Paul Foster

It's rare to get to speak with a member of the news media coming off of a trip to war-torn Ukraine, but that's exactly what happened when WNCW sat down with Cory Vaillancourt of Smoky Mountain News. Cory was able to travel to parts of Ukraine before the holidays. The country has been invaded and attacked by Russia for almost one year. The sights and sounds of what Cory experienced make you feel fortunate to be in America.

It was a listen back to a few of the highlight features over the past year. WNCW shared information on the Blue Ridge Honor Flight, the book A Guide To The Appalachian Trail, TV and stand-up Comedian Tommy Davidson, and The Ava Gardner Museum.

It was a listen back to a few of the highlight interviews over the past year. We went back to discussions with WUNC, WFAE, Carolina Public Press, and the Asheville Citizen Times. Topics included "The Deadliest Jail in N.C.", "Abortion in North Carolina", "More Pay for State Teachers" and "Progress In The Review of North Carolina Rape Kits".

Isothermal Community College President Margaret Annunziata sat down with WNCW to talk about the recently completed fall semester and accomplishments for the school in 2022. She also talked about an ongoing strategic plan and other goals for 2023.

WNCW received the assistance of The Blue Ridge Conservancy, located in Blowing Rock, and NPR (National Public Radio) for this story on Virginia Big-Eared Bats at Grandfather Mountain and Box Turtles along the North Carolina Coast. Both have been in the endangered category. Find out what's being done to help in their survival and expansion.

For the third year in a row, a Butterball Turkey representative connected with the Friday Feature to go over the best way to handle and cook the bird during the 2022 Thanksgiving and Christmas season. This interview originally aired on Nov. 18, 2022.

After writing and reporting on North Carolina's state of mental health concerning youth for WUNC Public Radio, Reporter Will Michaels visited WNCW to share what he had learned. The CDC reports there's a rise in cases of depression and anxiety in youth that goes back to the pandemic.

With the Christmas Season comes Winterfest, presented by Tryon Resort and the Tryon Equestrian Center. This holiday attraction for the entire family means Christmas lights, ice skating, the Winterfest Village, entertainment, a Christmas market, and Breakfast with Santa.

Kidsenses, located in Rutherfordton, was the topic of this Friday Feature Interview on Nov. 4, 2022. Executive Director Willard Whitson sat down with WNCW to discuss the museum's ongoing expansion plans and how their demographic is expanding when it comes to children. Whitson says support from the community, local and regional industries, and new grants are helping the future only look brighter for Kidsenses.

All about North Carolina, Our State Magazine was the focus of this Friday Feature, when we were joined by Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Hudson. Hudson shared that this October/Mountain issue of stories and beautiful photos is the largest edition in magazine history.