Joe Killian
banner
joekilliannc.bsky.social
Joe Killian
@joekilliannc.bsky.social
Greensboro Editor for The Assembly. Formerly: NC Newsline, NC Policy Watch, News & Record, The Bristol Press, Cape Cod Times, Youth Journalism International.

https://www.theassemblync.com/author/joekillian/
If this doesn't make you hungry, see your doctor.

Cold Outside? It's Time for Ramen

In Greensboro, a noodle tour finds that not all ramen shops are created equal.

www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
Cold Outside? It's Time for Ramen
A noodle tour ranking all the best ramen around Greensboro, including Takara Noodle and Hokkaido Ramen & Sushi.
www.theassemblync.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A Genius Among Us

Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at UNC-Chapel Hill and expert on fatal drug overdoses, was awarded a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship. The so-called “genius grant” comes with an $800,000 prize.

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
A Genius Among Us
Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at UNC-Chapel Hill and expert on fatal drug overdoses, was awarded the $800,000 prize.
www.theassemblync.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Are Non-Partisan Races a Thing of the Past?

Partisan politics has taken hold in North Carolina’s municipal elections–even in the races that are supposed to be non-partisan.

www.theassemblync.com/politics/gre...
Are Non-Partisan Races a Thing of the Past?
Partisan politics has taken hold in North Carolina’s municipal elections–even in the races that are supposed to be non-partisan.
www.theassemblync.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Tonight in Chapel Hill, hear young journalists talk with some of our state’s top journalism minds about the future of what we do.

It’s free and it’s going to be a great time. Tell your students, tell your friends and I’ll see you out there.

youthjournalism.org/top-north-ca...
Top North Carolina journalists to speak at YJI forum in Chapel Hill - Youth Journalism International
CHAPEL HILL, NC – The nonprofit Youth Journalism International will host a panel discussion with four prominent North Carolina journalists at 7 p.m., Oct. 2, at the Varsity Theatre, 123 E. Franklin St...
youthjournalism.org
October 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Writer Laura Carney lost her father in a car accident when she was just 25. In completing his unfinished “bucket list,” she reconnected with him—and herself.

A Last Gift From Her Father www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
A Last Gift From Her Father
Writer Laura Carney lost her father in when she was just 25. In completing his unfinished “bucket list,” she reconnected with him—and herself.
www.theassemblync.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:28 PM
You really need to read this one, gang.

A Labor of Love
www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
A Labor of Love
Once Kyoto Fantasy Express, Thai Square stirs memories of a family restaurant and a life well lived in Greensboro.
www.theassemblync.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
A Delicious, But Never Uncomplicated, Meal at Reel Seafood Grill in Greensboro

This dish comes to you looking not like a neat, perfectly portioned filet but what it is—a whole animal we’ve killed to eat its flesh.

www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
Greensboro's Reel Seafood Grill Delivers a Flounder Worth Facing
At Reel Seafood Grill in Greensboro, N.C., the whole flounder arrives head to tail. Crisp, glazed, and unforgettable.
www.theassemblync.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
April Parker Says District 3 Needs a New Voice 

The librarian and community organizer says she can represent District 3 more holistically.

www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
April Parker Says District 3 Needs a New Voice
The librarian and community organizer says she can represent the district and the city more holistically.
www.theassemblync.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A Final Run For Zack Matheny

Facing criticism and an ongoing SBI investigation, Matheny said he is still concentrating on the issues he cares about most—and looking toward what could be his last term on the Greensboro City Council.

www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
A Final Run For Zack Matheny
Facing criticism and an ongoing SBI investigation, Matheny said he is still concentrating on the issues he cares about most.
www.theassemblync.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Hell of a scoop.

Chris Clemens alleges the board went into closed session illegally, including before they postponed tenure votes, and forced him to resign after he informed faculty about the delays.

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 9:00 PM
A Fatal Stabbing and Its Aftermath

Republicans have used Iryna Zarutska’s killing as a political cudgel. The Assembly obtained a draft bill that sends a tough-on-crime message. But critics say it reflects political posturing more than real solutions.

www.theassemblync.com/politics/cha...
A Fatal Stabbing and Its Aftermath
Republicans have made a political cudgel of Iryna Zarutska’s killing. A draft crime bill expected this week may be more posturing than solutions.
www.theassemblync.com
September 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Food for thought on meat eating, hunting, fishing and Keanu Reeves in "The Devil's Advocate."

