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Frontline philanthropy: Nonprofit aid stepped up in Helene's wake

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Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

NC Stories @ncstories.bsky.social · 13d

Frontline philanthropy: How Nonprofit aid stepped up in Helene's wake

In the wake of two devastating floods just three years apart, Western North Carolina’s resiliency didn’t come from government agencies. While FEMA and state emergency teams provided vital aid, three…

Former Green Beret Adam Smith to challenge Edwards in NC-11 Primary

Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · 24d

On the cusp of a week that marks 1 year since Helene devastated #wnc, a Republican is entering the #ncpol GOP primary against incumbent Chuck Edwards with a message centered around Helene response.

Story ⬇️ by @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social

smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40...

Adam Smith says it’s time for a change and that he’s ready to stand up for Western North Carolina in ways incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards hasn’t — particularly, in Hurricane Helene recovery. “I thin...

Helene victims still waiting for Whatley

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Sep 5

Schrodinger's "outsider" — OK when suggesting regional library disintegration, not OK when vandalizing Confederate statue

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Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Alan Frady @alanfrady.bsky.social · Aug 29

This story, from my hometown newspaper, @smokymountainnews.bsky.social, details the dismal response from the trump admin & Michael Whatley, who is running for Tillis' senate seat. Thank you @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social for covering this important story. #NCPOL

smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40...

Scenic Chimney Rock has historically been an out-of-the-way place, nestled tightly against the Broad River in a narrow valley between lush, towering peaks that peer down at nearby Lake Lure. It’s alwa...

smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40...

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Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Jessica Wakeman @jessicawakeman.bsky.social · Aug 14

Man who shot viral video at local dump sues Haywood sheriff, dump owner

A Prince George’s County, Maryland, man whose viral video of a confrontation with a group at a dump in Haywood County drew outrage and polarized viewers has said he will file a federal civil rights la...

The Appalachian Comics Project And Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

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Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Andrew Aydin @andrewaydin.bsky.social · Aug 9

Grateful for the opportunity to speak with West Virginia Public Broadcasting about the work @appalachiacomics.bsky.social is doing to help rebuild from Helene and give voice to the people of the region.

wvpublic.org/wvpb-podcast...

After the dark days of Hurricane Helene, an award-winning comic book writer launches the Appalachian Comics Project. And, our Song of the Week this week features “Planetarium,” by Blitzen Trapper.

wvpublic.org

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Aug 2

The #NC11 Dem primary is already on fire: Four candidates blast party leaders for favoring Jamie Ager at upcoming gala, threaten boycott, raise legal/ethical questions #ncpol

Democratic candidates protest NC-11 gala exclusion, threaten boycott

A blistering letter signed by four Democratic candidates for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District is raising questions about party neutrality in primaries, calling the party’s deci...

The rise and ruination of Swain County Sheriff Curtis A. Cochran

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Jul 30

Plenty has been said about the rape and sexual assault charges against Swain County Republican Sheriff Curtis Cochran, but not much has been said about his 20-year tenure. Until now.

For nearly two decades, a self-styled reformer with no law enforcement experience who toppled a longtime sheriff and rode a rising red tide to four reelection victories enjoyed his unusual transformat...

Jamie Ager enters NC-11 race with message of rural roots, business acumen

Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Jul 29

smokymountainnews.com/news/item/39...: Fourth-generation farmer Jamie Ager enters #NC11 race, pitching rural roots, business chops and bipartisan grit in a challenge to Chuck Edwards. #ncpol

On a fourth-generation family farm nestled in the hills just outside of Fairview, Jamie Ager spent his childhood watching the seasons change, the animals grow and the land evolve with the rhythms of l...

A Comic Anthology - Uniting Stories, Art, and Survival in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

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Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Dr. Carol Tilley 🏳️‍🌈 @anuncivilphd.bsky.social · Jul 5

You still have time to pledge my friend @andrewaydin.bsky.social #comics anthology, featuring stories of Appalachian survivors of Hurricane Helene. Supporting contributors include @natepowell.bsky.social @gregpak.net @lauramartin.bsky.social @alexsegura.bsky.social and @thiendog.bsky.social!

