News Headlines
WCU May Day Rally celebrates unions, decries political attacks
On May 1, several dozen students, faculty and community members gathered beside Western Carolina University’s “Catafount” in Cullowhee for a May Day action celebrating the history of labor organizing — and demanding the rights workers have yet to be afforded.
May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is an expression of worker solidarity in honor of those who lost their lives in the aftermath of Chicago’s Haymarket affair.
EBCI talks environmental justice, data center moratorium at town hall
An April 25 Qualla Boundary town hall about data centers, featuring three speakers instrumental in the fight against hyperscale expansion on Indigenous land, both generated support for a tabled tribal council moratorium and explained the myriad ways these facilities can harm environments and cultures alike.
Parents target Whatley over sex offender controversy
A new coalition of North Carolina parents is taking aim at Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, alleging his past leadership decisions placed children at risk and demanding accountability ahead of the November election.
The group, calling itself Parents Against Whatley, launched this week with more than 60 members spanning 19 counties. Organizers say the coalition includes a mix of party affiliations, with more than one-quarter identifying as unaffiliated voters.
Ethics probe targets Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards
Western North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards is under investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Ethics, according to multiple reports, with allegations reportedly involving inappropriate sexual conduct.
First reported by Axios on April 30, a Republican-led bipartisan panel authorized a review into claims against Edwards that have not been fully detailed publicly, but subsequent reporting indicates the probe may center on allegations of sexual harassment and a possible relationship with a former staff member.
Whatley claims on Helene aid collapse under scrutiny
More than 18 months after Hurricane Helene carved a path of destruction across Western North Carolina, the numbers meant to measure recovery have become a political battleground — one where claims made by Helene recovery czar and Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley are increasingly at odds with the state’s own data.
Flag becomes symbol of Helene recovery
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a battered American flag pulled from the Rocky Broad River has taken on new meaning for a community still working to recover.
The storm swept through Western North Carolina in September 2024, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
‘Mike’s Law’ aims to change state DWI laws
A second bill bearing the name of the late Western North Carolina state house Rep. Mike Clampitt has been introduced in the General Assembly.
Titled “Mike’s Law,” the bill aims to reform the state’s approach to both drunk driving and how courts function. Late last month, another bill, titled “Mike Clampitt 1st Responder Tax Fairness Act,” was introduced.
Bauman named director of facilities at Lake Junaluska
The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center has announced the appointment of a new director of facilities to oversee the upkeep of all buildings, properties and infrastructure of the conference center.
Seth Bauman, who formerly served as maintenance manager at Lake Junaluska, has been promoted to the role of director of facilities, said Michael Huber, general manager for the conference and retreat center.
NCCAT celebrates expansion: Center for educator training needs increasing support
On April 24, the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching celebrated the groundbreaking of its 51-bedroom residential expansion at its main campus in Cullowhee. The capital project is underway thanks to a $30 million, five-year grant from the General Assembly and it also includes renovations to NCCAT’s existing facility. The expansion is expected to partially open by August and the project should be completed by August 2027, according to Adam Caruthers, an architect working on the expansion.
