jacob biba
@jacobbiba.bsky.social
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freelance reporter in asheville north carolina
[email protected]
https://jacobbiba.com
pinned post!
For
@boltsmag.org
, I wrote about the race to unseat Rep. Carla Cunningham in NC. After casting critical votes forcing cooperation with ICE, and backing other Republican legislation, the longtime Democratic lawmaker is facing a strong challenge in next month’s primary.
boltsmag.org/north-caroli...
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The Feds Targeted Charlotte. Now a Local Democrat Who Helped ICE Faces Voters. - Bolts
North Carolina lawmaker Carla Cunningham voted to mandate compliance with ICE, and derided immigrants on the House floor. The Democrat faces an intense March primary.
https://boltsmag.org/north-carolina-2026-primary-immigration-policy/
2 days ago
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jacob biba
dell cameron
about 1 hour ago
NEW: DHS left embedded comments in a PDF outlining its plans to warehouse immigrants, identifying the architects and laying bare the gross extent of its regulatory capture. Great scoop by
@regret.bsky.social
:
www.wired.com/story/metada...
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www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 hours ago
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jacob biba
Bolts
about 19 hours ago
On paper, North Carolina Republicans are one seat short of a supermajority in the state House, but a small group of Democrats have helped them override the governor’s vetoes on several bills. They now face challengers in next month’s primaries.
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The Feds Targeted Charlotte. Now a Local Democrat Who Helped ICE Faces Voters.
North Carolina lawmaker Carla Cunningham voted to mandate compliance with ICE, and derided immigrants on the House floor. The Democrat faces an intense March primary.
https://boltsmag.org/north-carolina-2026-primary-immigration-policy/
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"Disability Rights identified five centers that use solitary confinement: Cabarrus, Cumberland and Dillon, which are state-operated; and Durham County Youth Home and the Guilford Juvenile Detention Center, which are operated by those counties according to state rules"
ncnewsline.com/briefs/an-nc...
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An NC advocacy group reports youth in solitary confinement. The state denies it. • NC Newsline
Disability Rights NC said five of the state's 13 juvenile detention centers hold residents in solitary confinement, which administrators deny.
https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/an-nc-advocacy-group-reports-youth-in-solitary-confinement-the-state-denies-it/
about 20 hours ago
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jacob biba
Taniel
about 23 hours ago
A 9-year old girl traveled to Florida for a vacation at Disney. Then, she spent four months imprisoned in Texas. Gutting story:
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
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How a Planned Disney World Vacation Turned Into Four Months in Immigration Detention
A 9-year-old shares her story of being held at the nation’s only operating detention center for immigrant families in Dilley, Texas.
https://www.propublica.org/article/ice-dilley-maria-antonia-guerra-story
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jacob biba
Ian Gordon
1 day ago
We watched more than 50 hours of dashcam and bodycam footage taken from the first night of the ICE sweeps in Nashville in May. During one arrest, an agent finds an immigrant's ID and notes he's a manager at a Mexican restaurant. “The guacamole is never going to taste the same,” the agent laughs.
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Tennessee said yes to ICE—and turned into a deportation state
How the feds worked with state troopers to terrorize Nashville’s immigrants.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/02/immigrant-ice-raid-nashville-tennessee-highway-patrol-state-police-287g-republicans/
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Alex Burness
1 day ago
A majority of the 16 U.S. states under total Democratic control now ban 287(g) partnerships with ICE. Maryland and New Mexico just joined that list, following Maine in January. I wrote about this landscape and these new reforms in
@boltsmag.org
:
boltsmag.org/maryland-new...
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asheville loses out on a Costco but gains a g20 meeting
1 day ago
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oh wow
1 day ago
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looks like ice is looking at a warehouse in concord, north carolina to house up to 1,500 detainees
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...
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As ICE Buys Up Warehouses, Even Some Trump Voters Say No
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/us/politics/ice-warehouses-trump-voters.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
1 day ago
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“For a president who ran for office promising to keep the United States out of wars, Mr. Trump is now considering what would be at least the seventh American military attack in another country in the past year, and his second on Iran.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...