We get a lot into these 600-word Friday food columns.

www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
Greensboro's Reel Seafood Grill Delivers a Flounder Worth Facing
At Reel Seafood Grill in Greensboro, N.C., the whole flounder arrives head to tail. Crisp, glazed, and unforgettable.
www.theassemblync.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Police still use odor to justify searches, even though legal hemp and illegal marijuana smell the same. The state Supreme Court now weighs in.

Odor in the Court www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou...
Odor in the Court
Police still use odor to justify searches, even though legal hemp and illegal marijuana smell the same. The state Supreme Court now weighs in.
www.theassemblync.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
My mother worked hard and was never rich. But she believed in embracing "little luxuries" in life.

For me, it's afternoon tea at the O. Henry Hotel.

My Cup of Tea
www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
My Cup of Tea
The afternoon tea service at The O. Henry Hotel provides “a little luxury" to get through trying times, says our reporter.
www.theassemblync.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
At this price, can you afford not to subscribe?
There’s a lot of headlines to follow right now. The Assembly is here to help.

This weekend only, you can get The Assembly for as low as $0.99. Lock in your access for the rest of 2025 by subscribing today.

www.theassemblync.com/subscription...
September 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Listen: I've made my peace with SPAM.

My dad couldn’t make me love it. But Qinji Hawaiian BBQ & Ramen gets the job done.

Surrendering to SPAM (And Loving It) www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
Surrendering to SPAM (And Loving It)
My dad couldn’t make me love it. But Qinji Hawaiian BBQ & Ramen gets the job done.
www.theassemblync.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Campaigns for a seat on the state Supreme Court used to be tepid, removed from the political debates of the day, and generally nonpartisan. Not any more.

Supreme Politics www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou...
Supreme Politics
State Supreme Court campaigns used to be functionally nonpartisan and removed from the political debates of the day. Not any more.
www.theassemblync.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Hell of a last story for Erin at The Assembly.

What a talent.

The UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor has his sights set on the big picture—despite federal-level uncertainties and campus clashes over his business-driven vision.

Lee Roberts' Long Game www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Lee Roberts' Long Game
The UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor is sticking with his big-picture vision endures despite federal uncertainties and campus clashes.
www.theassemblync.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
A company circumvented a ban on corporate donations to give legislative Republicans $220,000. Those lawmakers then passed legislation that could make the company millions.

A New Way to Pay to Play www.theassemblync.com/politics/leg...
A New Way to Pay to Play
After a company that sells camera technology donated to a Republican fund, lawmakers passed legislation that could make it millions.
www.theassemblync.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Eight years after his first run, the community organizer with deep ties to civil rights says it’s time for change on city council and a different future for Greensboro.

Irving Allen Wants Another Shot at City Council www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
Irving Allen Wants Another Shot at City Council
There are a lot of contenders for the Greensboro City Council's at-large seats. But Irving Allen thinks he has a shot this time around.
www.theassemblync.com
August 26, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The overly complicated Bloody Mary is an increasingly common sin against which all right thinking lovers of this simple pleasure must stand.

Loved this great story anyway.

A Private Eye, 34 Texans, and an $8,887 Bloody Mary Walk Into an N.C. Bar www.theassemblync.com/culture/food...
A Private Eye, 34 Texans, and an $8,887 Bloody Mary Walk Into an N.C. Bar
A Holly Springs restaurant and 34 Texans teamed up to build an $8,887 Bloody Mary topped with crab legs, lobster, steaks, and caviar—now under review for Guinness World Records.
www.theassemblync.com
August 24, 2025 at 8:40 PM
A column about the communal experience of barbecue free of fights about vinegar and tomato.

Sayaka loves food and writes about it beautifully.

When Barbecue is More Than Barbecue

www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
When Barbecue is More Than Barbecue
Gyukaku in Greensboro offers a communal Japanese barbecue experience which goes beyond pulled pork and grilled vegetables.
www.theassemblync.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The late Jim Melvin helped shape the city he loved for over half a century, earning the moniker “Mr. Greensboro.”

‘He Never Stopped Being Mayor’ www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
‘He Never Stopped Being Mayor’
The late Jim Melvin, former mayor, helped shape the city he loved for decades, earning the moniker “Mr. Greensboro.”
www.theassemblync.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Just a hell of a team.
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 16, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Greensboro-based Held gives money directly to people who are unhoused. It sounds radical, its founder admits, but it’s working.

Support Without Strings www.theassemblync.com/greensboroth...
Support Without Strings
Greensboro-based Held gives money directly to people who are unhoused. It sounds radical, its founder admits, but it’s working.
www.theassemblync.com
August 16, 2025 at 1:37 AM