Bill of Rights born in June
To the Editor: On June 8, 1789, James Madison (who is considered by many historians to be the Father of…
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Local authority paramount
To the Editor: Gentlemen, I understand that you voted to allow bars to open with restrictions which apparently surpasses the…
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Justice for all? Hopefully, one day in the future
When I saw the video of the mostly young crowd marching Monday night in Waynesville to protest the killing of…
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Celebrating a pivotal year
Many are focused on graduations right now. Amidst the pandemic and nationwide protesting, we’re trying to help our young people…
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Local customers are much appreciated
To the Editor: We would like to express our gratitude for the opportunity to serve you and say thank you…
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The making of a cluster outbreak
To the Editor: Donald Trump doesn’t want to wear a face mask. He feels he looks ridiculous in one. Donald…
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Trump makes us the laughingstock
To the Editor: Did you know there is a group of essential workers who will not be getting a stimulus…
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Let’s enable police to do it right
To the Editor: On Monday, May 25, George Floyd of Minneapolis was the latest victim of wrongful police killings. May…
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What a ride: Born after 9/11, graduating during the pandemic
By Molly Boothroyd • Guest Columnist | Who would have thought the year 2020 could be so negative, life-changing but…
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The oh-so-sweet sound of bat and baseball
When our son, Jack, joined the high school marching band, he promptly announced his official retirement from baseball, unceremoniously closing…
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We need Moe Davis in Congress
To the Editor: The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed many societal issues in our country — inadequate healthcare, the ever-widening…
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Vigilante justice can’t be tolerated
To the Editor: On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was jogging in a residential Brunswick, Georgia, neighborhood,…
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Cherokee show greed toward other tribes
To the Editor: The entire article on the Cherokee suing over the Catawba casino proves that the only reason for…
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We’ve been here before … sort of
It’s funny how you can hear a story your entire life but don’t see its relevance until it smacks you…
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A powerful need to help those in need
National Emergency Medical Services Week is May 17-23, and in the midst of a global pandemic the timing resonates more…
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AR-15 useless against this virus
To the Editor: I see these folks protesting, yelling and carrying weapons, as if a gun is an argument that…
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I prefer to be a live jerk
To the Editor: Come on guys, your MAGA hats won’t make me sick. Your bumper stickers can’t hurt me. Your…
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What we do to survive, and why
It seems every time I sit down to write these days, it has something to do with journalism and the…
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Time to re-ignite national service programs
By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist | COVID-19 has given me the opportunity to sit and think. Not just daydream. I…
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Take action now to protect voting
To the Editor: Long lines, limited polling place hours, inconvenient polling locations, not getting time off work and the COVID-19…
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America should open up
To the Editor: Some people call it common sense, others call it critical thinking or logic, and it is so…
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Let’s help stop the spread
To the Editor: I am not writing about a political issue but a health issue. I am a senior citizen…
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Look for the best in this new normal
By Nick Breedlove • Guest Columnist | Every May we commemorate National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) to celebrate the…
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A heavy heart on Mother’s Day
It’s been said that when a cardinal appears in your yard it’s a visitor from heaven. I’ve been spending a…
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Fantasy abounds at Haywood meeting
To the Editor: In his book, FantasyLand: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History, Kurt Andersen discusses the “strange, post-factual,…
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Leadership in the age of Pandemics
To the Editor: About 58,000 American men and women died in the Vietnam war over a period of 20 years.…
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Trump ignorance a lethal problem
To the Editor: According to White House staff, since this past January Trump blew off — refused to read, as…
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In a crisis, ordinary people turn heroic
By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist | At 5:30 this morning I was staring at the ceiling. I doubt that I was…
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Caring for our own is what matters
By Catherine Sawyer • Guest Columnist | When I think of the stereotypes against Appalachia, what comes to mind is…
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Good thing ACA remains intact
To the Editor: In spite of the Trump administration’s current litigations to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA),…
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Trump not worthy to be commander-in-chief
To the Editor: One of my favorite books is the King James Bible (1611). Excellent advice. In the 1950s, my…
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Time to dump the fake president
To the Editor: Enough is enough. How much longer are Americans willing to tolerate this sad excuse of a president?…
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Trump talk is a really bad joke
To the Editor: Anyone with half a brain knows that Trump was making a sarcastic joke when he suggested that…
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Trump eyes Medicare, Social Security cuts
To the Editor: Lately. through observing the news media, I have seen mass support for gun ownership and confirmation of…
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Let’s open the Parkway
To the Editor: Despite the social distancing, wearing masks, stay at home orders, and all of the CDC stats and…
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UNC-Charlotte remembers Riley Howell, shooting victims
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and well. As a city, a nation, and a…
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Lost health insurance during COVID-19 Pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of jobs, income and health insurance coverage for millions. Some life changes,…
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Firefighters respond to two Graham County fires
Firefighters responded to two wildfires late April 14 near Fontana Lake in Graham County. Both fires are burning on U.S.…
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Cocooning just isn’t easy for some
If you haven’t noticed, the boomers are having a hard time staying home during this pandemic. Doing nothing and performing…
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Be careful what you wish for
To the Editor: How strange is it that some of you are becoming the thing you hate the most? In…
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Not enough lipstick to cover this pig
To the Editor: Trump’s attack on the WHO (World Health Organization) is classic Trump. Make bad decisions and then blame…
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Frontline heroes deserve our thanks
To the Editor: The “front line” people who risk their lives and health (both mental and physical) to help safeguard…
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Advice to stay sane during the insanity
Hannah McLeod, a new writer for The Smoky Mountain News, shares her advice for staying calm and connected during the…
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A glimmer of light, perhaps, in the darkness
Way back, way back, like three or four weeks ago, our little company was on track for its best year…
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Right now, life as an otter sounds pretty good
Can we all admit that this quarantine is getting a little weirder every week? The rules for what we can…
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Raise concerns if you have them
To the Editor: These are challenging days for everyone. This is particularly true for the long-term healthcare community. Whether you…
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