Beasley, Budd battle for U.S. Senate
The race for United States Senate in North Carolina has been dubbed a sleepy one, but with Election Day now…
Read More
Democrats face uphill battle for Corbin’s seat
North Carolina’s 50th Senate District remains a bastion of Republican power in the west; nonpartisan mapping site davesredistricting.org puts it at…
Read More
Supreme Court candidates navigate partisan campaigning and judicial integrity
They may be the most consequential races in North Carolina this year, yet most people don’t even know who’s running.
Read More
Clampitt, Platt look to gain new ground in 119th District
In North Carolina politics, some things change, while others stay the same.
Read More
Local school boards becoming more politicized
Public schools have grappled with constant change over the last several years due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Read More
Four candidates left in race for Swain County School Board
Unique among the Smoky Mountain News’ four county coverage area, the Swain County School Board is a partisan-elected board. This…
Read More
Three newcomers, three incumbents on the ballot for Haywood Schools
On the heels of new academic data showing Haywood County Schools ranking seventh among the state’s 115 districts, school board…
Read More
Macon to vote on new school board members, funding option for new high school
This year, Macon County Schools began the process of building a new high school. The Franklin High School that exists…
Read More
As NC Republicans eye supermajority for abortion restrictions, Edwards calls pro-choice voters ‘evil’
The debate over abortion rights now moves to the General Assembly — and therefore, the ballot box — but both…
Read More
Performance vs. Promise: West, Cothran seek Haywood tax collector position
This is probably the only election story you’ll read about a county tax collector’s race in North Carolina, because Haywood…
Read More
Five vie for three seats on Haywood Commission
Three incumbents, along with two challengers, are all running for the Haywood County Board of Commissioners this year, and there…
Read More
Big changes coming in WNC law enforcement leadership
Earlier this year candidates for sheriff began campaigning across the region, hoping to earn the trust of voters who, in…
Read More
Bryson, Wilke square off in highly anticipated Haywood sheriff race
After nearly 10 years in office, Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher announced his retirement in Mach 2021, giving prospective candidates more…
Read More
Jackson sheriff race down to Buchanan, Farmer
With the impending retirement of Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall, two candidates will compete for the seat this fall in…
Read More
Cochran seeks fifth term as Swain Sheriff
To be a sheriff in North Carolina is to be the most powerful elected official in a county.
Read More
Race for Jackson County Commission: Incumbent Democrats vs. Republican newcomers
The Jackson County Commission has three seats on the ballot this fall. In addition to commission chairman, districts one and…
Read More
McMahan and Letson compete for commission chair
This election season, there are three seats up for grabs on the Jackson County Commission, all held by Democrats, all…
Read More
Macon commission candidates address issues facing county
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that John Shearl ran unopposed in his party's primary, which is not…
Read More
Forgiveness for me, but not for thee: Right wing hypocrisy on debt forgiveness reaches WNC
Democratic President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan drew its fair share of cheers and jeers, but as it turns…
Read More
Legislators, candidates stake out positions on abortion ban
After nearly 50 years of contention and debate over what was once considered “settled law,” abortion has now become a…
Read More
House GOP majority could target Social Security, Medicare
The life story of Hendersonville resident Marge Cullen isn’t much different than that of many other retirement-aged Americans.
Read More
Election deniers are targeting North Carolina elections
With dozens of debunked allegations surrounding a “rigged” 2020 election still fresh on the minds of right-wing conspiracy theorists, Western…
Read More
New grant funding available for tech-oriented small businesses
Applications are now being accepted for a new round of grantmaking from the One North Carolina Small Business Program, a…
Read More
Tribal Council commits $324 million for sports-related brand, resort projects
During Annual Council Oct. 24, Tribal Council approved “Project Coda,” a $324 million effort to control “a brand recognized worldwide”…
Read More
American hero starts new chapter at SCC-PSTC
Arin Canon doesn’t utilize the parking spot reserved for veterans at Southwestern Community College’s Public Safety Training Center.
