Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced on Tuesday, March 4 President Obama’s fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget request of $11.9 billion for the Department of the Interior, saying it makes key investments to maintain vital funding for Interior’s missions, in landscape-level conservation, balanced energy development, water management, engaging youth and veterans, addressing climate change, fulfilling commitments to American Indians and Alaska Native Tribes and Insular communities.

  “I spoke to the Franklin Town Board on Monday, March 3 about the Nikwasi Mound and my belief that the protection of the mound should be the responsibility of the tribe. I feel like my concerns were well received. I will continue to work on this initiative with...

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a tourist mecca.  In fact, it is the most visited national park in the country.  A recent National Park Service (NPS) report states that tourism brought $741 million to communities surrounding the Park in 2012. Smokies acting...