Kyle Perrotti

Editor's note: The Smoky Mountain News has on several occasions attempted to contact Jennifer Balkcom's campaign for a profile like this one. On Sept. 17, a campaign staffer texted SMN saying they'd reach out in a week. Despite numerous follow-up phone ca... See more

When domestic violence or sexual abuse victims seek justice — or even just safety — they embark on a complicated journey through the court system that is frustrating and can even make them relive their trauma. Kit Gruelle has worked as REACH of Haywood Co... See more

'We can't protect what we don't understand.' Oft ascribed to Jacques' son Jean-Michel Cousteau, this is a favorite adage of Todd Parrott Witcher, who will retire at the end of this year. The search is underway for Witcher's successor in the role of execut... See more

Three of five Haywood County commission seats are up for election this year, and at least two will be filled by newcomers. The county has seen its fair share of hardship over the last several years, beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic that gripped the co... See more

Haywood and Madison counties will have a new state House representative at the beginning of 2027 in either Republican Jimmy Rogers or Democrat Danny Davis. Amid an increasingly favorable national and state political climate for Democrats, the party is hop... See more