On an overcast and chilly late winter morning, Simon Montelongo works in a room, clean as a laboratory, with fellow employees processing cannabis in various products.  Montelongo, a lead processor at the Great Smoky Cannabis Co. farm, is one of over 225 employees with the company which continues to grow and expand. 

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), Vice Chairman of the Committee, led a business meeting of the Senate Committee of Indian Affairs in Washington, DC, to consider 25 bills before the Committee.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Kituwah pavilion on the afternoon of Monday, March 3

The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), providing health care to the members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), has not been affected by the recent cuts to funding and staffing to some programs and departments at the federal level. 

The Tsalagi Aniwonisgi Dinilawigi (Cherokee Speakers Council) held their monthly meeting on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 27 in kalvgviditsa tsalagi aniwonisgi tsunatsohisdihi (Cherokee Speakers Place).

Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks chaired the Feb. 18 meeting of the Planning Board of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Several items were discussed.

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced on Monday, Feb. 24 that the Haywood County man who killed an Uber driver, Julia Holland of Candler, will spend the rest of his life in prison.

The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools met on Monday, Feb. 3 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order at 4:44 p.m. by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson.