Smoky Mountain News

12/20/2025

"I turn to my friend, 'Dude, that’s Eric Kretz.' My friend: 'Who’s Eric Kretz?' Me: 'The drummer of Stone Temple Pilots.' My all-time favorite band that literally changed the course of my life. And there he is, just hanging there, all while his drum tech was making some phone calls."

Hello from Room 1001 at the Cambria hotel in downtown Asheville. It’s Saturday afternoon and I’m currently sitting at this writing desk (pictured), I’m overlooking the intersection of Haywood Street and Page Avenue, the Harrah’s Cherokee Center and former George Vanderbilt Hotel within sight...

12/20/2025

COLUMN: "The utter guile of this state’s GOP leaders to rig elections in their favor should cause a hue and cry from honorable, ordinary taxpaying citizens of all political stripes. But when it comes to partisanship, these are not ordinary times, which is an understatement of almost comical proportions."

The utter guile of this state’s GOP leaders to rig elections in their favor should cause a hue and cry from honorable, ordinary taxpaying citizens of all political stripes. But when it comes to partisanship, these are not ordinary times, which is an understatement of almost comical proportions.&nb...

12/19/2025

Popular Haywood County Americana/rock act Brothers Gillespie will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville.

Since their formation in 2018, the band has become one of the must-see rock acts emerging from Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia.

Popular Haywood County Americana/rock act Brothers Gillespie will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville. Since their formation in 2018, the band has become one of the must-see rock acts emerging from Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia.....

12/19/2025

A special production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 20-21 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

When the unruly Herdman kids, the “worst children in the history of the world,” show up at church and muscle their way into the annual Christmas pageant, everyone expects total disaster.

A special production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 20-21 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. When the unruly Herdman kids, the “worst children in the history of the world,” show up at church and muscle their w...

12/19/2025

Renowned act The Isaacs will perform a special Christmas show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Renowned act The Isaacs will perform a special Christmas show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. The Isaacs are a Nashville-based, award-winning family group, consisting of siblings Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Rebecca Isaacs Bowman and th...

12/18/2025

Six months after the North Carolina General Assembly’s deadline to produce an annual budget, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee is left weathering the effects of this stalemate — and preparing for an uncertain future.

Six months after the North Carolina General Assembly’s deadline to produce an annual budget, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee is left weathering the effects of this stalemate — and preparing for an uncertain future.  At the Dec. 11 academic and student affairs subcommittee meeting, ...

12/18/2025

For decades, college athletes generated millions of dollars in revenue for universities in exchange for a full tuition scholarship, at best. But a series of lawsuits beginning in the late 2000s — and a cultural shift toward athlete equity — paved the way for a monumental National Collegiate Athletic Association decision. The policy change, effective July 1, 2021, allowed these players to profit from any promotional use of their name, image and likeness, known as NIL, in company marketing.

For decades, college athletes generated millions of dollars in revenue for universities in exchange for a full tuition scholarship, at best. But a series of lawsuits beginning in the late 2000s — and a cultural shift toward athlete equity — paved the way for a monumental National Collegiate Athl...

12/18/2025

Nonprofits that provide legal services are calling for North Carolina’s General Assembly to unfreeze funds necessary to their operations. In Western North Carolina, Pisgah Legal Services is one of the most crucial entities that represent people in need who find themselves in civil litigation. Now, some of those services may be in jeopardy.

Nonprofits that provide legal services are calling for North Carolina’s General Assembly to unfreeze funds necessary to their operations. In Western North Carolina, Pisgah Legal Services is one of the most crucial entities that represent people in need who find themselves in civil litigation. Now,...

12/18/2025

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, in collaboration with the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA), announced the installation of Sylva’s first “Perfect Spot for a Selfie” stickers. Designed to encourage exploration, engagement and community pride, these designated selfie spots are now located at the intersection of West Main Street and Keener Street — one on each corner.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, in collaboration with the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA), announced the installation of Sylva’s first “Perfect Spot for a Selfie” stickers. Designed to encourage exploration, engagement and community pride, these de...

12/17/2025

The decision to secure over $10 million to build two new landfill cells was, in a sense, an easy one for Macon County commissioners to make, but what lies ahead is less certain.

The decision to secure over $10 million to build two new landfill cells was, in a sense, an easy one for Macon County commissioners to make, but what lies ahead is less certain.  The issue has come before commissioners each of the last few months. The board had chewed on the facts and thought a...

12/17/2025

“Once recognition becomes a political decision rather than a documented determination, it places the legitimacy of federal recognition into question,” Principal Chief Michell Hicks said.

The National Defense Authorization Act cleared the House with bipartisan support last week, prompting the Senate’s Dec. 15 procedural vote — which all but guarantees that the $901 billion spending bill will be at the president’s desk before the holidays. This year, the “must-pass” annual l...

12/17/2025

Free Santa Photos + Christmas Llamas??? 🎅🏽📸🦙 You read that right!

Come out to Fa-La-La Llama festival at the High Country Furniture and Design Maggie location to enjoy a special time with family on December 19th from 3-6:00 PM! Enjoy "Light of the Moon Bakery" and LIVE ornament engraving! FREE Ornament while supplies lasts! See you soon!

Address: 3233 Dellwood Road Waynesville NC 28786