Columbus County Jail Beating Results in $975,000 Settlement
The 2022 assault raised concerns about safety and supervision under former Sheriff Jody Greene. But the jail has continued to have problems.
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.’
Judge Orders Columbus County Sheriff to Release Additional Records
The judge directed the county to grant access to public records about former sheriff Jody Greene.
The Moral of the Story
The state Supreme Court is weighing the definition of “good moral character.” The decision could upend occupational licensing.
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.
U.S. Attorney Resigns, Leaving Columbus Corruption Probe in Limbo
Michael Easley Jr. announced his resignation on Wednesday as part of the Trump transition.
What We’ve Learned About the Federal Probe in Columbus County
Federal investigators have demanded extensive information about finances and use of force at the sheriff’s office.
More Columbus County Coverage
Why We’re Suing Columbus County
Columbus County’s handling of public records “evinces a pattern of ongoing and willful defiance of our state’s transparency laws.”
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.
The Next Development Frontier
With 10,000 new homes expected over the next decade, once-rural southern Columbus County is experiencing some growing pains.
Clouds Over Columbus County
Dozens of people have been subpoenaed in a wide-ranging federal investigation into abuses of power at the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.
A Low Bar
North Carolina courts are working through a backlog of more than 800,000 criminal cases. But some counties are so short on lawyers that they’ve become “legal deserts” – and state officials have few plans to fill the void.