Data Point: How Many Border Belt Students Get Private School Vouchers?
More students in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson, and Scotland counties received taxpayer-funded Opportunity Scholarships this year.
RECENT STORIES
Border Belt Schools Say They Need More Local Money to Fill Budget Gaps
Meanwhile, county leaders say they are also struggling to keep up with rising costs for services.
These UNC System Schools Want to Create Three-Year Degrees
Eleven of the system’s 16 universities proposed new reduced-credit undergraduate programs, which are gaining popularity across the country.
Border Belt Counties Push Back Against Proposed Changes to Property Taxes
Local leaders say counties should determine property revaluations and tax rates, not the North Carolina legislature.
What the Medicaid Deal Means for the Border Belt
The legislature approved $319 million to keep the program afloat for more than 3 million recipients across North Carolina.
Robeson County Residents Want Commissioner to Resign Over Post Calling Obama ‘Racist’
Board Chairman David Edge said he posted a meme about the former president because he wanted to hear other people’s opinions on it.
Teachers From Across N.C. Rally for More Pay, Better Funding
At least 20 districts closed on Friday as thousands of educators gathered outside the General Assembly for the “Kids Over Corporations” event.
A Family’s Fight for Education Spans Generations
Long before the Leandro case began in 1994, Angus Thompson’s ancestors advocated for equality in Robeson County public schools.
Scotland County Considers How to Tackle Litter
With only two enforcement officers, it can be tough for the local health department to keep up with illegal dump sites.
Politics / Government
St. Pauls’ Fight Against Flooding
The Robeson County town has gotten millions of dollars from the state for flood mitigation projects. But there’s more work to do.
Will Federal Recognition for the Lumbee ‘Transform’ Southeastern North Carolina?
Members of the Lumbee tribe, which won full federal recognition last December, can soon access more federal programs and may open a casino.
St. Andrews University Rape Case Ends With Settlement
Webber International University reached an out-of-court agreement with a former St. Andrews student, but few details are publicly available.
Scotland County Homeowners Experience Sticker Shock After Property Revaluation
County commissioners could lower the property tax rate, which is the highest in the state, to ease the financial burden.
Education
Thousands of Teachers to Rally in Raleigh Friday
At least 13 districts across the state have canceled classes due to the high number of teacher leave requests.
Community Colleges Want in on UNC System’s Push for 3-Year Degrees
Two community college presidents wrote to their system leader expressing concern about a proposal to create accelerated degree programs.
Bladen County Schools Might Cut Jobs to Reduce Costs
The superintendent is recommending the elimination of several positions, a move he says would save the district more than $2 million.
UNC Wilmington Wants to Start a Medical School
The school, which would take at least seven years to get off the ground, would be the latest boon to health education in the state.
Health
Behavioral Health Urgent Care Set to Open in Robeson County
The facility will be open 24 hours a day to help patients who are experiencing a mental health or substance misuse crisis.
State Approves Plans for Two Hospitals Near Brunswick-Columbus County Line
N.C. regulators gave the preliminary go-ahead to Columbus Regional Healthcare System and Novant Health to build hospitals seven miles apart.
Cape Fear Valley Health Names Daniel Weatherly as New CEO
After a five-week search, the Cape Fear Valley Health System Board of Trustees named Daniel Weatherly as its new chief executive officer on Wednesday.
The Next Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease Could Come Out of UNC Pembroke
Ben Bahr leads the university’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Lab, which is working to develop a low-cost treatment for the brain disorder.