Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Republican David Rouzer, who has represented North Carolina’s 7th Congressional district since 2014, is running for another term in office.  Rouzer is a staunch conservative who has criticized President Joe Biden’s policies and expressed doubts about the fairness of the 2020 election. His challenger, Marlando Pridgen, a Whiteville Democrat, is a political newcomer whose campaign focuses on environmental justice and bringing …Read more Continue reading Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Wanda Monroe, the elections director in Bladen County, wasn’t expecting any security threats at the polls this year. But she wanted to be proactive.  “We did have a meeting with all the law enforcement agencies in our county and emergency management teams to discuss safety issues that could arise,” Monroe said. Chief judges responsible for the county’s voting precincts underwent “extensive …Read more Continue reading Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  North Carolina has seen record highs for in-person early voter turnout so far this election, but most of the Border Belt counties are lagging behind the rest of the state.   Columbus and Scotland counties both had a turnout rate of about 12% as of Sunday, after three days of early in-person voting, according to the state Board of Elections. Robeson County …Read more Continue reading Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

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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

More Hispanic residents are moving to NC’s shrinking Border Belt region

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  It was a beautifully chaotic day for Alma Cruz. Acoustic guitars and trumpets played mariachi tunes as the 29-year-old ran around downtown Lumberton in her bright yellow, floral Tehuana dress, honoring her roots in Oaxaca, Mexico, during the Hispanic Cultural Festival. Cruz organized the inaugural event, which took place Sept. 14 and featured Latin food trucks, traditional dances, musical performances and …Read more Continue reading More Hispanic residents are moving to NC’s shrinking Border Belt region

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CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  The Office of Rural Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled a new strategic plan last week aimed at combating health issues in rural areas across the country. The new plan, which was developed alongside local partners like the N.C. Office of Rural Health, outlines a vision for the next five years to combat health issues like obesity, …Read more Continue reading CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues

Parents question schools after Bladen County bus driver accused of multiple sex crimes

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Some Bladen County parents say the school district should have done more to protect students from a school bus driver who is accused of sexually assaulting several young girls.    The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office began investigating on April 10 after a student told a school employee she was sexually assaulted by David Earl Denkins on the bus on the way to …Read more Continue reading Parents question schools after Bladen County bus driver accused of multiple sex crimes

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Schools in NC’s Border Belt see post-pandemic academic gains

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Schools in North Carolina’s Border Belt saw small academic gains last school year as districts continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Districts in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Columbus counties all saw an increase in the percentage of students who tested at or above grade level during the 2023-24 school year.  The improved performance mirrors statewide results of exams meant to …Read more Continue reading Schools in NC’s Border Belt see post-pandemic academic gains

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Public, private, home schools: Student enrollment by the numbers in NC’s Border Belt

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Teachers at Scotland High School last week put final touches on their classroom decorations, set up lessons on their smart boards and walked the halls with excitement for a new school year. Across the highway, Cross Pointe Christian Academy served as a new option for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Scotland County. Rural southeastern North Carolina matters. That’s why …Read more Continue reading Public, private, home schools: Student enrollment by the numbers in NC’s Border Belt

Two flood-prone NC towns rebuilt downtown districts on higher ground. Did it work?

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  After Hurricane Florence pummeled Bladen County in 2018, Amanda West had to start over.  West, the owner of Over Yonder Coffee, Teas, & Creamery in Bladenboro, said flood waters were 3 feet deep inside her store. The cooler and refrigerator were destroyed, along with 42 tubs of ice cream. “We lost everything,” she said. “So we just took everything out and …Read more Continue reading Two flood-prone NC towns rebuilt downtown districts on higher ground. Did it work?