Opinion
Helping those still struggling
To the Editor:
Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina is still in the thick of a housing crisis. Families who once had steady jobs are now living paycheck to paycheck, one unexpected setback away from losing their homes.
Ethics training can be worthwhile
To the Editor:
It was reported in The Smoky Mountain News on Aug. 5 that Jackson County Commissioner John Smith’s completion of a statutorily required ethics training within a year of being elected was in question.
Tit-for-tat gerrymandering wars won’t end soon
Congressional redistricting — the process of drawing electoral districts to account for population changes — was conceived by the Founding Fathers as a once-per-decade redrawing of district lines following the decennial U.S. census.
This ex-Republican fears for the future
To the Editor:
In the 2024 Presidential race, 49.8% of the votes went to Donald J. Trump, who promised to reduce the costs of consumer goods, end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and fix our immigration crisis.
The time of year for new beginnings
Can you feel it? Can you see it?
The slightest bit of crispness has crept into the air. A tiny hint of color teases the trees. On the ground, small pumpkins appear in the patch. Autumn is quietly arriving, gently moving into our days and nights, simmering down the fever pitch of summer.
America’s cultural revolution is underway
To the Editor:
“A decade was marked by ideological zeal, systemic upheaval, cultural cleansing, and concentrated power, all underpinned by the leader’s personal cult and political dominance.”
This description of China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) sounds eerily familiar today under the Trump administration.
President's priorities are not mine
President’s priorities are not mine
To the Editor:
Priorities: $200 million for a ballroom in the White House; $1 billion to retrofit a jet given by Qatar. Contrasted by cuts to Medicaid and other safety net programs.
Be informed about Local elections
To the Editor:
Local elections don’t receive much attention but are vital for the well-being of our communities, especially in places like Waynesville, Canton, Maggie Valley and Clyde. The choices made by local officials directly impact our lives, from public safety to essential services. “The Informed Citizen” understands why electing conservative candidates is vital for our city councils.
A mission to make sure local news survives
A large majority of U.S. adults (86%) say they at least sometimes get news from a smartphone, computer or tablet, including 57% who say they do so often.….
Americans turn to radio and print publications for news far less frequently. In 2024, just 26% of U.S. adults say they often or sometimes get news in print, the lowest number our surveys have recorded.
— Pew Research Center
