On the afternoon of August 21, 2017, a giant shadow will sweep across North America – the first total solar eclipse in the continental United States since 1979 and the first to run from sea to shining sea since 1918. Western North Carolina is situated in the path of totality and hotels and viewing spots are quickly selling out. In preparation for the astronomical event, Blue Ridge Public Radio is hosting a science-art competition for middle, high school, and community college students in the

Western North Carolina Congressman Mark Meadows chairs the ‘Freedom Caucus’, a group of hardline conservatives known for their aversion to government spending and desire for deep budget cuts. But there’s one federal program Meadows does not want to see slashed. It’s one that operates in his backyard. The Appalachian Regional Commission gives federal funding to parts of 13 U.S. states to aid job creation and infrastructure upgrades. Congressman Meadows Western North Carolina district almost

Last year’s wave of wildfires is still fresh in the mind's of many mountain residents. Whether that was a one-time event or the new normal is something environmental groups from Western North Carolina are trying to figure out. It was a packed house at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, as well over a hundred residents turned out for the “Before We Burn Again” panel discussion. The goal of the event was simple: to raise awareness about the threat of future wildfires in the mountains, after

Congressman Mark Meadows says “steps in a positive direction” are being made in regards to resurrecting Republican hopes of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, known to many as "Obamacare". The Western North Carolina Republican chairs the ‘Freedom Caucus’, which consists of the most conservative members of the GOP-controlled Congress. Their opposition to the initial health care bill led Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump to pull it before it was voted on. The Trump

A bipartisan bill sponsored by Henderson County Republican Representative Chuck McGrady aims to give more flexibility to North Carolina craft brewers to run their businesses. At a news conference last week, McGrady unveiled House Bill 500 , an omnibus bill making changes to the way alcohol is governed in the state.

Among the many federal programs and agencies President Donald Trump is proposing to eliminate in his budget plan is the Appalachian Regional Commission . The agency serves parts of 13 states, including Western North Carolina . President John F. Kennedy first proposed the ARC, though it was not officially created until after his death. Smoky Mountain News reporter Corey Vaillancourt stopped by BPR News studios to discuss the history, reach, and impact of the Appalachian Regional Commission - and

In the dining hall of the VA Community Living Center in Asheville, 96 year old Wayne Carringer sat tall in his wheelchair, stationed next to the podium, where former State Representative Joe Sam Queen, recalled the brutal highlights of his distinguished military career “He has lived the blood and guts of history, and served admirably “ Former State Representative Joe Sam Queen told the crowd. The Graham county native had been stationed in the Philippines for just two weeks when Pearl Harbor was

Congressman Mark Meadows says he does not take President Donald Trump’s tweets at him ‘personally’. The Western North Carolina Republican drew the ire of the President following the failure of the GOP’s healthcare bill last week. While Meadows doesn’t take the President tweets personally - including one that urged a fight against the Freedom Caucus which Meadows chairs - the Congressman doesn’t think they’re all that productive in furthering the Republican goal of repealing and replacing the

The NCAA men's basketball Final Four takes Saturday in Arizona. There will be a Carolina feel in the desert air, as both North and South Carolina will be playing. It's the first time the Gamecocks have made the Final Four, while for the Tar Heels it's their 20th, the most of any school in the nation. Basketball isn't the only thing making national headlines from the Carolinas. Politics and personalities from both states are too. Western Carolina University political science professor Chris

This week, BPR's gardening expert explains the dos and don'ts of the spring vegetable garden.