Pam Kelley
@pamkelley.bsky.social
Journalist, author of MONEY ROCK: A FAMILY'S STORY OF COCAINE, RACE, AND AMBITION IN THE NEW SOUTH.
Reposted by Pam Kelley
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
Reposted by Pam Kelley
I have family in the Twin Cities and they were out protesting — standing on a sidewalk, holding a sign, not even talking at the time — ICE bear-sprayed them in the face, clearly aiming for their eyes. People there keep saying the rest of the country doesn't understand how bad it is and they're right
January 18, 2026 at 2:15 AM
I have family in the Twin Cities and they were out protesting — standing on a sidewalk, holding a sign, not even talking at the time — ICE bear-sprayed them in the face, clearly aiming for their eyes. People there keep saying the rest of the country doesn't understand how bad it is and they're right
Reposted by Pam Kelley
Rep. Mark Harris wants the National Guard to help fight crime in Charlotte. Data shows that the more rural parts of his district have a higher rate of violent crime. www.ncrabbithole.com/p/republican...
GOP congressmen want the National Guard in Charlotte. Here's where violent crime is a bigger problem.
Sure, the data can't always tell the entire story. But one representative who's asking for a deployment isn't suggesting the same solution for a more violent place in his own district.
www.ncrabbithole.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Rep. Mark Harris wants the National Guard to help fight crime in Charlotte. Data shows that the more rural parts of his district have a higher rate of violent crime. www.ncrabbithole.com/p/republican...
The journalist received this message from the N.C. Republican Party: “I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration and I’m sure they would be interested in this matter. I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
A must-read: www.propublica.org/article/paul...
A must-read: www.propublica.org/article/paul...
“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America
Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well be...
www.propublica.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The journalist received this message from the N.C. Republican Party: “I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration and I’m sure they would be interested in this matter. I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
A must-read: www.propublica.org/article/paul...
A must-read: www.propublica.org/article/paul...
Reposted by Pam Kelley
Proud of how well this reporting with veteran higher ed reporter @pamkelley.bsky.social holds up.
Wow! If you found the WSJ story about High Point interesting, you absolutely must read this much deeper dive from 2023. Extremely well reported and just all around fascinating for those of us in higher ed. I have to say, the business model doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would.
Here's a more complete story (I co-reported) including those elements. WSJ clearly read it, used some of same sources but never addressed quality or dug more into business model www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
October 23, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Proud of how well this reporting with veteran higher ed reporter @pamkelley.bsky.social holds up.
Reposted by Pam Kelley
Former Marine and DeKalb County officer David Rose was shot and killed in August when he confronted a vaccine denier attacking the Atlanta office of the Centers for Disease Control. He left a wife and three children. If anyone deserves half-mast flags and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it's him.
September 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Former Marine and DeKalb County officer David Rose was shot and killed in August when he confronted a vaccine denier attacking the Atlanta office of the Centers for Disease Control. He left a wife and three children. If anyone deserves half-mast flags and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it's him.
The DA used a low-quality video to convict James Richardson of a double drive-by murder in Greenville, NC. Now, two experts say the state's theory of the crime is impossible. My latest for @theassemblync.bsky.social www.theassemblync.com/politics/cri...
‘Compromised’ Video Got Him Life in Prison. He Wants a New Trial.
A prosecutor used low-quality video to convict a former pro-basketball player in a double murder. Now he's getting another shot in court.
www.theassemblync.com
August 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The DA used a low-quality video to convict James Richardson of a double drive-by murder in Greenville, NC. Now, two experts say the state's theory of the crime is impossible. My latest for @theassemblync.bsky.social www.theassemblync.com/politics/cri...
The latest on legit votes that Jefferson Griffin and the N.C. Supreme Court are trying to throw out: www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-...
Longtime N.C. Voters May Have Their Ballots Wrongfully Tossed in Supreme Court Race
Some longtime NC residents may be surprised to find their ballots tossed in the Supreme Court race between Jefferson Griffin and Allison Riggs.
www.theassemblync.com
April 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
The latest on legit votes that Jefferson Griffin and the N.C. Supreme Court are trying to throw out: www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-...
The Disappearance of Julio Zambrano www.theassemblync.com/politics/tru...
The Disappearance of Julio Zambrano
Julio Zambrano, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, was living in North Carolina legally. So why did the Trump administration send him to El Salvador?
www.theassemblync.com
April 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The Disappearance of Julio Zambrano www.theassemblync.com/politics/tru...
Chilling.
