Every day, our journalism dismantles barriers and shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues important to all North Carolinians.
Before you go …
If you like what you are reading and believe in independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism like ours—journalism the way it should be—please contribute to keep us going. Reporting like this isn’t free to produce and we cannot do this alone. Thank you!
Your membership makes our work possible.
1.4M NC voters cast ballots in smooth-running primary
Engagement near record-high for midterm primary, still fewer than one-in-five NC eligible voters participated. Conspiracy theorist activity in Surry County doesn’t seem to dampen the vote.
Buncombe commits $3M in ARPA funds to preschool programs
Initiative designed to improve funding and resources for preschools, seen as essential for children’s recovery from pandemic but unaffordable for many families.
DHHS takes over child services in Bertie County
Precise reason for state takeover unclear. Agency had lost numerous workers to surrounding counties in recent years.
The Carolina Public Press shop is open!
Show your Carolina Public Press spirit! New merchandise includes hats, baby bibs, mugs and more!
Carolina Public Press: The next 10 years
Carolina Public Press in 2021 celebrated 10 years of independent, investigative journalism for all of North Carolina. See what we are planning as we move into our second decade!
Keep up with what’s important
Keep up with all of our in-depth, investigative news and the public interest issues that matter most in North Carolina.
Carolina Public Press launched the Eastern North Carolina news bureau in January 2022. Based in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, CPP East provides local and regional nonpartisan journalism toward strengthening accountability and democracy. Visit the page.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Social services in NC may be in the hands of people who don’t meet minimum qualifications.
Why and how it happens, and how other states avoid the problem.
How and why North Carolina counties decide to build
or expand jails, the costs of those decisions
and possible alternatives.
Inconsistency and inequity in child welfare policies across NC
Struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic in state’s prison system
Justice elusive for NC sexual assault survivors
How climate change affects North Carolina’s fisheries
and the people who rely on them for a living.
The importance of sexual assault nurse examiners
and the difficulty of locating them in North Carolina
Grappling with food insecurity in North Carolina
Is one of North Carolina’s main systems
for housing those with mental illness failing?
RECOMMENDED
Why NC legislators are arguing a legal theory that could upend US democracy
![The Cherokee County Department of Social Services building in Murphy, N.C. on May 18, 2020. After an SBI investigation, A grand jury indicted several former DSS officials on Monday.[Frank Taylor/The Carolina Public Press]](https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cherokeedss.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
Federal judge upholds big verdict against Cherokee County over child removal
US Supreme Court lets NC redistricting stand
NC city may offer down payment help to its employees
Details of Western NC national forest plan drawing objection
MORE STORIES
What does Supreme Court action on abortion mean for North Carolina: An FAQ
The leaked U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has created political waves across the country, but what would it mean for abortion in North Carolina?
Fayetteville to seek voter approval of bond package on November ballot
The bonds, which would require a property tax increase, would address public safety, infrastructure and affordable housing in the city.
Trust and verify: An FAQ for understanding why NC election results are accurate
Several overlapping election procedures show us why we can be confident in election results.
Not all crime-fighting ideas created equal: City unveils scoring system for grant applicants
NC city has launched program to provide grants to those with ideas to reduce crime in the community. City will score proposals based on inclusivity, collaboration, resourcefulness and innovation, plus a bonus for certain zip codes.
ARPA to the rescue as NC city seeks to shore up firefighting staff
Loss of volunteers has forced Marion to hire additional firefighters, but federal funds could alleviate the financial impact.
NC law setting minimum standards for DSS hires goes unenforced
One county faces millions in liability due to actions under director hired without meeting qualifications, despite having at least one applicant who met standards. State agencies say they can’t do anything to stop this.
Crime & Justice
Andrew Brown Jr. wrongful-death lawsuit takes step forward
Family suing over Pasquotank County sheriff’s deputies fatally shooting Andrew Brown Jr. seek to use SBI report in lawsuit.
Economy
What governments are doing to bring high-speed fiber internet to rural NC
A pandemic that forced remote school and work is creating more political will than ever to bring high-speed broadband to more of North Carolina.
Education
Pilot program brings sexual assault nurse training to historically Black university
Dr. Sheila Cannon seeks to train SANE nurses at Fayetteville State University to serve in Cumberland County and nearby rural areas. She hopes for additional funding to sustain program.
Environment
City accepts $10.5M in NC ARPA funds to address drainage issues
Fayetteville will receive money from the state’s ARPA funds to improve stormwater drainage in various parts of the city.
Health
Cumberland to receive nearly $17M from NC opioid settlement
County’s health director tells commissioners that Cumberland should receive first two payments of settlement in coming weeks.
Politics & Government
NC city officials seek power to remove more homeless camps
Proposed ordinance would prohibit camping on public rights of way and on private property without owner consent in Fayetteville.