@renlarson.bsky.social
data- and records-obsessed journalist.
Feeding your brain North Carolina stories at @theassemblync.bsky.social
lifelong language learner, rock climber, Bo's mom
Feeding your brain North Carolina stories at @theassemblync.bsky.social
lifelong language learner, rock climber, Bo's mom
Reposted
Happy Municipal Election Day, #ncpol! Polls in places holding elections are open from now until 7:30 p.m.
Details on how to find a sample ballot, and on some Triangle races to watch: www.wunc.org/tags/triangl...
Details on how to find a sample ballot, and on some Triangle races to watch: www.wunc.org/tags/triangl...
Triangle Elections 2025
Voters in more than 500 municipalities in North Carolina will go to the polls this fall to choose mayors and city council members. These are important elections, as city leaders make crucial decisions...
www.wunc.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Happy Municipal Election Day, #ncpol! Polls in places holding elections are open from now until 7:30 p.m.
Details on how to find a sample ballot, and on some Triangle races to watch: www.wunc.org/tags/triangl...
Details on how to find a sample ballot, and on some Triangle races to watch: www.wunc.org/tags/triangl...
1/ After a natural disaster, people often turn to FEMA for housing aid.
Income is not supposed to play a role.
A @propublica/@TheAssemblyNC analysis found in rural counties hardest-hit by Helene, the highest-income owners typically received more housing aid.
www.propublica.org/article/fema...
Income is not supposed to play a role.
A @propublica/@TheAssemblyNC analysis found in rural counties hardest-hit by Helene, the highest-income owners typically received more housing aid.
www.propublica.org/article/fema...
Arduous and Unequal: The Fight to Get FEMA Housing Assistance After Helene
An analysis by ProPublica and The Assembly of the more rural counties in North Carolina hardest hit by Helene shows that the households that got the most aid tended to have the highest incomes.
www.propublica.org
October 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
1/ After a natural disaster, people often turn to FEMA for housing aid.
Income is not supposed to play a role.
A @propublica/@TheAssemblyNC analysis found in rural counties hardest-hit by Helene, the highest-income owners typically received more housing aid.
www.propublica.org/article/fema...
Income is not supposed to play a role.
A @propublica/@TheAssemblyNC analysis found in rural counties hardest-hit by Helene, the highest-income owners typically received more housing aid.
www.propublica.org/article/fema...
Reposted
% of US men under 30 who say legal sports betting is a *bad thing* for society
22% in 2022
47% in 2025
No other demographic group has seen a bigger increase.
22% in 2022
47% in 2025
No other demographic group has seen a bigger increase.
Americans increasingly see legal sports betting as a bad thing for society and sports
Today, 43% of U.S. adults say the fact that sports betting is now legal in much of the country is a bad thing for society, up from 34% in 2022.
www.pewresearch.org
October 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
% of US men under 30 who say legal sports betting is a *bad thing* for society
22% in 2022
47% in 2025
No other demographic group has seen a bigger increase.
22% in 2022
47% in 2025
No other demographic group has seen a bigger increase.
Reposted
Must read: The Arduous and Unequal Fight to Get FEMA Aid After Hurricane Helene, by @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @renlarson.bsky.social w/ @theassemblync.bsky.social
Arduous and Unequal: The Fight to Get FEMA Housing Assistance After Helene
An analysis by ProPublica and The Assembly of the more rural counties in North Carolina hardest hit by Helene shows that the households that got the most aid tended to have the highest incomes.
www.propublica.org
September 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Must read: The Arduous and Unequal Fight to Get FEMA Aid After Hurricane Helene, by @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @renlarson.bsky.social w/ @theassemblync.bsky.social
Reposted
One year ago, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. Since then, people who lost their homes have turned to FEMA for aid. Some are still slogging through red tape.
@jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @renlarson.bsky.social w/ @theassemblync.bsky.social
@jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @renlarson.bsky.social w/ @theassemblync.bsky.social
Arduous and Unequal: The Fight to Get FEMA Housing Assistance After Helene
An analysis by ProPublica and The Assembly of the more rural counties in North Carolina hardest hit by Helene shows that the households that got the most aid tended to have the highest incomes.
www.propublica.org
September 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
One year ago, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. Since then, people who lost their homes have turned to FEMA for aid. Some are still slogging through red tape.
@jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @renlarson.bsky.social w/ @theassemblync.bsky.social
@jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @renlarson.bsky.social w/ @theassemblync.bsky.social
Reposted
NEW: Reuters examined more than 500 local-court cases filed since the start of Trump's takeover of policing in D.C.
