President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes Lumbee recognition, into law.
Sarah Nagem
Sarah Nagem is editor of the Border Belt Independent. She previously worked for The News & Observer and currently attends graduate school at Duke University.
Posted inNewsletters
Councilwoman Brenda McNair’s Former Opponent Files Ethics Complaint
View This Email In Your Browser Good morning. A Fayetteville activist who launched an unsuccessful bid for city council this year has accused her former opponent of unfairly prioritizing Black residents in city services. Kathy Greggs, a veteran and founder of the police reform group Fayetteville PACT, filed a complaint with the city’s Ethics Commission […]
Posted inNewsletters
State Senator Threatens to Sue Opponent for Defamation
View This Email In Your Browser Good morning. State Sen. Tom McInnis, who represents Moore and Cumberland counties in the General Assembly, is threatening to sue his 2026 election opponent Ray Daly for libel. A cease-and-desist letter from McInnis’ lawyer in November asserts Daly falsely accused McInnis of lying to voters and of cozying up […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
Congress Includes Lumbee Recognition in Defense Spending Bill
The North Carolina tribe has been seeking full federal recognition for more than a century. The latest effort comes after President Trump began pushing for Lumbee recognition.
Posted inNewsletters
Residents Urge State to Deny Wake County Town’s Request to Pull Water From the Cape Fear River
View This Email In Your Browser Good morning. Dozens of people from Fayetteville to Wilmington urged state environmental regulators last week to reject a Wake County town’s request to pull water from the Cape Fear River without returning it. Fuquay-Varina, a fast-growing Raleigh suburb, wants to take up to 6.17 million gallons per day from […]
Posted inNewsletters
Did Godwin’s Town Clerk Illegally Tell Voters Who to Vote For?
View This Email In Your Browser Good morning. Dennis Smith Sr., the father of professional basketball player Dennis Smith Jr., says the Godwin town clerk illegally told voters to cast ballots for his opponents on Election Day, potentially causing his defeat in the Board of Commissioners race. After local election officials ruled against him on […]
