WCU students and faculty help Cypress Missions become a “beacon of hope” for WNC

Spring break is usually the time students and faculty take the opportunity to go on trips with their friends or family. Some take the opportunity to have some time off and just relax in their hometown. Eight WCU students saw it as an opportunity to work and help those in need in the Western North […]

SMN: Edwards dodges questions on Medicare, Franklin Social Security office closing

Story from Smoky Mountain News politics editor Cory Vaillancourt, re-published with permission In what could very well be a sneak preview of his in-person town hall in Asheville later today, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) abruptly walked away from a podium in Canton’s Sorrells Street Park and refused to answer questions about federal cuts to programs […]

WCU is building up and losing commuter parking

Story originally published in The Sylva Herald, March 13 edition The Western Carolina University first Board of Trustees meeting this year on March 6 and 7 was an opportunity to brag on the university successes: high enrollment; increase in the retention of students (over 90%) and increased graduation rates (over 44%). The trustees received updates […]

DEI policy a ‘moving target’ for WCU

Story produced with Mackenzie Atkinson The University of North Carolina system sent out a memorandum on Feb. 5 about systemwide implementation of President Donald Trump’s Jan. 21 Executive Order “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” to all chancellors and provosts. The memo goes into detail about new requirements for working with federal agencies that […]

Sylva bookstore City Lights makes it to 40

Story originally published in The Sylva Herald, Feb. 19 edition City Lights, Sylva’s independently owned used and new bookstore will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. It will be a proper birthday party with friends having fun with live music, refreshments and cake. Because of corporate bookstores, such […]

The Great Outhouse Races: A day of fun and chaos

Rain could not stop outhouses from taking to the slopes on Feb. 15 in the 18th Annual Great Sapphire Outhouse Race.   Around 20 teams showed up to race. Many of the teams were repeat participants, updating their outhouses each year to try to better their chances of winning. Despite the heavy rain, a crowd […]