Since 1932, the ashlar veneer of the Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville has borne silent witness to memorable events in local and national history — the Great Depression, World War II, Korea, the Civil Rights era, Vietnam, 9/11, Afghanistan, the Gulf Wars and most recently the county’s first LGBTQ+ Pride celebration — but a gathering on Flag Day, the same day President Donald Trump celebrated his birthday with a military parade in Washington, D.C., may prove to be just as enduring. 

To the Editor:

Rep. Chuck Edwards greeted attendees at the Republican Party's 11th Con-gressional District convention with: “Isn't it great to be making America great again?” Was that a question, Congressman Edwards, a prayer or an affidavit?

To the Editor:

Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville) recently voted in favor of the president’s proposed budget bill (“Big Beautiful Bill”) that cuts Medicaid and food assistance by nearly $1 trillion and cuts Medicare by $500 million.

When Hurricane Helene slammed into Western North Carolina in late 2024, public attention focused on damaged homes, washed-out roads and the rigid bureaucracy meant to help with recovery, but the widespread physical damage was closely followed by a slow-moving economic catastrophe unfolding among the region’s small businesses, farmers and local governments. Now, eight months later, help may finally be on the way. 

Henderson County Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards’ repeated failures on economic policy, entitlement programs and Hurricane Helene recovery have left him vulnerable, according to a slew of Democrats who are now competing for the right to run against him in 2026. 

Just two weeks after western Republicans elected a new 11th Congressional District chair, their Democratic counterparts have now done the same. 

Retired Air Force Col. Moe Davis is stepping back into familiar turf — running for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. 

“I just keep looking at what Chuck Edwards is not doing for the district,” Davis told The Smoky Mountain News May 5.

Retired Air Force Col. Moe Davis is stepping back into familiar turf — running for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.

To the Editor:

Dear Rep. Chuck Edwards. It's been a little while, and your defense of the tariffs still has no legs. But that's not why I'm emailing you again. Your president is violating the Constitution. And you know it.

Rep. Mark Pless is taking heat from local paramedics and EMTs after introducing a pair of bills that first responders say will weaken their ability to provide emergency care.