Politics

February 18, 2015 - With state and federal policies taking a heavy financial toll on historically black colleges and universities, one public HBCU in South Carolina is facing the threat of closure -- and its supporters are fighting back with a federal race-discrimination lawsuit.

February 12, 2015 - States have laws about parental drug use. But Tennessee's law handcuffs new mothers, including ones who are poor, upon delivery. Treatment for those seeking help is rare.

February 11, 2015 - A Facing South/Institute for Southern Studies report reveals the top power players in North Carolina politics, based on their lobbying clout and spending on state elections. It's a snapshot of the special interests that are best able to make their voices heard -- and push their agenda -- with state lawmakers.

February 10, 2015 - In a new report, "Tar Heel Power Brokers," Facing South/Institute for Southern Studies ranks the top 101 most influential special interests in North Carolina politics through a combination of lobbying power and political spending in N.C. state-level elections. Use this interactive graphic to look up any special interest and learn about its spending and lobbying.

February 10, 2015 - In a new report, "Tar Heel Power Brokers," Facing South/Institute for Southern Studies ranks the top 101 most influential special interests in North Carolina politics through a combination of lobbying power and political spending in N.C. state-level elections. These four interactive graphics tell the story of these power brokers' influence in state government.

February 6, 2015 - The grassroots movement that's led to the arrest of more than 1,000 people in nonviolent protests against North Carolina's regressive political direction is getting ready to kick off another year of action with a week of daily events followed by a mass march through the state capital.

February 6, 2015 - Backlash against the South's recent rapid growth in the immigrant population may be contributing to the region's negative response to the president's executive action on immigration. But demographic trends may be fueling a more welcoming environment in the region's cities.