The Carolina Cabinet

Welcome back to The Carolina Cabinet, where we bring you the sharpest conversations in Cumberland County and beyond. In this episode, host Peter Pappas sits down with Judge George Cooper Bell, the Republican candidate for North Carolina Court of Appeals seat number 2 and a sitting Superior Court judge from Mecklenburg County. Judge Bell, a former criminal defense attorney with over a decade of experience, shares insights from the campaign trail, discusses his philosophy on the bench, and explains how appellate courts impact everyday North Carolinians. From courtroom movie favorites to the complexities of partisan judicial races, this candid conversation pulls back the curtain on what it means to serve justice—and why elections like this one matter for all of us. Whether you're a Panthers fan, a casual observer, or knee-deep in the issues, you won't want to miss what's in store.

Welcome back to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. In this special session, Peter Pappas sits down with Joe Hallatschek, candidate for the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. It's a nonpartisan race at the very bottom of your ballot: seven candidates, and you vote for two. Hallatschek is a retired Army Corps of Engineers officer with public works experience and has served on Fayetteville's Stormwater Advisory Board since 2020. He explains what the Soil and Water board actually does for farmers, towns and homeowners, from soil testing and cover crops to ponds, wells and drainage; how state cost-share programs work and why he says every town in the county can use at least one of them; why he'd make clearing stream debris a priority; and how stormwater rules apply as farmland turns into subdivisions, solar farms and data centers. Find all of our candidate conversations at thecarolinacabinet.com.

Welcome back to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. In this special session, Peter Pappas sits down with Rep. Charles Smith, the Democrat representing District 44 in the North Carolina House, who is unopposed on the November 3 ballot. A Fayetteville native who played college basketball at Emory & Henry and earned his law degree at UNC Chapel Hill, Smith came home to prosecute domestic violence and child abuse cases as an assistant district attorney before winning his House seat. Peter and Rep. Smith talk about why he came back to Fayetteville, what prosecuting hard cases taught him about listening, his yes vote on the $34 billion state budget, why he wants an income cap and accountability on Opportunity Scholarships, why he opposes writing an income tax cap into the state constitution, his bill to give state-hiring preference to veterans and their spouses, and where he thinks the state should set the rules on data centers. He also explains how constituents can reach him directly, even when they disagree. Find all of our candidate conversations at thecarolinacabinet.com.

Welcome back to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. In this episode, host Peter Pappas sits down with Rob Hasty, Republican candidate for Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 14A. A lifelong county resident, seasoned attorney with over 25 years of experience, and former certified mediator, Hasty shares insights into his legal career, the distinctions between Superior and District court, and his perspectives on judicial impartiality and local court operations. The conversation delves into the realities of partisan politics in judicial elections, the impact of technology on the local court system, and the experiences both lawyers and everyday citizens encounter at the courthouse. Whether you're curious about the inner workings of Cumberland County's courts or the challenges and choices in a judge's race, this episode offers an informative and candid look behind the bench. Judge Stephen Stokes was invited twice and did not respond. Here at the Cabinet, we think it's fair to let you know we've reached out, and we hope to hear from them whenever they're ready.

Welcome to a special edition of the Carolina Cabinet. This week, host Peter Pappas sits down with LaRue Windham, Republican nominee for Cumberland County Sheriff, for an in-depth conversation spanning his decades-long career in law enforcement, his family's legacy of service, and his vision for the future of the sheriff's office. From reminiscing about his first patrol car and favorite cop shows to outlining concrete plans for improving staff retention, pay, and public transparency, LaRue Windham addresses the challenges facing Cumberland County and makes his case for leadership as Election Day approaches. Tune in as they tackle tough questions about staffing shortages, immigration enforcement, and the importance of visibility and accessibility in law enforcement—and hear why LaRue Windham says he's ready to lead with professionalism, transparency, and a team-oriented approach. Whether you agree with him or not, this is a candid conversation you won't want to miss.