Kitchens Branch Fire in Sylva

The fire that started yesterday afternoon in Sylva in the Montieith and Kitchens Branch community is still going but contained. Jackson County Emergency Management Facebook update says that as of of 10 a.m., the Kitchens Branch Fire is 94 acres and the fire is 60% contained. Firefighters from state, federal, county and the town are […]

Mountain Heritage Center captures history with new George Masa exhibit

When George Masa took a picture of the Smoky Mountains, he wasn’t just taking a picture of their landscape, he was taking a picture of their future. The Mountain Heritage Center opened an exhibit on Friday, Jan. 17 until Aug. 15, 2025, for people to learn about Masa’s life and see some of the photos […]

2024 Elections and the impact of misinformation

Misinformation is always around us, spread by social media and word of mouth. In recent years, elections have received more misinformation about them, and this year’s focus is on illegal immigrants voting. Claims of illegal immigrants first circulated from a tweet made by Maria Bartiromo saying there were lines of illegal immigrants outside DMVs in […]

Early voting saw record turnout. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5

Despite the Homecoming festivities, tailgating and home game WCU polling place saw a steady trickle of voters on the last day of early voting Nov. 2. By closing time at 3 p.m. over 2,900 people voted at WCU polling station the highest since the polling place opened in 2016. In Jackson County 17,502 registered voters […]

North Carolina legislation to discuss relief package for WNC

House Speaker Tim Moore and Sen. Phil Berger said in a joint news release last week that details are still being worked out about what exactly is needed to facilitate the state’s response. WRAL reports that the state is looking at the $4.75 billion “rainy day fund” along with $733 million to help with emergency […]

Update on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene for Oct. 3

The report provided with cooperation with WWCU 93.5 FMThe death toll from Helene continues to rise. There are around 200 confirmed death and half of those are in Western North Carolina. Majority are in Buncombe County but there are deaths recorded in Henderson, Macon, Avery.  The death toll is expected to rise as emergency crews […]