The Curious Scout

The Curious Scout is a newsletter for folks who value community-centered stories, curiosity-driven reporting, and a behind-the-scenes look at how local journalism works.

May 10, 2026

•

9 min read

Walk by Faith, Not By Sight

How I pushed through grief and the chaos of journalism to finish a nine-month environmental investigation into data centers in North Carolina.

Diara J. Townes

Apr 16, 2026

•

2 min read

Lee County says EMS deal is over

MedEx and Lee County issue statements indicating complications and an impasse in the EMS provider deal ahead of a June 30, 2026, deadline.

Diara J. Townes

Nearly 300 Rally in Downtown Sanford as No Kings Protests Sweep NC

Mar 29, 2026

•

7 min read

Nearly 300 Rally in Downtown Sanford as No Kings Protests Sweep NC

From first-timers to Iraq War veterans, Lee County shows up to stand against Trump

Diara J. Townes

Elections

Dozens of NC Candidates Missing Ethics Forms Ahead of Primary

Feb 28, 2026

•

15 min read

Dozens of NC Candidates Missing Ethics Forms Ahead of Primary

Communication breakdowns between local election boards, state officials, and candidates leave voters without required financial disclosures

Diara J. Townes, +1

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost: On Peace, the Past and the Path Forward

Jan 23, 2026

•

12 min read

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost: On Peace, the Past and the Path Forward

We like to believe that history fades if we stop looking at it, but ignoring the past has never stopped it from shaping the present.

Diara J. Townes

Panic! at the Year-End Digital Media Disco

Dec 31, 2025

•

6 min read

Panic! at the Year-End Digital Media Disco

A Complete Reference Guide to the NiemanLab Predictions for Journalism 2026: An unexpected labor of love/unwitting commitment.

Diara J. Townes