Alex Milan Tracy for Underscore
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The dozens of independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news organizations that make up the Rural News Network are developing the broadest news alliance reporting on rural America. These newsrooms are pursuing coverage that provides a more complete picture of what it means to live and work in these communities.
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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Dupre is out as candidate. UPS store not a valid address, NC election board says.
February 05, 2026
NC State Board of Elections rejects Dupre candidacy over use of nonresidential address. Some want crackdown on other voters who do this.
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Burke County schools announce revocation of ‘special media access’ for newspaper
January 26, 2026
Despite several school officials acknowledging the possibility of layoffs during a December 2025 work session, the district didn’t take kindly to The Paper’s reporting on the matter.
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Small NC towns trying out direct texting with residents
November 11, 2025
Several small NC towns are experimenting with Utah-based TextMyGov service, which allows texting to and from residents. Reactions are mixed.
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How severe will SNAP disruption be for NC families?
November 03, 2025
Foodbanks were already serving record numbers across the state this fall. Now, 700,000 more NC households won’t be able to afford the grocery staples they need.
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DSS directors across NC concerned by state interventions, letter reveals
October 31, 2025
Staffing difficulties have been a well-documented problem, especially in more rural DSS offices.
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Schools and colleges in Western NC bounce back from Helene
September 23, 2025
Disruption of Helene affected students at school districts and colleges across Western North Carolina, but most point to clear rebound a year later.
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Moore County dealing with widespread damage a month after Chantal
August 04, 2025
When Tropical Depression Chantal struck Moore County in early July, the deluge of rain took out a food bank, a golf course, a cemetery, a shopping center, hiking trails, homes and major roads.
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Few Helene victims in NC had flood insurance. Future of federal program unclear.
June 17, 2025
Most residential and businesses property losses in North Carolina due to Tropical Storm Helene not covered by flood insurance.
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Federal cuts to NC public health funding trickling down to local programs
June 12, 2025
Federal cuts have hit NC DHHS funding for local programs, including for HIV, tobacco cessation and well-water testing that face layoffs.
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Political clashes complicate efforts to mitigate future floods in NC
June 03, 2025
Leaders in federal, state and local governments often have different ideas about how to mitigate future floods in NC.
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Another rural NC community coping with recent loss of hospital’s labor and delivery unit
May 30, 2025
Elimination of maternity unit in Harnett continues pattern of lost women’s services in rural North Carolina hospitals, including several nearby counties.
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Some want to throw the book at Yancey County over library ‘circus’
May 01, 2025
Yancey County officials say the decision to leave the AMY Regional Library system is based on a desire to operate with more independence.
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Many hope this NC county’s hospital won’t close. It’s the only one around.
April 24, 2025
Washington Regional Medical Center in rural Plymouth is a lifeline in a barren health landscape. But financial problems could threaten that.
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Too costly to keep, but too important to lose. Solving paradox of NC rural women’s health services
March 19, 2025
Reversing trend of NC rural women’s health care services drying up will require tracking, enforcement and incentives in policies and laws.
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Deserting Women
March 18, 2025
Rural North Carolina counties are seeing growing deserts of health services for women at local hospitals, with serious health implications. Multiple pressures are driving this trend. But solutions may be available.
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