The Assembly
@theassemblync.bsky.social
North Carolina's new digital statewide magazine. In-depth reporting and writing about the state. Reach out info@theassemblync.com.
Administrators, faculty, staff, and students at the nation’s colleges and universities spent the first year of Donald Trump’s second term careening from one headline-making announcement to another. The sheer quantity of changes, updates, and reversals was hard to follow. 🧵
February 12, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Administrators, faculty, staff, and students at the nation’s colleges and universities spent the first year of Donald Trump’s second term careening from one headline-making announcement to another. The sheer quantity of changes, updates, and reversals was hard to follow. 🧵
Reposted by The Assembly
Really important piece by partner @renlarson.bsky.social @theassemblync.bsky.social: As Helene Survivors Wait for State Help, Some Victims of Earlier Hurricanes Are Still Out of Their Homes
As Helene Survivors Wait for State Help, Some Victims of Earlier Hurricanes Are Still Out of Their Homes
North Carolina created a new housing recovery program to avoid the delays and cost overruns that plagued rebuilding efforts after hurricanes Florence and Matthew. The Assembly and ProPublica have foun...
www.propublica.org
February 11, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Really important piece by partner @renlarson.bsky.social @theassemblync.bsky.social: As Helene Survivors Wait for State Help, Some Victims of Earlier Hurricanes Are Still Out of Their Homes
With @propublica.org | NC created a new housing recovery program to avoid the delays and cost overruns that plagued rebuilding efforts after hurricanes Florence and Matthew. The Assembly and ProPublica have found that similar problems are starting to surface.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
As Helene Survivors Await State Help, Some Victims of Earlier Hurricanes Are Still Out of Their Homes
N.C. created a hurricane recovery program to avoid delays and cost overruns that plagued past efforts. Similar problems to ReBuild NC are surfacing.
www.theassemblync.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:53 PM
With @propublica.org | NC created a new housing recovery program to avoid the delays and cost overruns that plagued rebuilding efforts after hurricanes Florence and Matthew. The Assembly and ProPublica have found that similar problems are starting to surface.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Among the dozens of races across the state, here's our list of ten to watch in 2026.
These are the primaries in North Carolina that are expected to be the most competitive, consequential, or interesting—or all three. 🧵
These are the primaries in North Carolina that are expected to be the most competitive, consequential, or interesting—or all three. 🧵
February 10, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Among the dozens of races across the state, here's our list of ten to watch in 2026.
These are the primaries in North Carolina that are expected to be the most competitive, consequential, or interesting—or all three. 🧵
These are the primaries in North Carolina that are expected to be the most competitive, consequential, or interesting—or all three. 🧵
Reposted by The Assembly
unc is finalizing a classroom recording policy that would allow administrators to secretly record faculty in some cases
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC-Chapel Hill Preps Policy on Recording Professors
The school aims to clarify guidelines after a secret recording controversy and growing fear of surveillance.
www.theassemblync.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:51 AM
unc is finalizing a classroom recording policy that would allow administrators to secretly record faculty in some cases
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC-Chapel Hill is putting finishing touches on a university-wide policy governing recording of classes that would allow administrators to secretly record faculty in some cases.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC-Chapel Hill Preps Policy on Recording Professors
The school aims to clarify guidelines after a secret recording controversy and growing fear of surveillance.
www.theassemblync.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:31 PM
UNC-Chapel Hill is putting finishing touches on a university-wide policy governing recording of classes that would allow administrators to secretly record faculty in some cases.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
The N.C. State Health Plan has mostly excluded transition-related care from its coverage since the 1990s. While the plan on paper excluded mental health benefits related to gender transition, it never enforced this aspect of its ban, according to legal filings. www.theassemblync.com/news/transge...
Transgender State Workers Are Facing Whiplash
A recent change means North Carolina's health insurance plan no longer covers gender-affirming care, leaving transgender employees in limbo.
www.theassemblync.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:11 PM
The N.C. State Health Plan has mostly excluded transition-related care from its coverage since the 1990s. While the plan on paper excluded mental health benefits related to gender transition, it never enforced this aspect of its ban, according to legal filings. www.theassemblync.com/news/transge...