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U.S. Military Moves Into Place for Possible Strikes in Iran
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/us/politics/us-military-iran.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
2 days ago
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jacob biba
Brian Gordon
2 days ago
The final provision tucked into a 131-page disaster relief bill has North Carolina local governments feeling stuck on how to zone their communities. Get to know down-zoning and why it matters to statewide data center debates:
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
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How a change buried in NC Helene relief bill makes it harder to block data centers
One provision at the very end of a 131-page bill has upended zoning for local leaders dealing with many kinds of property uses across NC.
https://amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.newsobserver.com/news/business/article314728668.html
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jacob biba
David A. Graham
2 days ago
We call this "Pulling a Tim Moore"
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...
#ncpol
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An Architect of Virginia’s Redistricting Will Run for a New Seat Himself
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/us/politics/dan-helmer-congress-redistricting-virginia.html
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jacob biba
Enlace Latino NC
2 days ago
Los federales apuntaron a Charlotte. Ahora una demócrata local que ayudó a ICE enfrenta a los votantes
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Los federales apuntaron a Charlotte. Ahora una demócrata local que ayudó a ICE enfrenta a los votantes
Noticias en español sobre política, inmigración y asuntos comunitarios para los latinos en Carolina del Norte.
https://enlacelatinonc.org/los-federales-apuntaron-a-charlotte-ahora-una-democrata-local-que-ayudo-a-ice-enfrenta-a-los-votantes/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1771424327
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For
@boltsmag.org
, I wrote about the race to unseat Rep. Carla Cunningham in NC. After casting critical votes forcing cooperation with ICE, and backing other Republican legislation, the longtime Democratic lawmaker is facing a strong challenge in next month’s primary.
boltsmag.org/north-caroli...
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The Feds Targeted Charlotte. Now a Local Democrat Who Helped ICE Faces Voters. - Bolts
North Carolina lawmaker Carla Cunningham voted to mandate compliance with ICE, and derided immigrants on the House floor. The Democrat faces an intense March primary.
https://boltsmag.org/north-carolina-2026-primary-immigration-policy/
2 days ago
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jacob biba
Patrick Wilson
2 days ago
ICE protesters turn their attention to private prison company in North Carolina (Gift link)
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
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ICE protesters turn their attention to private prison company in North Carolina
The company wants to hold people for Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a closed private prison in Eastern North Carolina.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article314738371.html?giftCode=0d2ad52a4024632f6c14e5027a395ed78b8ccda8a03710a5bc0ed107490470ad
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jacob biba
Taniel
3 days ago
Carla Cunningham, the Dem lawmaker who has given the NC GOP critical votes on bills to force compliance with ICE and break environmental rules, faces a huge primary challenge. We reached her asking for an interview, & when she declined we asked her campaign specific questions. All we got:
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jacob biba
Taniel
3 days ago
The North Carolina newsroom Enlace Latino NC has republished our article above in a Spanish translation just now, bringing it to a wider audience.
enlacelatinonc.org/los-federale...
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Los federales apuntaron a Charlotte. Ahora una demócrata local que ayudó a ICE enfrenta a los votantes
Noticias en español sobre política, inmigración y asuntos comunitarios para los latinos en Carolina del Norte.
https://enlacelatinonc.org/los-federales-apuntaron-a-charlotte-ahora-una-democrata-local-que-ayudo-a-ice-enfrenta-a-los-votantes/
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jacob biba
Taniel
3 days ago
NEW: When North Carolina's GOP wanted to pass a bill last year to require that local governments comply with ICE, they were one vote down. A Democratic lawmaker gave that decisive vote—as she has on other GOP bills. Now, she faces a primary challenge from a progressive activist... in 14 days.
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The Feds Targeted Charlotte. Now a Local Democrat Who Helped ICE Faces Voters. - Bolts
North Carolina lawmaker Carla Cunningham voted to mandate compliance with ICE, and derided immigrants on the House floor. The Democrat faces an intense March primary.
https://boltsmag.org/north-carolina-2026-primary-immigration-policy/
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jacob biba
Carli Brosseau
3 days ago
THREAD 🧵: Remember Michele Morrow? She ran for NC superintendent of public instruction in 2024. The normally sleepy race made national headlines, largely due to Morrow's past social media posts, which featured hashtags like
#DeathtoTraitors
. Now, Morrow is running for U.S. Senate.
