The Assembly
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North Carolina's new digital statewide magazine. In-depth reporting and writing about the state. Reach out [email protected].
A six-page provision in the bill Congress passed to reopen the government criminalizes all intoxicating hemp products. That could mean the end of the edibles, vapes, and drinks that have proliferated throughout the state in recent years.
Up in Smoke
The deal to end the federal government shutdown will likely eviscerate North Carolina’s fast-growing hemp industry.
www.theassemblync.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:49 PM
A six-page provision in the bill Congress passed to reopen the government criminalizes all intoxicating hemp products. That could mean the end of the edibles, vapes, and drinks that have proliferated throughout the state in recent years.
Appalachian State University and North Carolina Central University are applying to join the Commission for Public Higher Education, the accreditation agency that the UNC System and several other Southern states are seeking to establish.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
Two More UNC System Campuses Join New Accreditor
Appalachian State and N.C. Central will be part of an initial cohort of 10 universities seeking to join the new accreditor.
www.theassemblync.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Appalachian State University and North Carolina Central University are applying to join the Commission for Public Higher Education, the accreditation agency that the UNC System and several other Southern states are seeking to establish.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
The story of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency’s disaster response efforts was itself “a disaster”, concludes a scathing 506-page report by State Auditor Dave Boliek.
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www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Damning New Report Outlines Failures at N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency
The agency also known as North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency wasn’t good at rebuilding, monitoring budgets, overseeing contractors or helping hurricane victims.
www.theassemblync.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The story of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency’s disaster response efforts was itself “a disaster”, concludes a scathing 506-page report by State Auditor Dave Boliek.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
As the Border Patrol’s Charlotte operation continued—or ended?—the city’s Latino businesses began to assess the damage done.
‘It’s Very Bleak’
As the Border Patrol’s Charlotte operation continued—or ended?—the city’s Latino businesses began to assess the damage done.
www.theassemblync.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 AM
As the Border Patrol’s Charlotte operation continued—or ended?—the city’s Latino businesses began to assess the damage done.
A photo essay from a city on edge, where fear of immigration enforcement almost kept a young mother away from a crucial prenatal appointment.
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www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 PM
A photo essay from a city on edge, where fear of immigration enforcement almost kept a young mother away from a crucial prenatal appointment.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Collegiate tennis players are barred from keeping their earnings from competitions like the U.S. Open. A lawsuit led by a UNC-Chapel Hill star seeks to challenge that.
Reese Brantmeier v. NCAA
A UNC tennis star is challenging rules that bar collegiate players from keeping earnings at tournaments like the U.S. Open.
www.theassemblync.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Collegiate tennis players are barred from keeping their earnings from competitions like the U.S. Open. A lawsuit led by a UNC-Chapel Hill star seeks to challenge that.
North Carolina, like many other states, is dealing with a serious shortage of correctional officers. Across N.C. state prisons, an average of 35 percent of positions are vacant, but that number is as high as 60 in some facilities.
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www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
The New Head of N.C.’s Prisons Tries to Unwind a Staffing Quagmire
Leslie Cooley Dismukes wants to prioritize reentry and reduce recidivism. But she has to solve a staffing crisis in the prison system first.
www.theassemblync.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
North Carolina, like many other states, is dealing with a serious shortage of correctional officers. Across N.C. state prisons, an average of 35 percent of positions are vacant, but that number is as high as 60 in some facilities.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Last Monday, more than 30,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg students—roughly 21 percent of the district—didn’t show up to school. This is triple the typical rate of absence. www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
‘Where Are My Friends?’ Teachers Say Operation Charlotte’s Web Rattled Students
Some parents and teachers say they expected better communication and more understanding from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools amid CBP presence.
www.theassemblync.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Last Monday, more than 30,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg students—roughly 21 percent of the district—didn’t show up to school. This is triple the typical rate of absence. www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
Psst! Black Friday starts early this year — get your Assembly subscription now for 40% off. www.theassemblync.com/subscriptions/
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Psst! Black Friday starts early this year — get your Assembly subscription now for 40% off. www.theassemblync.com/subscriptions/
The number of people who died of drug overdoses in North Carolina fell by 35% between April 2024 and April 2025, according to the CDC. The state saw among the biggest drops in the nation, which experienced an overall decline of 24.5% during that time.