"We're not pointing fingers at any particular individual or institution or political party or anything. We're just saying this happened. We want to make sure that people understand that this is happening..."
John Sherer of UNC Press on the dangers of silencing authors:
www.wunc.org/education/20...
John Sherer of UNC Press on the dangers of silencing authors:
www.wunc.org/education/20...
Q&A: UNC Press warns of increased silencing of scholars amid 'heightened political tensions'
UNC Press Director John Sherer recently spoke with WUNC higher education reporter Brianna Atkinson about the dangers of silencing authors and the UNC Press' call for collective action against censorsh...
www.wunc.org
February 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Chilling.
Reposted by Pam Kelley
This is the kind of impact reporting we need. Look past the political screeching to who's being harmed and who's making money off the Trump administration upheaval. Kudos @statnews.com #journalism #USPolitics
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
Story by @ericboodman.bsky.social
Story by @ericboodman.bsky.social
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills
An NSF online payment system remained down after the federal funding freeze was lifted, leaving early-career scientists scrambling to pay bills
www.statnews.com
January 31, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This is the kind of impact reporting we need. Look past the political screeching to who's being harmed and who's making money off the Trump administration upheaval. Kudos @statnews.com #journalism #USPolitics
Reposted by Pam Kelley
THREAD 🧵🧵
1/ Republican Jefferson Griffin is trying to overturn an election loss by throwing out the ballots of over 5,500 military and overseas voters—despite having previously used the same method of voting himself, ProPublica reveals.
A 🧵👇:
www.propublica.org/article/jeff...
A 🧵👇:
www.propublica.org/article/jeff...
State Supreme Court Candidate Wants Military Absentee Votes Tossed. Years Earlier, That’s How He Voted.
Republican Jefferson Griffin is trying to overturn his election loss by asking the North Carolina Supreme Court to toss 5,500 military and overseas absentee ballots. He used the same method to vote in...
www.propublica.org
January 18, 2025 at 8:29 PM
THREAD 🧵🧵
Reposted by Pam Kelley
1/ A Republican judge who narrowly lost a race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court is trying to get around 60,000 ballots thrown out based on a theory that some election deniers worried was too extreme: www.propublica.org/article/jeff...
A North Carolina Supreme Court Candidate’s Bid to Overturn His Loss Is Based on Theory Election Deniers Deemed Extreme
Republican Jefferson Griffin narrowly lost his race for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Now he’s asking that 60,000 ballots be thrown out based on a theory that an election denier said amounted to ...
www.propublica.org
December 24, 2024 at 2:51 PM
1/ A Republican judge who narrowly lost a race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court is trying to get around 60,000 ballots thrown out based on a theory that some election deniers worried was too extreme: www.propublica.org/article/jeff...
Reposted by Pam Kelley
At least six UNC-Chapel Hill trustees asked senior staff members at the university for information on specific applicants or the admissions process, according to more than 100 pages of texts obtained by @theassemblync.bsky.social.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees Pressed Senior Staff for Admissions Information
At least six trustees prodded university employees for information on specific applicants or the admissions process, text messages showed.
www.theassemblync.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:45 PM
At least six UNC-Chapel Hill trustees asked senior staff members at the university for information on specific applicants or the admissions process, according to more than 100 pages of texts obtained by @theassemblync.bsky.social.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Pam Kelley
Between 1/1/15 and 11/8/16, the New York Times published 79 PIECES that were about or referenced foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation
That is nearly one story a week for 22 months
Number of NYT mentions of an $18 million payment to President-elect Trump by a Chinese national? ZERO
That is nearly one story a week for 22 months
Number of NYT mentions of an $18 million payment to President-elect Trump by a Chinese national? ZERO
Trump v. Clinton: The media double standard on the influence of foreign cash
On Monday, Popular Information reported that Justin Sun, a Chinese national currently being prosecuted for fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission, sent President-elect Donald Trump $18 millio...
popular.info
December 4, 2024 at 4:37 PM
Between 1/1/15 and 11/8/16, the New York Times published 79 PIECES that were about or referenced foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation
That is nearly one story a week for 22 months
Number of NYT mentions of an $18 million payment to President-elect Trump by a Chinese national? ZERO
That is nearly one story a week for 22 months
Number of NYT mentions of an $18 million payment to President-elect Trump by a Chinese national? ZERO
A great gift for anyone who wants to know what’s going on in North Carolina.
