Greensboro Editor for The Assembly. Formerly: NC Newsline, NC Policy Watch, News & Record, The Bristol Press, Cape Cod Times, Youth Journalism International. https://www.theassemblync.com/author/joekillian/https://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3megicpimxs2wAs trans-friendly policies increasingly come under scrutiny, the state’s health insurance plan no longer covers gender-affirming care. That’s left some employees in limbo. https://www.theassemblync.com/news/transgender-gender-affirming-state-employees-health-plan/?utm_source=The+Assembly&utm_campaign=8afaeb3f71-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_02_06_10_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-8afaeb3f71-482809593&mc_cid=8afaeb3f71&mc_eid=1502b8567209 Feb 2026 12:49 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3megicpimxs2whttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3m52l6hvevc2bIf this doesn't make you hungry, see your doctor. Cold Outside? It's Time for Ramen In Greensboro, a noodle tour finds that not all ramen shops are created equal. https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/ramen-ranking-greensboro-nc/07 Nov 2025 17:12 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3m52l6hvevc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3m52kybrmt22rA Genius Among Us Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at UNC-Chapel Hill and expert on fatal drug overdoses, was awarded a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship. The so-called “genius grant” comes with an $800,000 prize. https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/nabarun-dasgupta-unc-chapel-hill-genius/07 Nov 2025 17:08 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3m52kybrmt22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3m4xrcdpvtc2sAre Non-Partisan Races a Thing of the Past? Partisan politics has taken hold in North Carolina’s municipal elections–even in the races that are supposed to be non-partisan. https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/greensboro-elections-2025-partisanship/06 Nov 2025 14:23 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4xrcdpvtc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3m2a6pqqtok2vTonight in Chapel Hill, hear young journalists talk with some of our state’s top journalism minds about the future of what we do. It’s free and it’s going to be a great time. Tell your students, tell your friends and I’ll see you out there. https://youthjournalism.org/top-north-carolina-journalists-to-speak-at-yji-forum-in-chapel-hill/02 Oct 2025 18:29 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2a6pqqtok2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3m25rjdf2bc25Writer Laura Carney lost her father in a car accident when she was just 25. In completing his unfinished “bucket list,” she reconnected with him—and herself. A Last Gift From Her Father https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/laura-carney-bucket-list/01 Oct 2025 19:28 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3m25rjdf2bc25https://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lzquwkbgpc27You really need to read this one, gang. A Labor of Love https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/thai-square-kyoto-fantasy-express-greensboro-nc/26 Sep 2025 16:24 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzquwkbgpc27https://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lzhctlgves2hA Delicious, But Never Uncomplicated, Meal at Reel Seafood Grill in Greensboro This dish comes to you looking not like a neat, perfectly portioned filet but what it is—a whole animal we’ve killed to eat its flesh. https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/greensboro-nc-reel-seafood-grill-restaurant-flounder/22 Sep 2025 21:06 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzhctlgves2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lzhcqrvptc2hApril Parker Says District 3 Needs a New Voice  The librarian and community organizer says she can represent District 3 more holistically. https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/april-parker-says-district-3-needs-a-new-voice/22 Sep 2025 21:05 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzhcqrvptc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lzhco45mck2hA Final Run For Zack Matheny Facing criticism and an ongoing SBI investigation, Matheny said he is still concentrating on the issues he cares about most—and looking toward what could be his last term on the Greensboro City Council. https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/zack-matheny-greensboro-nc-city-council/22 Sep 2025 21:03 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzhco45mck2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lzhcicwgf22hHell of a scoop. Chris Clemens alleges the board went into closed session illegally, including before they postponed tenure votes, and forced him to resign after he informed faculty about the delays. https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/chris-clemens-lawsuit-scill/22 Sep 2025 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzhcicwgf22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lzh6txorpc2hA Fatal Stabbing and Its Aftermath Republicans have used Iryna Zarutska’s killing as a political cudgel. The Assembly obtained a draft bill that sends a tough-on-crime message. But critics say it reflects political posturing more than real solutions. https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/charlotte-stabbing-republicans-crime-bill/22 Sep 2025 19:55 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzh6txorpc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lz73mqqtls2xFood for thought on meat eating, hunting, fishing and Keanu Reeves in "The Devil's Advocate." We get a lot into these 600-word Friday food columns. https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/greensboro-nc-reel-seafood-grill-restaurant-flounder/19 Sep 2025 14:36 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lz73mqqtls2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lyfk5w4s7s2tPolice still use odor to justify searches, even though legal hemp and illegal marijuana smell the same. The state Supreme Court now weighs in. Odor in the Court https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/courts/hemp-marijuana-smell-north-carolina-state-supreme-court/09 Sep 2025 10:47 