Rebuild NC’s embattled director is no longer a state employee, a memo confirms

By Lisa Sorg Inside Climate News This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. Laura Hogshead, director of ReBuild NC, which mismanaged millions of dollars in hurricane recovery spending, is no longer employed with the agency, Inside Climate News has confirmed. Eddie Buffaloe Jr., secretary of the Department of Public …Read more Continue reading Rebuild NC’s embattled director is no longer a state employee, a memo confirms

Segregation academies across the South are getting millions in taxpayer dollars

By Jennifer Berry Hawes and Mollie Simon, ProPublica This story was originally published by ProPublica. Read more in this series. Private schools across the South that were established for white children during desegregation are now benefiting from tens of millions in taxpayer dollars flowing from rapidly expanding voucher-style programs, a ProPublica analysis found. In North Carolina alone, we identified 39 of these likely “segregation academies” …Read more Continue reading Segregation academies across the South are getting millions in taxpayer dollars

Annual fund drive begins; donations matched through Dec. 31

Stories with impact. That’s the mission of the Border Belt Independent as we write about the challenges and triumphs of the people of Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties. But we need your help to continue the kind of reporting you’ve come to expect from our dedicated journalists. NewsMatch, a national journalism philanthropy, will match your tax-deductible contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000 through Dec. 31. …Read more Continue reading Annual fund drive begins; donations matched through Dec. 31

Trump pledged to roll back protections for transgender students. They’re flooding crisis hotlines

By Jocelyn Gecker and Sharon Lurye AP Education Writers Editor’s Note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Transgender youth in the United States have been flooding crisis hotlines since the election of Donald …Read more Continue reading Trump pledged to roll back protections for transgender students. They’re flooding crisis hotlines

Border Belt Independent receives $110,000 to boost reporting staff

The Border Belt Independent has received $110,000 in grants to support its reporting team. The Border Belt Independent (BBI) is one of 205 local news outlets to secure a Press Forward grant of $100,000 to be used over two years. The grant is part of $20 million awarded by Press Forward, a nationwide movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news. Press Forward awarded grants …Read more Continue reading Border Belt Independent receives $110,000 to boost reporting staff

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Mark Robinson, under-fire candidate for NC governor, finds support in Columbus County

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Dot Gore knows Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has a history of making controversial comments. But Gore said she believes Robinson is a good person at his core, which is why she plans to vote for him for governor in November.  Robinson has drawn criticism for his remarks on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and more. A report by CNN last month said …Read more Continue reading Mark Robinson, under-fire candidate for NC governor, finds support in Columbus County

Hurricane Helene brings climate change to forefront of the presidential campaign

By Matthew Daly Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene has brought climate change to the forefront of the presidential campaign after the issue lingered on the margins for months. Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Georgia Wednesday to see hard-hit areas, two days after her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, was in the state and criticized the federal response …Read more Continue reading Hurricane Helene brings climate change to forefront of the presidential campaign

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‘Not enough dentists’: Border Belt counties need better access to dental care

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  On any given day throughout the school year, you’re likely to see a blue and white recreation vehicle parked outside a public school in Columbus County. It’s the Toothmobile, a mobile dental clinic that serves more than 1,000 students each year. Students can visit the Toothmobile during the school hours for cleanings, fillings and other critical dental procedures. Those without dental …Read more Continue reading ‘Not enough dentists’: Border Belt counties need better access to dental care

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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Why we’re suing Columbus County

By Carli Brosseau and Sarah Nagem Last year, we revealed that dozens of people had been subpoenaed as part of a wide-ranging federal investigation into abuses of power on the part of former Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene and some of his deputies. Greene, who made national news after a local TV station aired a recorded phone call in which he referred to deputies as …Read more Continue reading Why we’re suing Columbus County