News Headlines
Trump urges full federal recognition for Lumbee: Eastern band continues its opposition
After over a century since receiving recognition from the state of North Carolina as an Indian Tribe, the Lumbee appear to be on the cusp of full federal recognition.
Long-awaited aquatic center opens in Jackson
After years of work on the project and more than a decade of planning and advocacy, the new aquatic center in Jackson County is officially open to patrons.
Local youth renew Sylva skatepark conversation
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.
Macon to explore private solution to animal control
After receiving requests for additional staffing at the Macon County Animal Shelter, commissioners have decided to see if they might be able to contract the county’s animal control services out to a private company.
Macon still accepting applications for county manager
After previous County Manager Derek Roland announced his resignation in September, Macon County decided to appoint Warren Cabe as interim county manager until June 30. Cabe previously worked for the county as emergency services director.
WCU kicks off $100 million ‘Fill the Western Sky’ fundraising campaign
Western Carolina University officially kicked off the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s 136-year history, an effort to secure $100 million in philanthropic support with a focus on increasing the financial resources necessary for long-delayed upgrades in facilities used by Catamount student-athletes.
Of truth and trust: Lack of accountability haunts charitable hurricane relief efforts
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.
An unexpected journey: A look at inauguration weekend through the eyes of a WNC Republican
Friday, as Roxan Wetzel and her husband, Rook, eagerly anticipated their trip to Washington, D.C. to see Donald Trump become the United States’ 47th president, they were hit with a sudden gut punch — the inauguration was moved indoors. Their ticket was now little more than a souvenir.
Marchers hope for change
While it may be the Republican Party’s moment in the global spotlight, more than 50,000 people from the left turned out for the “People’s March” days before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., hoping to show the world that the incoming presidential administration doesn’t represent the views of every American and won’t get a free pass over the next few years.
