Emily Stephenson
@ewstephe.bsky.social
Deputy managing editor at The Assembly. Ex-Reuters, Politico, WSJ. Tar Heel.
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
Potentially very cool journalism job: @theassemblync.bsky.social is seeking an editor-in-chief in Fayetteville. Pays $75K or higher www.theassemblync.com/assembly-job...
Work With Us
See what roles are currently available at The Assembly Network, your go-to source for journalism on power and place in North Carolina.
www.theassemblync.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Potentially very cool journalism job: @theassemblync.bsky.social is seeking an editor-in-chief in Fayetteville. Pays $75K or higher www.theassemblync.com/assembly-job...
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
breaking news from unc: former provost chris clemens is suing the university for open meetings and public records violations during their discussion about delaying tenure votes
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Former Provost Sues UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees Over Closed Meetings
Chris Clemens accused the trustees of "hiding matters of grave public concern,” including tenure debates, using a Signal group and closed session.
www.theassemblync.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
breaking news from unc: former provost chris clemens is suing the university for open meetings and public records violations during their discussion about delaying tenure votes
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
the turmoil at the school of civic life and leadership has gotten bad enough that the university hired a law firm to investigate
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
UNC-Chapel Hill Investigates the School of Civic Life and Leadership
Chancellor Lee Roberts said that the university is reviewing the school after faculty and administrative turnover in the past year.
www.theassemblync.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:41 PM
the turmoil at the school of civic life and leadership has gotten bad enough that the university hired a law firm to investigate
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
The Assembly has won its first nationwide Edward R. Murrow Awards. Read the award-winning reporting recognized by the awards in the thread below: www.rtdna.org/2025-nationa...
August 14, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The Assembly has won its first nationwide Edward R. Murrow Awards. Read the award-winning reporting recognized by the awards in the thread below: www.rtdna.org/2025-nationa...
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
Congratulations to @byjordangreen.bsky.social on winning the August Sidney Award for highlighting the growing threat of neo-Nazi accelerationism in America for @theassemblync.bsky.social with support from @rawstory.com!
Jordan Green wins August Sidney for Spotlighting Neo-Nazi Militant Accelerationism
Jordan Green wins the August Sidney Award for his feature in The Assembly, “I’ve Seen How the Neo-Nazi Movement Is Escalating. You Should Worry.” In early 2024, Green sat in a hotel room with his wife...
hillmanfoundation.org
August 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Congratulations to @byjordangreen.bsky.social on winning the August Sidney Award for highlighting the growing threat of neo-Nazi accelerationism in America for @theassemblync.bsky.social with support from @rawstory.com!
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
North Carolina universities are partnering with ChatGPT and Google, and some have created new policies about using AI platforms. www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Higher Ed 2.0: N.C. Schools Tackle AI
North Carolina universities are partnering with ChatGPT and Google, and some have created new policies about using AI platforms.
www.theassemblync.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
North Carolina universities are partnering with ChatGPT and Google, and some have created new policies about using AI platforms. www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
We’re hiring a higher ed reporter @theassemblync.bsky.social! It’s one of our core focus areas and a busy time for North Carolina’s colleges and universities.
Come work with @themhartman.bsky.social and me!
www.theassemblync.com/assembly-job...
Come work with @themhartman.bsky.social and me!
www.theassemblync.com/assembly-job...
Work With Us
See what roles are currently available at The Assembly, your go-to source for journalism on power and place in North Carolina.
www.theassemblync.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:24 PM
We’re hiring a higher ed reporter @theassemblync.bsky.social! It’s one of our core focus areas and a busy time for North Carolina’s colleges and universities.
Come work with @themhartman.bsky.social and me!
www.theassemblync.com/assembly-job...
Come work with @themhartman.bsky.social and me!
www.theassemblync.com/assembly-job...
In 2008, I wrote this story about Zena Cardman. Today, she launches for the space station. 🥹
July 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
In 2008, I wrote this story about Zena Cardman. Today, she launches for the space station. 🥹
The Assembly obtained two internal UNC documents that show various options the Tar Heels have explored to fund revenue-sharing.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @theassemblync.bsky.social @themhartman.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @theassemblync.bsky.social @themhartman.bsky.social
July 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The Assembly obtained two internal UNC documents that show various options the Tar Heels have explored to fund revenue-sharing.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @theassemblync.bsky.social @themhartman.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @theassemblync.bsky.social @themhartman.bsky.social
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
BREAKING: The UNC System is launching a new accreditor with Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas called the Commission for Public Higher Education
The goal is to create a “streamlined, non-ideological” accreditor, Hans told me in an exclusive for @theassemblync.bsky.social
The goal is to create a “streamlined, non-ideological” accreditor, Hans told me in an exclusive for @theassemblync.bsky.social
UNC System President Unveils Plans for New Accreditor
President Peter Hans said in an interview he aims to create a ‘streamlined, non-ideological’ accreditor with five other southern states.
