Paul Foster

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.

John Boyle of Asheville Watchdog shared his Road to Recovery story when he was a guest on WNCW. John discussed businesses affected by Helene in Asheville, where owners either closed or restarted, even though the recovery took some time. John also shared some statistics regarding tourism in the region

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.

The Daily Yonder's Anya Slepyan recapped her story about how potters in Madison County, N.C., are keeping a tradition going of how they create pottery. It's also a way to help them and their neighbors heal after the impact left behind by Helene. This discussion goes over a Chinese-style Dragon Kiln, extreme fire temperatures, and a 3-day process that leads to works of clay that are turned into beautifully created vessels.

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.