Author: Jordan Meadows

  By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Bill Pickett, born on December 5, 1870, in the Jenks Branch community of Williamson County, Texas, was a legendary African American cowboy, rodeo performer, and actor. He was the second of 13 children born to Thomas Jefferson Pickett, a formerly enslaved man, and Mary "Janie" Gilbert. Pickett's ancestry was a blend of African American and Cherokee heritage. He left school after the fifth grade

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer On Monday, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green announced joining a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia in a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the abrupt freeze of more than $6.8 billion in federal education funds. The funding freeze, enacted without warning on June 30-just hours before schools expected disbursement-is already having

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer William DeHart Hubbard was the first African American to win an individual gold medal in the Olympic Games, claiming victory in the long jump at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Born on November 25, 1903, Hubbard showed early promise both academically and athletically while attending Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati. It was there that his story began to intersect with Lon Barringer, a University of

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Pettis Burch Norman, former Dallas Cowboys tight end, civil rights activist, and pioneering businessman, passed away on July 7, 2025. He was 86. Born on January 4, 1939, in Lincolnton, Georgia, Norman was the youngest of ten children raised by Fessor and Elease Norman. After his father's death when Pettis was ten years old, his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Norman planned to enlist

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Prince Hall was a Black American abolitionist, educator, and founder of what is today known as Prince Hall Freemasonry. As one of the most influential free Black leaders of the late 18th century, his life was defined by advocacy for freedom in the face of slavery and discrimination.  Much about Hall's early life is uncertain. He was likely born in Boston. His exact birth year

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Before the American Revolution, numerous freed African Americans supported the anti-British cause. One of the most notable figures was Crispus Attucks, a multiracial sailor who had escaped slavery and is believed to be the first person killed in the Boston Massacre in 1770. Both free and enslaved Black Americans also served in local militias, particularly in the North, defending their communities against Native American attacks.

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer In Wake and Johnston Counties, the affordable housing crisis is no longer a looming threat-it's a daily reality. One in four families in these counties are burdened by housing costs, spending over 30% of their income on shelter. This leaves little room for other essentials like food, education, transportation, and healthcare. This is where Habitat for Humanity of Wake County (Habitat Wake) steps in. Since

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1536"] NC Newsline - Immigrant rights advocates call on North Carolinians to stand up against bills targeting undocumented immigrants in the state as part of an Immigrant Rights Advocacy Day on May 21, 2025.[/caption] By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer North Carolina Governor Josh Stein issued his first vetoes since taking office, rejecting three bills-Senate Bill 50, Senate Bill 153, and House Bill 318-while signing House Bill 126

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer GoTriangle's newly appointed President and CEO, Dr. Brian Smith, has officially stepped into the role with a pragmatic focus on strengthening the foundation of the Triangle's regional transit system. At a press conference last Wednesday, Smith outlined his immediate priorities and long-term vision, emphasizing reliability, consistency, and collaboration as cornerstones for GoTriangle's future success. [caption id="attachment_12390" align="alignleft" width="368"] Dr. Brian Smith[/caption] Smith takes the helm

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The 19th Annual North Carolina Minority Farmers & Landowners Conference began Monday morning at the Raleigh Hilton in North Hills. Archie Hart, a small farms representative with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA), opened the event with a welcome and introduction, followed by remarks from Shauna Williams, Executive Director of the Legislative Black Caucus. The conference opened with a policy-focused session titled "Ag Policy