Month: August 2009

Opinion

A Broken GOP

As the dust settles following the biggest election in American history, Republican leaders are left baffled as to how their party has fallen. Even with the next presidential election 3 years away, Conservatives are scanning the political landscape for prominent figures and potential presidential nominees. But with a democratic Congress […]

Arts, Entertainment & Culture

WCU Announces 2009-10 Theater Season

The department of stage and screen is kicking off Western Carolina University’s 2009-10 “Mainstage” theater season with the hip, dark comedy “Manuscript.” This season also will feature productions of Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning “A Chorus Line” and the futuristic “Natural Selections.” Shows will begin at […]

Uncategorized

Asheville’s Biggest Party of the Year – Bele Chere 2009

Asheville’s infamous Bele Chere weekend kicked off on Friday, July 24 with plenty of sunshine, music, fine art, universal cuisine and the usual display of unique characters swarming through the downtown streets. Bele Chere is an annual 3-day festival on the streets of Downtown Asheville featuring live, original music all […]

Arts, Entertainment & Culture

Ron Rash Wins SIBA Award for Best Fiction

Ron Rash, the Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Culture at Western Carolina University, is winner of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance book award in the category of fiction for his novel “Serena.” Rash’s “Serena” has been a critical success since its 2008 release and has catapulted the South Carolina-born author […]

News

N.C. Racial Justice Act Passed after Senate Votes

The General Assembly has approved a milestone bill that will now allow death-row inmates to oppose the death penalty by arguing that there is particular racial bias in the way that capital punishment has been applied. Under the bill, a prisoner will be able to bring to life statistical evidence […]

News

Hurricane Probability Downgraded in United States

A near- to below-normal Atlantic hurricane season is now expected as the calming effects of El Niño, a periodic warming of central and eastern tropical Pacific waters, continues to develop. But scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) say the season’s quiet start does not guarantee quiet times […]

News

Estabrooks Named Smith Distinguished Professor at WCU

One of the nation’s top experts in the area of adult neurological communication disorders, Nancy Helm-Estabrooks, has been appointed the first Catherine Brewer Smith Distinguished Professor of Communication Disorders at Western Carolina University. Helm-Estabrooks moves into the professorship from an adjunct professor position she had held since May in WCU’s […]

News

North Carolina May End Vehicle Inspections

North Carolina lawmakers may repeal the state’s required annual motor vehicle safety inspections. The Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday, July 28 debated a measure its sponsor said would save owners more than $12 a year on each vehicle. Sen. Charlie Albertson of Duplin County said residents spend more than $80 […]