Opinion
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Rob Schofield | Give Senator Tillis credit for finally saying and doing the right things
At the outset of the American Civil War, a young and at the time relatively undistinguished U.S. Army officer from Illinois who would later rise swiftly through the ranks, offered a simple and straightforward assessment of the political situation in his divided and troubled country in a letter to his…
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JOHN HOOD | Reforming SNAP is a fiscal necessity
As several provisions of the reconciliation bill Congress passed last year come into effect, the North Carolina General Assembly may have to appropriate as much as $659 million a year to maintain the state’s participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), what used to be called Food Stamps.
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JOHN HOOD | Liberty, generosity form virtuous circle
In places where governments are smaller, taxes are lower, regulations are lighter, and property rights are more secure, people tend to be more generous, trustful, and tolerant. Although my progressive friends may find this proposition hard to accept, there’s an ever-increasing stack of empirical evidence to support it.
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It’s time for Scotland and Richmond counties to build a regional jail
Across North Carolina and South Carolina, counties facing the same challenges—aging detention facilities, overcrowding, rising construction costs, and chronic staffing shortages—have found a smarter way forward. They built regional jails. It’s a model that has already proven its value, and it’s both counties should seriously consider.
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The Yankee who couldn’t swim
I find myself always telling stories about Southern folks, but this one is about a retired Yankee. This fellow was from Michigan and had put in 27 long years at a Detroit factory before retiring. He took his life’s savings, moved to Florida and bought a house with a swimming…
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Breaking down where it went wrong for the Scots
LAURINBURG — The Fighting Scots soccer season has taken a turn for the worse, with the team struggling to regain its momentum. During their two home games this week against Cape Fear and Gray’s Creek, the Scots once again suffered defeats, mirroring the outcomes of previous matches.
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JOHN HOOD | Test scores show modest improvement
Test scores are up for North Carolina’s public-school students — a welcome development, although the news isn’t all good.
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It’s time: Real change in Scotland County starts with neighbors helping neighbor
This June, while the nation marked National Homeownership Month, Scotland County did more than reflect — we acted.
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Adell Baldwin | Every Step Matters: Reflecting on a year of growth, gratitude
As we bring the 2024–2025 school year to a close, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to the entire Scotland County community. From the first day of school to the final graduation celebration, this year has been a powerful reminder that Every Step Matters — and every step…
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JOHN HOOD | Voters deserve information on fiscal crisi
Every citizen who meets the basic requirements — adulthood, residency, and the completion of sentence after a felony conviction — can cast a ballot in North Carolina. There’s no test of civic knowledge required to exercise the civil right to vote, nor should there be. (Our state constitution still contains…