www.theassemblync.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
BREAKING: The UNC System is launching a new accreditor with Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas called the Commission for Public Higher Education
The goal is to create a “streamlined, non-ideological” accreditor, Hans told me in an exclusive for @theassemblync.bsky.social
The goal is to create a “streamlined, non-ideological” accreditor, Hans told me in an exclusive for @theassemblync.bsky.social
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Duke to End Partnership With Wuhan University
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @eringretzinger.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @eringretzinger.bsky.social
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Duke to End Partnership With Wuhan University
Two U.S. House committee chairmen say Duke's partner school is a “direct extension of the Chinese military and intelligence apparatus.”
www.theassemblync.com
May 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Duke to End Partnership With Wuhan University
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @eringretzinger.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... @eringretzinger.bsky.social
Guilford College faculty hatched a radical plan to run the school by Quaker-inspired councils. Some alumni say the college needs to make tough business decisions first.
“This kumbaya stuff is for the birds now.”
t.co/w0YHLYpqv3 @themhartman.bsky.social @theassemblync.bsky.social
“This kumbaya stuff is for the birds now.”
t.co/w0YHLYpqv3 @themhartman.bsky.social @theassemblync.bsky.social
https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/guilford-college-debates-how-quakerly-it-should-be/
t.co
May 15, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Guilford College faculty hatched a radical plan to run the school by Quaker-inspired councils. Some alumni say the college needs to make tough business decisions first.
“This kumbaya stuff is for the birds now.”
t.co/w0YHLYpqv3 @themhartman.bsky.social @theassemblync.bsky.social
“This kumbaya stuff is for the birds now.”
t.co/w0YHLYpqv3 @themhartman.bsky.social @theassemblync.bsky.social
The state Supreme Court said 260 ballots cast by overseas voters who never lived in NC should be thrown out in the Griffin-Riggs race.
One problem: @BryanRAnderson found that several of them DID live in NC. @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-...
One problem: @BryanRAnderson found that several of them DID live in NC. @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-...
Longtime N.C. Voters May Have Their Ballots Wrongfully Tossed in Supreme Court Race
The "never resident" list appears to include some longtime residents, while other voters appear in two different challenge categories.
www.theassemblync.com
April 13, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The state Supreme Court said 260 ballots cast by overseas voters who never lived in NC should be thrown out in the Griffin-Riggs race.
One problem: @BryanRAnderson found that several of them DID live in NC. @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-...
One problem: @BryanRAnderson found that several of them DID live in NC. @theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-...
NC’s GOP state treasurer tells @bryanranderson.bsky.social that Trump’s tariffs present a series of bad choices for NC businesses.
“Countries and companies will be much more hesitant to trust that U.S. policy will remain constant.”
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
“Countries and companies will be much more hesitant to trust that U.S. policy will remain constant.”
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
April 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
NC’s GOP state treasurer tells @bryanranderson.bsky.social that Trump’s tariffs present a series of bad choices for NC businesses.
“Countries and companies will be much more hesitant to trust that U.S. policy will remain constant.”
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
“Countries and companies will be much more hesitant to trust that U.S. policy will remain constant.”
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
Rep. Chuck Edwards’ town hall in Asheville was one of the most intense events I’ve ever covered.
This was his press conference at the end:
This was his press conference at the end:
March 14, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Rep. Chuck Edwards’ town hall in Asheville was one of the most intense events I’ve ever covered.
This was his press conference at the end:
This was his press conference at the end:
UNC-Chapel Hill transferred $21 million from other funds to the athletic department last year–and that was before it agreed to spend millions of dollars more on Bill Belichick. @theassemblync.bsky.social @axios.com @themhartman.bsky.social @zeanes.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
UNC’s Risky Belichick Math
An Assembly analysis finds UNC football has already set aside millions of dollars to bolster incoming head coach Bill Belichick and the team.
www.theassemblync.com
March 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
UNC-Chapel Hill transferred $21 million from other funds to the athletic department last year–and that was before it agreed to spend millions of dollars more on Bill Belichick. @theassemblync.bsky.social @axios.com @themhartman.bsky.social @zeanes.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
“We’ve done over 3,500 interviews everywhere in North Carolina over the last 30 years. And no one has ever said that there is anything unique about a couple of vowels in Durham,” says the expert.
Your move, Jason Isaacs.
indyweek.com/culture/abou...
Your move, Jason Isaacs.
indyweek.com/culture/abou...
About Those Southern Accents on This Season of The White Lotus
“No one has ever said that there is anything unique about a couple of vowels in Durham,” says Walt Wolfram, a North Carolina linguist.
indyweek.com
March 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
“We’ve done over 3,500 interviews everywhere in North Carolina over the last 30 years. And no one has ever said that there is anything unique about a couple of vowels in Durham,” says the expert.
Your move, Jason Isaacs.
indyweek.com/culture/abou...
Your move, Jason Isaacs.
indyweek.com/culture/abou...
