Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on culture, society, human interest and technology. Her stories hold a mirror to society, reflecting both its malaise and its beauty.

A beloved dog in California was snatched by a mountain lion just 'feet away from the door' of their home in a horrifying attack. Laura McVay, a nurse practitioner in Glendale, was with her 5-year-old ...

Diane Emily Pellington of Murphy, N.C., was found dead on Feb. 25 Diane Emily Pellington of Murphy, N.C. was found dead on Feb. 25 Her family had requested a wellness check from the Cherokee County ...