Apple Festival boosts tourism in Hendersonville

The smell of cider filled the air as crowds brought life to Main Street in Hendersonville during the 79th North Carolina Apple Festival this Labor Day weekend. The four-day festival shut down Main Street as vendors filled the street with tents and booths to sell their goods. Apple farms throughout Western North Carolina sold fresh […]

Local election season kicks off with candidate forum

A version of this story originally published in The Sylva Herald, Aug. 27 edition.Story produced with Halle Stanley Indivisible Common Ground-WNC hosted a forum for candidates in the upcoming local elections to introduce themselves and answer common questions.  Brooklyn Brownie, Joseph Waldrum, Dwight McMahan, Taylor Armstrong, Samuel McGuire and Calvin Autrey are running for town […]

Payton McNabb’s victim speaks out

This story was originally published in the Smoky Mountain News and written by Cory Vaillancourt. On May 2, 2024, a brief, awkward moment inside a women’s restroom at Western Carolina University was recorded, uploaded to social media, and sparked a flashpoint in America’s ongoing culture wars. At the center of the encounter was Payton McNabb, […]

Catamount grads reflect on graduation cap decor

Story originally published in WCU Stories written by Cam Adams. For Shondel “Junior” Granison, his graduation cap is more than a square board with fabric stretched across the top. It’s a symbol of accomplishment, but also a canvas for Granison to display some of what’s closest to his heart. “I’m also going to have a […]

Department of Education changes worry students about future

Videos produced by Anthony Fowler. With executive orders like “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” and “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” the Trump administration has already made many significant changes to the Department of Education. Many of the changes that have been made fall in line with Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership: The […]

Greening Up the Mountain festival great success

Version of the story was originally published in The Sylva Herald April 30 edition Music, food, beer, arts, crafts, bugs and critters and plenty of people were present at the 27th annual Greening Up the Mountain Festival last Saturday. Officials estimate 11,000 people attended on a glorious day weatherwise. The festival aims to be environmentally […]