ASHLEY HEATH

In 2021 the Cherokee County Department of Social Services (DSS) lost a $4.6 million ruling in a federal court case that involved illegally separating families. Reporter Kate Martin of Carolina Public Press recapped DSS employees who faced court rulings and the events that shaped this sad story. This conversation originally aired on Dec. 15, 2021.

There may never be an episode of Southern Songs and Stories featuring music as far flung as this one, and at the same time there may never be an episode with a storyline that is so unexpectedly close knit. It started out by bringing together two artists I knew but who did not know each other, and who have differing styles of music. Then came a serendipitous revelation that set the stage for a great conversation, and concluded with another surprise when both artists picked a mutual favorite song to talk about in this Three Song Set, one from Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, whom you probably know better as George Michael.

WUNC's Jason Debruyn joined WNCW's More to the Story to go over the news that Toyota selected a location near Greensboro to build its next plant. The plant's main purpose will be to create batteries for electric vehicles. This means a significant boost to the state's business, economic, and jobs growth. This interview from Dec. 8, 2021 provides all the details.

While visiting the campus of Isothermal Community College (Spindale) last month, Thomas Stith dropped by to talk about his first year on the job with WNCW. Stith has been making visits to colleges in the system statewide to see their strengths in action and how they all benefit higher education. Learn about his goals and what's to come. This inerview originally aired Nov. 26, 2021.

McDowell News Reporter- Mike Conley joined WNCW on December 1 to cover some of his latest stories across the county, including the recent passing business leader, Pierce Bradley (96), whose vision opened many doors for the people of Marion and McDowell County. He also discussed how a partnership between the town of Old Fort and UNC-Chapel Hill will make more outdoor trails accessible for Old Fort.

On this segment of WNCW's More to the Story, we skip the usual top news headlines to conduct Turkey Talk with a trained expert from Butterball. Turkey-Talk-Line Representative Ronnie McDaniel spoke with us just before Thanksgiving. However, their bird cooking tips are also good for Christmas and any other time you plan to include a turkey in your meal plans. This interview originally aired Nov. 24, 2021.

There are few people working in the music business today that can say that they have worked in several of its eras. Rick Miller, Mary Huff and Dave Hartman are three who can, having started out in a time when radio airplay was the first step in becoming known outside of their hometown of Chapel Hill, NC. Back then, in the mid to late 1980s, getting your music in the hands of your fans meant you would make cassettes, 45s or LPs. At first, you would make them via the DIY route, sending those out to small regional record labels and select radio stations, usually radio stations in towns where you had some foothold by having played shows there and already being on that music scene’s radar. Once your band got airplay on radio (typically college radio), you would leverage that along with your successful shows to get picked up by an indie label, and keep going from there. Essentially, this is how Southern Culture on the Skids began. Many others did not make it past this era, but they did.

Asheville Citizen Times City and County Reporter, Joel Burgess, returned to More to the Story for details about a Buncombe County deputy being on trial after video footage from a traffic stop. The video triggered the County's Sheriff's office to release the officer. Burgess also went over the latest concerning redistricting in N.C. voting that involves U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorne and the new District 13. The interview originally aired November 17, 2021.

Known for the New York Times Bestseller The Beatles, Author Bob Spitz has now released Led Zeppelin: The Biography. Spitz's story shares how Led Zeppelin, including members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, were not fans of the media and its criticism. They did it their way, through the good and the bad. This book is a true behind-the-scenes look at the band. Spitz was our guest for this Friday Feature on Nov. 10, 2021.