☀️ In Today’s Edition

1. A Mass Movement
2. Roberts Rules
3. Around Our Network
4. What We’re Reading
5. Our Recent Stories

Over the past several decades, a small but increasing number of Catholics have been seeking out the traditional Latin Mas. Charlotte has proven a hotbed of traditional, with four parishes now holding regular Latin Masses and an active online community devoted to the liturgy.

Many of them were taken aback when Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin released a letter in May outlining plans to severely cut back on Latin Mass offerings. Martin cited former Pope Francis, who in a 2021 order had expressed worries that the movement was causing divisions within the church.

As Daniel Walton reports, many traditionalist Catholics see Martin’s plan as quashing a vibrant movement. Now they’re waiting to see if the new pope will weigh in.

In Charlotte, Catholics May Have to Give Up the Old Ways

A dustup over the traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Charlotte challenges newly elected Pope Leo XIV to set a course for the Catholic Church across the world.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts signed off on a plan to delay approving tenure for dozens of faculty in hopes of cutting costs this spring, a school official said in an email obtained by The Assembly.

The UNC-CH Board of Trustees in March postponed taking up personnel actions until its May 22 meeting, at which the trustees approved 18 new tenure cases, promotions, and appointments in health-sciences disciplines. But the board did not act on dozens of other cases, sparking faculty outcry.

At the time, what Roberts knew about the decision was unclear. But an email from then-Provost Chris Clemens claims Roberts agreed to the plan, as our higher ed team reports.

In Emails, UNC’s Provost Claimed Roberts Approved Tenure Delay

In an email obtained by The Assembly, Chris Clemens said Chancellor Lee Roberts agreed to the trustees’ controversial move for financial reasons.

Have a news tip for our team? You can reach us at scoops@theassemblync.com.

Two years after a Guilford County district judge seized a reporter’s notebook and issued a gag order, the case is no closer to being resolved. The paper’s attorney says the judge and court officials have blocked efforts to challenge the ruling, The Thread reports.

North Carolina will have to find an additional $436 million a year to maintain current SNAP benefits, CityView reports. The impact is trickling down to local governments.

In Durham, the city is reclaiming so-called paper streets with the help of some industrious goats, per INDY.

The eligibility of a candidate for Fayetteville city council has been challenged, CityView reports, because he appears to have he lied about a felony conviction on his filing.

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What We’re Reading

Does Not Meat Expectations: The town of Barbecue does not really live up to its name, according to N.C. Rabbit Hole. Next stops: Lizard Lick and Meat Camp.

Kind of a Bog Deal: Can our state’s peat bogs play a role in curbing climate change? The New York Times digs into the muck.

GYT: A new report finds that four North Carolina counties are among the top 50 in the country when it comes to the rate of sexually transmitted infections, per The Charlotte Observer.

Our Recent Stories

Naming the Bones

A forensic anthropologist and a volunteer sleuth are working to identify bodies from nearly 300 cold cases across the state.

Rep. John Bell’s Hemp Company Files Blistering Legal Response

In response to a federal lawsuit, Asterra Labs accused its former business partner of racketeering and other crimes.

The Berger King

Phil Berger has been the state’s most powerful politician for more than a decade. He no longer looks invincible.

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