In historic NC hearing, Joe Freeman Britt’s troubled past as prosecutor looms

By Jacob Biba This story was produced in partnership with the Garrison Project. In February and early March, a Johnston County Superior Court judge held an evidentiary hearing related to a claim filed by Hasson Bacote that race played an impermissible role in the jury selection of his first-degree murder conviction and death sentence.  For nearly 14 years, Bacote, a Black man, has sought relief …Read more Continue reading In historic NC hearing, Joe Freeman Britt’s troubled past as prosecutor looms

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Some Border Belt voters went to the wrong precinct on Election Day

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org After being redirected for a second time, Trayonna Haddock got in her car and drove away from the Bill Sapp Recreation Center in Lumberton to travel to yet another voting precinct. “This happens to me every year,” Haddock, 53, said before going to her third location on Election Day, March 5. Haddock wasn’t the only voter who got sent to another …Read more Continue reading Some Border Belt voters went to the wrong precinct on Election Day

At UNC Pembroke, frustrations about safety reach fever pitch following shootings

By Rachel Baldauf  rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Their faces illuminated by electric candlelight, students at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke wept as they gathered for the second time in less than a month to remember a friend who was shot and killed.  Cameron Taylor, 22, was killed in a March 2 mass shooting when a fight broke out at The Commons at Pembroke, an off-campus apartment …Read more Continue reading At UNC Pembroke, frustrations about safety reach fever pitch following shootings

Daylight saving time remains controversial in southeastern N.C.

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Last Sunday, clocks across most of the country sprang forward an hour, marking the start of daylight saving time. The practice of shifting clocks forward an hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to make the most out of the amount of sunlight the Northern Hemisphere receives. But the practice has long been controversial. A …Read more Continue reading Daylight saving time remains controversial in southeastern N.C.

Robeson County company got state funds for STEM classes. It also does military training

By Lisa Sorg This story was originally published by NC Newsline. On its face, the Emerging Technology Institute in Red Springs, in northwestern Robeson County, promotes STEM education — wowing school kids with drones and dog robots. But behind the scenes, the well-connected defense contractor reveals its other mission: Offering military-style urban and rural tactical training with role players and drones. Rifle and pistol marksmanship. Exercises in countering “emerging threats.” A …Read more Continue reading Robeson County company got state funds for STEM classes. It also does military training

What does sports betting mean for UNC Pembroke? 

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is among the 13 schools within the UNC System that will get money from sports betting.  Each school will receive $300,000 next fiscal year from taxes generated by sports betting, which became legal in North Carolina on Monday. In addition, 20% of remaining tax proceeds not earmarked for other uses will go to the …Read more Continue reading What does sports betting mean for UNC Pembroke? 

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Tyris Jones taps into the art of storytelling

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Tyris Jones, 55, has always dreamed of his name being in lights on Broadway and knows one day he is going to win an Oscar.  In his community, Jones is best known as a storyteller and enjoys sharing his craft with others. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Jones about storytelling and how he brings awareness to this uncommon art form. …Read more Continue reading Tyris Jones taps into the art of storytelling

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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 outside the store and debrief the local goings on. It’s …Read more Continue reading Southern Columbus County: Where new development collides with a rural way of life

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‘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 confer and decide who earns their vote.  This primary was …Read more Continue reading ‘Vote in hope of change’: education, community concerns top voter issues here

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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 of rural voters in the lead-up to the election in …Read more Continue reading Anti-establishment success: takeaways from the 2024 primaries in southeastern NC