Shows
Due SouthNC News Roundup: Western North Carolina, one year later; Helene recovery funds; crime bill goes to Gov. Stein's deskOn the North Carolina News Roundup...Today, Due South broadcasts from Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville. It has been one year since Helene caused widespread destruction in Western North Carolina. One hundred and eight people died in what was the deadliest modern storm in state history, and the total damage in the region exceeded $60 billion. Co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with reporters from BPR about what happened a year ago in Western NC, and what has happened since. Also, political updates, including the crime bill sent to Governor Josh Stein's desk.Laura Hackett, Helene Recovery Reporter, Blue...
2025-09-2650 minDue South"Helene, One Year Later," a statewide journalism collaborationIt has been one year since Helene. We honor the first anniversary with a collection of voices and stories, from Western North Carolina. Remembering the deadliest storm in modern history and looking ahead, a year after Helene. This hour of Due South is a collection of voices of those who lived through the storm and includes reports on some of the lingering issues that face the region.Featuring:Leah Wong Ashburn, President/CEO Highland BrewingMaureen Copelof, Mayor of BrevardKevin Corbin, NC state SenatorBeth Holmes, S...
2025-09-2551 minDue SouthNC News Roundup: Spending cuts in House budget plan; no charges from congressman kerfuffle; politicization of librariesOn the North Carolina News Roundup... After more than six months of legal battles, Allison Riggs has officially been sworn into the North Carolina Supreme Court.The NC House has begun rolling out its budget proposal. Due to a decrease in funds, legislators are tasked with determining spending cuts.No charges will be filed after Chuck Edwards, a U.S. Representative for Western North Carolina, was accused of hitting a man with a clipboard during a Rotary conference.And — the politicization of libraries.Co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with a pan...
2025-05-1650 min
Podcast - Inside Appalachia Story Archives - West Virginia Public BroadcastingEncore: Celebrating Foxfire, Inside Appalachia
Since 1967, Foxfire has been a storehouse of traditional Appalachian knowledge that still helps people today.
It continues to preserve music and history, but part of Foxfire’s heritage has been recording the stories of Appalachian women.
This week, Inside Appalachia explores Foxfire — its past, present and future.
In This Episode:
What Is Foxfire?
The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Women
Oral History Tradition Continues Today
What Is Foxfire?
The Foxfire office in Rabun County, Georgia. Photo Credit: Lilly Knoepp
Foxfire began in 1967 as a student-run magazine in North Georg...
2024-12-0200 minDue SouthNC News Roundup: Reporters across the state break down the election results in North CarolinaOn the North Carolina News Roundup… The 2024 election is over. Donald Trump won easily here in North Carolina. Democrat Josh Stein did too. What gives? Just another ticket-split in the Old North State. We'll chat with reporters from across the state about what happened and why. Republicans are going to maintain strength at the North Carolina General Assembly. Democrats will hold on to the attorney general's office. We'll discuss voter turnout and a growing coalition that the former president — now president-elect — received here in North Carolina. Join Due South co-host Jeff Tiberii an...
2024-11-0850 minDue SouthPurple Ballot: NC early voting breaks records; prospects for a legislative super majorityEarly voting in North Carolina was record-breaking. Two political science professors break down what that could mean for Election Day.Then, we turn to our Election Special and synthesize the battleground, strategy, and stakes. Public radio reporters from Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington and Winston-Salem share the issues, candidates, questions, and concerns across the state as we approach Election Day.GuestsKerry Haynie, Dean of the Social Sciences and Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Department of African & African American Studies, Duke UniversityMichael Bitzer, Politics Department Chair and Professor...
2024-11-0451 minDue SouthNorth Carolina Election Special Part 1This is part one of a two-part North Carolina Election Special, a statewide collaboration between NC public radio stations. This hour, a framework of the November election in North Carolina. With early voting underway, host Jeff Tiberii speaks with reporters about key issues from the mountains to the coast. We discuss the political ramifications following the destruction of Helene in Western North Carolina.Republicans are seeking to hold legislative veto-proof majorities at the NC General Assembly. We synthesize the battleground, strategy, and stakes.Public radio reporters from Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington and Wi...
2024-10-1751 min
Podcast - Inside Appalachia Story Archives - West Virginia Public BroadcastingHurricane Helene Comes To The Mountains, Inside Appalachia
Hurricane Helene dumped nearly 30 inches of rain in parts of western North Carolina and east Tennessee. Communities are reeling from the devastation. We check-in with Lilly Knoepp at Blue Ridge Public Radio in western North Carolina.
Also, a new book illustrates the tiny worlds of mountain critters, like a lizard that changes color.
And White potters co-opted the African art of face jugs in the 1800s. A modern-day Black potter says his art can’t be replicated.
In This Episode
Hurricane Helene Hits Appalachia
Rosalie Haizlett Explores “Tiny Worlds”
Reclaiming An African Art
...