As midterm campaigns heat up, Republicans are saying former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper released inmate DeCarlos Brown early, even though Brown served his full term. Brown has been charged with fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska in August in Charlotte.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
The Blame Game
A list of inmates released early under former Gov. Roy Cooper included DeCarlos Brown's identification number, even though Brown served his full term.
www.theassemblync.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:44 PM
As midterm campaigns heat up, Republicans are saying former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper released inmate DeCarlos Brown early, even though Brown served his full term. Brown has been charged with fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska in August in Charlotte.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
N.C. Senate candidate Jerry Tillett sued his former daughter-in-law, her new husband, a website publisher, and a social media antagonist for defamation on Wednesday. The lawsuit attempts to rebut accusations of racism that have threatened to derail his campaign.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Accused of Using Racial Slurs, State Senate Candidate Sues for Defamation, Wiretapping
Former Dare County Judge Jerry Tillett, now a candidate for state Senate, has denied using a racial slur in the audio recording.
www.theassemblync.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:05 PM
N.C. Senate candidate Jerry Tillett sued his former daughter-in-law, her new husband, a website publisher, and a social media antagonist for defamation on Wednesday. The lawsuit attempts to rebut accusations of racism that have threatened to derail his campaign.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
A baby’s photo album. Pottery tools. A coffee mug depicting Reba McEntire and a middle-aged man.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
Lost and Found
Hurricane Helene swept away beloved possessions for Western North Carolina residents. Teams try to reunite them with their missing mementos.
www.theassemblync.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:40 PM
A baby’s photo album. Pottery tools. A coffee mug depicting Reba McEntire and a middle-aged man.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
Reposted by The Assembly
I have a new piece today on @theassemblync.bsky.social about a woman who is reuniting people with their lost objects from Helene.
It's not "feel good," but it will definitely make you feel something:
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
It's not "feel good," but it will definitely make you feel something:
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
Lost and Found
Hurricane Helene swept away beloved possessions for Western North Carolina residents. Teams try to reunite them with their missing mementos.
www.theassemblync.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:40 PM
I have a new piece today on @theassemblync.bsky.social about a woman who is reuniting people with their lost objects from Helene.
It's not "feel good," but it will definitely make you feel something:
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
It's not "feel good," but it will definitely make you feel something:
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
From 2023: Some college athletes, like UNC-Chapel Hill star quarterback Drake Maye, are now making big money from endorsements. Next up: whether they should be paid as university employees.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
Pay For Play Is On The Way
Some college athletes are now making big money from endorsements. Next up: whether they should be paid as university employees.
www.theassemblync.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:54 PM
From 2023: Some college athletes, like UNC-Chapel Hill star quarterback Drake Maye, are now making big money from endorsements. Next up: whether they should be paid as university employees.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
From 2023: On a 5,000-square-foot scrap of land on a hillside in the Blue Ridge Mountains, faculty members place recently deceased bodies on the clay-rich soil and leave them for observation. Students then observe these bodies and see what they can teach us.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
Welcome to the Afterlife
A research facility at Western Carolina University is teaching us new things about what happens to our bodies when we die.
www.theassemblync.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:14 PM
From 2023: On a 5,000-square-foot scrap of land on a hillside in the Blue Ridge Mountains, faculty members place recently deceased bodies on the clay-rich soil and leave them for observation. Students then observe these bodies and see what they can teach us.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
North Carolina’s largest organ procurement nonprofit is suing the Trump administration over a new rating system the group argues could upend the transplant system and risk lives.
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
N.C.-Based Nonprofit Sues Trump Administration Over Organ ‘Hunger Games’
The state’s largest organ procurement organization argues new rating system will lead to cutthroat competition and fewer lives saved.
www.theassemblync.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
North Carolina’s largest organ procurement nonprofit is suing the Trump administration over a new rating system the group argues could upend the transplant system and risk lives.
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
Reposted by The Assembly
Several organizations that coordinate organ procurement across the country argue new federal rules will throw the system into chaos.
Others say the rules are desperately needed.
@theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
Others say the rules are desperately needed.
@theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
N.C.-Based Nonprofit Sues Trump Administration Over Organ ‘Hunger Games’
The state’s largest organ procurement organization argues new rating system will lead to cutthroat competition and fewer lives saved.
www.theassemblync.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Several organizations that coordinate organ procurement across the country argue new federal rules will throw the system into chaos.
Others say the rules are desperately needed.
@theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
Others say the rules are desperately needed.
@theassemblync.bsky.social
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
Through no fault of their own, more than 70,000 North Carolinians could hit an extra obstacle when trying to cast a ballot in this year’s primaries. www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
70,000 Voters Must Fix Their Registrations or Face Hurdle at the Polls
Thousands of North Carolinians will have to cast a provisional ballot in the 2026 midterms if they don’t update their voter registration information.
www.theassemblync.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Through no fault of their own, more than 70,000 North Carolinians could hit an extra obstacle when trying to cast a ballot in this year’s primaries. www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
UNC-Chapel Hill plans to close its six “area studies” centers this year as part of an effort to cut more than $85 million from the university’s budget.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC-CH Plans to Close Area Studies Centers. Here’s What They Do.
UNC-Chapel Hill officials say they will “preserve the core activities of the centers wherever possible.”
www.theassemblync.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:37 PM
UNC-Chapel Hill plans to close its six “area studies” centers this year as part of an effort to cut more than $85 million from the university’s budget.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
The Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. have become a viral feel-good story. A reporter followed their journey in the middle of North Carolina to learn why.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
Imagine All the People
Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. have become a viral feel-good story. A reporter followed their journey in N.C. to learn why.
www.theassemblync.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:53 PM
The Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. have become a viral feel-good story. A reporter followed their journey in the middle of North Carolina to learn why.
