Gary D. Robertson, Author at The Rapid City Post

Austin Thompson is sworn in during a hearing in Wake County Superior Court on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

Teen pleads guilty to North Carolina mass shooting that killed 5

January 21, 2026

An 18-year-old has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and other charges for a mass shooting in North Carolina in 2022. The attack left five people dead, including the youth’s brother and a police officer. On Wednesday, Austin Thompson admitted to the crimes, avoiding an upcoming trial. His attorneys said this decision was to spare the community further trauma. A sentencing hearing is set for February. Thompson was 15 at the time of the crimes, so he cannot receive the death penalty. At issue is whether he’d be sentenced to life in prison without parole or could become eligible for parole decades from now.

FILE- Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt speaks at the Democratic National Convention, Sept. 5, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Four-term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a leader in education reform, dies at 88

December 18, 2025

Four-term North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, a major figure in late 20th-century state politics, has died at 88. His daughter, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, announced his passing on Thursday. Hunt was known as a pioneer “education governor,” serving 16 years as North Carolina transitioned to a high-tech economy. First elected in 1976, he was the first governor to serve successive four-year terms. Hunt focused on public education, creating initiatives like the Smart Start early childhood program. Even in his 80s, he advocated for education funding. His influence on education reform is recognized nationally, particularly in the Southeast.

U.S. Border Patrol Commander at large Gregory Bovino takes a phone call, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Federal immigration crackdown ends in Charlotte, North Carolina, sheriff says

November 20, 2025

Authorities have ended a federal immigration crackdown in North Carolina’s largest city. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that the operation, known as “Charlotte’s Web,” is officially over. Federal officials confirmed the conclusion to Sheriff Garry McFadden. The operation, led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, resulted in hundreds of arrests. The sheriff’s office stated that no further border agent operations would occur on Thursday. A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection didn’t immediately respond Thursday to an email seeking a response about the sheriff’s release.

Federal law enforcement officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) conduct a traffic stop and detain people, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Arrests now top 250 in immigration crackdown across North Carolina

November 19, 2025

Federal agents have now arrested more than 250 people during an immigration crackdown in North Carolina centered around Charlotte, the state’s largest city. Those totals released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are about double the arrest figures announced earlier this week. The operation that began over the weekend is the latest phase of Republican President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts. Military and immigration agents have converged on Democratic-run cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles. The push to carry out arrests in North Carolina expanded to areas around the state capital of Raleigh in just the last day.

North Carolina state Sen. Warren Daniel, R-Burke (left and standing), presides over the Senate Committee on Elections while it considers legislation to redraw the state's U.S. House district map at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh N.C., Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)

North Carolina GOP advances congressional map to secure another House seat for Trump

October 20, 2025

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature has formally begun redrawing the state’s congressional district map. The effort aims to help the GOP gain another U.S. House seat, supporting Donald Trump’s push to retain party control at midterms. The state Senate voted Monday along party lines for new boundaries for two eastern districts. This move aims to thwart the reelection of Democratic Rep. Don Davis, one of the state’s three Black members of Congress. The proposed map should move to the House on Tuesday. Litigation challenging the map is almost certain, with allegations of harming Black voting power likely.

FILE - Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., speaks at a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, at East Carolina University, Oct. 13, 2024, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell, File)

North Carolina GOP’s proposed map seeks to thwart Democratic incumbent’s reelection

October 16, 2025

Republican leaders in North Carolina have proposed a new U.S. House district map that could thwart reelection prospects of a Democratic incumbent in the state’s only swing seat. The map was revealed Thursday ahead of next week’s General Assembly session. It is part of an effort to help President Donald Trump secure more GOP seats nationwide ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The new boundaries focus on the 1st District, currently held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis, who narrowly won reelection in 2024. The changes could help Republicans win 11 of North Carolina’s 14 seats. Democrats have criticized the move, calling it an attempt to undermine fair elections.

Rep. Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg, center, holds a "Justice for Iryna" notebook before she introduces a bill in response to the murder of Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska during a North Carolina legislative session, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

North Carolina legislature passes ‘Iryna’s Law’ after refugee’s stabbing death

September 23, 2025

The North Carolina legislature has approved a criminal justice package in response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte’s light rail. The package finalized Tuesday with a House vote limits bail and aims to ensure more defendants undergo mental health evaluations. The measure already passed the Senate and now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. His office said the measure is being reviewed. The bill also includes provisions that aim to help restart executions in the state. Public outrage over the death of Iryna Zarutska intensified with the release of security video showing the attack on the commuter train.