#ncsen
1/9
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jacob biba
Jeremy Markovich
4 days ago
The co-founder of The Orchard at Altapass, Bill Carson, has died. He and his sister bought the orchard off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1995 to keep it from being developed. We went last summer and picked tons of apples. Just a stunningly beautiful place.
www.facebook.com/TheOrchardat...
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looks like North Carolina prison system created a "detainer release officer" position to be "a vital liaison between field staff and immigration authorities."
files.nc.gov/dac/document...
4 days ago
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favorite campaign ad so far. has some really nice late-90s retailer "stamping out the competition" vibes
4 days ago
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add a skeleton here at some point
4 days ago
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jacob biba
Barry Yeoman
4 days ago
In 2024, Republican Michelle Morrow garnered 49% in the race for North Carolina's schools chief—despite her calls for the execution of Hillary Clinton, Roy Cooper, and Anthony Fauci. Now running for US Senate, she's barely polling at all.
@carlibrosseau.bsky.social
@theassemblync.bsky.social
#ncpol
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The Morrow You Know
Michele Morrow is betting the name recognition she earned in 2024 will help her win a U.S. Senate seat. But is all publicity good publicity?
https://www.theassemblync.com/news/politics/michele-murrow-whatley-brown-us-senate-cooper/
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jacob biba
Michael Luo
5 days ago
Just a stunning, horrifying piece of reporting and writing by Rachel Aviv.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
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The Trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s Rapists United France and Fractured Her Family
After fifty-one men were convicted of the crime, Pelicot became a feminist hero. But additional accusations left her children struggling to accept her new role.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/02/the-trial-of-gisele-pelicots-rapists-united-france-and-fractured-her-family
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jacob biba
Sheera Frenkel
7 days ago
New story up on the Homeland Security Department’s new tactic: flood social media companies with subpoenas to unmask anonymous accounts that criticize ICE or monitor the movements of ICE agents.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
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Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/technology/dhs-anti-ice-social-media.html
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jacob biba
Mike Hixenbaugh
7 days ago
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast. The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me. But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
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jacob biba
Taniel
7 days ago
NEW: In Iowa, when someone's charges are *dismissed,* they still had to pay court fees. So prosecutors pressured ppl into pleading guilty: 'plead guilty, you'll have no fees. (If you win, you'll owe $$.)' Iowa's Supreme Court struck that down in January... but prosecutors want to bring it all back:
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In Iowa, Prosecutors Want to Bring Back Court Fees as Bargaining Chips - Bolts
Iowa's high court recently ended the practice of making defendants pay fees for charges that get dismissed. Prosecutors are backing legislation to undo the court’s ruling so they can keep using fees a...
https://boltsmag.org/iowa-court-fees-dismissals/
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didn’t know “winter capital of the south” was a thing
8 days ago
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jacob biba
Lisa Sorg
8 days ago
“Compliance with regulations and a desire to maintain or improve public health cannot be said to be a bad faith decision." Wake judge rules vs Asheboro, says NCDEQ can limit amount of 1,4-dioxane-a likely carcinogen-- city discharges into drinking water supply.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1102202...
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N.C. Judge Upholds the State’s Limits on 1,4-Dioxane Pollution in Utilities’ Wastewater - Inside Climate News
The chemical, used in solvents, degreasers and some consumer products, is a likely carcinogen that can harm the liver and kidneys.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11022026/nc-1-4-dioxane-pollution-limits/
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jacob biba
Taniel
9 days ago
Big news tonight: Federal judge Tim Kelly has BLOCKED Bondi & Trump's attempt to transfer 20 men to an infamous super-max prison. Biden granted these men clemency, and Trump has been trying to retaliate by plunging them in a place that people describe as a "living hell," as Bolts reported here:
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Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
https://boltsmag.org/death-row-clemency-adx-supermax/
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“There’s a lot of beauty in our brokenness. There is a lot of celebration in overcoming adversity. There is a lot of joy in community and comradery amongst our friends on the street.”
www.citizen-times.com/story/news/l...
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New street paper lets Asheville homeless community tell their stories
The Intersection, a new community-produced street paper, was launched this winter to amplify Asheville voices that often go unheard.
