School board race has important choices

To the Editor: On Tuesday, July 26, there will be a runoff election for school board in Jackson County. Early…
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‘You’re OK,’ and more notes from the road

She was 70, or so she said, but looked 15 years younger. She was alone and sipping wine and eating…
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Three education facts you should know

I have strong opinions about education policy in North Carolina and beyond. Maybe you’ve noticed!
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Let’s strive to become great

To the Editor: Been thinkin’ lately ‘bout M.A.G.A. What an acronym! It sounds strong.
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Religion doesn’t belong in schools

To the Editor: As Sylva prepares for its school board runoff election July 26, many signs sporting crosses by one…
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Being intentional about a life reset

I tend to live on a deeper plane than some, and it’s admittedly an exhausting place to be. I feel…
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A modest proposal to eliminate abortions

I have a modest proposal to solve the abortion dilemma, but first we need to understand the background. 
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Will Merrick Garland defend the constitution?

To the Editor: The question on the minds of many Americans, will Merrick Garland follow the endless trail of irrefutable…
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Pless and Clampitt are too partisan

To the Editor: Behind the backs of local government in Haywood County, N.C. GOP Reps. Mark Pless and Mike Clampitt…
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We can overcome WNC’s affordable housing crisis

I am old enough that my first 1,800-square-foot house cost just $31,000 and its purchase was easily financed on my…
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Medicaid expansion will save lives, benefit all

North Carolina has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country, but our elected officials can cut…
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Gun safety legislation

To the Editor: As a mother, aunt, pediatrician and neighbor to beloved children, I have long been deeply troubled by…
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Election integrity is fundamental to our freedoms

As I was re-reading last week’s issue of The Smoky Mountain News and about the Juneteenth celebrations in the mountains,…
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Thanks to all for keeping Jackson clean

To the Editor: We are so blessed in Jackson County to have many dedicated individuals and community groups who have…
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New and shiny isn’t always better

In my adult life I’ve noticed an emotional pattern when it comes to appliances. When I have an antiquated appliance, it…
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Congress should fulfill the Second Amendment

To the Editor: In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and yet another mass shooting in America I am…
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Rep. Pless bullies his way over local leaders

“Arrogant.” “Out of control.” “Power hungry.” I’ve heard all these words — and worse — used to describe Rep. Mark…
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So what’s the big 
deal about plastics?

The towns of Waynesville and Canton have recently joined hundreds of other communities in declaring a need to dramatically reduce…
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Burr, Tillis should support gun control
 

Burr, Tillis should support gun control

To the Editor: This is an open letter to Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis.
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We need to enact stricter gun laws
 

We need to enact stricter gun laws

To the Editor: I am a recent resident of the lovely state of North Carolina and am truly honored and…
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It’s hard not to love where we live 

When I travel and tell someone I’m from Waynesville, a small town nestled in the Smoky Mountains, the comment is…
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Will Chuck Edwards condemn attempt to steal election?

Chuck Edwards defeated Rep. Madison Cawthorn in the District 11 Republican congressional primary because of the incumbent’s bizarre and immature…
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Remembering the sailors 
aboard the USS Liberty

To the Editor:  A reporter for Al Jazeera (Shireen Abu Akleh) was killed by Israeli military personnel as she covered…
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GOP has lost its moral compass

To the Editor:  The Republican Party is not the party of life. 
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There’s still a market for good journalism

The mantra since starting this newspaper has been straightforward: put out a high-quality newspaper and work like hell to make…
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Time for a little less gun loving

“Hollywood and video games glorify violence while those with mental illnesses remain untreated.“  Those are the words of Chuck Edwards,…
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Partisan local election bill a mistake

To the Editor: Municipal elections in Haywood County, which are currently nonpartisan, could soon be conducted on a partisan basis…
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Highlands’ ordinance perplexing and illogical

To the Editor: The ordinance recently passed by Highlands’ Town Council, on its face, clearly violates the law of the…
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Partisan local elections have different outcomes

As Cory Valliancourt report s in The Smoky Mountain News, North Carolina House members Rep. Mark Pless , R-Haywood, and…
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Our attitude toward time makes a difference

‘Tis the season is not only a motto for the Christmas holidays, but also an apt way to describe the…
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A wise decision on Highlands STRs

To the Editor: The Highlands Neighborhood Coalition was formed by homeowners throughout Highlands to preserve the historic character of our…
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Imagine if super-rich supported Ukraine

To the Editor: Can you imagine this: Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerburg, Bill Gates, Larry…
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Are courthouse politics gumming up the system?

When I came back to The Smoky Mountain News after six months away from journalism, one of my first trips…
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If Roe v. Wade goes, then what is next

Using Samuel Alito’s logic in proposing to strike down the “right” to an abortion, other rights that you take for…
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Time to end single-use plastics

To the Editor: The Western North Carolina Climate Action Coalition and the Outdoor Mission Community wish to express our sincere…
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Madison Cawthorn has got to go

To the Editor: A recently released video shows Maddy and friends having fun and filming some foolish, immature pranks. I…
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Park fee proposal deserves support

To the Editor: In response to the Swain County commissioners’ opposition to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking fee…
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Teaching my children the power of mindset

It is no wonder collegiate athletes are required to take a sports psychology course and why higher-level athletes, such as…
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Living in WNC is getting harder for workers

The affordable housing crisis looms as this region’s most pressing problem. And so far, no one has proposed any kind…
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Your primary vote 
is important

To the Editor:  Decisions made at all levels of government (President and Congress in Washington, D.C., General Assembly in Raleigh…
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Inflation hurts 
consumers 
and small businesses

To the Editor:  Is inflation eating into your budget? Is your small business struggling to stay open? High prices at…
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The story of one family among thousands

In response to the news of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) proposing fees for parking, now is an…
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Democracy in danger

You don’t need an invading army to destroy a democracy, as Russia is attempting to do to Ukraine.
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