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...
Reposted by The Assembly
"Their voting records likely wouldn’t differ dramatically," writes Chase Pellegrini de Paur. Both support Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, codifying Roe v. Wade, and raising the federal minimum wage. But Allam is "a step more antiestablishment," with an "aggressively pro-worker message." #ncpol
Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam is challenging incumbent Rep. Valerie Foushee in this year’s Democratic primary. The race is a rematch: Foushee defeated Allam in 2022 and cruised to victory in the general. But a lot has changed since their last matchup.
www.theassemblync.com/news/valerie...
www.theassemblync.com/news/valerie...
A House District Divided
Incumbent Valerie Foushee and challenger Nida Allam present starkly different approaches to politics. Could NC-4 be a bellwether for Democrats?
www.theassemblync.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:15 PM
"Their voting records likely wouldn’t differ dramatically," writes Chase Pellegrini de Paur. Both support Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, codifying Roe v. Wade, and raising the federal minimum wage. But Allam is "a step more antiestablishment," with an "aggressively pro-worker message." #ncpol
@propublica.org and The Assembly have been reporting on the impact of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, and we know recovery is far from over.
Are you still rebuilding after Hurricane Helene? We want to hear from you.
www.theassemblync.com/news/environ...
Are you still rebuilding after Hurricane Helene? We want to hear from you.
www.theassemblync.com/news/environ...
Are You Still Rebuilding After Helene? We Want To Hear Your Story
ProPublica and The Assembly are reporting on rebuilding after Helene. We want to hear from you about your experience.
www.theassemblync.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:43 PM
@propublica.org and The Assembly have been reporting on the impact of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, and we know recovery is far from over.
Are you still rebuilding after Hurricane Helene? We want to hear from you.
www.theassemblync.com/news/environ...
Are you still rebuilding after Hurricane Helene? We want to hear from you.
www.theassemblync.com/news/environ...
A winter storm put school on ice for parts of the state this week, and another is forecast for this weekend. But snow has long been rare in most of North Carolina, lending every dusting a mythic excitement. For school-aged kids, these days mean snow angels, movies, and hot cocoa.
January 30, 2026 at 2:56 PM
A winter storm put school on ice for parts of the state this week, and another is forecast for this weekend. But snow has long been rare in most of North Carolina, lending every dusting a mythic excitement. For school-aged kids, these days mean snow angels, movies, and hot cocoa.
A UNC System Board of Governors committee on Wednesday advanced a proposal to define “academic freedom” across the state’s public universities, despite pushback from a faculty group and their lawyers.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC System Board Advances Academic Freedom Policy, Despite Pushback
Lawyers for a faculty group said the policy would “effectively weaken the definition and historical scope of academic freedom.”
www.theassemblync.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:18 PM
A UNC System Board of Governors committee on Wednesday advanced a proposal to define “academic freedom” across the state’s public universities, despite pushback from a faculty group and their lawyers.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
From 2024: In July, Davis joined 214 Republicans and five Democrats in support of a resolution criticizing how Vice President Kamala Harris has handled immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Less than 24 hours later, Davis endorsed Harris’ presidential bid.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Less than 24 hours later, Davis endorsed Harris’ presidential bid.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
The Only Tossup House Race In the South Heats Up
A Republican hasn’t held the 1st Congressional District seat since 1883. But shifting demographics and a new voting map have left the first-term Democratic incumbent vulnerable.
www.theassemblync.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:25 PM
From 2024: In July, Davis joined 214 Republicans and five Democrats in support of a resolution criticizing how Vice President Kamala Harris has handled immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Less than 24 hours later, Davis endorsed Harris’ presidential bid.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Less than 24 hours later, Davis endorsed Harris’ presidential bid.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
For much of the past year, Greg Bovino was a top Border Patrol officer and the swaggering leader of immigration enforcement efforts from Charlotte to Los Angeles, winning public praise from President Donald Trump himself.
January 29, 2026 at 1:38 PM
For much of the past year, Greg Bovino was a top Border Patrol officer and the swaggering leader of immigration enforcement efforts from Charlotte to Los Angeles, winning public praise from President Donald Trump himself.
Reposted by The Assembly
Incumbent Valerie Foushee and challenger Nida Allam present starkly different approaches to politics. Could it be a bellwether for Democrats?
A House District Divided
Incumbent Valerie Foushee and challenger Nida Allam present starkly different approaches to politics. Could NC-4 be a bellwether for Democrats?
indyweek.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Incumbent Valerie Foushee and challenger Nida Allam present starkly different approaches to politics. Could it be a bellwether for Democrats?