2024-10-0700 min
Inside AppalachiaHurricane Helene Comes To The Mountains, Inside Appalachia
Hurricane Helene dumped nearly 30 inches of rain in parts of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Communities are reeling from the devastation. We check-in with Lilly Knoepp at Blue Ridge Public Radio in western North Carolina.Also, a new book illustrates the tiny worlds of mountain critters, like a lizard that changes color.And White potters co-opted the African art of face jugs in the 1800s. A modern-day Black potter says his art can’t be replicated.
2024-10-0753 minDue SouthNC News Roundup: Absentee ballots set to go out; recreational marijuana in NC; perspectives on school violenceOn the North Carolina News Roundup… The Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ballot hokey pokey has concluded. We think! What’s going on with those absentee ballots set to go out Friday? Later, new test scores for K-12 public school students are setting off another debate over how to improve outcomes for our young people.Meanwhile, are state lawmakers closing in on a deal for more school voucher funding? In Asheville, nurses have authorized a strike. We’ll get an update on the labor disagreement at HCA-owned Mission Hospital. All that and a...
2024-09-0650 minDue SouthNPR’s Sarah McCammon investigates her religious upbringing in “The Exvangelicals”; White Evangelical Protestants have most favorable view of TrumpSarah McCammon speaks with Leoneda Inge about her book The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church, which is already a New York Times' bestseller.And, how white Evangelicals propelled Trump to the Republican nomination for President for a third time. GuestsSarah McCammon is a National Political Correspondent for NPR and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast. She is author of the new book Lilly Knoepp is Senior Regional Reporter for Blue Ridge Public RadioChris Cooper is a Political Science and Public Affairs professor at We...
2024-04-0349 minDue SouthNorth Carolina Primary Election SpecialThe North Carolina Super Tuesday Primary is upon us. The March 5th election will have significant influence on the composition of the next Congress, Legislature, and boards of education across North Carolina.Join WUNC and Due South co-host Jeff Tiberii for an hour-long special to contextualize the candidates, issues, and importance of the primary.We're partnering with NPR member stations in Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem for a statewide special featuring political experts and reporters from around the state.Featuring:Chris Cooper, professor of political science and public affairs...
2024-03-0551 min
The BroadsideOne state could be a test case for tackling the opioid crisisRecent litigation to hold drug makers accountable for the opioid epidemic has led to settlements totaling $50 billion that are being distributed to state governments throughout the United States. We explore some of the potential solutions in our home state of North Carolina and find out how its hyper local model for distributing funds could be a compelling test case for tackling the crisis nationwide.Featuring:Jason deBruyn, Health Reporter at North Carolina Public RadioLinks:
Check out Jason’s reporting on the distribution of opioid settlement funds. His work was part of a joint st...
2023-11-3017 minThe BroadsideThe process to return Native American remains is brokenFor over a hundred years, Western archeologists built vast collections of looted Native American artifacts and human remains. For many Native Americans today, those violations have left a painful legacy. A glimmer of hope appeared in 1990, with the passage of a federal law intended to facilitate the repatriation of Native American ancestors to their tribes. But 30 years later, tens of thousands of remains and funerary artifacts are still held at institutions around the country. Featuring:
Laura Pellicer, Contributor at North Carolina Public Radio
Lilly Knoepp, Senior Regional Reporter for Blue Ridge Public Radio
Miranda Panther, NAGPRA O...
2023-11-1621 min
Inside AppalachiaThe Changing Media Landscape, Inside Appalachia
This week, we’re joined by Lilly Knoepp, regional reporter at Blue Ridge Public Radio in Western North Carolina.
Boom and bust cycles for coal, timber and textiles are nothing new to Appalachia. Today we’re seeing another industry struggle –local journalism.
Some newspapers have scaled back or disappeared entirely, but journalism isn’t dying. Journalists are adapting and some are reinventing what they do.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
2023-06-1953 min
It Still LivesSeason 4, Episode 1: A Diary of an Appalachian GardenWe are kicking off Season 4 of It Still Lives with an interview from with art lover, gardener, and author Mignon Durham to talk about her passion project Devotion and how it helped her cope with the uncertainty we faced during 2020. Listen as Foxfire curator Kami Ahrens and Blue Ridge Public Radio regional reporter Lilly Knoepp talk with Mignon about her experiences in Appalachia and creating a space in our community that honors the culture here.
2022-02-0129 min
BPR NewsNew Mayors of WNC: Joe Slaton of HayesvilleMayor Joe Slaton spoke with BPR's Lilly Knoepp about his plans to improve tourism, housing and bike access in Hayesville. "We're working on a pedestrian and bike lane, a trail that would connect the assets that we have in town," said Slaton. Slaton ran unopposed to win the position of mayor with just 21 votes - 91 percent of the total votes cast. Sixty-three people voted in the town council election. Hayesville is in Clay County. Slaton was previously on the town council for 5 years. He says he has a tough first job ahead - he needs to find a replacement for...
