Dec 31, 2024 · At a town hall meeting in Canton in summer 2023, Edwards refused to answer a question from The Smoky Mountain News about what he’d done to prevent the mill from closing, saying he’d only communicate with outlets that give him favorable coverage.. In that same meeting, a constituent asked Edwards how Buncombe County residents could help their neighbors after closing of the paper mill and ...

Dec 17, 2024 · T he bitter battle between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Lumbee as the Lumbee seek federal recognition has grown even more contentious over the last few months. And now, following the announcement from Attorney General and Governor-elect Josh Stein that EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks — who has long called into question the Lumbees’ identification as a tribe — will be ...

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model.

Dec 27, 2024 · H urricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina have eagerly been awaiting an expected holiday gift in the form of federal aid since the Sept. 27 storm pounded the region, but after nearly three months of wholly insufficient action in the General Assembly and a last-minute House vote in Washington, the only gift under …

Dec 31, 2024 · In listening to the tributes regarding the death of President Jimmy Carter, a phrase from his inauguration speech struck a chord: “…. individual sacrifice for the common good.”  Having spent nearly all my career working in community journalism, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some part in pr...

Dec 3, 2024 · Editor’s note: this story contains strong language. S ince his election in 2022, Haywood County Commissioner Terry Ramey has been known for lying — about his delinquent taxes, about his votes, about being assaulted — but this time, his acquiescent appearance in a YouTube video that spread misinformation about the county’s powers to circumvent state law has Ramey’s fellow ...

Jan 22, 2025 · W hile it may be the Republican Party’s moment in the global spotlight, more than 50,000 people from the left turned out for the “People’s March” days before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., hoping to show the world that the incoming presidential administration doesn’t represent the views of every American …

Jan 22, 2025 · At age 55, Buddy Melton decided to make a major change in his life, which resulted in his recent departure from Haywood County bluegrass juggernaut Balsam Range.  “It feels weird. It’s been something I’ve put a lot of effort into. And I didn’t think I’d necessarily be the one [to leave],” Melto...

With all precincts reporting, three incumbents have maintained their seats on the Macon County Board of Education.   Jim Breedlove, current Chairman of the Board of Education won reelection in the only contested race to represent district four. Breedlove won 5,996 votes, or 43.37%, to Dann...

Jan 15, 2011 · W hile it may be the Republican Party’s moment in the global spotlight, more than 50,000 people from the left turned out for the “People’s March” days before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., hoping to show the world that the incoming presidential administration doesn’t represent the views of every American …