Nearly half of the cases involving federal agents have been for comparatively minor charges, including public drinking and marijuana.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Nearly half of the cases involving federal agents have been for comparatively minor charges, including public drinking and marijuana.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
August 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
NEW: Reuters examined more than 500 local-court cases filed since the start of Trump's takeover of policing in D.C.
Nearly half of the cases involving federal agents have been for comparatively minor charges, including public drinking and marijuana.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Nearly half of the cases involving federal agents have been for comparatively minor charges, including public drinking and marijuana.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Reposted
Charlotte-area deputies hid their identities with face coverings when they arrested 10 people on drug charges earlier this month, mirroring a technique now used by federal ICE agents. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c... (gift link)
NC sheriff says deputies OK to cover faces, critics raise concerns
Iredell County's sheriff defends deputies wearing face coverings, while critics worry it erodes public trust and lacks clear policy guidelines.
www.charlotteobserver.com
August 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Charlotte-area deputies hid their identities with face coverings when they arrested 10 people on drug charges earlier this month, mirroring a technique now used by federal ICE agents. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c... (gift link)
Reposted
This is a powerful piece of journalism.
“… each of the men were not only losing time, they were losing loved ones. They were missing major life moments that can never be recovered. Not only did the men say they were tortured during these four months; their families said they were too.”
“… each of the men were not only losing time, they were losing loved ones. They were missing major life moments that can never be recovered. Not only did the men say they were tortured during these four months; their families said they were too.”
NEW: Over the past four months, I documented the lives of five families whose sons had been imprisoned in El Salvador, including their long-awaited reunions.
This is how CECOT left a mark on my countrymen, their loved ones and Venezuela.
This is how CECOT left a mark on my countrymen, their loved ones and Venezuela.
What I Witnessed as I Photographed the Disappearances and the Homecomings of My Countrymen
Over the past four months, a photojournalist documented the lives of five families whose sons had been imprisoned in El Salvador, including their long-awaited reunions. CECOT left a mark on the men,…
www.propublica.org
August 19, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This is a powerful piece of journalism.
“… each of the men were not only losing time, they were losing loved ones. They were missing major life moments that can never be recovered. Not only did the men say they were tortured during these four months; their families said they were too.”
“… each of the men were not only losing time, they were losing loved ones. They were missing major life moments that can never be recovered. Not only did the men say they were tortured during these four months; their families said they were too.”
Reposted
In the Small Digital Organization Sports Reporting category,
@renlarson.bsky.social won for her story on the US Performance Center.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/oly...
@renlarson.bsky.social won for her story on the US Performance Center.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/oly...
North Carolina’s $55 Million Olympic Dream
Top legislators quietly allocated large state grants to attract Olympic organizations to the Charlotte area, with little to show for it.
www.theassemblync.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
In the Small Digital Organization Sports Reporting category,
@renlarson.bsky.social won for her story on the US Performance Center.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/oly...
@renlarson.bsky.social won for her story on the US Performance Center.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/oly...
Proud reporter moment. @theassemblync.bsky.social was awarded its first National Murrow Award. And it won its second.
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”
August 14, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Proud reporter moment. @theassemblync.bsky.social was awarded its first National Murrow Award. And it won its second.
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”
Reposted
BREAKING: ICE Adds Random Person to Group Chat, Exposes Details of Manhunt in Real-Time
🔗 www.404media.co/ice-adds-ran...
🔗 www.404media.co/ice-adds-ran...
ICE Adds Random Person to Group Chat, Exposes Details of Manhunt in Real-Time
The texts were sent to a group called “Mass Text” and show ICE using DMV and license plate reader data in an attempt to find their target, copies of the messages obtained by 404 Media show.
www.404media.co
August 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
BREAKING: ICE Adds Random Person to Group Chat, Exposes Details of Manhunt in Real-Time
🔗 www.404media.co/ice-adds-ran...
🔗 www.404media.co/ice-adds-ran...
Reposted
BREAKING: With #2030Census prep already underway, President Trump says he's instructed Commerce Dept to "immediately begin work" on a "new" census that excludes people living in the states without legal status from a count the 14th Amendment says must include “whole number of persons in each state”
August 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
BREAKING: With #2030Census prep already underway, President Trump says he's instructed Commerce Dept to "immediately begin work" on a "new" census that excludes people living in the states without legal status from a count the 14th Amendment says must include “whole number of persons in each state”
Reposted
I'm quoted in this great piece diving into the closure of St. Andrews University in North Carolina and what it means for the local community. The Assembly is one of the best local sources for higher ed coverage in the country.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
What Remains of St. Andrews
Following the sudden closure of St. Andrews University, Laurinburg grapples with the fallout and a now-empty campus.
www.theassemblync.com
July 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I'm quoted in this great piece diving into the closure of St. Andrews University in North Carolina and what it means for the local community. The Assembly is one of the best local sources for higher ed coverage in the country.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
.@jeffreybillman.bsky.social knocked it out of the park reporting on #ncpol's most powerful man.
