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Cops & Congress by Annie Dance

Shining a light on police & policy issues in Lake Lure, WNC & beyond

anniedance.substack.comRSS feed ↗20 episodes

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WATCH (Exclusive): Lake Lure approves $1.7M project as town weighs Helene recovery priorities

Council also schedules public hearing on disaster recovery grant applications and approves grant research agreement

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50-foot fall on Grandfather Mountain sparks complex helicopter rescue

Emergency radio traffic obtained through public records shows crews coordinating weather, landing zones, patient movement and a helicopter hoist during the four-hour rescue

WATCH: Stein, Scott make case for federalism

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Democrat and Republican, respectively, used a bipartisan National Governors Association town hall to make a case for a constitutional division of power between Washington and the states, pointing to disaster recovery and elections as two areas where they say that balance is being tested. The governors appeared July 31 in Oklahoma City…

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Flock Safety Defends ALPR Technology as Company Tightens Privacy Controls

Company says its cameras provide objective vehicle evidence, not facial recognition, while new policies address data retention, police searches and accountability

Sport Report: Where Exercise, Infrastructure, Crime and Taxpayer Dollars Meet

A new Cops & Congress column will examine the policies behind the places where Western North Carolinians play, paddle, walk, bike, and exercise — and who pays for them.

SCOOP: Was a 'missing person' fleeing a felony charge in McDowell County?

The Sheriff’s Office said Alexandria Price, a.k.a. Anthony Mena, was “found safe.” Public records show there was more to the story, including over $9k allegedly stolen from Dollar General.

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WATCH: Brown Brings Message to McDowell

Former GOP Senate candidate warns of socialism, expanding government and attacks on law enforcement

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Judge Davis Had a Choice

A Rutherford County case raises uncomfortable questions about judicial discretion and a plea deal for a former paramedic’s conduct with a 16-year-old

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COURT REPORT SCOOP: Fake Bollywood identity allegedly used to steal $250,000 copper shipment from Shelby

Federal affidavit details how a forged Texas driver's license, GPS tracker, and police investigation led from a Cleveland County metals facility to a federal indictment and detention

WATCH: What happened at the August Rutherford County Commissioners meeting?

Rutherford County Commissioners Tackle DSS Caseload, Fire Districts, Grant Requirements

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Stein pulls Smythe nomination, names interim to lead state public safety agency

DPS chief moves to homeland security post after Senate leaves nomination unconfirmed for more than seven months

GOP Scrambles After Edwards Exit

Western North Carolina Republicans face a compressed candidate search as Democrats see an opening in the 11th Congressional District

NCDPS Secretary Smythe: Police 'can't arrest our way out' of crime

N.C. public safety chief promotes prevention strategy that includes securing firearms owned by law-abiding citizens

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SCOOP: Mugshots and data unavailable as VINE outage impacts more than 200 law enforcement agencies nationwide

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is among at least 204 facilities listed as offline across 35 states, according to a Cops & Congress review of VINE’s public status listings

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WATCH: Ballot fight puts Rutherford County candidate’s name under state board scrutiny

Watch now | High Priestex Mortellus seeks to use a religious mononym in a six-way Soil and Water Supervisor election

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The FBI’s Trump investigation: Read the receipts

The messy public records story behind “Oxferd Comma” and the bigger questions about government transparency

Lured Market sues Lake Lure over police boathouse dispute after Helene recovery

Restaurant owner claims town improperly took control of disputed building; Lake Lure says lease never included police facility

Biochar offers new path for Helene recovery

Western North Carolina turns storm debris into soil, energy, and economic opportunity

NCDPS roundtable in Statesville highlights public safety challenges

Watch now | Public Safety Leaders Warn of Staffing, Mental Health Challenges

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Republicans Race to Replace Chuck Edwards After Withdrawal From NC-11 Contest

NCGOP executive committee to meet Monday as Tim Moffitt weighs bid, Kevin Corbin bows out and Jamie Ager presses forward