BY MARK JURKOWITZ The Outer Banks Sentinel The conventional wisdom is that no one really pays attention to fall elections until Labor Day arrives and the tourists leave. And with the Nov. 6 balloting only two months away, the local campaigns are certain to heat up. The last time there was a similar even-year election […] Local News |  Full Article

In a move that seemed to surprise many, Sue Burgess, the powerful and longest-serving superintendent of the Dare County Schools, announced on Jan. 11 that she will retire at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 school year. In a brief statement, Burgess gave no reason for her departure, but noted that she had been “fortunate to […] Local News |  Full Article

The recently released Dare County Schools Accountability Report for 2015-2016 — which includes the much-watched and oft-criticized school performance grades — paints a largely positive picture of what is going on in county classrooms, albeit with a few worrisome signs. “Tonight, we are glad to say, you will see a story that’s defined by steady […] Local News |  Full Article

By MARK JURKOWITZ Outer Banks Sentinel There was an orderly and amiable — but perhaps not so subtle — changing of the guard at the leadership level of the Dare County Board of Education last week. With only new board member David Twiddy dissenting, Bea Basnight was elected chair of the seven-member board at a […] Local News |  Full Article

Last year, the state of North Carolina attracted the glare of the national media spotlight when sharks started biting swimmers. Now it’s back in that glare for a very different reason. The state finds itself right on the frontlines of the nation’s bitter political and culture wars. Last week was Exhibit A. On April 25, […] Local News |  Full Article