Nearly 400 people marched on the campus of Western Carolina University Wednesday afternoon in response to racist videos featuring students that were posted to social media last weekend. Those students are no longer enrolled at Western Carolina and will not return. In a sea of purple face masks, students gathered near the fountain on campus for the Whee United March – a play on the campus location in Cullowhee. “Whee Want Change, Whee Want Change,” the crowd chanted. Senior Donnavan Spencer is a

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis stopped in Asheville Wednesday as part of a statewide tour promoting the Paycheck Protection Program crafted in response to the pandemic.

While he was being renominated Monday in Charlotte for a second term in office by the Republican Party, Mills River waited for President Trump. Much of the crowd at President Trump’s rally was made up of farmers and local politicians. But not all of them agreed with the president. “I’m here today representing the Town of Mills River.” That’s Brian Caskey. He’s the Mayor Pro Temp of Mills River. Caskey thought he might be the only Democrat at the rally. He doesn’t agree with Trump, especially

Environmentalists and clean water advocates are urging the City of Asheville to do its part in cleaning up the French Broad River.

On Day 1 of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, President Donald Trump traveled about two hours west to a produce packing facility in Mills River. Masks were encouraged but not required as President Trump spoke to a few hundred at Flavor 1st Growers and Packers. “Ladies and Gentlemen to introduce the President of the United States the co-owner of Flavor First Growers and Packers Kirby Johnson.” Johnson’s company is part of a USDA program for families impacted by COVID-19. “As a

Every Friday, BPR's Helen Chickering talks with NC Health News founding editor Rose Hoban. This week they discuss the quick- switch to all online-learning by two universities in the UNC system, the complicated challenge of communicating public health messages during a pandemic along with a check-in with primary care practices. HC: Boy, what a difference a week makes. So, let's start off the bat with talking about the decision by UNC Chapel Hill and now NC State to switch to all-online learning.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Graham County closed its borders. BPR talks with a local nonprofit about economic struggles of finding food during the pandemic: As one of the least populous counties in all of North Carolina, Graham County has seen a slower spread of COVID-19 than other areas. It took until this month for community spread to occur. But throughout the pandemic, access to food has been an issue in the community. “I’m standing outside the door hollering numbers

Western North Carolina author David Joy’s latest novel came out this week. Known as a teller of dark, gritty fiction set in the Smokies, Joy is rooted in the region. That led to him falling under the influence of one of America’s greatest working writers.

Two of the 'Power 5' NCAA conferences - the Big 10 and Pac 12 - have already postponed their football seasons due to the pandemic. The three others - the ACC, Big 12, and SEC - are forging ahead...for now. Should there be a season? Dr. Victoria Jackson says asking that glosses over so much of what ails college athletics and the athletes themselves. She's a professor of sports history and religious studies at Arizona State University, and former college athlete herself at UNC Chapel Hill. She and

Republican nominee candidate for NC Congressional District 11 Madison Cawthorn is facing new allegations of sexual misconduct. BPR spoke with Cawthorn at a law enforcement rally over the weekend: Last week, Katrina Krulikas, took to Instagram to share her story about a date she went on with Cawthorn six years ago. On that date, she said Cawthorn forcibly tried to kiss her. In the post she writes: “ I recall being so startled, that as he tried to grab me and I attempted to pull away, my hair was