money in politics

February 15, 2012 - Students in Raleigh, North Carolina -- the home base of top Republican donor Art Pope -- are picketing Pope's stores, hoping to highlight a disconnect between his low-income, minority shoppers and the conservative agenda his money supports.

December 31, 2011 - In our final look at Facing South's top stories of 2011, a look at how we helped push North Carolina's secretive but influential conservative benefactor Art Pope into the national spotlight -- offering not only a revealing look at Pope's influence in N.C. but the role of Big Money influence in today's political landscape.

December 22, 2011 - Our review of the top stories of 2011 here at Facing South continues. Next up: A new kind of attack on climate scientists, and the dirty-energy money behind it.

November 22, 2011 - As we get ready for the Thanksgiving holidays, we give thanks to you, our readers, and look back at a few of Facing South's biggest stories this fall.

November 10, 2011 - North Carolina powerbroker Art Pope is often described as a "libertarian," but he's veered from libertarian views on gay marriage, pouring nearly $1 million into anti-gay marriage organizations -- including the group spearheading an anti-marriage amendment campaign in North Carolina.

October 27, 2011 - Judges are supposed to be impartial and fair, but a new report finds their independence is increasingly at risk as campaign cash floods into judicial elections -- especially from secret outside sources.

October 21, 2011 - North Carolina powerbroker Art Pope doesn't like the media attention he's received since a New Yorker profile pushed him and his political empire into the national spotlight three weeks ago. Here's why he deserves all the public scrutiny -- and more.