“You know as well as I do that you don’t scrape a pimple off a gnat’s ass w/o Bill Rabon & Phil Berger’s permission in the NC Senate,” state Sen. Bobby Hanig said.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/phi...
“You know as well as I do that you don’t scrape a pimple off a gnat’s ass w/o Bill Rabon & Phil Berger’s permission in the NC Senate,” state Sen. Bobby Hanig said.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/phi...
The Berger King
Phil Berger has been the state’s most powerful politician for more than a decade. He no longer looks invincible.
www.theassemblync.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
.@jeffreybillman.bsky.social knocked it out of the park reporting on #ncpol's most powerful man.
“You know as well as I do that you don’t scrape a pimple off a gnat’s ass w/o Bill Rabon & Phil Berger’s permission in the NC Senate,” state Sen. Bobby Hanig said.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/phi...
“You know as well as I do that you don’t scrape a pimple off a gnat’s ass w/o Bill Rabon & Phil Berger’s permission in the NC Senate,” state Sen. Bobby Hanig said.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/phi...
Reposted
Registration Recovery Program July 23 Update for #ncpol:
🗳️ 99,989 people remain on the RRP list
🗳️ 3,285 people have cured their registration or dropped off the list for other reasons.
🗳️ 6 voters have been added to the list
For background & details: www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/07/an-a...
🗳️ 99,989 people remain on the RRP list
🗳️ 3,285 people have cured their registration or dropped off the list for other reasons.
🗳️ 6 voters have been added to the list
For background & details: www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/07/an-a...
July 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Registration Recovery Program July 23 Update for #ncpol:
🗳️ 99,989 people remain on the RRP list
🗳️ 3,285 people have cured their registration or dropped off the list for other reasons.
🗳️ 6 voters have been added to the list
For background & details: www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/07/an-a...
🗳️ 99,989 people remain on the RRP list
🗳️ 3,285 people have cured their registration or dropped off the list for other reasons.
🗳️ 6 voters have been added to the list
For background & details: www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/07/an-a...
Reposted
A question asked in June 2025 Catawba-YouGov Poll of 1K North Carolinians was "how important is the principle that regardless of which political party is in power, government agencies are not used to monitor, attack, or punish political opponents."
NC Republicans: 88% very/somewhat important #ncpol
NC Republicans: 88% very/somewhat important #ncpol
July 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
A question asked in June 2025 Catawba-YouGov Poll of 1K North Carolinians was "how important is the principle that regardless of which political party is in power, government agencies are not used to monitor, attack, or punish political opponents."
NC Republicans: 88% very/somewhat important #ncpol
NC Republicans: 88% very/somewhat important #ncpol
ICYMI -- Today, members of NC's county elections boards will take the oath of office.
Republicans now have 3 of 5 seats on local boards, but despite gaining 100 seats statewide, many GOP incumbents aren't returning, & some say they were pushed out. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Republicans now have 3 of 5 seats on local boards, but despite gaining 100 seats statewide, many GOP incumbents aren't returning, & some say they were pushed out. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Former GOP County Election Officials Say They Were Forced Out
Some former local GOP board members say they lost their seats because they weren't devoted enough to the Republican Party.
www.theassemblync.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
ICYMI -- Today, members of NC's county elections boards will take the oath of office.
Republicans now have 3 of 5 seats on local boards, but despite gaining 100 seats statewide, many GOP incumbents aren't returning, & some say they were pushed out. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Republicans now have 3 of 5 seats on local boards, but despite gaining 100 seats statewide, many GOP incumbents aren't returning, & some say they were pushed out. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Reposted
The latest from my colleague @renlarson.bsky.social: Former GOP County Election Officials Say They Were Forced Out www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Former GOP County Election Officials Say They Were Forced Out
Some former local GOP board members say they lost their seats because they weren't devoted enough to the Republican Party.
www.theassemblync.com
July 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The latest from my colleague @renlarson.bsky.social: Former GOP County Election Officials Say They Were Forced Out www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
🚨 NEW: 1/ As Republicans take control of North Carolina's election administration, ~1 in 4 incumbent GOP members
weren't reappointed.
Some former local board members say they were pushed out for not taking direction from county party leadership. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
weren't reappointed.