Islands in the Sky

www.kickstarter.com

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Jun 24

BREAKING: After 81 years, Jackson County has voted to leave the Fontana Regional Library system over LGBTQ+ content. Critics warn of higher costs, legal risks and diminished service.

Jackson County votes to leave Fontana Regional Library system

In a historic decision that will reshape the future of public library services in Jackson County, commissioners voted Tuesday night to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system after months of...

Face to face: Jackson County meets Fontana board amid library controversy

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Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · Jun 24

Helpful longread by @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social about the Jackson County commission's flirtation w/ leaving the Fontana Regional Library.

Easy to discount it as too local if you're outside the #828, but doing so would be a mistake; a similar story is being repeated across #ncpol & the US.

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Jun 22

A perfect lazy Sunday read — the most comprehensive look yet at Jackson County’s library fight. Commissioners vote Tues. on leaving the Fontana system over LGBTQ+ content, a move that could cost $500K more each year

Finally face to face amid a simmering standoff over library governance and subjectively inappropriate material in a regional library system that’s served locals for more than 80 years, Jackson County ...

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Jun 6

TONIGHT!

Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Jun 2

Come on out this Friday!

Pless makes dramatic change to controversial TDA bill

Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · May 20

Now that it’s been presented to the House Finance Committee, a bill filed by Haywood Republican Rep. Mark Pless that would have essentially abolished the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority looks much different.

Now that it’s been presented to the House Finance Committee, a bill filed by Haywood Republican Rep. Mark Pless that would have essentially abolished the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority l...

EXCLUSIVE: Payton McNabb’s victim speaks out

Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Paige_Turner793 @paigeturner793.bsky.social · May 19

Thank you @smokymountainnews.bsky.social for letting me tell my story🏳️‍⚧️

smokymountainnews.com/news/item/39...

On May 2, 2024, a brief, awkward moment inside a women’s restroom at Western Carolina University was recorded, uploaded to social media and sparked a flashpoint in America’s ongoing culture wars. At t...

EXCLUSIVE: Payton McNabb’s victim speaks out

Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · May 15

More than a year after the incident, Paige LeBlanc is finally ready to talk about being filmed in a Western Carolina University bathroom.

On May 2, 2024, a brief, awkward moment inside a women’s restroom at Western Carolina University was recorded, uploaded to social media, and sparked a flashpoint in America’s ongoing culture wars. At ...

Coming soon: Islands in the Sky

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Reposted by Cory Vaillancourt

Appalachia Comics Project @appalachiacomics.bsky.social · May 10

Sign up for updates and launch notifications for our upcoming Kickstarter, the first volume of ‘Islands in the Sky’ the story of Helene and what came after, as told by the survivors themselves.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/878...

Uniting Stories, Art, and Survival in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

www.kickstarter.com

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · May 5

North Carolina's 11th Congressional District Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards now has his first real opponent. #ncpol #nc11

Moe Davis enters NC-11 congressional race

Retired Air Force Col. Moe Davis is stepping back into familiar turf — running for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. “I just keep looking at what Chuck Edwards is not doing for...

Jackson commissioners likely violated law by removing plaque

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Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Apr 29

Tonight, catch me on NC Capital Tonight w/ Tim Boyum, talking more about recent developments in the "Sylva Sam" Confederate monument saga.

In response to a public records request made by The Smoky Mountain News, Jackson County Manager Kevin King revealed that commissioners not only failed to discuss in any official meeting removing plaqu...

Where’s the money? Nearly seven months after Helene, NC towns wait on federal checks

Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Apr 22

Here's more from @charlotteobserver.com (using my previous reporting) on #FEMA's failure to pay WNC for Hurricane Helene damage, seven months later.

Several local governments in Helene-battered towns in Western North Carolina are waiting on reimbursements from FEMA for much needed repairs.

www.charlotteobserver.com

Attorney General, regional LEOs band together to fight fraud

Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Apr 14

“If you're a contractor, your work is needed here, and we're glad that you're interested, but here's the thing, you better treat people fairly. You better be honest. You better do what you say you're going to do. We are not going to tolerate contracting fraud.”

Nearly two dozen law enforcement professionals from across Western North Carolina stood behind Attorney General Jeff Jackson — literally and figuratively — at the Historic Haywood Courthouse April 14 ...