Author: Ben Rappaport

Ben Rappaport is a reporter at the Border Belt Independent. He is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill, and he previously worked for the Chatham News + Record.
Columbus County, Environment, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County

Rain moves into southeastern North Carolina after wildfires

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Officials are urging caution in much of southeastern North Carolina as wildfires remain a risk during windy conditions. Wildfires have been burning in the region since last week. More than 200 acres burned in the Evergreen community in Columbus County, and other fires broke out near a sawmill in Riegelwood. Robeson County has seen 15 wildfires that burned more than 220 …Read more Continue reading Rain moves into southeastern North Carolina after wildfires

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Education, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County, Scotland County

Border Belt schools see increase in crime, violence and suspensions

School districts across the Border Belt saw increases in crime and suspension rates in the 2023-2024 school year, although statewide figures declined, according to a report from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Read more Continue reading Border Belt schools see increase in crime, violence and suspensions

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Education, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County, Scotland County

Border Belt schools still feel effects of COVID learning loss, new report shows

Most school districts in North Carolina’s Border Belt experienced more learning loss than the state overall since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, a new report shows.  Read more Continue reading Border Belt schools still feel effects of COVID learning loss, new report shows

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County, Scotland County

More than 1,500 ballots in Border Belt challenged in NC Supreme Court race

More than 1,500 voters in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties had their votes challenged in the disputed election for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Read more Continue reading More than 1,500 ballots in Border Belt challenged in NC Supreme Court race

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News, Politics / Government, Recent Stories, Robeson County

US House passes Lumbee recognition bill

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lumbee Fairness Act on Tuesday, moving North Carolina’s largest Native American tribe a step closer to its 136-year fight for full federal recognition. The tribe has gotten this close before, only for the Senate to leave its version of the bill on the table without voting on it. The legislation has been introduced 30 times …Read more Continue reading US House passes Lumbee recognition bill

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Bladen County, Elections, Politics / Government

How Republicans gained ground in rural North Carolina

By Ben Rappaport and Sarah Nagem benrappaport@borderbelt.org This story is co-published by The Assembly and the Border Belt Independent.  There was never any doubt Charles Ray Peterson would be a Democrat. His parents, grandparents—everyone he knew in Bladen County, really—were Democrats.  Peterson, 70, served on the Bladen County school board for 12 years and has been a county commissioner for more than two decades. “When I got involved …Read more Continue reading How Republicans gained ground in rural North Carolina

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