Tuesday's shooting at UNC Charlotte has been felt in several Western North Carolina communities, including Asheville and Waynesville. Although Charlotte may seem a world away, when the names of the two deceased were announced Wednesday morning, tiny Waynesville in Haywood County learned it had lost one of its own. “It’s a small town,” said Michael Blackburn of Waynesville’s First United Methodist Church, who knew shooting victim and Waynesville native Riley Howell. “It’s got one high school, one

This time of year plenty of hikers along the Appalachian Trail are making their way through Western North Carolina. They are vital for the economies of towns that sit along the trail – like Franklin, which was the first designated Appalachian Trail Community. There are expected to be over 3,000 thru-hikers this year. Those are hikers who plan to cover all of the almost 22-hundred mile trail that goes through 14 states. Going south to north means an early spring start is necessary to beat the

Teachers from all across North Carolina will converge on Raleigh Wednesday for the second ‘Red For Ed’ rally in support public schools. The president of the Asheville City Association of Educators says the success of the inaugural rally ensured there would be a second one.

Western Carolina’s 12th chancellor was introduced for the first time on campus today. Chancellor-elect Kelli Brown was welcomed with a standing ovation today in her first address on the Western Carolina University campus. Brown highlighted her commitment to higher education and to first generation college graduates during her speech to faculty and community members. “It’s one of those things that seems simple but it isn’t simple because then we would all have it. Right? But it’s not that simple

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

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

The 2019 NFL Draft takes place from April 25th to the 27th. This episode doesn't focus on who's going to get picked and where. Instead, it examines the language used to evaluate players - and John's chilling realization about one aspect of the draft combine process that resembles the darkest chapters of American history. (Music featured includes Light Blue by Alan Spiljak)

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.