Read More
Experts explain IRS’s data security plan template
Anyone renewing their preparer tax identification number (PTIN) for 2023 will be asked to attest to their data security responsibility…
Read More
WNC mourns Lambert Wilson
The Oct. 20 death of Lambert Wilson — a beloved educator, business owner and supporter of Native American art —…
Read More
Moody’s bond revoked for failure to appear
The Haywood County woman charged with 59 counts of interstate threats and conspiracy to kidnap after sending threatening letters to public officials…
Read More
Tribal Council approves anti-panhandling law
In a unanimous vote Monday, Oct. 17, the Cherokee Tribal Council passed an ordinance that prohibits begging and panhandling in…
Read More
Waynesville housing development makes quick progress
Construction on one of Waynesville’s largest ever single-family home development hasn’t been underway for long, and it’s already transformed the…
Read More
Community Care: With successful data in hand, Sylva’s pilot police program grows
When Western Carolina University Professors Katie Allen and Cyndy Caravelis approached Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton with a proposal for…
Read More
Taylor domestic violence case headed to trial
Former Tribal Council Rep. Dennis Edward “Bill” Taylor is now facing a fourth charge in the domestic violence case that…
Read More
Crowe announces run for Cherokee chief
Bo Crowe, a fifth-term Tribal Council member representing Wolfetown and Big Y, has announced his intention to challenge Principal Chief…
Read More
Waynesville veteran pinned in special ceremony
A special veteran pinning ceremony was held last week in honor of Air Force Veteran Edward Tobin of Waynesville. The…
Read More
Major I-40 bridge project starting in Haywood County
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will launch a two-year project to completely replace two bridges on Interstate…
Read More
Committed to community: WCU grad wins national journalism award
Focused on cleaning up her inbox, Sara Stanley, a May graduate from Western Carolina University’s journalism program, was about to…
Read More
$10 million in capital improvements approved for Macon Schools
Macon County Commissioners approved a slew of capital improvement projects totaling almost $10 million during a joint meeting with the…
Read More
Council approves $55 million for Kituwah LLC investments
Following a 90-minute closed session discussion Monday, Oct. 24, the Cherokee Tribal Council voted to allocate an additional $55 million…
Read More
Waynesville man pleads guilty to sex crimes, adds time to active sentence
Timothy Connor, of Waynesville, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a child adding 26-41 consecutive months to his existing…
Read More
Jackson County man to spend life in prison after jury verdict
A 40-year-old Jackson County man will spend the remainder of his life behind bars for the repeated sexual assault of…
Read More
Maggie Valley gets new elk crossing signs
Folks driving up or down Soco Mountain on the Haywood County side may notice some new signage indicating elk could…
Read More
Macon moves along with new high school planning
The Macon County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education have authorized architectural firm LS3P to submit designs for the…
Read More
Legal Aid of North Carolina debuts new website
Legal Aid of North Carolina has fully launched its new website at the existing legalaidnc.org address. Designed and developed by Charlotte-based Kelso Communications and Priceless…
Read More
With replacement complete, century-old WCU steam plant to retire
After nearly a century in operation, years of inspiring trepidation at winter’s approach and $33 million from the state legislature,…
Read More
Dec. 15 special election to fill Tribal Council vacancies
A special election Thursday, Dec. 15, will seat new Tribal Council members to fill vacancies left by the death of Painttown…
Read More
Feds prosecute sexual abuse case in Cherokee
A woman is facing five federal charges stemming from two alleged incidents of sexual abuse of a minor on tribal…
Read More
WCU partners with Statesville school for mentorship program
For many students at Statesville High School, stepping onto the campus of Western Carolina University was their first college experience.
Read More
Franklin announces next chief of police
Town Manager Amie Owens announced that Devin Holland will be appointed as Franklin’s next Chief of Police effective Dec. 1.
Read More
Moody fails to appear for hearing, taken back into custody
A Haywood County woman arrested by the FBI on Sept. 7 for making threats to public officials is back in custody after…
Read More
Complaint to DPI alleges abuse at Shining Rock Classical Academy
A parent at Shining Rock Classical Academy has filed an official complaint about discipline at the school with the North Carolina…
Read More
