In addition to our regular daily news reporting, Carolina Public Press conducts many ongoing, in-depth projects that investigate some of the most complex and pressing issues in North Carolina.
Coming up short: Court driving NC prisons reform, but expert advice on handling pandemic still rejected
Swannanoa inmate: ‘I probably have the COVID, but they don’t want to test me because they gave it to me.’
SEEKING CONVICTION
Justice elusive for NC sexual assault survivors
Analysis of 4 ½ years of North Carolina court data shows that about 1 in 4 sexual assault defendants who were charged and had their cases resolved in that time window were convicted of either sexual assault or a reduced and related charge. Of those cases in that time period, 50 defendants went to trial; 23 were found guilty. But individual counties had different outcomes. More than 30 of the state’s 100 counties had no sexual assault or reduced-charge convictions at all. A few were well above the statewide level.
Response to sexual assault adjusts due to pandemic
Social distancing rules and hospital conditions force changes in protocols and procedures in responding to NC sexual assault cases during pandemic.
Inside the Investigation: A conversation with lead reporter Kate Martin
A virtual event allows Martin to pull back the curtain on her investigative reporting process.
Las victimas de la violacion necesitan enfermeras especializadas, pero nadie en NC las siguen en registros
Una encuesta de hospitales de la NC encontró resultados desiguales para la dotación de personal de enfermeras examinadores de asalto sexual. Algunas describieron a víctimas de violaciones que visitaban varios hospitales hasta que encontraron uno con el personal adecuado.
HCA responds to AG about nurses certified for sexual assault examinations
In the wake of concerns from a rural nonprofit and questions from the attorney general, HCA stands its ground on sexual assault nurse examiners.
In-depth and investigative journalism with impact: Top CPP stories of 2019
High-impact investigative stories, keeping watch on public officials and shining light on tough topics: The best from Carolina Public Press in 2019.
FACES OF HUNGER
Grappling with food insecurity in North Carolina
The Faces of Hunger project is a yearlong journalism and community dialogue initiative from Carolina Public Press that focuses on issues of hunger and food insecurity in rural North Carolina. Through in-depth multimedia reporting, resource sharing and free community events, Carolina Public Press will spotlight the issues and systems contributing to hunger and food hardship, which impact an estimated 1.5 million North Carolinians.
With food stamps under fire, new solutions to combat hunger in demand
Expanded outreach, new grants, and a growing network for referrals will help address food insecurity in North Carolina.
Childhood hunger rampant in parts of Western North Carolina
Food insecurity drives hunger in entire families, but often hits children the hardest. School and community programs targeting children seek to help.
Children, seniors across NC face high rate of food insecurity
Some seniors raising their grandchildren in North Carolina find the social safety net wasn’t designed with food for their families in mind.
Join us on Thursday for last of 5 community conversations on hunger, food insecurity in rural NC
Child hunger and senior hunger in rural North Carolina will be one focus of free public forum exploring causes and potential solutions to food insecurity.
Lack of sustainable jobs drives hunger in southeastern NC
Hits from hurricanes have worsened poverty and hunger, driven by the seasonal coastal job market of Brunswick and Columbus counties.
FOREST LOOKOUTS
Early responses to forest plan focus on feedback process, tiered approach
With 90-day comment period underway, observers say those concerned about the proposed management plan for Western NC forests have time to offer opinions.
Invasive plants in forest pose challenge for nearby NC farmers
Rural Buncombe County farming community the center of a nonprofit group and private landowner effort to fight invasive plants, promote forest stewardship.
Can US Forest Service afford to maintain roads needed to manage Western NC national forests?
Deteriorating forest roads damage ecosystem, limit access essential for forest management and forest-product economy.
Influential groups lack agreement on Western NC national forests
US Forest Service weighing public comment as it moves toward final forests management plan, but major collaborative groups divided over key issues.
Buck Project decision to harvest trees infuriates environmental advocates
Buck Project to harvest trees in Nantahala National Forest. Advocates say US Forest Service failed to weigh public comments opposing this action adequately.