Ben Rappaport, Author at The Assembly NC https://www.theassemblync.com North Carolina's digital magazine on place and power Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:02:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.theassemblync.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cropped-TA_Mark_Black_Square-32x32.png Ben Rappaport, Author at The Assembly NC https://www.theassemblync.com 32 32 210991526 What Remains of St. Andrews https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/st-andrews-laurinburg-nc-remains/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:30:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=51260 Following the sudden closure of St. Andrews University, Laurinburg grapples with a now-empty campus at the heart of the community.]]>

Following the sudden closure of St. Andrews University, Laurinburg grapples with a now-empty campus at the heart of the community.

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Downtown Lumberton, Gritty and Historic, Looks for New Life https://www.theassemblync.com/business/lumberton-nc-downtown-renewal/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 11:30:17 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=49898 For the first time in a long time, business owners and town officials say, Lumberton is on the precipice of becoming a true destination.]]>

For the first time in a long time, business owners and town officials say, Lumberton is on the precipice of becoming a true destination.

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Small Businesses Feel the Pain of Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty  https://www.theassemblync.com/business/north-carolina-small-businesses-tariffs-economic-uncertainty/ Tue, 20 May 2025 13:03:45 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=46928 '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.']]>

'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.'

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Judge Orders Columbus County Sheriff to Release Additional Records  https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/courts/columbus-county-sheriff-records-lawsuit/ Tue, 13 May 2025 16:23:10 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=46197 The judge directed the county to grant access to public records about former sheriff Jody Greene. ]]>

The judge directed the county to grant access to public records about former sheriff Jody Greene. 

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Saying Goodbye to St. Andrews University https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/saying-goodbye-to-st-andrews-university/ Thu, 08 May 2025 11:15:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=45876 To the dozens of alumni who attended the school’s final graduation ceremony, it felt more like a funeral. ]]>

To the dozens of alumni who attended the school’s final graduation ceremony, it felt more like a funeral.

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St. Andrews University to Close on May 5 https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/st-andrews-university-to-close-on-may-5/ Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:17:07 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=44845 Following decades of struggles for the small private school in Laurinburg, officials said it will cease operations in less than two weeks.]]>

Following decades of struggles for the small private school in Laurinburg, officials said it will cease operations in less than two weeks.

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North Carolina Farmers Reel From Trump Administration Payment Delays https://www.theassemblync.com/environment/agriculture/north-carolina-farmers-trump-payment-delays/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=39234 Farmers say they're waiting for federal payments for conservation and climate change programs, as well as emergency loans.]]>

Farmers say they're waiting for federal payments for conservation and climate change programs, as well as emergency loans.

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Rumors, Fear Spread as N.C. Immigrants Brace for ICE Deportations https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/north-carolina-deportations-ice-trump-immigration/ Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=37306 Man with ICE jacketCalls to a Durham-based hotline spiked, and schools and churches scrambled to communicate with families as President Trump's deportation push began.]]> Man with ICE jacket

Calls to a Durham-based hotline spiked, and schools and churches scrambled to communicate with families as President Trump's deportation push began.

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How Republicans Gained Ground in Rural North Carolina  https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/republicans-democrats-rural-north-carolina-2024/ Tue, 26 Nov 2024 18:49:07 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=33554 Rural counties like the Border Belt shifted further to the right, despite Democrats’ efforts to re-engage working-class voters. ]]>

Rural counties like the Border Belt shifted further to the right, despite Democrats’ efforts to re-engage working-class voters. 

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The Abandoned Pools of Columbus County https://www.theassemblync.com/place/abandoned-pools-columbus-county-segregation-nc/ Mon, 26 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=26244 Columbus County no longer has any public and community swimming pools—a reflection of racism, rural decay, and lost opportunity. ]]>

Columbus County no longer has any public and community swimming pools—a reflection of racism, rural decay, and lost opportunity. 

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