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
How Rural N.C. Lowered Overdose Deaths—But Will Struggle to Keep Pace
Rural North Carolina communities are finally reversing opioid overdose deaths. But funding cuts could undo progress.
www.theassemblync.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The number of people who died of drug overdoses in North Carolina fell by 35% between April 2024 and April 2025, according to the CDC. The state saw among the biggest drops in the nation, which experienced an overall decline of 24.5% during that time.
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
www.theassemblync.com/news/health/...
Via @nclocal.bsky.social | Federal officials claim more than 370 arrests but provide little information on who they detained, where they are held, or what crimes were charged.
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www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Where Are the People Border Patrol Detained in North Carolina?
Federal officials claim more than 370 arrests but provide little information on who they detained, where they are held, or what crimes were charged.
www.theassemblync.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Via @nclocal.bsky.social | Federal officials claim more than 370 arrests but provide little information on who they detained, where they are held, or what crimes were charged.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts and vice provosts overseeing libraries and artificial intelligence spoke at The Assembly’s second Newsmakers event about how the technology will change the university.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC-CH's Chancellor Thinks There's an AI Bubble. Why It's Still a Top Priority.
UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts and vice provosts overseeing libraries and AI discussed how the technology will change the university.
www.theassemblync.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:18 PM
UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts and vice provosts overseeing libraries and artificial intelligence spoke at The Assembly’s second Newsmakers event about how the technology will change the university.
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
Reposted by The Assembly
Battle of The Books greensborothread.com/news/educati...
At Summerfield Elementary, A Banned Book Returns to the Shelf
A children’s book about penguins was removed from Summerfield Elementary bookshelves back in May. Then parents and teachers pushed back.
greensborothread.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Battle of The Books greensborothread.com/news/educati...
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page wanted to keep politics out of a news conference he held announcing the arrest of a former sheriff’s deputy accused of sexual assault.
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www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
The Politics of an Arrest
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page’s oversight of his jail has become a key issue in his primary campaign against GOP Senate leader Phil Berger.
www.theassemblync.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page wanted to keep politics out of a news conference he held announcing the arrest of a former sheriff’s deputy accused of sexual assault.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
A civil rights group appears to have notched an early win in its effort to monitor Durham’s often-secretive abuse, neglect, and dependency court.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Inside Durham's Dependency Court
A civil rights group’s lawsuit against Durham’s secretive child welfare court intends to shed light on proceedings which terminate parental rights.
www.theassemblync.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
A civil rights group appears to have notched an early win in its effort to monitor Durham’s often-secretive abuse, neglect, and dependency court.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Reposted by The Assembly
Even for immigration lawyers, navigating the Border Patrol’s opaque operation in North Carolina is nearly impossible. For those detained, it can be life-altering: “You can’t un-ring the bell on the harm.” By Greg Lacour in @theassemblync.bsky.social. #ncpol
Law and Orders
Even for immigration lawyers, figuring out the Border Patrol’s opaque operation in North Carolina is nearly impossible.
www.theassemblync.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Even for immigration lawyers, navigating the Border Patrol’s opaque operation in North Carolina is nearly impossible. For those detained, it can be life-altering: “You can’t un-ring the bell on the harm.” By Greg Lacour in @theassemblync.bsky.social. #ncpol
Businesses, especially ones that serve Charlotte’s Hispanic community throughout the city, are grappling with how—and whether—to remain open as Latino workers and customers stay home amid a sweeping federal immigration operation across Charlotte.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Immigration Arrests Empty Shops, Stall Construction in Charlotte
Latinos are a key part of Charlotte’s workforce. Immigration sweeps are having an impact on local businesses and the economy.
www.theassemblync.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Businesses, especially ones that serve Charlotte’s Hispanic community throughout the city, are grappling with how—and whether—to remain open as Latino workers and customers stay home amid a sweeping federal immigration operation across Charlotte.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
DHS said Tuesday that the Charlotte operation had detained more than 200 people since Saturday in what the department describes in a news release as an effort to “Target Criminal Illegal Aliens Terrorizing Americans.”