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/02/12/asheville-street-paper-the-intersection-homeless-community/88545496007/
8 days ago
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“he had been watching a comedy channel on TV when Mr. Trump called to tell him that he wanted to endorse Mr. Berger but that ‘I want to endorse you, too.’”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
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In North Carolina, a Tight Primary Could Upend the Balance of Conservative Power
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/us/politics/north-carolina-state-senate-primary-berger-page.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
9 days ago
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jacob biba
maddy varner
9 days ago
Habeas petitions have skyrocketed in the past few months as more people are in detention than ever and detainees arent being given bond hearings. At the MN-USAO, it’s made caseloads explode:
www.wired.com/story/ice-cr...
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"As they followed him, agents planned to 'smash' into Martinez as he drove away from them, an officer’s cellphone video shows."
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
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Border Patrol’s Bovino could come back to Charlotte - this time on witness stand
The now-demoted Border Patrol commander personally authorized agents to chase a U.S. citizen who was taking photos of them in Charlotte.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article314661791.html#storylink=cpy
9 days ago
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the Helene stories are becoming fewer and farther between but this is a good one, and a gentle reminder of all that was lost
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/m...
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When Grief Came for the Gravedigger
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/magazine/hurricane-helene-asheville-north-carolina-grief.html?unlocked_article_code=1.LVA.vbSC.Ceg7wO6h0LrY&smid=url-share
9 days ago
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jacob biba
The New Yorker
10 days ago
Gregory Bovino says he was drawn to Border Patrol work because of the 1982 Jack Nicholson film “The Border.” “It’s a little like entering the hospitality industry after watching ‘The Shining,’ ” Alexander Nazaryan writes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me/NNl91b
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The Movie That Inspired Gregory Bovino to Join Border Patrol
Years before he led the Trump Administration’s immigration-enforcement effort in Minneapolis, Bovino saw the 1982 Jack Nicholson film “The Border.”
https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/NNl91b
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add a skeleton here at some point
10 days ago
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nuts
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
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How ICE defies judges’ orders to release detainees, step by step
A POLITICO review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/10/ice-immigration-detention-court-orders-00771727
10 days ago
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this appears to be the Cary location
add a skeleton here at some point
10 days ago
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jacob biba
Sarah Edwards
10 days ago
Gen X man on Hinge spiraling after one message exchange
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jacob biba
Ken Schwencke
10 days ago
Habeas cases filed by immigrants claiming their detention is illegal have taken off to levels we have never seen before. Just look at that chart.
www.propublica.org/article/habe...
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jacob biba
Jack Jenkins
11 days ago
NEW: Last week, Speaker Johnson outlined his theological defense of Trump's immigration policies, saying he was "happy to have this lengthy debate with anybody any time they want to.” Speaking an
@rns.org
podcast, Rev. William Barber offered to take him up on that.
religionnews.com/2026/02/09/t...
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The Rev. William Barber II: Fighting Autocrats Starts at the Grassroots
Bishop Barber says you can't undermine authoritarianism from DC down—it has to come from state-based movements doing micro-organizing at the county level.
https://religionnews.com/2026/02/09/the-rev-william-barber-ii-fighting-autocrats-starts-at-the-grassroots/
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what's going on here
11 days ago
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jacob biba
Rainesford Stauffer
12 days ago
There were so many brilliant stories I read from local publications, or those focused on a specific place, I asked if we could add a section to feature even more, including stories from
@thebarbedwire.com
,
@theassemblync.bsky.social
,
@lpm.org
,
@wbez.org
,
@lataco.bsky.social
,
@startribune.com
. Link:
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☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Washington Post, Schizophrenia, Excel Champs
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
https://mailchi.mp/sundaylongread.com/february-8-longread-journalism-picks?e=30757c8348
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is this a mcclatchy-wide thing or just Charlotte Observer?
12 days ago
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jacob biba
Jeremy Markovich
12 days ago
I got more details about the wildest North Carolina story of the week.
www.ncrabbithole.com/p/untold-sto...
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The Untold Story of the Guy Who Broke Into a Pizza Shop And Started Selling Pizzas
The news from the Kinston Little Caesars rocketed around the internet this week. A police report and some Facebook posts shed a little more light on what went down.
https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/untold-story-guy-broke-into-a-pizza-shop-started-selling-pizzas-kinston-nc
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