Cory Vaillancourt is a Staff Writer and Politics Editor for the Smoky Mountain News, covering local news and politics in Waynesville, North Carolina. With experience in both print and radio journalism, Cory's work has also been featured in North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC and the Asheville Citizen-Times Media Group.
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Waynesville, United States (Local)
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By: Cory Vaillancourt
Amid the devastation and human suffering caused by Hurricane Helene, it’s only natural to lose sight of the fact that in less than 30 days, voters across the country will head to the polls to participate in a close, consequential election. Come hell or high water — Western North Carolina has had bot...
Josh Stein, North Carolina’s attorney general, visited Canton today to survey damage, to talk with local leaders and first responders and to caution those seeking to profit off of the misery of a storm-lashed region. “Right now our price gouging law is in effect because the state of emergency is in...
Slowly but surely, things are returning to normal for those unaffected by Hurricane Helene in Haywood County. Haywood County government photo
By: Cory Vaillancourt
Kevin Ensley and Brandon Rogers, respectively chair and vice chair of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, both ran for reelection last in 2020 amid unprecedented economic challenges and a contentious national election. It’s little different this time.
By: Cory Vaillancourt, Steve Troxler
North Carolina’s commissioner of agriculture is responsible for leading an agency that plays a vital role in one of the state’s most important economic sectors. With a record-setting $111 billion impact in 2023, the Tarheel state leads the nation in the production of eggs, poultry, sweet potatoes and tobacco and ranks second in Christmas trees, trout and turkey.
Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) speaks during an Oct. 9 press conference at the North Carolina General Assembly. NCGA photo
Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) speaks to Haywood County leaders at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 20, 2024. Cory Vaillancourt photo
As Western North Carolina recovers from one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the state, residents alongside local leaders have been working to rebuild their communities just ahead of one of the most consequential elections in American history. Jason Simmons, chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, recently toured hard-hit communities in the region on a visit that was part political, part personal.
By: Cory Vaillancourt
W hen the Coronavirus Pandemic resulted in the closing of millions of businesses across the United States in March 2020, federal response was swift and decisive, helping to save as many as could be saved with multiple forms of assistance.
Many small businesses in Waynesville’s Frog Level district were wiped out by flooding from Hurricane Helene. Jack Snyder photo
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