Ren Larson

BREAKING -@TheAssemblyNC spoke with families of two N.C. fathers legally in the U.S. apprehended by ICE & deported to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison. The families think its b/c: 1 They're Venezuelan 2 They have tattoos 🖊️Jeffrey Billman & me #ncpol theassemblync.com/politics/trump…

A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that immigration agents disregarded their own policies in making warrantless arrests and violated the constitutional rights of five North Carolina residents. theassemblync.com/news/politics/…

The nonprofit organization that owns most of the land once belonging to St. Andrews University, which closed last year, filed a notice for bankruptcy in federal court Tuesday. theassemblync.com/news/education…

Spent today talking to just a few of the Black women who credit Jesse Jackson with their start in national politics. By inviting them in, he ensured they would help shape democracy for years to come. My latest : 19thnews.org/2026/02/jesse-…

With @propublica | NC created a new housing recovery program to avoid the delays and cost overruns that plagued rebuilding efforts after hurricanes Florence and Matthew. The Assembly and ProPublica have found that similar problems are starting to surface. theassemblync.com/news/politics/…

Really important piece by partner @renLarson_ @TheAssemblyNC: As Helene Survivors Wait for State Help, Some Victims of Earlier Hurricanes Are Still Out of Their Homes propublica.org/article/hurric…

Looks like Democrats are making another push to get into GOP primaries. This time, with a challenger to former Republican state Rep. Frank Sossamon. Pamela Ayscue Perry, a Vance County school teacher, has only voted in DEM primaries. #ncpol

@KalleyHuang congratulations, Kalley! excited for this next chaper, and to read your work again in the Gray Lady.

I’m now reporting on Apple for The New York Times. If you’re a current or former Apple employee, or if you’ve worked with Apple, let’s chat! I’m at kalley.57 on Signal and kalley.huang@nytimes.com. nytco.com/press/kalley-h…

In February, we turn five years old. We’re ready to keep building for the next five years and assemble a place where you can always find smart, unbiased reporting about what’s behind the stories. Support our work here: theassemblync.com/subscribe/?utm…

Critics have raised concerns about the state board overseeing massage therapy’s unique legal arrangement, which some see as a convenience and others as a potential conflict. By @j__still for @TheAssemblyNC. #ncpol theassemblync.com/news/health/ma…

Even for immigration lawyers, navigating the Border Patrol’s opaque operation in N.C. is nearly impossible. By Greg Lacour for @TheAssemblyNC. #ncpol theassemblync.com/news/politics/…

In October, several 'Washington Post' editorials fail to disclose Bezos interests My story for NPR npr.org/2025/10/28/nx-…

1/ After a natural disaster, people often turn to FEMA for housing aid. Income is not supposed to play a role. A @propublica/@TheAssemblyNC analysis found in rural counties hardest-hit by Helene, the highest-income owners typically got more housing aid. propublica.org/article/fema-a…

10/ / A year after Helene’s destruction, the Hills expect to move back in any day. 1000s of others aren’t even close. Michelle now lives alone in a donated camper. Moving into a permanent home feels more unreachable than ever. propublica.org/article/fema-a…

9/ FEMA did not respond to the news organizations’ requests for comment. The agency previously told @USGAO that it encourages all survivors with property damage to apply, and those with minimal damage are “driving down the average award amount.”