Paul Foster

WNCW had a chance to recap recent stories by Smoky Mountain News on how the federal government shutdown is affecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park and how nonprofits are helping to keep locations along the park operating. This includes support from Friends of the Smokies and Smokies Life. Our guest was the News Editor of Smoky Mountain News, Kyle Perrotti.

This feature interview focused on the annual October fall and mountains edition of Our State Magazine, which this year is a special issue: "Healing After Helene". Editor-in-Chief, Elizabeth Hudson, shared how the publication reflected on the devastation of Hurricane Helene and how she finds awe in the resilient spirit of North Carolinians that arose amidst the devastation.

Ely Portillo of WFAE shared details of the Charlotte City Council's approval of a plan for a private security firm to patrol more around boarding locations of the city's transit system. Charlotte Transit System (CAT) has received harsh criticism for a lack of security and/or police officers when it comes to the public's safety, on both the rail line and buses. Ely also shared results of a state Latino survey on health and job challenges.

Gardner-Webb University's Professor of Spanish, Dr. Charles Moore, was honored with a distinguished award and grant, which enabled him to publish his book on Spanish history and its rich language. This was made possible by Sigma Delta Pi, and Moore sat down with WNCW to share all the details.

Former Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran was charged and arrested on several charges involving female victims, including charges on land belonging to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cochran resigned from his position, and now Brian Kirkland is serving as the interim sheriff. What's next? Smoky Mountain News - Kyle Perrotti shares the details in this interview from mid-August 2025.

Downtown Spruce Pine Executive Director Spencer Bost sat down with WNCW to go over the all-new Hellbender Festival on Labor Day weekend. Did you know that Hellbenders - a part of the salamander family - roam the waters of Spruce Pine? The hellbender can only be found in 15 states. The festival offers live music, food, crafts, and even river science.

The host of the South Carolina political podcast, Frogmore Stew, Grace Cowan, was on hand to cover the expanding list of candidates vying to be the state's next governor. Grace shares who to take seriously in the race. She also talked about how South Carolina remains one of only a few states without a hate crimes law and how that may be changing.

Staff Reporter for Carolina Public Press, Jane Sartwell, sat down with WNCW to recap her recent story about how federal budget cuts in Washington, DC, were being felt by local programs across the state. Programs like HIV testing, well-water testing, and tobacco prevention. Several State Health and Human Services employees also lost their jobs.

Founder and Director, Heather Maloy of Terpsicorps Theater of Dance in Asheville, shared the exciting news about their new summer production, Appalachian Phoenix. The story, dance performances, and even the music score were inspired by every hero that made a difference following Hurricane Helene. Asheville performances are coming up July 24th through 26th at The Wortham Performing Arts Center.