Carolina Public Press Reporter, Jane Sartwell, shares her story specifically on what Mitchell County, NC is going through since the impact of Helene. It wasn't just the loss of structures but the loss of jobs and businesses that are still hurting locations like Spruce Pine.

Cory Vaillancourt of Smoky Mountain News recently wrote a story about musicians in Savannah, Georgia, who are contributing their music to a project called Marshes To Mountains. Funds raised are going towards recovery efforts in the N.C. High Country after damages by Helene. WNCW's Paul Foster spoke with Cory, and project advisor and musician, Jim Reed.

Steve Harrison, Politics and Government Reporter for WFAE in Charlotte, returned to WNCW to discuss several hot topics in the Queen City in early January 2025. That included transit options, cost, and plans, for several light rail systems. Steve also shared new flight plans at Douglas International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the nation.

John Boyle, reporter and columnist with Asheville Watchdog, shared the progress and ongoing concerns related to Asheville's water system, which was wiped away by the impact of Helene. He also talked about how some victims of the storm, who lost their homes, were making their current homes within a compound in Swannanoa. This interview originally aired in December.

Sarah Michaels with Carolina Public Press recapped general election results from Nov. 5th. Sarah broke down voting results in North Carolina, such as absentee voting and how more Republicans voted early this time. She also interviewed Western Carolina University Political Science Professor Chris Cooper for his thoughts. This interview originally aired in late November.

The United States Department of Energy Deputy Secretary, David Turk spoke directly with WNCW to address the federal government's ongoing efforts to help Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene. Turk shared the mission at hand, from electricity restoration to FEMA disaster recovery centers to infrastructure. This conversation aired in October 2024.

Thanks to NPR and UNC Public Radio, WNCW provided parts of a report about the crucial African American male vote for the upcoming election. This segment includes the opinions of hard-working black male voters across the state. This conversation aired in late Sept. 2024

Drought conditions were terrible across the state in June. However, July was quite different with most of the state receiving a significant amount of rain. Carolina Public Press Reporter Jane Sartwell shared the good and bad of NC Farms, when it comes to corn, soybeans, and tobacco. This was an August 2024 interview.

WFAE Executive Editor, Ely Portillo updated More to the Story on the story, "Charlotte Is Failing To Bring Down Traffic Deaths," when he visited our program in August. This included details of the City's Vision Zero plan. Ely also covered, "To Increase Retention, North Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities are Hiring Student Success Coaches."

The pesky emerald ash borer is the main reason the beautiful White Ash Tree is suffering and, in many cases dying, in the Smoky Mountains (North Carolina and Tennessee). Jack Igelman of Carolina Public Press shares these details and how The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is doing their part to make a difference.