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State Rep. Jarrod Lowery, a Robeson County Republican, discusses federal recognition for the Lumbee and more. Read more Continue reading Q&A: Rep. Jarrod Lowery on Lumbee recognition, DEI policies, retirement savings and more
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Federal funding is especially crucial for low-income schools like those in rural southeastern North Carolina. Read more Continue reading Rural schools in NC’s Border Belt brace for federal funding cuts
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Farmers say they’re waiting for payments linked to conservation programs, projects aimed at combating climate change, and disaster loans.Read more Continue reading North Carolina farmers reel from Trump administration payment delays
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North Carolina churches are raising concerns that letting ICE enforce within congregations will deter immigrants from attending worship services and make it harder to offer a safe community haven. Many of those fears are already being realized. Read more Continue reading Trump immigration orders fuel isolation for immigrant parishioners
By Jaymie Baxley North Carolina Health News With President Donald Trump back in power, a Republican-led push for work requirements for Medicaid is gaining momentum. In recent days, Republican governors in South Carolina, Arkansas and Ohio have sought permission from the federal government to kick jobless beneficiaries off their states’ rolls. Russell T. Vought, nominated by Trump to lead the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, expressed support for making coverage …Read more Continue reading Medicaid work requirements will likely be a priority in Congress and NC legislature
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Executive orders from President Donald Trump calling for increased deportation of immigrants are stoking fears across rural southeastern North Carolina. Read more Continue reading Trump’s immigration orders spark fear in NC’s Border Belt
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News of President Donald Trump’s move to grant full federal recognition to the Lumbee tribe was met with joy and caution. Read more Continue reading Trump’s push for Lumbee recognition energizes tribe. But could it make a difference?
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
By Carli Brosseau and Sarah Nagem By the time Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene resigned in January 2023, it was clear that state investigators were chasing leads far beyond a recorded phone call in which he called his deputies “snakes” and “Black bastards.” District Attorney Jon David was prepared to argue in court that Greene should be stripped of his position due to “repeated acts …Read more Continue reading What we’ve learned about the federal probe in Columbus County
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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
