Pless TDA, deannexation bills advance

A pair of local bills pushed by Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) — one welcomed by most, another, not so much — have recently taken important steps through the General Assembly, but still have a long way to go if they’re to become law.  

Corbin named 2025 legislator of the year

Westernmost North Carolina Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) has been named the legislator of the year by the North Carolina Community Action Association, honoring his exceptional commitment to public service, advocacy for vulnerable populations and leadership in advancing transformative legislation. 

Macon GOP hosts ‘first in freedom’ anniversary dinner

The Macon County Republican Party will host a 250th anniversary celebration of the first declaration of independence from Great Britain and King George III in the Thirteen Colonies, preceding the U.S. Declaration of Independence by more than a year.

Stand against partisanship in schools

It’s been a few weeks since I wrote a column for this space. Instead, we’ve been fortunate enough to print your opinions. 

I take it as a sign of a newspaper’s health relative to its relationship with readers when we have a lot of letters to the editor or guest columns coming to my inbox.

Governor’s Advisory Committee for WNC Recovery holds meeting at WCU

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, the region's recovery efforts continue.

Gov. Josh Stein's advisory committee, formed to aid in the recovery, held its first in-person meeting Friday at Western Carolina University.

Partisan school board system a bad idea

To the Editor:

I was dismayed to learn that Jackson County’s all-Republican commissioners voted to approve a resolution to make local school board elections partisan.

Local officials feel good about Pactiv mill parcel sale in Canton

Apprehension over the fate of a huge industrial parcel in the heart of Canton is now transitioning to cautious optimism.

Bill was a power grab

To the Editor:

I’m not certain, Senator Kevin Corbin, R-Franklin, that your constituency thoroughly understands your characterization of Senate Bill 382 as an “historic legislative response.”  

Stein moves quickly on Hurricane Helene relief

Newly elected Gov. Josh Stein wasted no time addressing some of the state’s biggest challenges after being sworn in on Jan. 1, traveling to Buncombe County today to announce immediate action on Hurricane Helene recovery.

After fiasco, Congress fails to meet North Carolina’s hurricane recovery needs

Hurricane 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 the Christmas tree this year was pink bunny pajamas. 

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
JSN Time 2 is designed by JoomlaShine.com | powered by JSN Sun Framework
Payment Information

/

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. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.