Melissa Wade
About Melissa Wade
Melissa Wade-Cutler is a native of North Carolina, where she was born and raised. She is the wife of Darryl and the mother of two beautiful children, daughter Darius and son Matthew. She attended the University of Carolina in Chapel Hill where she received her B.A. in Communications. She began her radio career in 1991 at WFXC in Durham. She has also worked with WQOK in Raleigh and WAMO in Pittsburgh, PA as a morning show co-host.
Currently, you can hear Melissa Monday – Friday at the midday from 10am – 3pm on The Light 103.9, where she is widely known as Melissa “Wade in the Water.” Melissa has been on the radio for over 25 years and is well known by her listeners and in the community. You can often find Melissa out in the community speaking at different events or even walking for some of her favorite causes.
Melissa also has a love for the stage and is the Owner/CEO of “Wade in the Water” Productions. She has performed in various plays, and musicals, written and directed her own stage plays as well as others under her business umbrella “Wade In The Water, LLC.” She conducts and acting camp for kids every summer; which teaches and features participating youth in an actual play presentation of acting and dance. You can read more about Melissa and upcoming events on her website at wadeinthewaterproductions.com
Melissa is a Sr. Elder at Kingdom Community International in Bahama, NC, where she oversees the Arts department which includes: dance, step, mime, flag and a drama department.
Festival organizers across the Triangle say it’s getting more expensive to put on community events, and those rising costs are starting to take a toll. Everything from security and permits to entertainment and equipment rentals has gone up in price, making it harder for some festivals to stay afloat. Organizers say they’re doing their best […]
Durham teachers are speaking out, asking county leaders to increase funding for schools in the upcoming budget. They say classrooms are feeling the pressure with limited resources and that more investment is needed to support students and staff. As budget discussions continue, educators are pushing for education to be a top priority so schools can […]
Raleigh is still asking residents to be mindful of water use as the drought continues across central North Carolina. City leaders are reminding everyone that Stage 1 water restrictions are still in place to help protect Falls Lake, the city’s main water source. That means outdoor watering is limited — sprinklers can only run during […]
Gas prices are climbing again, and drivers in Raleigh are definitely feeling it. According to AAA, the national average is now $4.52 a gallon, while Raleigh is sitting at about $4.17. Prices have jumped steadily since the start of the Iran war, marking the first time in four years the national average has topped $4 […]
Melissa Wade spotlighted Kelontae Gavin’s new single, “At the Meeting,” this week on The Light 103.9, where the contemporary gospel singer said the viral track marks a return to the sound that shaped him. Gavin told Wade the song grew out of a moment that caught fire online after he sang it at a concert […]
New test score data shows students in North Carolina — and across the country — are still struggling with reading, and experts are calling it a “reading recession.” While math scores are starting to bounce back after the pandemic, reading scores continue to lag behind. Researchers say the problem goes beyond COVID and has been […]
Raleigh crews are cleaning up a major sewage spill near the Brier Creek area after about 1.1 million gallons of wastewater were released Tuesday morning. City officials say the spill happened because of a temporary pipe failure during a construction project at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. While most of the wastewater was contained, some of it […]
A public hearing on Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike has been pushed back to June 3 because of security concerns, according to state officials. The company’s request to raise residential electric rates by 18% has already sparked frustration from many residents, especially those on fixed incomes worried about higher bills. Officials say recent threats against […]
Durham County residents could see a slight property tax increase under a proposed $1.045 billion budget for 2026-2027. County leaders say the plan would invest more in education, pre-K programs, emergency services, and public safety. The proposed budget includes a two-cent property tax increase as the county deals with slower revenue growth and rising demands […]
Krispy Kreme is bringing summer vibes with its new Orange Dreamsicle Original Glazed doughnuts, available May 14 through May 17 at participating locations. Inspired by the classic orange-and-cream frozen treat, the doughnuts feature bright citrus flavor with a smooth vanilla finish. Customers can grab an Orange Dreamsicle dozen for just $5 with the purchase of any […]
NATIONAL Queen Latifah is joining The Voice as a coach for Season 30. She’ll join returning coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine, along with newcomer Riley Green. NBC says the new season will celebrate legacy and reinvention, with guest mentors, returning fan favorites, expanded mentorship moments, and special performances. Season 30 is expected to premiere […]
The Mecklenburg County jail is dealing with serious overcrowding, with some inmates reportedly sleeping on cots on the floor and facing delays for medical care and grievances. Sheriff Garry McFadden says the issue has gotten worse because of “Iryna’s Law,” which tightened pretrial release rules and is keeping more people in jail longer. The facility […]