Robeson County Schools Are Off State’s Low-Performing List For First Time In Years
The public school district improved its state test scores and graduation rate. Other districts in the Border Belt also saw improvements.
RECENT STORIES
Make Or Break
Ninth graders in N.C. are held back more often than students in other parts of the country. How can schools ensure they’re ready to move on?
New School Teaches Robeson County Students Job Skills
The Robeson Career and Technical Education Center opened Monday in Pembroke, marking the county’s first new school in more than 40 years.
State Elections Board Nixes Sunday Voting in Columbus and Scotland Counties
North Carolina officials largely sided with Republicans to limit Sunday voting across the state ahead of the November election.
N.C. Cotton Farmers Contend With a New Pest
The cotton jassid is a looming threat to agriculture in North Carolina. Farmers already struggling to stay afloat fear what’s next.
Data Point: What Are the Top-Ranked High Schools in the Border Belt?
U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-2027 rankings of public schools across the nation.
Out-of-State Police Search UNC Pembroke’s Flock Cameras, Records Show
A Wilmington attorney wanted to know who was accessing surveillance footage on the college campus. The answer surprised him.
Scotland County Detention Center Has Dire Needs, Local Officials Say
The jail in Laurinburg hasn’t passed a state inspection since 2022. But replacing it poses challenges for the poor county.
Remembering the Life and Death of Sara Graham
A 911 dispatcher who answered a call in 2015 about a young woman’s disappearance wanted to keep her memory alive.
Politics / Government
Dallas Woodhouse Suggested Early-Voting Changes in Columbus County, Text Shows
The state elections board will set the early-voting schedules for Columbus and Scotland counties ahead of the November election.
The Lumbee Tribe Wants Better Health Care. It May Be On Its Own.
Researchers and health care providers say money from the Indian Health Service won’t be enough to meet the tribe’s needs.
New Work Rules Could Drop Thousands of Sick N.C. Residents From Medicaid
People with serious illnesses will need a doctor to verify twice a year that they’re too sick to work, or they risk losing their health insurance.
Columbus County Still Has ‘Financial Management Issues,’ State Auditor Says
The state, which has been monitoring the county’s finances since 2020, highlighted several concerns in a new report.
Education
Data Point: Robeson County Schools Search for New Superintendent
Here’s a look at the district by the numbers as the search begins to replace Freddie Williamson, who announced his retirement in June.
Funding Model for Students With Disabilities Leaves Some N.C. Schools Scrambling
Public school leaders and advocates say the state should revamp the way it pays for exceptional children’s programs.
In Some Parts of N.C., Majority-Black Public Schools Are First on the Chopping Block
Studies have found districts tend to close schools that serve minority students first. The closure of a Bladen County school highlights the impact.
Data Point: Finding Childcare in Rural Communities
The number of so-called childcare deserts are increasing in rural communities across the United States, according to a new report.
Health
Scotland County Nonprofit Coalition Gets New Life
The group is in a new era but has the same goal: to improve the county’s poor health and economy by maximizing collaboration between local…
They Harvest the Nation’s Food, But a New Rule May Strip Them of Health Insurance
New work requirements could could pose a significant challenge to Medicaid-eligible farmworkers, who
Columbus County Will Get a New Team of Community Paramedics
Officials say a state grant will help the county handle emergency calls for behavioral health issues, including overdoses.
What’s in My Weed?
Our investigation found many hemp products for sale don’t have the THC levels they claim—but do contain bacteria and other contaminants.