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
Some exciting news for The Quad, @theassemblync.bsky.social's higher ed newsletter: We're hosting our first live event!
Join us on 3/25 for an exclusive look at how the Trump administration’s first moves are playing out at North Carolina’s colleges and universities.
Join us on 3/25 for an exclusive look at how the Trump administration’s first moves are playing out at North Carolina’s colleges and universities.
March 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Some exciting news for The Quad, @theassemblync.bsky.social's higher ed newsletter: We're hosting our first live event!
Join us on 3/25 for an exclusive look at how the Trump administration’s first moves are playing out at North Carolina’s colleges and universities.
Join us on 3/25 for an exclusive look at how the Trump administration’s first moves are playing out at North Carolina’s colleges and universities.
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
I've covered my share of N.C. higher education stories over the years. I can tell you, you do not want to miss this conversation.
Premium subscribers get into events like this, all our higher ed team's great coverage and everything in the archive. A steal.
www.theassemblync.com/premium/
Premium subscribers get into events like this, all our higher ed team's great coverage and everything in the archive. A steal.
www.theassemblync.com/premium/
March 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I've covered my share of N.C. higher education stories over the years. I can tell you, you do not want to miss this conversation.
Premium subscribers get into events like this, all our higher ed team's great coverage and everything in the archive. A steal.
www.theassemblync.com/premium/
Premium subscribers get into events like this, all our higher ed team's great coverage and everything in the archive. A steal.
www.theassemblync.com/premium/
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
The Assembly has been selected as one of six newsrooms in the first cohort of the NOTUS Washington Bureau Initiative.
Read the full announcement below.
www.theassemblync.com/internal/the...
Read the full announcement below.
www.theassemblync.com/internal/the...
The Assembly, Now With Reporting From Our Nation's Capital
The Assembly has been selected as one of six newsrooms in the first cohort of the NOTUS Washington Bureau Initiative.
www.theassemblync.com
February 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The Assembly has been selected as one of six newsrooms in the first cohort of the NOTUS Washington Bureau Initiative.
Read the full announcement below.
www.theassemblync.com/internal/the...
Read the full announcement below.
www.theassemblync.com/internal/the...
Last week, the head of UNC-Chapel Hill’s cancer center sounded calm about potential cuts to NIH grants. Cancer research has bipartisan support, and “uncertainty in federal funding is not new,” he said.
These week, he sounded a little less sure.
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
These week, he sounded a little less sure.
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
February 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Last week, the head of UNC-Chapel Hill’s cancer center sounded calm about potential cuts to NIH grants. Cancer research has bipartisan support, and “uncertainty in federal funding is not new,” he said.
These week, he sounded a little less sure.
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
These week, he sounded a little less sure.
www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/t...
Reposted by Emily Stephenson
Nearly 15 years after Hasson Jamal Bacote first filed a claim under the Racial Justice Act, a judge ruled last week that racism not only significantly affected Bacote’s case, but pervaded every death penalty case ever tried in Johnston County.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou...
www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou...
What This Johnston County Racial Justice Act Ruling Means for NC
The ruling in the first Racial Justice Act evidentiary hearing in more than a decade will have implications for the death penalty in N.C.
www.theassemblync.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Nearly 15 years after Hasson Jamal Bacote first filed a claim under the Racial Justice Act, a judge ruled last week that racism not only significantly affected Bacote’s case, but pervaded every death penalty case ever tried in Johnston County.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou...
www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou...
“The Army in 2023 estimated it was spending $8 million to change Fort Bragg’s name to Fort Liberty.” 🤷🏻♀️ @paulwoolverton.bsky.social
www.cityviewnc.com/stories/defe...
www.cityviewnc.com/stories/defe...
Defense secretary orders Fort Liberty to be Fort Bragg again
Defense secretary orders Fort Liberty to become Fort Bragg again — but this time it will be Fort Roland L. Bragg, in honor of a WWII hero
www.cityviewnc.com
February 11, 2025 at 12:21 PM
“The Army in 2023 estimated it was spending $8 million to change Fort Bragg’s name to Fort Liberty.” 🤷🏻♀️ @paulwoolverton.bsky.social
www.cityviewnc.com/stories/defe...
www.cityviewnc.com/stories/defe...
UNC System president to UNC-CH trustees: “Instances continue to occur where members of the board appear to act independently of their campus’s administration in matters squarely within the responsibility of the chancellor.”
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
@themhartman.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
@themhartman.bsky.social
UNC System Limits UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees’ Authority Over Athletics
In a memo sent after UNC-CH hired Bill Belichick, the system's leader said trustees' actions around athletics "create substantial legal risk."
www.theassemblync.com
February 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
UNC System president to UNC-CH trustees: “Instances continue to occur where members of the board appear to act independently of their campus’s administration in matters squarely within the responsibility of the chancellor.”
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
@themhartman.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
@themhartman.bsky.social