A bipartisan collaboration to bolster critical communication resources during natural disasters is gaining momentum in Congress after lessons learned during the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina last year. 

It’s been about five months since the 20-mile stretch of Interstate 40 in Haywood County up to the Tennessee state line has been shut down due to massive damage over a span of about three miles, but as of now, one lane of travel in each direction is expected to be restored next week. 

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been blessed by the extraordinary leadership of Cassius Cash, the second-longest serving superintendent of our park. After 34 years of federal service, Cash retired at the end of December. He is owed a deep debt of gratitude for his 10 years as Superintendent in the Smokies. 

To the Editor:

When it comes to picking leaders, you’d think the minimum qualifications would include experience, integrity and a commitment to the public good. But here we are, staring down the barrel of Donald Trump’s nomination for FBI Director: Kash Patel.

This isn’t just another bad idea — it’s a threat to families across North Carolina and beyond. Sen. Thom Tillis has a choice to make: stand with the people of North Carolina or enable Trump’s dangerous agenda.

Let’s talk about Patel’s “qualifications.” Spoiler: there aren’t any. He’s never worked in law enforcement and has no experience managing an agency as large and critical as the FBI. What Patel does have is a track record of loyalty to Trump. That’s the real reason he’s in the running — not because he’s ready to lead but because he could weaponize the FBI against Trump’s so-called “enemies.” In fact, Patel authored a literal “enemies list.” If confirmed, he could use the power of the FBI to carry out Trump’s personal vendettas, not protect North Carolinians.

This isn’t just politics — it’s personal for working families in North Carolina. The FBI plays a critical role here, from tackling drug trafficking that devastates communities in Asheville to addressing cybersecurity threats in the Research Triangle. As someone who has had first-hand experience with cyber-attacks, I know firsthand how critical it is to have a competent FBI director who’ll focus on the real issues affecting North Carolinians.

I also think about how law enforcement impacts our communities every day. As a council member in the Village of Forest Hills and also as a parent, I worry about the safety of my community amid the increase in fentanyl and other drug trafficking. Do we really want someone in charge who thinks the FBI headquarters should be turned into a “Museum of the Deep State?” 

Patel’s nomination isn’t just unqualified — it’s dangerous. Under his leadership, the FBI could target progressive organizations and activists, leaving vulnerable communities in the crosshairs. North Carolina’s history shows the need for fair and impartial law enforcement, not a political henchman who could turn our democracy into a playground for MAGA extremism.

Sen. Tillis has often talked about the importance of the rule of law. Here’s his chance to prove he means it. North Carolinians deserve an FBI director who’ll prioritize our safety and security — not someone who’ll spend their time pursuing Trump’s paranoid fantasies. Sen. Tillis, it’s time to take a stand. Vote no on confirming Kash Patel to protect one of our nation’s most important institutions.

Nilofer Couture

Cullowhee

Residents of Jackson County have long voiced their support, organized and fundraised for a skatepark with little to show other than a temporary half-pipe that stood behind Motion Makers in Sylva for just over one year. 

After Hurricane Helene completed its devastating march from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Smoky Mountains, the struggles of disaster survivors — from environmental devastation and bureaucratic hurdles to inadequate recovery support — have exposed a broken cycle of aid and accountability, where truth and trust become enveloped in a murky ethical mist that consists, at least partially, of exploitative promises made worse by false premises and finger-pointing.

The N.C. Forest Service has designated the fire danger for the state’s far western counties as high.

This time of year, we often see dramatic and often negative stories about food and nutrition. A few things to remember:

• Read beyond the headlines — Headlines are meant to attract your attention and get “clicks”. Before you react or make snap judgements, be sure to read the actual article. 

Have you been advised by your MD or PCP to take a vitamin or mineral or herbal supplement? 

“Dietary supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they reach the market.

When the Safe Passage coalition started working in 2017 to make Interstate 40 a safer place for people and wildlife through the Pigeon River Gorge, nobody knew that, in a few short years, entire sections of the critical roadway would vanish in the wake of Hurricane Helene.