Courts

No-Win Scenario

Jatoia Potts lost both her children because she couldn’t explain her baby’s injuries. She never stood a chance against the state’s child welfare system.

Jatoia Potts lost both her children because she couldn’t explain her baby’s injuries. She never stood a chance against the state’s child welfare system.

by Jeffrey Billman, Whitney Clegg and Nick Ochsner
Food

The Land Remembers

Durham County’s first food security coordinator’s plan to give marginalized farmers access to the land.  

Durham County’s first food security coordinator’s plan to give marginalized farmers access to the land.  

by Zachary Turner
Courts

The Poverty Trap

When a Durham mother fled an abusive partner, the county took her children away—and she almost lost them forever. In the first of a three-part series, The Assembly and WBTV investigate a state child welfare system that wields enormous power with little accountability.

The first of a 3-part series on the child welfare system looks at the case of a Durham mother who fled an abusive partner, only to have her children taken.

by Jeffrey Billman, Whitney Clegg and Nick Ochsner
Politics

Clouds Over Columbus County

Reporting by The Assembly and the Border Belt Independent reveals that dozens of people have been subpoenaed in a wide-ranging federal investigation into abuses of power at the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

Dozens of people have been subpoenaed in a wide-ranging federal investigation into abuses of power at the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

by Carli Brosseau and Sarah Nagem
Environment

Up and Atom?

Duke Energy is leaning on advanced but unproven nuclear technology in its plans to decarbonize North Carolina’s electricity. Environmental advocates say that will delay meeting climate goals. 

Duke is leaning on advanced but unproven nuclear technology to decarbonize. Environmentalists say that will delay climate goals. 

by Daniel Walton
Courts

Conclusion, But No Closure

A Davidson County murder case with bizarre twists drew international media coverage. But the conclusion brought little closure for two children who have now lost both their parents. 

A Davidson County murder case drew international media coverage, but the conclusion brought little closure.

by Michael Hewlett
Place

Can Charlotte Re-Sort Itself?

One year ago, the city passed a landmark zoning reform aimed at reversing a century of segregation. The battle still rages.

One year ago, the city passed a landmark zoning reform aimed at reversing a century of segregation. The battle still rages.

by Andy Thomason
Media

Press On

One of the state’s oldest Black newspapers is clinging to life in Wilmington. It hasn’t printed regularly in two years, but some are optimistic for its revival.

One of the state’s oldest Black newspapers is clinging to life in Wilmington, but some are optimistic for its revival.

by Ben Schachtman

My Ancestors Won’t Have the Final Word

While I don’t feel responsible for my ancestor’s role in the Wilmington massacre, I do feel compelled to help repair what he helped destroy.

While I don’t feel responsible for my ancestor’s role in the Wilmington massacre, I do feel compelled to help repair what he helped destroy.

by Lucy McCauley

The Demon Deacons’ Dilemma

Wake Forest, the smallest university in the Power Five athletic conferences, is fighting to stay relevant as conference consolidation favors larger schools.

Wake Forest, the smallest school in the Power Five, is fighting to stay relevant as conference consolidation favors larger schools.

by Will Zimmerman
Courts

Judge and Jury

A Dare County judge charged and summarily convicted an assistant capital defender of contempt during a death-penalty trial.

A Dare County judge charged and summarily convicted an assistant capital defender of contempt during a death-penalty trial.

by Jeffrey Billman
Sports

Fancy Feat

Anson Dorrance is the most successful women’s college soccer coach in history. His daughter is an acclaimed tap dancer. Their callings have more in common than you’d think.

Anson Dorrance is the most successful women’s college soccer coach in history. His daughter is an acclaimed tap dancer.

by Lauren Wingenroth
Politics

The Land War in Brunswick

How an annexation-hungry town in the state’s fastest-growing county drew the ire of its most powerful lawmaker.

How an annexation-hungry town in the state’s fastest-growing county drew the ire of its most powerful lawmaker.

by Johanna F. Still
Culture

Contra Dance Meets the Culture Wars 

Contra dance callers have one of the toughest jobs you’ve never heard of. After getting entangled in the country’s culture wars, it got even harder.

Contra dance callers have one of the toughest jobs you’ve never heard of. After getting entangled in the country’s culture wars, it got even harder.

by Storms Reback
Food

Culinary Trails, To You

Sonker? Ground steak? Everything has a trail these days. Hanna Raskin follows the scent in Surry County.

Sonker? Ground steak? Seems like everything has a trail these days. We followed the scent in Surry County.

by Hanna Raskin

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6