North Carolina state Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, left, speaks while House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, listens and stands next to a photo of commuter train stabbing victim Iryna Zarutska, during a Legislative Building news conference, in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)

North Carolina Republicans push for tougher bail rules and potentially new execution methods

September 22, 2025

North Carolina Republican legislators have introduced criminal justice measures to toughen bail rules and evaluate offenders for mental health issues. This follows the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte commuter train last month. The Senate approved the bill late Monday. It now heads to the House for debate. The bill aims to prohibit cashless bail for certain crimes and reduce magistrates’ discretion in pretrial release decisions. A late amendment could also open the door to new execution methods beyond lethal injection. One Democrat criticized the amendment as immoral.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein speaks at the Land of Sky Regional Council, Aug. 20, 2025, Fletcher, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

September 4, 2025

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is taking a more collaborative approach with Republican opponents in his first eight months in office despite disagreeing with them on many issues. Stein succeeded fellow Democrat Roy Cooper in January. He aims to work with the GOP-controlled General Assembly and has built dialogue with them. Stein’s approach contrasts with Democratic governors elsewhere who have taken more combative stances against President Donald Trump and the GOP. Republican leaders have said they appreciate the open lines of communication with Stein. Still, the new governor has vetoed 15 bills, with lawmakers so far overriding eight of them.

FILE - Joseph McNeil speaks during a AFL-CIO conference in Greensboro, N.C., Jan. 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Lynn Hey, File)

Joseph McNeil, who helped spark a protest movement at a North Carolina lunch counter, dies at 83

September 4, 2025

Joseph McNeil, a key figure in the civil rights movement, has died at 83. McNeil was one of four students who staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960. This act sparked similar nonviolent protests across the South. McNeil later became a two-star general. North Carolina A&T State University and his family announced his death on Thursday. McNeil had faced recent health challenges. The university’s chancellor said McNeil and his classmates had inspired the nation with their courageous, peaceful protest. Only one of the four protesters is now alive.

North Carolina Supreme Court says bars’ COVID-19 lawsuits can continue

August 22, 2025

The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued favorable rulings for bars seeking compensation from the state for COVID-19 restrictions. On Friday, the court decided that two lawsuits filed by bars and their operators can continue. These lawsuits claim that through ordered closings they were treated unfairly compared to restaurants during the pandemic. The restrictions began in March 2020 under then-Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat. The court’s Republican justices agreed one lawsuit could proceed, rejecting state arguments to halt it. They ruled the other case also can return to a trial judge so evidence could be analyzed on the claim the owners’ rights to earn a living were violated.

FILE - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at a campaign event in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will run for the US Senate in North Carolina in 2026

July 28, 2025

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, giving Democrats a proven statewide winner in an open-seat race that is expected to be one of the most competitive 2026 contests. Cooper made the announcement Monday with a video released on social media and his campaign website. The former two-term governor will immediately become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley plans to run for the GOP nomination, with President Donald Trump’s blessing. Cooper’s candidacy is a big recruiting win for Democrats, who see the seat as a top pick-up opportunity in what will be a challenging year.

FILE - North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein delivers the State of the State address at the Legislative Building, March 12, 2025, in Raleigh N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)

North Carolina governor vetoes anti-DEI and transgender rights bills, calling them ‘mean-spirited’

July 3, 2025

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed three anti-DEI bills and another targeting transgender rights. Stein criticized on Thursday the Republican-led legislature for prioritizing what he called “mean-spirited” bills that it sent to his desk. The anti-DEI bills would cut or eliminate diversity programs in government and education. The transgender-related bill includes restrictions on state-funded gender-affirming care for prisoners and other provisions. Republicans argue these laws promote fairness and parental rights. The legislature may attempt to override the vetoes later this month. Stein has vetoed 11 bills since January, all within the past two weeks.

Newly appointed members of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, from left, Jeff Carmon, Francis De Luca, Stacy "Four" Eggers, Siobhan O'Duffy Millen and Bob Rucho, take their oaths of office at the Dobbs Building in Raleigh, N.C., on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)

Trump administration sues North Carolina over its voter registration records

May 27, 2025

The Trump administration has accused North Carolina’s election board of violating federal law by failing to ensure that registration records of some applicants contained identifying numbers. It wants a judge to force board officials to create a prompt method to obtain such numbers. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division sued in federal court on Tuesday alleging violations of the Help America Vote Act. The lawsuit is about the collection of a registrant’s driver’s license number or partial Social Security number. The department says it’s carrying out a recent executive order from President Donald Trump on elections. Registrant records were also an issue in a state Supreme Court race last year.

Gary D. Robertson.