Shelters Serve as Warm Havens During Bitter Cold
Below-normal temperatures are expected to linger in the Border Belt for at least the next week, forecasters say.
RECENT STORIES
Some N.C. Counties Have Reduced Hepatitis B Cases, But New Guidelines Spark Concerns
Local health officials say updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put babies at risk.
State Elections Board Rejects Sunday Voting in Columbus County
The Republican chair of the Columbus County board supported Sunday voting, but the Republican majority on the state board voted against it.
N.C. Schools That Rely on International Teachers Brace for Visa Changes
The federal government approved more H-1B visas for K-12 education for North Carolina in 2025 than any other state except Texas.
Red Springs Mayoral Election Protest Dismissed, But Effects Could Linger
Residents of Red Springs Assisted Living say they are hesitant to vote after being questioned by investigators, according to the facility’s director.
Man Accused of Shooting Robeson County Deputies Sentenced to 45 Years for Other Crimes
Shawn Tobin Locklear Jr. was out on bond when investigators say he shot two deputies and commandeered an ambulance.
Southeastern North Carolina Wants to Grow Its Own Health Care Workforce
Universities across the region are trying to address physician and nursing shortages by expanding programs and creating new ones.
A Narrow Window of Hope for People Sentenced to Die in Prison
About 225 people serving life-without-parole sentences are eligible for review under an obscure North Carolina law.
Robeson County Faith Group Opposes Plan to Move Confederate Statue to a Public Park
The Ministers for Justice group says the courthouse monument should not be in a highly visible location.
Politics / Government
CBD, Hemp, and Other Marijuana Products May Not Be Available This Year. Here’s Why.
Hemp growers and business owners in North Carolina say a federal ban would kill the multi-billion-dollar industry.
Can You Hunt Elk in North Carolina?
After years of work to conserve the elk, the population has reached a high enough number for lawmakers to consider lifting the hunting ban.
State Board of Elections Will Set Early-Voting Schedule in Columbus County
The local elections board disagreed on whether to offer Sunday early voting for the 2026 primary in March.
After Decades of Fighting, Congress Recognizes the Lumbee
President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes Lumbee recognition, into law.
Education
Bladen Community College to Host Child Care Academies to Train Future Teachers
North Carolina awarded grants to 15 colleges to offer free training to child care specialists to address the statewide shortage.
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Donates Millions to Community Colleges in Border Belt
The philanthropist gave Robeson Community College $24 million and Bladen Community College $12 million.
UNC System Weighs Requiring Course Syllabi to be Public
Campuses have reached different conclusions about whether syllabi are public records. Now the UNC System wants to dictate that they are.
Head Start Closures Leave Robeson County Families Scrambling for Child Care
Southeastern Community Action Partnership closed three Head Start sites in Robeson County because of the government shutdown.
Health
Columbus Regional and Novant Health Make Their Case for New Hospital Plans
Both health care systems had public hearings this month about their proposals to build community hospitals along the U.S. 74 corridor.
Scientists Say This Chemical Could Cause Irreversible Harm. It’s Everywhere in Eastern N.C.
The discovery of TFA in blood and water samples raises questions about Chemours’ role in adding to the pollution burden.
How Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Is Shaking Up Health Care in N.C.
Some on the private market are already seeing higher premiums for 2026, and others who rely on Medicaid could lose coverage.
How Rural N.C. Lowered Overdose Deaths—But Will Struggle to Keep Pace
After years of fighting rising rates of overdoses, communities have been reversing the trend.