WHEELife

Learn more about the new polling site in Jackson County, what voters need to know before heading to the polls, the safety of our elections, voter fatigue and deadlines to keep in mind. If you plan to vote in Cullowhee, there’s a change you’ll want to keep in mind about this election. The Jackson County Board of Elections voted to move the Cullowhee election day polling site from the Cullowhee recr...

This week we have a special edition commemorating  second anniversary since Hurricane Helene devastation of Western North Carolina.  Hear from our guest on the recovery efforts, the distribution of funds for projects and politics from Cory Vaillancourt, special Helene Recovery reporter for The Asheville Citizens Times and former editor at the Smoky Mountain News. Experiences and what are various p...

We start this season with looking at the largest freshmen class in the history of WCU. It is an adjustment not just for new students but for upper classmen, faculty and staff since there are more people on campus wanting to park, get to food and more people in the classes. It takes time and our sources say give yourself time to adjust and enjoy the ride. 

Hear from graduates on their experience at WCU, involvement within their programs, and advice for those still in college. Sam Scroggins talks about how she found the Communication major through the advice of a professor, and Halle Stanley gives advice on why managing your time as a student is important. For graduate and doctoral degrees, the ceremony starts on May 8 at 7 p.m. For honors and underg...

 This week on Whee Life, we’re focusing on arts and entertainment at Western Carolina University. We’ll share details on current campus exhibits, highlight recent performances, and preview events still to come. You’ll hear from Bardo Arts Center marketing manager Rachel Hood, along with student reporters, about standout art exhibits, events at the Bardo Arts Center, and the upcoming Controlled Cha...

NASA accomplished something historic. We are step closer to going back to the Moon. Artemis 2 mission to orbit the moon and come back in 10 days was successful and as NASA says on their website “the first crewed Artemis flight marks a key step toward long‑term return to the Moon and future missions to Mars.”   For WCU geology professor Dr. Amy Fagan the Artemis missions are personal.

Scams are not new and happen all over the world. But with advancements in technology, it has become shockingly easier to fall victim to a scam. From email and online scams to bank fraud, technology has helped thieves steal from seasoned professionals and even it employees.      Technology has also helped many professionals through shortening projects and keeping patient records electronically.   H...

Pew research found that overall young adults tend to be less religious than older adults. One research study found that the percentage of adults who identify as Christian has declined since 2007. However, the same study showed that between 2014 and 2019 the decline stabilized. Another study conducted from 2023-2024 found that 57% of people surveyed who were born in or before the 1940s are members...

The month of March is dedicated to women’s history month, a time to recognize the contributions women have made throughout history.  Women’s history month traces its roots back to March 8, 1857, when women working in factories in New York City protested poor working conditions. In 169 years since then women in U.S. have gain and lost recognition, power, rights… Hear more on the history of women hi...

Our sports editor and reports Owen Flemming and Alex Pickard review the coverage from SOCON tournament at the start of March and how the spring season is going with the WCU softball coach, Jim Clift, tennis coach Bret Beaver, and track coach Jesse Norman.

WCU is on break but we worked hard to bring you information on what students and doing and going; some are taking a work break helping veterans in Asheville and much more.  

Hear who won the primaries in Jackson County on March 3 and will be on the ballot in November. Also find out what issues were important for voters, candidates, students and student leaders. 

This week we are talking about the primary elections – early voting and the upcoming  election day on March 3rd. Listen to hear more about key voter information, resources, early voting and dates. We have political science professor Dr. Chris Cooper on why primaries matter and can you buy the elections. The director of the Jackson County Board of Elections, Amanda Allen shares some important infor...

This is the last episode in the Fall 2025 season. 

 This week we are talking science. Here from the North Carolina Forest Service public information office, Philip Jackson, on the dangers of forest fires post Helene and how we can all help in preventing them. We also have our ayes to the sky and talked to professor Enrique Gomez about new comet who is not alien space ship, Aurora Borealis and meteor showers you can see. 

 Election Day for the 2025 municipal elections was Nov. 4. Jackson County Election Director Amanda Allen shares more about all that happened this year. Listen to hear more about election results, what municipal elections are and early information about the primary election happening in March. 

WCU Football team season so far and hear from players and coaches at WCU on their successes and what drives them.  

Hear about 2025 Mountain Heritage Days in the Whee! The 51 celebration of the Appalachian people, traditions, culture brought over 10.000 people at WCU during a week long of activities and festivities. 

We start Season 2 of WHEE Life with an episode dedicate to one year after Hurricane Helene. We speak with people reflecting on the impact and response and recovery after the devastation of the storm one year later.