Free lunch eligibility trending downward in Macon

Written by
Tuesday, 06/05/2025

For the second year in a row, Macon County Schools will request funding from county commissioners to bridge the gap in funding for free school meals for all K-12 students. But with data trending downward, it’s unclear whether the school system will be able to continue its free meal program for more than two more years.  

Read more...

The axe always forgets, the tree always remembers

Written by
Tuesday, 14/05/2024

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to cut it up and use it for heat or timber, is it a waste of resources? Or, put another way, are humans the only reason that all other life on Earth was created?

Read more...
Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Contribute >
Partner content: Treats to Satisfy the Craving for Sweets
Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian
Partner content: Treats to Satisfy the Craving for Sweets

You need a sweet treat but don't want to add too many calories or carbohydrates/sugar to your meals ...what can you do?

Here are 10 ideas to satisfy that craving without going overboard and that contain nutrients that will contribute to health more so than just having candy or a pastry: 

 Read More
Partner content: Gluten-Free Resources
Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian
Partner content: Gluten-Free Resources

Do you have celiac disease or do you follow a gluten-free diet for another health condition?

Did you know there is a Facebook group for that? I set up this group over 10 years ago and it now has over 1000 members. Look for “Gluten-Free Asheville and WNC” on Facebook. 

 Read More
Partner Content: Diabetes-friendly Snacks
Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian
Partner Content: Diabetes-friendly Snacks

Question: My father-in-law is now living with us, and he has Type 2 diabetes, but he also has a sweet tooth. Should I be buying sugar-free candy and cookies for him or is there a better option? 

 Read More
Partner content: Taste of Local
Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian
Partner content: Taste of Local

Thursday, April 17th • 3pm-6pm

Complimentary Samples
(Limited Availability) 

 Read More
Go to top
Payment Information
/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.