For the Tuscarora, Tradition and Politics Clash in Quest for State Recognition
The Tuscarora created a unified government. The only problem? Many longtime leaders aren’t on board with the plan.
Small Businesses Feel the Pain of Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
‘Do I want to raise prices? Yes. Should I? Yes. But if I do, then I feel it would damage my reputation as a passionate member of the community.’
Saying Goodbye to St. Andrews University
To the dozens of alumni who attended the school’s final graduation ceremony, it felt more like a funeral.
For the Lumbee, Full Federal Recognition Is Closer Than Ever
One of Trump’s earliest executive actions directed the Interior Department to find a path forward for the tribe, with a deadline of this week.
North Carolina Farmers Reel From Trump Administration Payment Delays
Farmers say they’re waiting for federal payments for conservation and climate change programs, as well as emergency loans.
Trump’s Immigration Orders Fuel Isolation Among Immigrant Parishioners
North Carolina churches are raising concerns about ICE enforcement in places of worship.
Rumors, Fear Spread as N.C. Immigrants Brace for ICE Deportations
Calls to a Durham-based hotline spiked, and schools and churches scrambled to communicate with families as President Trump’s deportation push began.
More Border Belt Independent Coverage
How Republicans Gained Ground in Rural North Carolina
Rural counties like the Border Belt shifted further to the right, despite Democrats’ efforts to re-engage working-class voters.
The Abandoned Pools of Columbus County
Columbus County no longer has any public and community swimming pools—a reflection of racism, rural decay, and lost opportunity.
For the Tuscarora, Recognition Has Been A 40-Year Fight
The Tuscarora people want official state recognition as a tribe, but centuries of history and politics stand in their way.
The Next Development Frontier
With 10,000 new homes expected over the next decade, once-rural southern Columbus County is experiencing some growing pains.
The College That Refused to Die
What happens when survival becomes a college’s No. 1 priority? St. Andrews University offers a cautionary tale.
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