Welcome to the Albemarle Observer.

The Albemarle Observer is a locally owned and operated independent online newspaper serving the Northeastern North Carolina counties of Chowan, Gates, Bertie, Washington, Tyrrell, Hyde, Perquimans, and Pasquotank. We are committed to providing clear, timely, and factual reporting on local government, education, economic development, and community issues that matter to our readers.

We believe a well-informed community is a strong community. That’s why we attend town and county meetings, cover local school board decisions, and report on issues that impact everyday life across the Albemarle region.

The Albemarle Observer launched in 2024 with the mission of making local news accessible to everyone, without a paywall. We believe everyone deserves to know what is happening in their community, regardless of income or background.

How We’re Supported
We are funded by advertising and community support to ensure we can continue providing free, independent journalism.

Our Mission
We exist to keep Edenton and the Albemarle region informed, engaged, and connected by delivering fair and factual local news.

Connect With Us
We welcome story ideas, community announcements, and questions. Your feedback helps us serve you better.

Thank you for reading the Albemarle Observer and supporting local news in your community.

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Our Team

Editor & Publisher

The Albemarle Observer was created by Miles and Nicole Layton.

Miles is a graduate of East Carolina University and received a master’s degree from West Virginia University. He is a native of Greensboro.

Nicole is a graduate of North Carolina State University and has a certificate in digital marketing from the college’s continuing education program. She also has an associate’s degree in culinary arts from Hocking College.

They have over 60 years of combined experience covering communities large and small in North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Mississippi. They have also won various awards for their coverage of communities in the areas of writing, photography, and multimedia use.

Contributors

We also feature community contributors and guest columnists who share perspectives on local issues and community events.

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Donations

We believe local journalism should serve the community first. Donations and advertisements on Albemarle Observer directly support our mission by funding in-depth reporting, public meeting coverage, and investigative work that keeps our community informed. Every dollar helps us remain independent and accessible, allowing us to continue providing fair, thorough, and local coverage for northeastern North Carolina.