"... gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson announced it was moving its corporate headquarters and “significant elements of its operations” to Blount County."

One of the reasons they are moving is that Massachusetts is in the process of banning the manufacture of assault weapons for civilians. Assault weapons are 60% of their business.

So the #1 news story for Blount County in 2021, according to Daily Times journalists, is that an assault weapon manufacturer is moving to a rural, bucolic setting in Blount County. The site will include an outdoor firing range.

If this is the #1 news story for Blount County its been a very bad year.