Blue Ridge Public Radio

Blue Ridge Public Radio (WCQS 88.1 FM) is the main National Public Radio station for Asheville and the surrounding areas in Western North Carolina. Owned by Western North Carolina Public Radio, Inc., the station offers a blend of programming that includes news and entertainment from NPR and the BBC World Service, along with locally produced talk shows and music. To effectively serve its audience across 11 counties in the hilly landscape of Western North Carolina, Blue Ridge Public Radio utilizes several sister stations and translators. Additionally, listeners can enjoy its broadcasts online through the Blue Ridge Public Radio app and the station's website.

Local

English

Radio

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#320778

United States

#69572

News and Media

#2813

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

‘Go to Western North Carolina,’ Colbert says during Stein’s ‘Late Night’ visit

2 days ago | bpr.org | Gerard Albert III

Appearing on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” this week, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein made the appeal for viewers to visit Western North Carolina as the region rebuilds after Hurricane Helene. Stein encouraged visitors to spend time and money in Western North Carolina – noting Colbert’s love of fishing in the area. “Everybody should go to Western North Carolina this summer. You're gonna absolutely love it.
State plans to request federal funds to bolster WNC’s water supply

3 days ago | bpr.org | Gerard Albert III

The state agency that oversees drinking water quality will soon ask the federal government for money to make water treatment plants in Western North Carolina more resilient to natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. During a visit last week to the North Fork Water Treatment Plant in Black Mountain, NC Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson toured the facility, which is being aided by turbidity reduction machines from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Good news and bad news for Buncombe short-term rental owners post-Helene

4 days ago | bpr.org | Felicia Sonmez

The landscape for short-term rentals in Buncombe County has changed drastically since before Hurricane Helene. For years, Asheville and Buncombe County’s market for short-term rentals — such as those found on websites like Airbnb and VRBO — was booming. Things were going so well that some local residents began to worry about the impact on the city’s affordable housing supply. In 2018, Asheville enacted tight restrictions in response to those concerns.
A gazillionaire becomes conflicted in Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme'

1 week ago | bpr.org | Bob Mondello
Asheville area unemployment improved in April, but hospitality sector still reeling

1 week ago | bpr.org | Felicia Sonmez

Buncombe County’s labor market is continuing its slow recovery from Hurricane Helene, although the leisure and hospitality sector remains hard hit. Figures released Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce show that Buncombe had an unemployment rate of 4.7% in April, down from 5.3% in March. The Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area — which includes Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison Counties — had an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Statewide, the rate was 3.4%.
Last night at Council: Residents speak on taxes and salaries in Asheville proposed budget

1 week ago | bpr.org | Gerard Albert III

Raises for firefighters were top of mind for residents who spoke at Asheville’s budget hearing Tuesday. Discussion of the city’s budget only attracted six speakers during the public comment period – most of whom pushed the city to pass a budget with raises for the fire department.
Community members issue recommendations for I-26 Connector project

1 week ago | bpr.org | Felicia Sonmez

The debate over the Interstate 26 Connector isn’t over yet. On Tuesday, the Western North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the I-26 Citizens’ Coalition released their joint recommendations for the sprawling, $1.2 billion project, which would link I-26 in southwest Asheville with US 19/23/70 in the city’s northwest.
LIVESTREAM: Asheville/Buncombe Education Budget Town Hall

1 week ago | bpr.org | Jose Sandoval

Advocates from Asheville City and Buncombe County Association of Educators (ACAE/BCAE) along with Public School Strong, Families of Asheville City Schools, and Asheville City Schools Foundation will hold a town hall meeting with some of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday evening at AB Tech. According to a post by the groups, the following commissioners are expected to attend: Martin Moore, Jennifer Horton, Drew Ball and Parker Sloan.
‘Save Lake Chatuge’ community members rally against TVA

1 week ago | bpr.org | Lilly Knoepp

Community members rallied against the Tennessee Valley Authority's plans to drain manmade Lake Chatuge for repairs for up to 8 years. Save Lake Chatuge, a group of local community members founded last year, is calling for the TVA to change course or risk destroying the local economy. Kevin Clem, spokesperson for Save Lake Chatuge, is the third generation owner of Boundary Waters Resort and Marina on the lake. “It would be complete devastation for our entire community.
Over-polluted communities vow to fight despite EPA's rollback on environmental justice

2 weeks ago | bpr.org | Nate Perez