Smoky Mountain News

11/09/2025

"Unfortunately, knowledge of their American past, and of history in general, continues to decline among students. In 2022, the National Assessment of Educational Progress history test administered to many eighth graders across the country found only 13% of them proficient in history, with a full 40% scoring below the basic knowledge level in U.S. history."

Recently, a teacher of history asked me, a former teacher of history, about ways to bring history alive for high school students. My response hasn’t varied in 40 years: “Make connections.” Students — and the rest of us as well — need to remember we live today with the consequences of event...

11/09/2025

COLUMN: "The recent history of international relations is fraught with examples where the sanctity of law has been compromised for political expediency. Among the most troubling instances is the Trump Administration’s alarming approach to countering drug cartels — a response that not only skirts the boundaries of legality but also risks undermining the United States’ long-standing commitment to the rule of law on the global stage."

The recent history of international relations is fraught with examples where the sanctity of law has been compromised for political expediency. Among the most troubling instances is the Trump Administration’s alarming approach to countering drug cartels — a response that not only skirts the boun...

11/08/2025

"Throughout the session, I felt incredibly inspired and invigorated by hearing how excited these young minds were to possibly enter the same industry I’ve happily called home for the last 18 years. It was the same excitement I remember having when I was their age, with big dreams of someday writing for Rolling Stone. I still have that excitement every single day I get to do this gig. I’ve never taken it for granted."

Today was pretty surreal. I spoke to students for “High School Media Day” at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Folks from around the region. Mine was simply titled: “Music Journalism, Garret Woodward, Rolling Stone & Magazine Writer.”  Truth be told, I wasn’t really s...

11/08/2025

Here's some hard-hitting breaking news: someone smashed into the Exxon on South Main Street in Waynesville, destroying one of our boxes! Don't worry, you can still find us in dozens of locations across Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
📸: Garret K. Woodward

https://smokymountainnews.com/rack-locations

11/08/2025

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: "Recently three Haywood County citizens long involved in issues of public concern met with Congressman Chuck Edwards at his office in Hendersonville. Issues focused on were SNAP, medical insurance, research cuts and the federal match for Medicaid payments to hospitals and nursing homes."

To the Editor: Recently three Haywood County citizens long involved in issues of public concern met with Congressman Chuck Edwards at his office in Hendersonville. Issues focused on were SNAP, medical insurance, research cuts and the federal match for Medicaid payments to hospitals and nursing homes...

11/07/2025

The 19th annual WNC Pottery Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in Bridge Park in Sylva.

Showcasing the work of more than 40 master potters from an array of states. A variety of clay art styles will be presented with over 40 master potters.

The 19th annual WNC Pottery Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in Bridge Park in Sylva. Showcasing the work of more than 40 master potters from an array of states. A variety of clay art styles will be presented with over 40 master potters. The event is juried, and the lin...

11/07/2025

Popular Asheville act Spiro Nicolopoulos Blues Apocalypse will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville.

A collaboration of some of the finest musicians in the region, the blues/rock ensemble is fronted by Nicolopoulos, a highly skilled guitarist/vocalist known for his work in The Paper Crowns and other local acts.

Popular Asheville act Spiro Nicolopoulos Blues Apocalypse will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville.  A collaboration of some of the finest musicians in the region, the blues/rock ensemble is fronted by Nicolopoulos, a highly skilled guitarist/vocalist k...

11/07/2025

A big THANK YOU to our readers who donated food items this week. We filled up about half a truck bed and were able to drop the items off over at our friends at Haywood Christian Ministries. We're still taking nonperishable donations today and all through next week (Monday-Friday) at our office, located at 144 Montgomery Street in downtown Waynesville.

Remember, we're all in this together.

11/07/2025

The announcement was made the morning of Nov. 7, two weeks after Hunter Plemmons informed Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Roy Wijewickrama that he was going to resign after eight years of service.

Former Haywood County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeff Haynes has been named the county’s new clerk of superior court. The announcement was made the morning of Nov. 7, two weeks after Hunter Plemmons informed Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Roy Wijewickrama that he was going to resign afte...

11/07/2025

11/06/2025

The new funds, totaling $4 million, represent the remaining portion of a $10 million Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant that the DOL initially awarded to North Carolina in 2024 in the wake of Helene.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released additional funds to help North Carolinians get back to work in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. The new funds, totaling $4 million, represent the remaining portion of a $10 million Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant that the DOL initially awar...

11/06/2025

In The Smoky Mountain News core coverage area of Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, candidates, as always, ran in nonpartisan elections on Nov. 4. The winners will join nonpartisan boards consisting of incumbents who didn’t have to run this year.

Before the Nov. 4 election, the elected officials in those towns and villages numbered 24 Democrats, 14 unaffiliated and seven Republicans.

Overwhelmingly, municipal officials take pride in their nonpartisan service, but once they’re elected, they don’t just leave their party hats at the chamber doors. Despite claims that “there’s no Republican/Democratic way to fill a pothole,” the partisan composition of municipal governing ...