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Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  A Whiteville woman was surprised when she went to her mailbox on Thursday and noticed a yard sign planted across the street from her home. “ILLEGALS WELCOME,” it read in large blue lettering, with an arrow pointed at her front door. The woman, Laura — the Border Belt Independent is identifying her by her first name only to protect her privacy — …Read more Continue reading Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

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Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated with an eye on the election

By Hallie Golden Associated Press As Native Americans across the U.S. come together on Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate their history and culture and acknowledge the ongoing challenges they face, many will do so with a focus on the election. From a voting rally in Minneapolis featuring food, games and raffles to a public talk about the Native vote at Virginia Tech, the …Read more Continue reading Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated with an eye on the election

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Scotland County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Scotland County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall. Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here. Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here. At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Scotland County Voter Guide 2024

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Robeson County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Robeson County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall.  Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here.  Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here.  At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Robeson County Voter Guide 2024

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Columbus County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Columbus County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall.  Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here.  Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here.  At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Columbus County Voter Guide 2024

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Bladen County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Bladen County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall.  Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here.  Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here.  At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Bladen County Voter Guide 2024

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Mark Robinson, under-fire candidate for NC governor, finds support in Columbus County

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Dot Gore knows Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has a history of making controversial comments. But Gore said she believes Robinson is a good person at his core, which is why she plans to vote for him for governor in November.  Robinson has drawn criticism for his remarks on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and more. A report by CNN last month said …Read more Continue reading Mark Robinson, under-fire candidate for NC governor, finds support in Columbus County

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‘Not enough dentists’: Border Belt counties need better access to dental care

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  On any given day throughout the school year, you’re likely to see a blue and white recreation vehicle parked outside a public school in Columbus County. It’s the Toothmobile, a mobile dental clinic that serves more than 1,000 students each year. Students can visit the Toothmobile during the school hours for cleanings, fillings and other critical dental procedures. Those without dental …Read more Continue reading ‘Not enough dentists’: Border Belt counties need better access to dental care

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Trump promises full recognition for the Lumbee. He’d still have to go through Congress

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  At a rally in Wilmington on Saturday, Republican Donald Trump said he would sign legislation granting the Lumbee tribe full federal recognition if he is elected president.  “The Lumbee tribe has been wrongfully denied federal recognition for more than a century,” Trump told the crowd. “Today I am officially announcing that if I am elected in November, I will sign legislation …Read more Continue reading Trump promises full recognition for the Lumbee. He’d still have to go through Congress

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Why we’re suing Columbus County

By Carli Brosseau and Sarah Nagem Last year, we revealed that dozens of people had been subpoenaed as part of a wide-ranging federal investigation into abuses of power on the part of former Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene and some of his deputies. Greene, who made national news after a local TV station aired a recorded phone call in which he referred to deputies as …Read more Continue reading Why we’re suing Columbus County