Story written by Cory Vaillancourt. Published at Smoky Mountain News. Republished Over the past decade or more, Western North Carolina Republicans have proven that the only candidates that can beat incumbent Republican congressmen are other Republicans. Adam Smith talks like someone who has already settled on that outcome and is now working backward to make it […]
Archives for February 2026
Man on a mission: In NC-11, former Green Beret confronts GOP incumbent he says fell short
February 15, 2026 by
Why WCU’s civic dialogues are important
February 13, 2026 by
In today’s United States it seems there is a lot of disagreements being dealt with aggression instead of understanding. WCU’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning wants to change that by hosting a series of civic dialogues throughout the school year on a variety of topics. The civic dialogues are nonviolent conversations in which […]
The Great Outhouse Race brings bittersweet win to the slopes
February 10, 2026 by
This story was co-produced with Ryan Creel. The annual Great Sapphire Outhouse race returned to Sapphire Valley Ski Resort on Feb. 7, drawing in crowds for an entertaining day on the slopes. The event included a $5 parking fee and an admission fee of $5, with the proceeds used to raise funds for the Rotary […]
Cherokee Historical Association names co-directors
February 10, 2026 by
The Cherokee Historical Association, a Native-led regional nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians through educational programs, theatrical productions, and living history experiences, have shifted to a co-director leadership structure. The Board named Laura Blythe (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) and Lance Culpepper as […]
Students help students vote the primary elections
February 8, 2026 by
With on-campus polling locations no longer available, the Student Democracy Coalition at Western Carolina University is organizing efforts to help students access the polls and stay informed ahead of the upcoming primary election. The coalition addressed these concerns during its first meeting of the spring semester on Tuesday, Feb 3. It also held elections to restructure its executive cabinet […]
Republican Primary tests identity and power in 119th District
February 7, 2026 by
Story by Cory Vaillancourt published in the Smoky Mountain News Feb. 4 ed. Republished The Republican primary in House District 119 — Jackson, Swain and Transylvania counties — now unfolds against a backdrop of unresolved disaster recovery and rising voter frustration with a legislature that has struggled to deliver a state budget but still found time to strip powers from incoming […]
