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Stacked Against, Part Three: The heavy toll of long prison terms on families
Plea deals, charge stacking and consecutive sentencing can result in long prison sentences, straining the bonds of families burdened by the incarceration of a loved one. Stacked Against, Part Three:...
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“Behind the Byline” radio show: The hidden toll of incarceration
In this episode, Jacob Biba will talk about the impact that the criminal justice system has on incarcerated people who experienced charge or sentence stacking, as well as the families and children...
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Weekend essay: What it’s like share your story with a reporter
Recently, I interviewed Jacobs about this story, specifically about his experience speaking to me over the course of my reporting. Weekend essay: What it’s like share your story with a reporter is a...
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Residents grapple with endemic gun violence
Suicide rates in rural areas have long been higher than in cities. But nationwide, rural gun homicides have risen too, and, in some areas, outpaced their urban counterparts. From 2016 to 2020, 13 of...
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A double-edged sword: North Carolina expands the fight against fentanyl
Under a state law that takes effect next month, anyone who provides certain drugs to a person who dies after taking them may be prosecuted for second-degree murder — whether […] A double-edged sword:...
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Burden of high prices behind bars in NC
Prison commissary prices soar in North Carolina, leaving incarcerated people and their families struggling. Burden of high prices behind bars in NC is a story from Carolina Public Press, an...
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NC communities have multiple strategies to stem youth violence
Addressing trauma is a universal factor in youth violence prevention, researcher says. NC communities point to many success stories. NC communities have multiple strategies to stem youth violence is a...
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Jury convicts former Cherokee Co. DSS attorney on 12 felony counts of...
Lindsay created fake documents used for years in a scheme for Cherokee County DSS to remove children from families without a judge approving. Jury convicts former Cherokee Co. DSS attorney on 12...
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What does Supreme Court decision on guns and domestic violence mean for NC?
Justices upheld federal law on domestic violence and guns. This keeps NC law intact, could lead to changes. What does Supreme Court decision on guns and domestic violence mean for NC? is a story from...
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Alcohol-monitoring for some NC parents could save lives. Uncertainty about...
Continuous alcohol-monitoring bracelets aren't clearly mentioned in the laws used by NC social services agencies. Advocates want to change that. Alcohol-monitoring for some NC parents could save...
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NC legislator backs bill to apply alcohol-monitoring to social services. No...
Leader of key House committee plans to sponsor bill applying NC rules for alcohol-monitoring to social services. DSS agency buy-in uncertain. NC legislator backs bill to apply alcohol-monitoring to...
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Safe Babies Court pilot program off to promising start in NC
New Hanover, Yancey and Mitchell counties are first to launch Safe Babies Court programs to promote better child welfare outcomes. Safe Babies Court pilot program off to promising start in NC is a...
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Beware of scams in Western NC after Helene
Bad actors often pop up to exploit storm survivors and people trying to assist in disaster areas. Police and lawyers offer tips about scams. Beware of scams in Western NC after Helene is a story from...
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Justice disrupted. Western NC courts adjust to deal with damage, backlog.
NC has made special provisions for courts and inmates have been moved around due to Helene, but some county courts face long-term challenges. Justice disrupted. Western NC courts adjust to deal with...
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Ballot selfies illegal in NC. Unless you’re Susan Hogarth.
What to know about the ongoing lawsuit involving the North Carolina ban on taking selfies in the voting enclosure. Ballot selfies illegal in NC. Unless you’re Susan Hogarth. is a story from Carolina...
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Eastern NC deputy fired after violent arrest was a ‘wandering officer’
Should he have been hired? That's what some wonder after it was revealed the Washington County deputy involved had been in trouble elsewhere. Eastern NC deputy fired after violent arrest was a...
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Gone to the dogs: NC county’s animal control has been a pet peeve for many
The target of complaints and criticism, Rutherford County is struggling to manage its animal control needs. The state may be partly to blame. Gone to the dogs: NC county’s animal control has been a...
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Sent to NC prison as teens, a ‘broken’ system has kept them there as adults
Juvenile offenders languishing in NC prisons as adults have little hope for parole despite a mandate from the court system to do more. Sent to NC prison as teens, a ‘broken’ system has kept them there...
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Uncracking the system. NC had outsized number of Biden clemency recipients.
Crack-era sentencing led to large number of people who wouldn't be in prison by today's rules. Biden gave clemency to many convicted in NC. Uncracking the system. NC had outsized number of Biden...
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Looting and fraud that didn’t happen. Warnings seem to have stopped many...
Law enforcement in Western NC surprised not to see looting or contractor fraud they had feared. Efforts to warn public may have helped. Looting and fraud that didn’t happen. Warnings seem to have...
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