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Law and Orders
Even for immigration lawyers, figuring out the Border Patrol’s opaque operation in North Carolina is nearly impossible.
www.theassemblync.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
DHS said Tuesday that the Charlotte operation had detained more than 200 people since Saturday in what the department describes in a news release as an effort to “Target Criminal Illegal Aliens Terrorizing Americans.”
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Reposted by The Assembly
The operation in the Triangle comes amid “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” in which over 100 people have so far been detained in Charlotte, another Democrat-run city targeted by the Trump administration as part of the president’s efforts to ramp up deportations.
“They’re Just Kind Of Grabbing People”: Fear Grips Durham As Federal Agents Arrive
Federal agents detained at least three people as volunteers mobilized to track the agents through Durham.
indyweek.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The operation in the Triangle comes amid “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” in which over 100 people have so far been detained in Charlotte, another Democrat-run city targeted by the Trump administration as part of the president’s efforts to ramp up deportations.
Scenes of panic, paranoia, and solidarity unfolded across Durham on Tuesday as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents descended on the Triangle.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
November 18, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Scenes of panic, paranoia, and solidarity unfolded across Durham on Tuesday as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents descended on the Triangle.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Reposted by The Assembly
BREAKING: Federal agents detained at least three people in Durham on Tuesday, chasing them through a shopping center parking lot as stores locked down and shoppers fled.
“They’re Just Kind Of Grabbing People”: Fear Grips Durham As Federal Agents Arrive
Federal agents detained at least three people as volunteers mobilized to track the agents through Durham.
indyweek.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
BREAKING: Federal agents detained at least three people in Durham on Tuesday, chasing them through a shopping center parking lot as stores locked down and shoppers fled.
Reposted by The Assembly
Although Durham officials were not informed of any planned CBP activity, individuals have reported seeing agents in the city, and Nida Allam, who chairs the Durham County Board of Commissioners, said she witnessed three people taken into custody in a Durham shopping center on Avondale Drive.
Federal Agents Are Coming to the Triangle. Here’s What We Know.
Officials say Customs and Border Protection agents are in Raleigh today, and immigrant advocacy groups say they may appear in surrounding areas.
indyweek.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Although Durham officials were not informed of any planned CBP activity, individuals have reported seeing agents in the city, and Nida Allam, who chairs the Durham County Board of Commissioners, said she witnessed three people taken into custody in a Durham shopping center on Avondale Drive.
Via @notus.com | Kate Barr, a Democrat from North Carolina, sees just one viable way to be elected to Congress: running as a Republican.
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www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
To Protest Gerrymandering, This N.C. Democrat Is Running as a Republican
Kate Barr previously ran an unwinnable race to make a point about gerrymandering. Now she's entering the GOP primary against Rep. Tim Moore.
www.theassemblync.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Via @notus.com | Kate Barr, a Democrat from North Carolina, sees just one viable way to be elected to Congress: running as a Republican.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
BREAKING: U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents will be deployed in the Raleigh area on Tuesday, Democratic legislative sources briefed by Gov. Josh Stein’s office told The Assembly and INDY on Monday.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Immigration Agents Coming to Raleigh Tuesday, Sources Say
Democratic legislative sources briefed by Gov. Josh Stein’s office told The Assembly and INDY agents are coming to the state capital.
www.theassemblync.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:08 PM
BREAKING: U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents will be deployed in the Raleigh area on Tuesday, Democratic legislative sources briefed by Gov. Josh Stein’s office told The Assembly and INDY on Monday.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
After only vague warnings in the preceding days, masked and uniformed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers had arrived in Charlotte’s Latino neighborhoods this weekend. The operation follows a two-month campaign in Chicago called Operation Midway. www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Fear, Protest, and Preparation As 80+ Are Reportedly Detained in Charlotte
As federal immigration officers descended on the Queen City, the city’s immigrant and activist communities braced for what’s to come.
www.theassemblync.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
After only vague warnings in the preceding days, masked and uniformed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers had arrived in Charlotte’s Latino neighborhoods this weekend. The operation follows a two-month campaign in Chicago called Operation Midway. www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...