

Will Bladen County voters increase sales tax to fund school resource officers?
Bladen County voters will decide whether to increase the local sales tax to pay for school resource officers. If they say no, the property tax rate will change. Read more Continue reading Will Bladen County voters increase sales tax to fund school resource officers?

A young mother was abused. Then her dismembered body was found in Robeson County
Wendy Jones was the second Native American in three months who Robeson County investigators say was killed in a domestic violence situation. Read more Continue reading A young mother was abused. Then her dismembered body was found in Robeson County

Journalists hear that people want better access to local news and more stories that focus on solutions
A group of Border Belt-area residents and UNC Pembroke students told journalists Thursday evening that reliable news is hard to come by. Organizers say the forum helped them understand how people get their news, what the barriers are, and what types of stories people want. “To extend better service to communities, news organizations first need to spend time listening to people, understanding their habits, and …Read more Continue reading Journalists hear that people want better access to local news and more stories that focus on solutions

Test scores start to bounce back in North Carolina’s Border Belt schools
More students in NC’s Border Belt region passed state exams last school year, but the numbers continued to lag behind pre-pandemic scores. Read more Continue reading Test scores start to bounce back in North Carolina’s Border Belt schools

PFAS could be labeled ‘hazardous.’ What does that mean for southeastern NC?
The Environmental Protection Agency said the label for harmful “forever chemicals” could force polluters to report toxic releases and clean up contamination. Read more Continue reading PFAS could be labeled ‘hazardous.’ What does that mean for southeastern NC?

New round of grants could help expand broadband access in southeastern North Carolina
Internet providers in southeastern NC are counting on state and federal grants to expand access in the region. Read more Continue reading New round of grants could help expand broadband access in southeastern North Carolina

Border Belt Independent wins 10 journalism awards
The Border Belt Independent, a digital, nonprofit news organization in southeastern North Carolina took home several awards. Read more Continue reading Border Belt Independent wins 10 journalism awards

Alcohol is on the ballot in this rural NC county, where tourism meets conservative values
In Bladen County, where tourism intersects with conservative values, voters will decide whether to allow alcohol sales. Read more Continue reading Alcohol is on the ballot in this rural NC county, where tourism meets conservative values

Join the Border Belt Independent and other news outlets for a community forum Sept. 1
Join us on Thursday, Sept. 1, at UNC-Pembroke to share your thoughts on the news stories that matter most to you. Read more Continue reading Join the Border Belt Independent and other news outlets for a community forum Sept. 1

Rural NC community college graduates first class of psychiatric technicians
Six students have completed the new psychiatric technician program at Southeastern Community College in Columbus County, a program that health leaders say will help fill a need. Read more Continue reading Rural NC community college graduates first class of psychiatric technicians