Wildfire season is here. Helene and DOGE could make it worse.
Limited resources and tricky topography already pose challenges. Now those problems have been exacerbated.
When Chris and Sara Evensen bought their home off Elk Mountain Scenic Highway in 2018, they felt like they’d hit the natural beauty jackpot: a nice home on two acres, ensconced in a gorgeous hardwood forest.
Edwards dodges questions on Medicare, Franklin Social Security office closing
In what could very well be a sneak preview of his in-person town hall in Asheville later today, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) abruptly walked away from a podium in Canton’s Sorrells Street Park and refused to answer questions about federal cuts to programs and services.
All Americans must protect Constitution
To the Editor:
A significant event in history is being replayed in our time. The Magna Carta was a landmark English document establishing that the power of the English monarchy was not absolute.
No fraud found by Musk, DOGE
To the Editor:
In response to a letter from David Lawson, MD, (SMN, Feb. 26 issue) I would like to point out that even a simple Google search reveals that the writer is just another angry Republican parroting the lies that MAGA has been spewing for eight years.
Don’t be taken in by Elon Musk
To the Editor:
I write to correct misinformation in a letter to the editor written by David Lawson. He made two statements which are false.
His first mistake accuses the Social Security Administration of issuing benefits to more people over age 100 that are alive.
Musk-DOGE will lead to more fraud
To the Editor:
Many of the letter writers the week of February 28 have a grasp of what is happening in the U.S. However, a couple do not seem to understand the reality behind the MAGA claims.
Where’s the ‘waste, fraud and abuse?’
To the Editor:
The Franklin Social Security office has been closed. It was the only such office west of Asheville. It handled programs such as Social Security, Retirement, SSI, Medicaid and Disability Benefits.
Headline was not appropriate
To the Editor:
The Smoky Mountain News has done a great disservice to the American people with the headline “America’s Worst Idea” (SMN, Feb. 28 edition).
GOP silence is frightening
To the Editor:
This is for Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Ted Budd and Rep. Chuck Edwards,
Every day I continue to be saddened, dismayed, shocked and angry at the spate of executive orders being issued by Mr. Trump and the unauthorized actions being carried out by Elon Musk, who was not elected.
Why should I pay my taxes?
To the Editor:
I want to let Sen. Tillis, Sen. Budd and Rep. Chuck Edwards know that it’s difficult to understand why Congress expects me to pay federal taxes.
