The past decade has seen landmark shifts in public opinion on LGBTQ rights. In North Carolina, Republican control has led to a backlogged wish list as advocacy groups work to drag the state up to national standards. Is this session when the dam breaks?
March 2021
Posted inPolitics
Rocky Mount Is Dead. Long Live Rocky Mount
A deeply divided city has banked on a renaissance fueled by outside investment and historic preservation. But can its reinvention take place without reconciliation?
Posted inEnvironment
Silent Waters
Fear, stress, and a growing list of health dangers. “Forever chemicals” have seeped their way into North Carolina’s waters and public awareness. Does anyone have a plan to fix them?
Posted inThe Assembly News
A Harebrained Idea
A look at The Assembly’s game plan to create an ambitious read for a growing state.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Speaking Into A Void
North Carolina’s paltry hate crime legislation trails the rest of the nation. Now, with the blockbuster HB2 fight fully in the rearview, is the state finally ready to expand its protections?
Posted inPolitics
A Bottle Too Far
North Carolina stands out for its stringent liquor laws and sprawling control bureaucracy. That rigidity is now crashing headlong into a growing array of outspoken entrepreneurs, intent on exposing the system’s absurdities.
Posted inHigher Education
The Ill-Fated Chancellor
In Cecil Staton’s three years as East Carolina University’s leader, football fans revolted, enrollment dropped, and an anonymous dossier questioned his hiring as “gross negligence.” What does his tenure say about ECU’s future?