2021-12-1018 minBPR NewsNew Mayors of WNC: Maureen Copelof of Brevard Maureen Copelof won the city of Brevard with 47 percent of the vote. She was previously a member of city council for four years. Copelof says that time on city council has given her a deep understanding of the regional issues facing Brevard and its neighbors across Western North Carolina. She tells BPR's Lilly Knoepp that healthcare, housing, development and the environment are all at the top of her list of goals as mayor. The former U.S. Navy captain served for 30 years before retiring to Brevard. "[The military] taught me, you know, that you get involved. You want to see...
2021-12-0613 minBPR NewsNew Mayors of WNC: Jack Hoton of FranklinJack Horton has been involved in local Western North Carolina politics since the 1970s. In November, he ran unopposed to become Franklin's new Mayor. BRP's Lilly Knoepp spoke with Horton about his career and what he hopes to achieve in his new role. Here are some of the highlights of Horton's career in the region: Horton was the first appointed Swain County manager in 1978. He then served as county manager in Macon County from 1985 to 1991 before becoming the first appointed Haywood County manager in 1991. He stayed in that position for 15 years . Horton then managed nearby Caldwell County before heading back...
2021-11-2220 minBPR NewsCherokee County former DSS director pleaded guilty, insurer sues county Cherokee County's former Department of Social Services director pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of justice at the end of October. The charge focuses on Cindy Palmer's use of an illegal custody agreement which could have unlawfully removed as many as 50 children from their homes in the county. Carolina Public Press' lead investigative reporter Kate Martin has been covering the trails of those families for two years and spoke with BPR's Lilly Knoepp about ongoing litigation. Lilly Knoepp: This case has revolved around a DSS policy using a custody and visitation agreement to remove children from their parents without court oversight...
2021-11-0312 minIt Still LivesSeason 3, Episode 10: An Interview with Cherokee Author Annette Saunooke ClapsaddleBack in April, host Kami Ahrens was joined by Blue Ridge Public Radio reporter Lilly Knoepp on an interview with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian's first published author, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle. Born and raised on the Qualla Boundary, Annette shares stories from her childhood at the foot of the Smokies. In fall 2020, Annette released her debut novel, Even As We Breathe, which explores the American culture during World War II from an indigenous perspective.
2021-10-051h 02BPR NewsEastern Band of Cherokee Election Results: Tribal Council And Expanded Alcohol LawsEastern Band of Cherokee held its general election on September 2 nd . The unofficial results for the new tribal council and the three referendum questions on the ballot. BPR's Lilly Knoepp spoke with Holly Kays, outdoor editor and staff writer at the Smoky Mountain News about the election results. Lilly Knoepp: So Holly and I just spent the day together at Tribal Council meeting. This was recorded September 9 th . She is much more experienced with Tribal Council than I am. She's been covering it for seven years now, can you kind of explain the breakdown of Tribal Council to folks? Holly...
2021-09-1106 minBPR NewsWNC COVID Spike Mirrors Rising Statewide Numbers COVID-19 numbers have spiked across North Carolina in recent days. BPR's Lilly Knoepp has a look at what's going on in the far-western counties... When infections spiked at the beginning of this year, Western North Carolina was a few weeks behind more urban parts of the state in seeing high COVID-19 numbers. That's not the case in this newest wave explains Haywood County Health Department spokesperson Allison Richmond. "I think our spike looks very similar to the state level. I think we are growing at a rate that is very similar to what it was at our peak in December...
2021-08-0401 min
BPR News ExtendedBPR News Presents: The Porch Episode 007In this episode of The Porch, a production of the BPR news team, we hear from - BPR's Lilly Knoepp about her reporting on the independent monitor tasked with ensuring HCA holds to the promises it made when it purchased Mission Health Joel Burgess of the Asheville Citizen-Times about Asheville City Council's retreat this month which was at the center of a lawsuit filed by five local media outlets. Burgess also talks about the latest on how the city will set property taxes this year. Dr. Chris Cooper , political scientist at Western Carolina University, talks about the comparatively slow pace...
2021-04-1557 min
BPR News ExtendedExtended Interview: 'Art Helps Us Meet In The Middle,' Says NC Poet Laureate Blue Ridge Public Radio's Lilly Knoepp sat down with North Carolina's Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green after she visited Western Carolina University writing students . Shelton Green talked about how she views her work as a part of Southern Literature, why poetry is important and where real change happens. Here are some key parts of the conversation. How people should be introduced: "I believe in the philosophy that what we keep, keeps us. So I ask people to introduce themselves by way of an object, a memory, a place or something special that they keep. And as we go around the...
2019-11-0125 min