New Radio Show Puts Rutherford County Residents in the Driver’s Seat

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A new weekly radio program aimed at giving Rutherford County residents a direct voice in local affairs will debut Saturday on Eagle Country Radio, WCAB 100.9 FM 590 AM and on eaglecountryradio.com/listen-live.

“The Floor Is Yours” will air at 10 a.m. beginning Sept. 12th and will operate as a listener-driven community forum, with residents invited to submit questions, concerns and ideas for the program.

The show will research and verify submissions before inviting public officials, community leaders and residents to address the issues on air, either together or separately.

The launch comes as Rutherford County prepares for one of its biggest periods of political change in decades. The recent primaries resulted in the largest turnover in local leadership in more than 40 years, with newly elected officials scheduled to take office at the end of the year.

Those incoming officials have publicly asked for community input, creating an opportunity for residents to raise questions and discuss priorities before the new leadership takes office.

The program will be hosted by Andrew LaBreche, a Rutherford County native and attorney who has practiced law for nearly 20 years. LaBreche is the principal of Woodridge Law in Rutherfordton and the author of the forthcoming book Judgment in the District.

LaBreche said the program is intended to address what he sees as a longstanding gap in local news coverage and accountability.

“Rutherford County has historically been a news desert until very recently, with the launch of WCAB News and more local coverage of important issues," he said. "When nobody is reporting, nobody is accountable. For years, the community asked questions and got silence. This show exists to end that silence.”

Each week, the program will focus on questions submitted by residents rather than relying solely on a predetermined lineup of topics.

“Once a week, the floor belongs to the people of this county — and to the officials who answer to them,” LaBreche said. “Not every problem will get solved, but for the first time in a long time, people will be heard.”

First episode looks at Rutherford County’s past and its evolution.

The first episode will feature longtime Rutherford County resident Cindy Grondahl, joined by her son, Doug.

Grondahl is the former owner of Legal Grounds and the author of the newly published memoir Love and Contraband: My Life as a Drug Dealer’s Wife.

She is also known locally for leading the effort that ultimately brought liquor by the drink to Rutherford County, which had long been dry. The change helped transform the county's restaurant industry and reflected broader changes in the community.

LaBreche said Grondahl’s story provides an appropriate starting point for a program focused on how residents can influence their community.

“Cindy’s story is the perfect way to open — where this county was, how far it’s come, and what one determined person can change here,” he said.

The second episode will turn to the county’s current political transition, with candidates, elected officials, and others. The discussion will focus on changes underway in county government.

Residents can submit questions and topics for future programs by emailing thefloorisyoursradio@gmail.com.