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.

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.

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.

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.

Music runs through about everything Joe Hooten does in life. This full-time Social Studies teacher at Asheville Middle School decided he wanted to provide guitar lessons to interested students as well. Known for his own music and a part of the band Tin Roof Echo, Joe shared his desire to put a used guitar in the hands of each and every young teenage student who comes his way. He says it doesn't matter if the instrument has low value, is dusty or slightly damaged, they'll be used.

Echoes of the Forest is a new non-profit group in Western North Carolina, where individuals are taking a stand for large trees that were sadly knocked down by events like Helene. It gives woodworking artists a chance to turn the wood of these trees into incredible art creations. Group founder Liisa Andreassen was our guest. This interview originally aired in mid-June 2025.

The Center for Cultural Preservation is introducing a new film, Color Beyond the Lines," about those in Henderson County who fought to provide an all-black school before integration began. The Center's Executive Director, David Weintraub shares more information in the interview. The film debuts on June 21st. The interview originally aired in early June 2025.

"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.