Who are we? Who do we wish or desire to be? Is there a we? If not, can there ever be a “we?”. In light of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, our hosts ask should we conclude that what we witnessed on 1/6 is in reality who we are - a divided, angry, and violent people?

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-Hendersonville, hasn’t even been in office for three weeks but he’s certainly made waves – not just in D.C., but in his Western North Carolina district.

President Trump is now “former President Trump.” But security concerns lingered during the inauguration of his successor, Joe Biden, after Trump helped incite a violent insurrection earlier this month. In Washington, locals, tourists and, yes, reporters, dealt with the fallout of the insurrection on inauguration day.

Rural counties in Western North Carolina are vaccinating first responders. BPR went to a mass COVID-19 vaccination in Jackson County. A cold wind blows outside the Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee. But it hasn’t stopped officers, firefighters and first responders from lining up to receive their COVID-19 vaccines. “There’s actually been a good turn out. It was actually real smooth once we got in line.” That’s Kent Davis, a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. He’s worked

2021 is just two weeks old, and watching and listening to the news has been traumatic so far. Coming off all that we experienced last year, each day right now can be more than a struggle. How to cope? BPR’s Cass Herrington spoke with Asheville therapist Omileye Achikeobi-Lewis.

In this episode of BPR News Presents: The Porch - We feature an episode of WUNC's podcast Tested titled 'An American Coup' which looks at the only violent overthrow of a government in U.S. history, which occurred in 1898 in Wilmington, North Carolina Western Carolina University political scientist Dr. Chris Cooper gives us a civics lesson on what it takes to remove and/or discipline sitting members of Congress, plus how an impeachment trial of President Trump can go on even when he is no longer

NPR's Student Podcast Challenge invites classrooms to put together a short podcast about any topic of interest and using simple tools – like the apps on your phone. It’s a competition, but also a fun, collaborative learning experience – and a chan c e to hear your work on NPR and member stations. BPR is encouraging classrooms in WNC to participate, and we’ll be answering your questions about audio storytelling. Send us an email or voice memo to [email protected] . After the contest deadline of

In order to meet the demand for vaccinating residents, Macon County is cutting back on contact tracing. On Monday, Macon County Public Health department announced it would no longer issue press releases about COVID-19 clusters in order to move three nurses from contract tracing duties to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. “If you could double my staff then I could vaccinate all week long and test all week long.” That’s Kathy McGaha, director of Macon Public Health. Right now, the department only

A key backer of Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn is now dropping his support following last week’s insurrection at the Capitol in D.C. Former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin Jr. was going to be the District Director for newly-elected Congressman Madison Cawthorn. But after seeing his role in the insurrection last week at the Capitol, Erwin says Cawthorn no longer has his support. “Once a word leaves your mouth you can’t take it back in. And you can either incite or you can calm with

Buncombe County administered its first COVID-19 vaccines Monday under Phase 1B, where anyone over the age of 75 is eligible to receive one. Prior to this, healthcare workers, first responders, and congregate living facility residents received the vaccine.