They Called Ella May Wiggins a Communist Then, Too
As Bessemer City unveils an Ella May Wiggins mural 97 years after her murder, the same communist accusations heard in 1929 are resurfacing. Here is the history they leave out.
Politics
Technology
Your AI “Expert” Is a Pundit Too
CBS Mornings has a guy they bring on to talk about AI. His name is Matt Shumer, and the chyron under his name says “CBS News Contributor.” He tells viewers things are moving “way more quickly than anyone anticipated.” Sounds like a neutral expert dropping in to explain the technical landscape, right? Here’s what that
Education
Electoral Volatility and the Shifting Landscape
For thirty years, the Leandro v. North Carolina case served as the constitutional North Star for public education in our state, affirming that every child—regardless of their zip code—is entitled to a “sound basic education.” In April 2026, the conservative-majority North Carolina Supreme Court effectively extinguished that beacon, delivering a ruling that prioritized partisan ideology
Education
Special Feature: Are Charter Schools Truly “Public Schools”? Deconstructing a Neoliberal Sleight of Hand
It is the single most common defense used by proponents of school privatization: “But charter schools are public schools!” On the surface, the claim seems open and shut. Charter schools are funded by taxpayer dollars, they do not charge tuition, and they are legally prohibited from discriminating in admissions or being religious in their operations.
Education
The Charter Drain: Neoliberal Extraction and Demographic Sorting in Gaston County
When proponents of the neoliberal education reform movement talk about public charter schools, they rely on a highly polished, market-driven vocabulary. They speak of “educational laboratories,” “competitive pressure,” and “liberating choice.” In theory, charter schools—which are publicly funded but privately operated by independent non-profit boards—are supposed to force traditional public school systems to “up their
Education
Vouchers and the State-Funded Flight: The Resegregation of Gaston County
The modern conservative push for “school choice” is often presented in a progressive wrapper. Proponents argue that taxpayer-funded private school vouchers are a ticket of liberation, allowing low-income minority students to escape underfunded public schools and attend prestigious private academies. But if you look at the cold, hard data coming out of Raleigh and Gaston
Education
Who Funds Our Schools? A Primer on the Gaston County Budget Crisis
Who Funds Our Schools? A Primer on the Gaston County Budget Crisis In North Carolina, public school funding relies on a tripartite structure: federal, state, and local revenues. With federal emergency pandemic funds (ESSER) completely expiring, the survival of Gaston County Schools (GCS) rests entirely in the hands of two governing bodies: The North Carolina
Education
The Lottery Hoax: Progressive Starvation and the Corporate Tax Shift
Every year, millions of North Carolinians purchase scratch-offs or Powerball tickets, comforted by a ubiquitous state slogan: “Supporting Education.” When the North Carolina Education Lottery was established in 2005, it was sold to the public on a simple, comforting promise: net lottery proceeds would directly supplement public classrooms, giving our schools an extra financial boost
Education
The Revaluation Trap: How Paper Wealth Penalizes Working-Class Schools
If you bought a home in Gaston County prior to 2023, you likely watched with a mix of shock and bemusement as local real estate values soared. A mandatory countywide property revaluation that took effect in 2023 revealed that real estate values had risen significantly. On paper, Gaston County had suddenly become a hotbed of
Education
The Engineered Shortfall: How Inflation and Rigid Rules Are Starving Gaston County Classrooms
For decades, Gaston County Schools (GCS) stood as a quiet beacon of public sector efficiency and financial stewardship. As the second-largest employer in Gaston County—supporting a dedicated workforce of over 3,800 educators and support staff —the district consistently earned the highest marks for financial reporting. It regular received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in