Some former local board members say they were pushed out for not taking direction from county party leadership. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Former GOP County Election Officials Say They Were Forced Out
Some former local GOP board members say they lost their seats because they weren't devoted enough to the Republican Party.
www.theassemblync.com
July 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
🚨 NEW: 1/ As Republicans take control of North Carolina's election administration, ~1 in 4 incumbent GOP members
weren't reappointed.
Some former local board members say they were pushed out for not taking direction from county party leadership. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
weren't reappointed.
Some former local board members say they were pushed out for not taking direction from county party leadership. #ncpol
www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Reposted
@renlarson.bsky.social found that despite the number of GOP seats on county boards of election increasing from 200 to 300, 1 in 4 counties will lose an incumbent GOP member and many new board chairs lack experience with election administration. #ncpol www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Former GOP County Election Officials Say They Were Forced Out
Some former local GOP board members say they lost their seats because they weren't devoted enough to the Republican Party.
www.theassemblync.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
@renlarson.bsky.social found that despite the number of GOP seats on county boards of election increasing from 200 to 300, 1 in 4 counties will lose an incumbent GOP member and many new board chairs lack experience with election administration. #ncpol www.theassemblync.com/politics/ele...
Reposted
open.substack.com/pub/anderson...
Not much you can say about this proposal except it continues aid to western North Carolina. It also allows the new GOP executive director of the NC Board of Elections to hire 7 political appointees and outside attorneys because Jeff Jackson is a Democrat
Not much you can say about this proposal except it continues aid to western North Carolina. It also allows the new GOP executive director of the NC Board of Elections to hire 7 political appointees and outside attorneys because Jeff Jackson is a Democrat
Senate unveils smallish budget and standalone $2.5B Helene bill
The Senate on Monday released a pair of bills that seek to address the state's most immediate needs. The proposals come as House and Senate Republicans will fail to pass a timely budget.
open.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:06 AM
open.substack.com/pub/anderson...
Not much you can say about this proposal except it continues aid to western North Carolina. It also allows the new GOP executive director of the NC Board of Elections to hire 7 political appointees and outside attorneys because Jeff Jackson is a Democrat
Not much you can say about this proposal except it continues aid to western North Carolina. It also allows the new GOP executive director of the NC Board of Elections to hire 7 political appointees and outside attorneys because Jeff Jackson is a Democrat
Reposted
Than you @theassemblync.bsky.social for highlighting the continuing post-Helene struggles in Brevard - symptomatic of all of WNC -
For the first four months after Hurricane Helene flooded her Brevard home, Nicole Ramirez lived in a drafty, 100-year-old camp cabin. If Ramirez was in bed and her fiancé got up, she could feel the whole building shake.
www.theassemblync.com/place/after-...
www.theassemblync.com/place/after-...
After the Flood
Residents of Brevard’s Cherry Street neighborhood are still in RVs, carrying two mortgages, or living in construction zones.
www.theassemblync.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Than you @theassemblync.bsky.social for highlighting the continuing post-Helene struggles in Brevard - symptomatic of all of WNC -
Reposted
Bypassing the #UNC and community college systems, the #ncga has appropriated $40 million to #Montreat College for cybersecurity education programs. The return so far has been minimal, this story says. www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... #avlnews #ncpol www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
A Small, Private College Got $40 Million in State Funds for Cybersecurity Training
The legislature has invested big dollars at Montreat College, even though public schools have federally accredited cyber programs.
www.theassemblync.com
May 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Bypassing the #UNC and community college systems, the #ncga has appropriated $40 million to #Montreat College for cybersecurity education programs. The return so far has been minimal, this story says. www.theassemblync.com/education/hi... #avlnews #ncpol www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Reposted
Trump has a very short attention span, gets frustrated when things don’t work quickly, and tends to demand fast changes in policy. That can be a threat to his own agenda as well as to the constitutional order, @dgraham.bsky.social writes in The Atlantic Daily.
The President’s Pattern of Impatience
Trump’s short attention span is a threat to his own agenda as well as to the constitutional order.
bit.ly
May 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Trump has a very short attention span, gets frustrated when things don’t work quickly, and tends to demand fast changes in policy. That can be a threat to his own agenda as well as to the constitutional order, @dgraham.bsky.social writes in The Atlantic Daily.
Reposted
@renlarson.bsky.social coming in from the top rope with this absolutely killer story
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
A Small, Private College Got $40 Million in State Funds for Cybersecurity Training
The legislature has invested big dollars at Montreat College, even though public schools have federally accredited cyber programs.
www.theassemblync.com
May 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
@renlarson.bsky.social coming in from the top rope with this absolutely killer story
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...