This Cyber Monday, give yourself the gift of excellent journalism. Our subscriptions are now HALF OFF — get our archives for a year for $30, or go Premium for just $75. Act now: there's less than 12 hours left of this sale.
theassemblync.com/subscriptions/
theassemblync.com/subscriptions/
December 2, 2024 at 7:31 PM
A great gift for anyone who wants to know what’s going on in North Carolina.
Coming in February, just ahead of March Madness!
Just finished up the index – last stage before publication. Hard to believe it's been 20 years since the first edition. Official publication date: February 18. Can't wait to get it in readers' hands. uncpress.org/book/9781469... @pamkelley.bsky.social, @anndosshelms.bsky.social
Shattering the Glass | Pamela Grundy | University of North Carolina Press
American women's basketball has reached new peaks of interest and popularity, thanks to spellbinding athletes, exhilarating games, and a vibrant, empowered v...
uncpress.org
December 1, 2024 at 1:41 PM
Coming in February, just ahead of March Madness!
Reposted by Pam Kelley
Simple assignment for #USPol #journalists covering #Trump cabinet and key administration nominees: What are the duties and powers of the job, what are the nominated party's qualifications, how do they compare to other people who have held the post, current and past. Coud be done in a grid.
November 30, 2024 at 10:30 PM
Simple assignment for #USPol #journalists covering #Trump cabinet and key administration nominees: What are the duties and powers of the job, what are the nominated party's qualifications, how do they compare to other people who have held the post, current and past. Coud be done in a grid.
Reposted by Pam Kelley
Just about anyone working at any UNC campus will read this and need more blood pressure meds. Kudos to @pamkelley.bsky.social for enduring months of UNC system stonewalling and for sorting through an administrative mess. Note @melaniesill.bsky.social says deficit projected for 2027 not next year.
Veteran higher ed reporter @pamkelley.bsky.social followed the money to some big questions about the University of North Carolina's online ed nonprofit, which has blown through $72 million in two years and now projects a deficit next year. #UNC #NCPol www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
UNC’s Project Kitty Hawk Cleans Up After a CEO’s Departure
An audit found the UNC System failed to monitor its $97 million online ed program, which has returned $102,000 in unallowable expenses.
www.theassemblync.com
November 25, 2024 at 3:06 PM
Just about anyone working at any UNC campus will read this and need more blood pressure meds. Kudos to @pamkelley.bsky.social for enduring months of UNC system stonewalling and for sorting through an administrative mess. Note @melaniesill.bsky.social says deficit projected for 2027 not next year.
A new audit finds the University of North Carolina system failed to monitor Project Kitty Hawk, the nonprofit it created with $97 million in taxpayer money. The result? Lots of unallowable expenses, including the ex-CEO's stay at a Ritz-Carlton. www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
UNC’s Project Kitty Hawk Cleans Up After a CEO’s Departure
An audit found the UNC System failed to monitor its $97 million online ed program, which has returned $102,000 in unallowable expenses.
www.theassemblync.com
November 25, 2024 at 3:08 PM
A new audit finds the University of North Carolina system failed to monitor Project Kitty Hawk, the nonprofit it created with $97 million in taxpayer money. The result? Lots of unallowable expenses, including the ex-CEO's stay at a Ritz-Carlton. www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
Quite the kicker on this story.
A few months ago, I started hearing from former employees of the Hunt Institute that the venerable education nonprofit was plagued by high turnover and low morale.
Today, @theassemblync.bsky.social is publishing our investigation. It’s a wild ride.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hu...
Today, @theassemblync.bsky.social is publishing our investigation. It’s a wild ride.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hu...
Former Hunt Institute Employees Describe a ‘Culture of Fear’
Ex-staffers say its leader has created a toxic environment that imperils the education nonprofit’s future—and former Gov. Jim Hunt’s legacy.
www.theassemblync.com
November 20, 2024 at 10:16 PM
Quite the kicker on this story.
Reposted by Pam Kelley
North Carolina's General Assembly has added to its own power each session since Republicans took control in 2010, and maybe most people tune it out, but this is a doozy. In the end it's the people of NC who are losing power. We have an imperial legislature. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2024/11/19/n...
NC GOP lawmakers aim to curb new statewide Democrats' power • NC Newsline
GOP bill places new limits on North Carolina's governor and attorney general and makes raft of other changes to state and local government
ncnewsline.com
November 20, 2024 at 9:52 PM
North Carolina's General Assembly has added to its own power each session since Republicans took control in 2010, and maybe most people tune it out, but this is a doozy. In the end it's the people of NC who are losing power. We have an imperial legislature. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2024/11/19/n...