In the heyday of Greensboro’s conservative paper, The Rhino Times, its pages depicted the government as incompetent on a good day and more often evil. And those were the news stories.
Starting as a small newsletter produced in editor John Hammer’s spare bedroom, the Rhino grew in size and influence over more than 30 years. In Greensboro, a stubborn blue dot in a largely red state, it reflected the voice of a conservative minority. And it became a force to be reckoned with.
The onset of the Great Recession hit media hard, and the Rhino went under in 2013. It was revived later that year by billionaire developer Roy Carroll, though it got a bit more staid, a lot less vicious.
Last week, Carroll announced he was selling the Rhino to a veteran writer. As Joe Killian reports, the paper is now eying its next act.
A Conservative Newspaper Looks To the Future
For over 30 years, The Rhino Times has been an anomaly—a right-wing alt-weekly in left-leaning Greensboro. With its founder retiring and a new owner stepping in, the publication is looking to the future.
Have a news tip for our team? You can reach us at scoops@theassemblync.com.
Quittin’ Time
As of Monday, Summerfield, a Guilford County community of 11,000 people, will have no town employees. They’ve all resigned.
Summerfield has been ground zero in the fight to stabilize rising rents and home prices by developing more housing, as The Assembly reported last year. In February, the town council voted against extending the town manager’s contract. Several months later, all nine town employees have found new jobs.
Staff members told The Assembly they felt town council members looked down on them and questioned their acumen, research, knowledge, and choice of vendors. They said they were micromanaged and demeaned.
Ren Larson reports that some locals worry the great resignation could send a signal to legislators that the town can’t govern itself.
What We’re Reading
I Should Infinitely Prefer a Book: The final group of North Carolina teachers have finished training in the science of reading, according to EdNC.
Somebody Stop Me: Republicans in the state House and Senate agreed to revise mask-ban legislation, restoring an exemption so people can wear masks in public to prevent disease, WRAL reports.
Yes And: The mask bill would also change campaign finance law to allow more dark money donations, The N&O writes. All state Senate Democrats walked out in protest ahead of the vote.
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