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When I joined The Assembly three years ago, I was the second full-time employee. I remember asking founder Kyle Villemain how long he could guarantee I’d have a job. “One to two years–if we can make this work,” he told me.
That may not seem like very long, but it’s more than any of us are assured in journalism these days. I’d survived round after round of newsroom cuts in my national-media job, watching my once-formidable team dwindle. And while I’d had a hell of a ride with a great group of journalists, I was ready to stop tearing a newsroom down and start building one up.
The chance to do just that right here in North Carolina has been an honor. Two years ago, we added our first two staff reporters, Michael Hewlett and Ren Larson. By the end of 2023, we had five reporters. As of today, the statewide editorial team has now grown to nine reporters and five editors, plus 12 journalists working at INDY Week, CityView, and Border Belt Independent and the folks in audience, art, advertising, and operations without whom we could not do this work. And we work with more than 100 freelance writers and photographers whose talents cannot be overstated.
We’ve covered stories of great consequence, like allegations against gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson and the $2.3 billion lawmakers have given to private organizations without a competitive process. We’ve profiled some of the most powerful figures in our state, from the new House Speaker Destin Hall to Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls. We’ve taken you inside some of state leaders’ most pressing decisions, like rebuilding post-Helene and how key staffing decisions are made at universities. We even investigated our very own world-famous stingray (RIP Charlotte).
We’ve shown that it doesn’t have to be all heavy stories all the time. Were you wondering how a home-grown sunshade took over beaches? We were too. Have you asked how South of the Border is still a thing? So did we! Did you need a heartwarming tale about women banding together to help each other clean house? We got that.
One of my favorite reader emails over the last year captured a sentiment I hope is true of all our stories: “I hate reading, but I loved reading this!” We aim to be unusually good. We aim to be unexpected. We aim to make you want to keep coming back.
And we have big plans for 2025 that include close coverage of executive and legislative leadership, the trickle-down effects of federal policy on our communities, and fresh ways of thinking about pressing questions for the future of our state. The news out of Washington and Raleigh is flying fast and furious; so are rumors and lies. It’s our job to help sift through that and bring you the most timely, thorough, and accurate reporting we can. In fact, it’s never been more important.
We are able to bring you in-depth reporting about people and places you care about–or maybe don’t yet know about–because we have made a major investment in building a network of talented journalists who are deeply invested in our state.
Our ability to keep doing that relies on readers seeing enough value in our work that they are willing to become subscribers. You can’t get much for $6 these days–not even eggs!–but you can play a key role in ensuring that we are able to keep doing the very best journalism in North Carolina.
I also hope we can continue to grow. Now three years into this job, we’ve far exceeded my wildest dreams for building not just a newsroom, but a network of journalists across the state. I know our ability to continue doing this is not assured, and I don’t take the opportunity for granted.
–Kate Sheppard, Managing Editor
Have a news tip for our team? You can reach us at scoops@theassemblync.com.
What We’re Reading
Sparks Are Flying: The New York Times tries to figure out what makes New Bern so romantic.
Bragging Rights: Now that the Trump administration has directed the Army to switch the name of Fayetteville’s base back to Fort Bragg, N.C. Rabbit Hole brings us the complete story of a legal loophole and an obscure soldier who committed an amazing act of bravery.
Labor Pains: After three years of organizing, workers at an Amazon warehouse in Garner voted nearly three-to-one against unionizing, according to results released on Saturday. INDY Week has more.
A Message from Our Sponsor, Robinson Bradshaw
Robinson Bradshaw is a trusted corporate law firm committed to providing clients with comprehensive legal services of the highest quality. Based in the Carolinas, we offer clients superior value by leveraging our position as a midsize firm with exceptional attorneys. Clients also appreciate our distinct collaborative structure, which enables us to approach legal matters differently from other law firms. We assemble the team that is best-positioned to efficiently and effectively handle a matter – across practices, if needed – and we focus on our clients’ best interest at every turn.
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Rev. Nelson Johnson: A Legacy Beyond Tragedy
Once called “the most dangerous man in Greensboro,” Nelson Johnson survived the Greensboro Massacre and inspired generations.
Appalachian Food Traditions Worth Preserving
For some people weathering Hurricane Helene, food was hard to come by. Those with experience canning looked to their own larders.
How North Carolina Got a Trump-Backed Voting Chief
Republicans have wanted to regain control of the state election apparatus for years. With state Auditor Dave Boliek, they’ve found their man.
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