The Ambiguous Artisan
Wheels of Fortune
Dwayne Davis had an unusual opportunity to buy his way out of a long prison sentence. Then the deal blew up.
Do The Right Thing
The State Employees’ Credit Union is embroiled in a fight over who will decide the identity and future of the country’s second-largest credit union.
Garbage In, Toxics Out
A Zebulon recycling facility with a record of violations undercuts claims about turning plastic waste into an environmental benefit.
Politics
Fed Up
A gathering of far-right sheriffs who believe they are “the last line of defense” against the government draws both praise and scrutiny.
What’s in a Pseudonym?
After two women accused a college student of sexual assault, he sued to clear his name—and keep it a secret.
The Troubled Last Days of Speaker Tim Moore
As he moves toward finishing an unprecedented 10-year reign, the House speaker leaves a complicated legacy.
Place
Keeping the Lights On
Duke Energy has billed a new $14.5 million microgrid project in Hot Springs as a leap forward. But will it lead to greater grid resilience?
A Site To Behold
The pandemic rush into wild places accelerated human damage to places like Max Patch. Can outdoor enthusiasts balance conservation and access?
Why Some Stay
Climate change is making life along the Lumber River more uncertain. But for many people, moving isn’t a meaningful option.
Education
Public Money, Private Schools
Lawmakers plan to vastly expand Opportunity Scholarships, but questions about oversight, accountability, and what it will cost public schools remain.
The College That Refused to Die
What happens when survival becomes a college’s No. 1 priority? St. Andrews University offers a cautionary tale.
Schoolyard Brawl
Orange County has been swept up in cultural clashes over education. Superintendent Monique Felder is the latest casualty.
