Financial Misdeeds at Saint Augustine’s and a Stolen Newspaper Box

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Good morning, readers.

Before we get into today’s top story on some stunning revelations about financial mismanagement at Saint Augustine’s University, we need your help with something.

One of the INDY’s newspaper boxes was stolen from outside of a convenience store near NC State’s campus last month. Check out the surveillance footage:

I guess we could be flattered that the three seemingly college dudes who heaved the box away are just such big INDY fans that they had to take it home with them, but in reality that box cost us $500. 

So here’s what you can do to help: Contribute to the INDY Press Club to help us offset the $500 loss and continue our mission of providing free journalism to our community.

Now. back to our regularly scheduled programming. 

Last week, the board chair of Saint Augustine’s University released a statement describing a decade of egregious financial mismanagement at the embattled Raleigh HBCU. 

SAU misused federal grant funds, violated federal aid regulations, and falsified financial records beginning in 2012, according to Brian Boulware, who’s been a board member since 2019 and the chair since 2024.

Boulware claims that SAU’s administration was responsible for the mismanagement and fraud, and that he and the rest of the current board of trustees were unaware and blameless.

In recent months, a laundry list of SAU alums, former trustees, former employees and even journalist/commentator Roland Martin have said Boulware is at least partially responsible for the school’s financial and reputational downward spiral. 

Boulware’s latest statement was an attempt to restore confidence in his leadership. But instead, it raises more questions about what’s going on at SAU and whether the university will survive this period.

Keep reading below and have a good Monday.

—Chloe

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Durham

The Durham Public Schools board of education unanimously approved a $222 million county budget request last week, following weeks of lobbying by the Durham Association of Educators to delay the vote. INDY’s Chase Pellegrini de Paur breaks down the budget and likely position cuts.

ICYMI: Big changes are coming to Durham City Hall. INDY’s Justin Laidlaw has the scoop on the city’s manager’s plans to reorganize departments, such as bringing economic development and parks and rec under public safety.

Wake

Cary town council approved a request from a Baptist church to build affordable housing on its property, INDY’s Chloe Courtney Bohl reports. The Carr Center will also include an early childhood education center and an offshoot of the local YMCA. 

Orange

Five international UNC students have had their student visas restored in a reversal by the Trump administration, The Daily Tar Heel reports.

North Carolina

Our partners at The Assembly have the story on how a Cedar Grove farm has set the “gold standard” for produce subscription programs.

North Carolina legislators have floated several bills related to carrying guns. NC Newsline reports on where they stand.

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