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Democrats face uphill battle for Corbin’s seat
North Carolina’s 50th Senate District remains a bastion of Republican power in the west; nonpartisan mapping site davesredistricting.org puts it at…
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Supreme Court candidates navigate partisan campaigning and judicial integrity
They may be the most consequential races in North Carolina this year, yet most people don’t even know who’s running.
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Clampitt, Platt look to gain new ground in 119th District
In North Carolina politics, some things change, while others stay the same.
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Haywood County Animal Services offers ‘Free ride home’ for lost pets
Haywood County Animal Services is offering a free ride home for lost pets they find wandering the county if there…
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BPR announces ‘Big Switch’
Blue Ridge Public Radio announced an upgrade to its services that will expand its capacity to provide 24/7 news and…
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Council Rep. Taylor faces domestic violence charges
Dennis Edward “Bill” Taylor, a fourth-term Wolfetown representative on the Cherokee Tribal Council, is facing a trio of criminal charges…
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Sarge’s honors community with ‘Furrst Responder Hero Calendar’
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is introducing a new way to help furry friends in its care by creating the first…
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Council Rep. Saunooke dies in office
Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke, 82, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 9, in the midst of her 12th consecutive term on…
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SCC’s Boots, Blue Jeans & Bling annual gala sets records
For the last two years, Southwestern Community College’s Boots, Blue Jeans and Bling gala had to be canceled due to…
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SMAC brings in two new coaches
Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club has not one, but two new coaches at the helm that know a thing or two…
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Bombshell report claims NC law enforcement interference with syringe service programs, including in Haywood
A General Assembly-backed initiative to prevent opioid overdoses, provide linkages to care and stem the spread of communicable diseases through the…
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More misinformation: Miller’s 'missing' millions
After a marathon misinformation session at an August Haywood County Commissioners meeting during which commissioners fought back against comments from the public…
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Defamation suit filed in North Carolina against Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert
American Muckrakers, the North Carolina political action committee that has hounded Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-Henderson) throughout his tenure, filed suit in North Carolina today…
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Purging the pigs: Pilot program aims to knock back feral swine populations
When Europeans first began exploring North America, they knew precious little about the land toward which they traveled — or…
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Grants awards fuel WNC conservation projects
Conservation projects in Western North Carolina will receive $6.6 million of the $70.3 million in N.C. Land and Water Fund…
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Notes from a plant nerd: Gentians, pronounced like ‘gen-shun’
It used to be, when I was first getting into wildflowers, that I would see the gentians begin to bloom,…
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Draft red wolf plan released
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a draft version of a plan to guide recovery of the critically…
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Hope and laughter from a patron saint
Dear Christine Simon, Normally I write a book review in this space, and I intend to do so here in…
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Finding real news is just not that hard
National Public Lands Day dawned crisp and cool Saturday, Sept. 24, a celebration of everything most beloved about fall in…
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Moral decay in U.S. is abominable
To the Editor: Most Americans who care about their country and who vote faithfully want desperately to believe that the…
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Ted Budd is a troubling candidate
To the Editor: I am an independent voter. I belong to no political party, but rather base my choices on…
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Ghost Town’s obituary is written
To the Editor: Frankie Wood conned Alaska Presley into believing he could bring Ghost Town back and was able to…
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Local school boards becoming more politicized
Public schools have grappled with constant change over the last several years due to the impacts of COVID-19.
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Four candidates left in race for Swain County School Board
Unique among the Smoky Mountain News’ four county coverage area, the Swain County School Board is a partisan-elected board. This…
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Three newcomers, three incumbents on the ballot for Haywood Schools
On the heels of new academic data showing Haywood County Schools ranking seventh among the state’s 115 districts, school board…
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Macon to vote on new school board members, funding option for new high school
This year, Macon County Schools began the process of building a new high school. The Franklin High School that exists…
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Shetley wins national book award
The NYC Big Book Award recognized “The Jolt Felt Around the World” in the category of Childrens Environment as a…
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Officials break ground on Corridor K project
State and local officials celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for Corridor K, a project that will improve mobility in Western North…
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Tribe begins $275 million expansion at Murphy casino
One day after the seven-year anniversary of the Valley River Casino’s grand opening just outside of Murphy, tribal officials and casino…
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Graham Board of Elections dismisses one registration challenge, but the fight’s not over
Voters in Graham County can now establish legal residency simply by declaring their “intent” to reside in a particular place,…
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As NC Republicans eye supermajority for abortion restrictions, Edwards calls pro-choice voters ‘evil’
The debate over abortion rights now moves to the General Assembly — and therefore, the ballot box — but both…
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Still got this dream that you just can’t shake: Chan Kinchla of Blues Traveler
Since 1987, New Jersey-based Blues Traveler has remained one of the hardest working and most resilient rock acts in the…
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This must be the place: Beg, steal or borrow two nickels or a dime to call me on the phone
Room 424. Marriott City Center. Raleigh. Thursday. Awakened by the sounds of a banjo and laughter in the hallway, the…
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Stadium snafu: After a rumored County Clash venue change, Tuscola to host rivalry game
Heated speculation lit up social media the night of Oct. 3. The rumor: The 2022 County Clash wouldn’t take place…
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Haywood will lease parking spots for forthcoming Waynesville hotel
A Raleigh-based hospitality corporation that wants to build a new hotel at the corner of Depot and Montgomery streets in…
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Haywood needle exchange resolution would have statewide impact
After first discussing the matter almost a month ago, Haywood County commissioners are now calling upon the General Assembly to…
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Visitor survey starting in the Pisgah-Nantahala
Every five years, the National Forests in North Carolina surveys its visitors to glean a wide range of information, and…
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WNC residents win titles in Mountain State Fair
The N.C. Mountain State Fair wrapped up another year with a total attendance count of 159,575, a strong showing assisted…
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‘In perpetuity’: NPS director celebrates National Public Lands Day in the Smokies
National Public Lands Day dawned crisp and cool Saturday, Sept. 24, a celebration of everything most beloved about fall in…
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WCU student worker fired following union creation
Aiás Magitas, a 20-year-old forensic anthropology student from Charlotte, had been working the guest services desk at Western Carolina University’s…
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Performance vs. Promise: West, Cothran seek Haywood tax collector position
This is probably the only election story you’ll read about a county tax collector’s race in North Carolina, because Haywood…
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Public asked to help shape Maggie land use plan
The Town of Maggie Valley is encouraging residents to participate in developing its upcoming land-use plan.
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Five vie for three seats on Haywood Commission
Three incumbents, along with two challengers, are all running for the Haywood County Board of Commissioners this year, and there…
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Tribe explores pathway to tax-free casino distributions
Starting in March, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians may have the chance to sign up for a…
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A new sculpture for downtown Sylva
As part of its public art initiative, Sylva will host a large, interactive cat sculpture in Bridge Park this fall…
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Buddhism and the San Francisco Beats
“Crowded By Beauty” (University of California Press, 2015) is the poetic title of the most recent biography of Philip Whalen.…
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Hidden amongst the tree line: Highland’s Skyline Lodge combines natural, culinary beauty
Pulling up to the Skyline Lodge, a peaceful silence washes over you while emerging from your vehicle. Walking toward the…
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This must be the place: Instead of insight, maybe all a man gets is strength to wander for a while
What’s that feeling you get pulling back up in front of your humble abode after weeks away, wandering and pondering?
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Elton John and the value of forever friends
Many moons ago, when I attended a seventh-grade sleepover, I met a new girl in town. Her name was Lana.…
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