TVA reverses course on outsourcing tech jobs
KNOXVILLE – The union representing information technology workers at the Tennessee Valley Authority applauded the federally owned utility’s decision to reverse…
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South Main buildings to be demolished
Three run-down properties in front of the Hazelwood Ingles were recently purchased by a firm called Hazelwood Corners LLC for…
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WCU chancellor sworn in
Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown was sworn into office today, five months later than originally planned due to…
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Women celebrate a century of suffrage
In recognition of the 19th Amendment’s centennial anniversary this month, The Smoky Mountain News highlights the historic events leading up to…
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After Anthony: NC women still struggle for representation
It’s been almost exactly 100 years since the 19th Amendment — often called the Anthony Amendment — was ratified on…
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Lassie Kelly: Franklin’s most influential suffragette
It’s fun to imagine what the people of Macon County must have thought of Lassie Kelly. Born in 1881, she…
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‘We believe in democracy’: For commissioner’s wife, winding road leads to citizenship, voting rights
With the 19th Amendment’s passage now 100 years in the rearview, most American women alive today have been eligible to…
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The Anthony Amendment: Women’s suffrage in NC and beyond
When the United States Constitution was adopted in 1787, left to the states was the power to determine who should…
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Schools balance safety, learning
Public schools and colleges are being forced to develop plans, contingency plans and worst-case scenarios as they prepare for the…
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Bowling receives Chief Junaluska Award
Long-time Lake Junaluska supporter the Rev. Dr. Robert “Bob” C. Bowling is the 2020 recipient of the Chief Junaluska Award,…
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Final admin shuffle at Haywood schools
At the Aug. 10 Haywood County Schools Board of Education meeting the school board heard the last round of introductions…
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COVID-19 deaths in western counties continue to rise
Although the seven-day rolling average of positive COVID-19 tests continues to trend downwards across the state of North Carolina, western…
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Commissioners vote to keep Sylva Sam, with some changes
Jackson County Commissioners voted 4-1 Aug. 4 to keep Sylva Sam in his place overlooking downtown Sylva, but according to…
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Harm reduction — enabling people to change their lives
Michelle Mathis, chairwoman and interim director of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, admits the organization does enable drug users.
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Resistance to harm reduction grows in Haywood
Tensions ran high at the Aug. 3 Haywood County Board of Commissioners meeting as harm reduction critics become more vocal…
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Women sentenced for stealing Lake Junaluska vehicle
A Waynesville woman must serve in prison a minimum of six months to a maximum of 17 months for stealing…
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University employees sue UNC System, Gov. Cooper
Seventeen employees at University of North Carolina System schools — including two from Western Carolina University — are suing the…
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In narrow vote, WCU Faculty Senate opposes reopening
In a nearly split vote held during a special-called meeting Aug. 10, the Western Carolina University Faculty Senate passed a…
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Franklin’s female employees making more on average
The town of Franklin may employ a majority of men, but the women are making more on average than their…
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Pay equality a priority in Macon
Pay for Macon County employees is constantly on the mind of Macon County Manager Derek Roland, and every year putting…
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Women running Bryson City Town Hall
Bryson City is a small town with a lot of big responsibilities and limited financial resources. While it is a…
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Women take on important roles in Swain government
Swain County might still be led by men, but women are key contributors in the day-to-day operations of the county…
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Status of the pay gap
The Equal Pay Act, which mandates equal pay for equal work and forbids employers from paying men and women different…
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Women rule the roost in Sylva
Sylva is a town that’s run by women, both on the board of commissioners and among staff positions in town…
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Female leadership key in Jackson government
While men hold the highest-paying and highest number of jobs in most Western North Carolina governments, Jackson County is a…
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Waynesville takes steps to address gender balance, pay
As the largest North Carolina town west of Asheville, Waynesville often sets the bar for how other municipal governments handle…
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Local governments show room for improvement in gender pay equality
From the very birth of this nation, the words “All men are created equal” never really meant all men, and…
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Governments work toward equal pay
In recognition of the 19th Amendment’s centennial anniversary this month, The Smoky Mountain News is doing a series of stories to…
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Cawthorn Takes a Hard-Right Turn
‘Pro-Trump,’ defends use of symbols tied to white nationalism By Tom Fiedler AVL Watchdog When then 24-year-old Madison Cawthorn easily…
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COVID-19 cluster identified at Haywood Regional
The Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency has identified a COVID-19 cluster connected to Haywood Regional Hospital. Currently, fewer…
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Waynesville comprehensive plan nears adoption
After more than two years of planning and public presentations the Town of Waynesville’s new comprehensive land use plan is…
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Jackson allows student athletes to resume practices
As of Tuesday, Aug. 4, Jackson County schools entered phase two for school athletics. The North Carolina High School Athletic…
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Haywood reports 6 more COVID-related deaths
Haywood County Health and Human Services are reporting six additional COVID-19 associated deaths. The individuals died within the last week,…
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Fifth COVID-19 death announced in Jackson
A fifth COVID-19 death has been confirmed in Jackson County.
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Cherokee will delay budget hearings, adopt baseline budget
In a resolution passed last month, Tribal Council decided that it will not hold budget hearings this year but will…
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Tribe engages firm to pursue expanded casino holdings
As states throughout the Southeast consider allowing or expanding commercial gaming in their jurisdictions, Tribal Council has voted to enter…
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Turning towards woodturning: Mike McKinney’s path to discovering his craft
By Andrew Dundas • Contributing Writer | Bowls in various stages of production scattered the workshop around Mike McKinney, piled onto tables…
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Haywood schools to adopt new complaint policy
Haywood County Schools Title IX Coordinator Jason Heinz recently discussed policy changes that must go into effect by Aug. 14…
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Harris urges community to wear masks
Harris Regional Hospital is urging community members to wear face masks or cloth face coverings in public areas where social…
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More COVID-19 outbreaks reported in WNC
According to the Haywood County Health Department, a significant number of the close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases recently identified…
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School board, community work to garner internet access
At a July 30 special called meeting, Dr. Trevor Putnam presented the Haywood County School Board with a contract in…
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New COVID-19 outbreak identified in Macon
Macon County Public Health has identified a COVID-19 outbreak in staff and residents at Drake Cottage, a congregate living facility.…
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COVID-19 death reported in Jackson
A new COVID-19 death has been confirmed in Jackson County, bringing the county’s total death toll to four.
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Complete United Way COVID-19 impact survey
United Way of North Carolina launches a statewide survey today to assess how COVID-19 has impacted community members across the…
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Haywood reports two more COVID-19 related deaths
Haywood County Health and Human Services is reporting two additional COVID-19 associated deaths. Both individuals died on July 28 at…
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Slide closes U.S. 19/74 in Nantahala Gorge
BRYSON CITY – A band of heavy rains late Friday night started a mudslide that closed U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala…
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Jackson to discuss Confederate monument
An agenda for the Jackson County Commission meeting slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, shows that the board will…
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Morgan serving second round as Sylva’s interim manager
Sylva Town Manager Paige Dowling is currently out on maternity leave, but Sylva will be in experienced hands until her…
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Haywood has 74 new COVID-19 cases
Haywood County Public Health received notice of 74 new cases of COVID-19 since the last press release on July 24.…
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