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lyfk5w4s7s2thttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3ly3zjrsvbc2zMy mother worked hard and was never rich. But she believed in embracing "little luxuries" in life. For me, it's afternoon tea at the O. Henry Hotel. My Cup of Tea https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/o-henry-hotel-afternoon-tea/05 Sep 2025 15:55 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3ly3zjrsvbc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lxrwyxkpr22oAt this price, can you afford not to subscribe? [contains quote post or other embedded content]01 Sep 2025 15:44 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxrwyxkpr22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lxkat3f24c2tListen: I've made my peace with SPAM. My dad couldn’t make me love it. But Qinji Hawaiian BBQ & Ramen gets the job done. Surrendering to SPAM (And Loving It) https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/qinji-hawaiian-bbq-greensboro-spam/29 Aug 2025 14:18 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxkat3f24c2thttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lxj3bz6nyk2kCampaigns for a seat on the state Supreme Court used to be tepid, removed from the political debates of the day, and generally nonpartisan. Not any more. Supreme Politics https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/courts/nc-supreme-court-politics/29 Aug 2025 03:06 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxj3bz6nyk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lxj3aoognk2kHell of a last story for Erin at The Assembly. What a talent. The UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor has his sights set on the big picture—despite federal-level uncertainties and campus clashes over his business-driven vision. Lee Roberts' Long Game https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/unc-chapel-hill-chancellor-lee-roberts-long-game/29 Aug 2025 03:06 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxj3aoognk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lxj35cnkjs2kA company circumvented a ban on corporate donations to give legislative Republicans $220,000. Those lawmakers then passed legislation that could make the company millions. A New Way to Pay to Play https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/legislation/redspeed-camera-technology-north-carolina-legislature/29 Aug 2025 03:04 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxj35cnkjs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lxc7bthhxk2iEight years after his first run, the community organizer with deep ties to civil rights says it’s time for change on city council and a different future for Greensboro. Irving Allen Wants Another Shot at City Council https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/irving-allen-greensboro-city-council/26 Aug 2025 09:29 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxc7bthhxk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lx6du3jhac2rThe overly complicated Bloody Mary is an increasingly common sin against which all right thinking lovers of this simple pleasure must stand. Loved this great story anyway. A Private Eye, 34 Texans, and an $8,887 Bloody Mary Walk Into an N.C. Bar https://www.theassemblync.com/culture/food/guiness-record-bloody-mary-holly-springs-nc/24 Aug 2025 20:40 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lx6du3jhac2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lwzagso2sk2aA column about the communal experience of barbecue free of fights about vinegar and tomato. Sayaka loves food and writes about it beautifully. When Barbecue is More Than Barbecue https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/gyukaku-greensboro-japanese-barbecue/22 Aug 2025 19:56 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwzagso2sk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lwoz4764r223The late Jim Melvin helped shape the city he loved for over half a century, earning the moniker “Mr. Greensboro.” ‘He Never Stopped Being Mayor’ https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/jim-melvin-greensboro-mayor/18 Aug 2025 18:18 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwoz4764r223https://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lwiabqort22tJust a hell of a team. [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Aug 2025 01:38 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwiabqort22thttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lwia7yu4xs2tGreensboro-based Held gives money directly to people who are unhoused. It sounds radical, its founder admits, but it’s working. Support Without Strings https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/held-greensboro-nc-homelessness/16 Aug 2025 01:37 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwia7yu4xs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lw2e5qi3kc2pNashville Hot Chicken now belongs to the world. But with two new hot chicken joints opening across the street from each other in Greensboro, we've reached a peak. A Game of (Hot) Chicken https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/nashville-hot-chicken-greensboro-nc/10 Aug 2025 13:10 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lw2e5qi3kc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lw2dyh7cn22pHell of a team. The Assembly Network Wins 35 State Journalism Awards https://www.theassemblync.com/internal/assembly-network-ncpa-2025/10 Aug 2025 13:07 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lw2dyh7cn22phttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lvlsfcawn22mTwo years after a Guilford County district judge seized a News & Record reporter’s notebook and issued a gag order, the case is no closer to being resolved. Stuck in Byzantine Limbo https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-courts-news-and-record-reporter-ashley-watlington-simms/04 Aug 2025 18:15 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvlsfcawn22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/joekilliannc.bsky.social/post/3lvdqi2a46c2wFridays are for food. Don’t miss this. At Greensboro's Machete, a Dish to Remember https://www.theassemblync.com/greensborothread/greensboro-nc-food-for-thought-james-river-oysters-at-machete/01 Aug 2025 13:19 +0000at://did:plc:lchyhtw7dbccjbbzropwctvf/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvdqi2a46c2w