By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org The Columbus County Board of Elections likely violated state law by revising its plan for statewide runoff elections without properly notifying the public. Here’s what to know about the board’s actions, along with some context about the board’s history and the upcoming runoffs. Why are there runoff elections? In North Carolina, […]
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.
Posted inBusiness & Economy
Southern Columbus County: Where new development collides with a rural way of life
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org This story was co-published by the Border Belt Independent and The Assembly. The aroma of cigarettes, coffee, and Snickers bars fills the air outside of Fowler’s Supermarket on a rainy Sunday morning. Just before they head to church, a dozen men gather on the long wooden benches and plastic rocking chairs […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
‘Vote in hope of change’: education, community concerns top voter issues here
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Before heading to the polls, Theresa Guyton gets on a group call with every member of her family. They sort through each office on the ballot — from president, to state auditor and everything in between. Each person is assigned a different race to research prior to Election Day, then they […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
Anti-establishment success: takeaways from the 2024 primaries in southeastern NC
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org While Super Tuesday didn’t yield many surprises in the high-profile races for North Carolina, voters in the rural southeastern region of the state distinguished themselves in important ways. Most notably, they opted for “anti-establishment” candidates in both parties, many of whom campaigned in the region showing a need for increased engagement […]
Posted inEducation
Private school vouchers in southeast NC see sharp increase as funding more than doubles
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Private schools are on the rise in North Carolina, and the Border Belt region is no exception. A successful Republican-led push to expand the state’s private school voucher program last year has created massive growth in the number of students receiving vouchers and the amount of state funding in the program. […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
‘Feel more pain’: southeastern NC is at the heart of a 30-year public education fight
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org For 28 days, Angus Thompson has been undergoing intensive radiation therapy at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton. The treatments have left him tired and he now walks with two canes for support. But the fire hasn’t left the 72-year-old retired public defender. Neither has the fervor in his booming voice. He’s a […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
Rural Black voters, including those in Scotland County, are key for Democrats in NC
By Ben Rappaport and Kerria Weaver benrappaport@borderbelt.org kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org In a navy blue pinstripe suit and black and gold paisley tie, 93-year-old William Matthews Jr. drove through downtown Laurinburg in a Wagoneer bearing his name, waving and tossing candy out the window as he passed the crowds. Matthews, a retired command sergeant major in the National […]
Posted inNews
AmeriCorps volunteers build new home for Columbus County family affected by hurricanes
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org The thwacking of nail guns against wooden beams and the buzzing of a power saw cutting down planks created a cacophony of construction. Just off a dirt road outside the Columbus County town of Cerro Gordo, a group of young people built the foundation for what will soon become a tiny […]
Posted inBusiness & Economy
Here are some economic development projects to watch for in NC’s Border Belt
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org From a glass company to an IT service firm, the past two years have brought several major economic development announcements in rural southeastern North Carolina. There’s more on the way, local officials say. The Border Belt region — Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties — has announced more than $255 million […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
Who is the mayor of Pembroke? It’s complicated
Two months after Pembroke’s mayoral election, Greg Cummings refuses to give up his seat despite losing by 19 votes to challenger Allen Dial.