Paul Foster

WUNC Environment Reporter, Celeste Gracia, sat down with WNCW to talk about her story, "PFAS Pollution Is Hurting Some Small N.C. Businesses And A Lack Of Regulations Makes It Worse". P-FAS, Per and Polyfluoroalkyl-substances, are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. Celeste talked with businesses that have become victims of PFAS and what state legislators are doing about it.

"The Flood: Music for Manna" is available online for song downloads with proceeds going toward Asheville's Manna Foodbank. Like many businesses and homeowners across Western North Carolina, Manna experienced damages and losses due to Hurricane Helene. Project Producer Guy Smith and artists Jay Brown and Josh Pierce were our guests.

Grace Cowan was Paul's guest on this edition of More to the Story, when she shared why more women should hold political office and influence important topics in South Carolina. Other topics in the interview included The Sister Senators and the importance of town halls. Grace is the host of the political podcast Frogmore Stew.

Camp Grier is a 501-c organization, located in McDowell County. Executive Director, Jason McDougal, and Event and Development Director, Sarah Odom, shared the camp's history, summer campers, and their dedication to their region. This includes the Old Fort Strong Fund and something called Grier Village.

Carolina Public Press Reporter, Lucas Thomae, sat down with WNCW to recap his story, "Stein Marks First 100 Days With Wins So Far With Tough Tests Coming". That's North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. Lucas shared what he called wins for Stein, but some tough tests that await him moving forward. Things like more Hurricane Helene relief and education.

Eastern North Carolina's Adrian Wood is one of three authors contributing to the new book, Autism Out Loud: Parenting Children on the Spectrum. She was a guest on the Friday Feature. Wood is the mother of a young teenager with Autism. They share their journey, including challenges that both the child and the parent face. The interview aired in April, which was National Autism Awareness Month.

Find out about The Weave Project and The Weaver Awards, which recognize and celebrate the weavers — those who weave their communities together — in Wilkes County. Local Weave Staffer, Greg Brady, gives the history and meaning of Weave, while award winner, Teacher Heather Williams, shares why she was recognized. This conversation originally aired in March 2025.

WUNC K-12 Education Reporter, Liz Schlemmer joined WNCW to discuss the main reasons parents choose to place their children in private schools or select homeschooling over traditional public schooling. Liz also breaks down the effects of COVID and Charter Schools. This conversation originally aired in March 2025.

Asheville Theatre Alliance (ATA) Co-Founder, Jeff Cantanese was Paul's guest on this feature interview to share what ATA is all about. The non-profit group came together as a way to strengthen the Asheville theatre community as a whole. Jeff also shared details about an ATA podcast that just got off the ground. This conversation originally aired in March 2025.

Madeline Dierauf, a professional fiddler, can be described as a talented musician, an outstanding college student, and someone with a genuine soul. She's also a new and rare recipient of the Oxford University Rhodes Scholarship, that will enable her to continue her studies in England later this year. Madeline, a member of the all- female bluegrass band, The Wilder Flower, is also the daughter of WNCW Music Host, Roland Dierauf. This conversation originally aired in late February 2025.