of 'Power of the Purse' (BPR is a media sponsor of the event), and its organizers announced that $450-thousand in grants will be awarded to groups that work to prevent

North Carolina Democrats are calling on the legislature to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. They plan to re-introduce legislation that stalled in the long session that would raise the minimum wage in phases over five years. Buncombe County Rep. Susan Fisher is among the Democrats taking the lead on the effort.

The Historical Basketball League (HBL) is a proposed sports league that would be the first to pay college players as they receive their education. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) would participate in the league, which is hoping to launch in either 2019 or 2020. According to its website, the HBL " gives schools and athletes an option outside of the traditional NCAA model – providing a choice of whether to go "pro" while in college or to be amateur about it." John and Marcia