Editor’s note: Roanoke Rapids police Chief Lawrence Wiggins released the following statement regarding a social media post about a newly hired officer. The post was met with derisive comments from followers mocking the officer’s appearance and slight build. We have reviewed the comments and found the vast majority of them to constitute body-shaming and outright bullying based solely on a person’s appearance and not his qualifications as an officer. Because the police department is a public agency, social media comments are considered a public record and cannot be removed. We support Chief Wiggins and his comments, and believe those callous enough to have made these remarks should delete them. We are running the statement as an opinion piece. — Lance Martin

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Like many North Carolinians, I’m monitoring the work of the new House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform closely.

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• rodneypierce
• propertytaxreform

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The North Carolina House of Representatives has been meeting for about 250 years and each session has had about 100 members. 

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• rrspinletterstotheeditor
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When planning for retirement, Social Security isn't just another item on your financial checklist. For women especially, it's often the cornerstone of a secure retirement. 

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As we enter the final weeks of the primary campaign, I wanted to take a few minutes and share with voters in Halifax County my priorities if you re-elect me to serve in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

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• michaelwray
• march3primary
• housedistrict27

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