The November 2025 municipal elections in Kinston brought new faces to the City Council — but also new controversy. While Sammy C. Aiken  secured the highest vote total and his seat is undisputed, another council seat remains tangled in challenges involving Les Lipford  and Quarla N. Blackwell . 🗳️ Background Sammy C. Aiken  won the most votes, guaranteeing his place on the council. Les Lipford  also won a seat, but his candidacy was protested, raising questions about eligibi

Washington, D.C.  — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is once again facing a leadership shake-up. On November 17, 2025 , David Richardson , the acting administrator, submitted his resignation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His departure comes after only six months in the position, marking one of the shortest tenures in FEMA’s history. 📉 Why He Resigned Richardson, a former Marine Corps artillery officer, was appointed

As temperatures drop across eastern North Carolina, many families in Kinston face a familiar struggle: how to keep the heat on without breaking the budget. For households already stretched thin, the winter months can bring tough choices between paying utility bills, buying groceries, or covering medical costs. This year, relief is at hand. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)  is offering immediate help to Kinston residents, providing one-time payments to ease the

Written and inspired by Quarla Blackwell When the winds of Hurricane Florence tore through eastern North Carolina in 2018, Kinston was left with more than downed trees and flooded streets. Entire neighborhoods bore scars that lingered long after the storm passed — homes unlivable, families displaced, and communities fractured. For years, many residents lived with tarps on roofs, mold in walls, or the uncertainty of whether help would ever come. Now, in late 2025, relief is fi

Kinston, NC  — Downtown Kinston is set for a major facelift thanks to a $10,000 Downtown Revitalization Grant from ElectriCities, awarded on October 22, 2025.  The funding will fuel improvements at the Buddy and Mary Mac Ritch All-American City Park, part of a broader effort to make the city’s core more welcoming, vibrant, and community-focused. The Project The grant will support a redesign of the All-American City Park, located near the entrance to Kinston’s primary commerci

Elizabeth City, NC  — The Elizabeth City Council voted unanimously to reject a proposal for a mural honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, following weeks of petitions, public debate, and emotional testimony from residents. Background The mural was proposed by local resident Steven Young, who gathered nearly 1,600 signatures in support. The design envisioned Kirk’s name in bold lettering alongside a Christian cross, with annual repainting ceremonies to honor his legacy.

Men lie, women lie... BUT...The Numbers Don’t Lie !!!!! When you look at the budgets side‑by‑side, the imbalance jumps off the page: Agency FY2025–26 Budget Workforce Size Avg. Salary Coverage Area Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office ~$12.8M ~128 deputies + detention staff ~$38,490 Entire county (480 sq. miles), detention center, courts Kinston Police Department ~$10M ~62–77 sworn officers ~$55,473 City of Kinston (~21,000 residents) Double the Workers, Little More Money The Sheri

Police departments don’t just automatically get federal or state money — someone has to apply  for it. Here’s how it works: 1. Police Department Leadership Police Chiefs and Command Staff  often initiate grant applications. They identify needs (new equipment, training, technology, personnel) and direct staff to pursue funding. 2. City or County Government City Managers, Finance Directors, or County Administrators  may oversee the grant process. They ensure compliance with loc

The Closest Race in Town History The Morehead City mayoral race was as close as democracy gets. After the votes were tallied, Lee Stiles received 762 votes, while Jerry Jones received 761.  A recount confirmed the razor‑thin margin, and Jones quickly filed a protest, claiming some residents were denied the right to vote because they lived outside city limits. Candidate Backgrounds Lee Stiles Former Morehead City Council member , known for his focus on local development and co

Background In November 2025, Congress ended the longest government shutdown in U.S. history by passing a massive spending bill. Hidden inside that legislation was a provision banning hemp‑derived THC products  — items that had exploded in popularity since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp. That earlier law created a loophole allowing intoxicating products like Delta‑9 gummies, THC seltzers, and cannabis‑infused drinks  to be sold outside of dispensaries. What the Bill Does Re

Residents of Kinston have long complained about overgrown lots, abandoned houses, junk cars, flooding, and unsafe rentals.  These issues drag down property values, erode neighborhood safety, and diminish quality of life. The ordinances to address these problems already exist — but enforcement has been weak, inconsistent, or ignored altogether. At the center of this failure is Elizabeth Blount, the city’s Planning Director.  She earns a great salary in a small town like Kinsto

Ten Million Is Too Much: Kinston Police Must Stop Relying on Taxpayers The City of Kinston’s police department budget is $10 million—not $15 million as some have claimed.  But even at $10 million, the spending is far too high for a city of fewer than 20,000 residents and a department of approximately 70 officers.  That works out to more than $143,000 per officer  and over $500 per resident per year. To put that in perspective, the national average for police spending in citie

1. What the Law Says Election protests in North Carolina are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163‑182.9  and related administrative rules. A protest must be based on specific, factual allegations  that an irregularity or violation occurred which could affect the outcome of the election. Evidence can be presented, but it must be admissible and relevant  to the protest. 2. Public vs. Non‑Public Information Public Records:  Voter registration data, election results, poll books, and

The Kinston High School Marching Band  is more than a performance group — it is a symbol of discipline, pride, and achievement for the community. With a record of success in competitions and the leadership of dedicated teachers, the band continues to inspire students and uplift Kinston. The Kinston High School Marching Band  has long been a source of pride for the community, earning recognition across North Carolina for its musical excellence and discipline. This weekend, the

GOP Chairman’s three protests expose manipulation, misuse of private records, and demand State Bar scrutiny The Kinston municipal election was not defined by the will of the people, but by the actions of GOP Chairman and attorney Sean Keenan . In one cycle, he filed three separate election protests , each riddled with defects, each bending the rules, and each eroding public trust. Keenan’s first move was a late candidate challenge , filed after the statutory deadline set by N

To Whom It May Concern, I am formally filing this protest regarding the integrity of the recent Kinston municipal election. The conduct observed during both early voting and Election Day raises serious concerns about fairness, compliance with election law, and the protection of voters’ rights. These violations undermine confidence in the democratic process and demand corrective action, including consideration of a re‑election. 1. Untimely and Improper Protest Filed Against My

Introduction After months of waiting, residents of Paylor Apartments in Kinston  finally saw hot water return to their building late Monday evening. For seniors and families who endured weeks of discomfort, the restoration was more than a repair — it was a relief long overdue. The Repair Process Contractors worked day and night for nearly a week  once the critical replacement part arrived. The job required persistence and coordination, underscoring how fragile basic infrastru

Introduction In Washington, North Carolina, democracy is coming down to single digits. City council candidate Richard Brooks , who finished sixth in a race for five seats, has formally requested a recount after losing by just nine votes . The razor‑thin margin has sparked renewed debate about election integrity, recount procedures, and the importance of every ballot cast. The Election Results Unofficial Results:  Brooks fell short of winning a seat by only nine votes. Seats A

Introduction When voters see names on a ballot, they assume those candidates have been vetted. In reality, the process varies wildly across the United States. Some states do little more than accept paperwork, while others use federal databases to confirm eligibility. The lack of uniformity raises questions about fairness, transparency, and whether stronger fact‑checking should be required nationwide. The Federal Gap No national checklist:  There is no single federal administr

Introduction In Kinston, North Carolina, contradictions are everywhere. Hemp products line store shelves, sold legally to anyone over 18. Yet just blocks away, police are still arresting residents for marijuana possession — sometimes in large amounts, sometimes for a single joint. The result is a justice system clogged with cases that many argue shouldn’t exist, and a community questioning why outdated laws continue to dictate lives. The Numbers in Kinston January 2025:  Depu