Summer Learning Loss – Horizons is a new program in Asheville that reaches students from low-income families who are particularly vulnerable to summer learning loss because of a lack of access to quality summer programs. We’ll find out more in this conversation with Asheville business leader Himanshu Karvir who launched Horizons.

The Coolcast – Today’s guest is special to co-host Darin Waters. It’s his son Jonathan, who is working to keep himself and his generation engaged in our nation’s civic life. Jonathan’s new podcast, The Coolcast, addresses the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Biggest Generation: Millennials. He’s particularly interested in how young men of color are grappling with the move into adulthood.

The Cathedral of All Souls has hired Reverend Naomi Tutu, the daughter of famed South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The younger Tutu begins her tenure at the church in Biltmore Village this fall. Reverend Tutu’s work at All Souls will focus on social justice. That’s according to the Very Reverend Todd Donatelli, the dean of the church that serves as the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. “We realized we are a predominantly white congregation, and we need to be engaged

Just as it was thinking of getting out of the public utility business, Western Carolina University will instead be expanding it's offering to include improved internet service in the area around its Cullowhee campus. In mid-July, Morris Broadband and Western Carolina signed a deal that would allow Morris to attach broadband internet equipment to Western Carolina’s existing electric poles in order to expand access to higher speeds for the community. Mike Byers, vice chancellor for administration

An increase in bear encounters has prompted the U.S. Forest Service to consider clamping down on food storage rules for campers in parts of Western North Carolina. BPR's Helen Chickering has details. Hanging food from a tree is apparently no longer enough to keep away the black bears that live around two popular Western North Carolina camping spots Panthertown Valley , just outside of Cashiers in Jackson County and the portion of the Appalachian Trail that travels through North Carolina “They

NC State University's Institute for Emerging Issues is bringing its forum to Asheville in a month, September 17. New York Times columnist David Brooks will headline the event. Leslie Boney is the IEI's director. He spoke with BPR's Jeremy Loeb about the focus of this year's forum, titled ReCONNECT to Community.

Election Day is less than three months away, and the stakes are pretty high for both Democrats and Republicans in this year's General Assembly elections. The GOP holds veto-proof majorities in both chambers, which the party has used on numerous occasions to override vetoes from Democratic governor Roy Cooper. Democrats only need to flip four seats in the House of Representatives and six in the state Senate to end those super-majorities, and the party is off to a good start in achieving that at

Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Mark Meadows is playing a leading role in the national health care debate. While back home in his district on recess, Meadows engaged in a series of events with veterans, talking about benefits and health care. But not everyone was happy to see him. It’s been something of a tradition since Mark Meadows became Western North Carolina’s congressman in 2013 – early August meetings with veterans. On Aug. 10, Meadows paid a visit to the Haywood County

It’s no secret that access to internet in western North Carolina is a big problem. A recent study found that 73% of people in the area find that their internet access or speed does not meet their needs. IT Director of Highlands Matt Schuler has been working to help bring internet to the town for over 10 years. It’s been a challenge from all angles: legal, technological and literal - since Highlands sits on a plateau at 4118 feet at the top of Cullasaja Gorge. “Highlands is difficult to get to -

A former assistant coach for the University of North Carolina football team says players have the power – if they choose to use it - to reverse the suspensions of 13 players for improperly selling school-issued shoes. John Shoop served as North Carolina’s offensive co-ordinator from 2007 to 2011 under then head coach Butch Davis. During that time, an academic scandal led to the suspensions of several players. Shoop says he sees echoes of that incident in the current one. But he says the ensuing