Author

Joe Killian

Joe Killian

Investigative Reporter Joe Killian's work examines government, politics and policy, with a special emphasis on higher education, LGBTQ issues and extremism.

Facing restrictive school policies, Union County students organize LGBTQ Pride rally

By: - May 26, 2023

This weekend students in Union County will hold a youth-led LGBTQ pride rally in Waxhaw. The Saturday event, which will kick off June’s Pride Month early, comes as students and parents in Union protest school policy changes by the Union County Board of Education they say target marginalized student groups. Earlier this month the board […]

a Target store mannequin in LGBTQ pride attire

Rash of legislation, intimidation, threats of violence pressure LGBTQ allies

By: - May 25, 2023

When the giant retail chain Target rolled out its line of LGBTQ Pride Month merchandise earlier this month, it was welcomed as a bright spot in a dark year of near unprecedented legislative assaults for the community. More than 700 bills have been filed across the country, including in North Carolina, that would restrict how […]

Aerial over the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dean shares more details as controversial new school proceeds at UNC-Chapel Hill

By: - May 24, 2023

Now that the academic year has ended, UNC-Chapel Hill leaders are sharing more information about the new and controversial School of Civic Life and Leadership with faculty who thus far, have questioned and opposed its creation. This includes additional details about the school’s creation, the hiring of faculty, and the formation of a curriculum. In a […]

As Mark Walker enters GOP primary race for governor, a party weighs statewide appeal

By: - May 19, 2023

When former Congressman Mark Walker takes the stage Saturday at the Triad Baptist Christian Academy in Kernersville, he’ll be mounting an uphill battle for the Republican nomination for governor. For Walker, it’s a familiar battlefield. In 2014 Walker, then a politically unknown Baptist pastor from Greensboro, entered a crowded, bare-knuckle scrum of a GOP primary […]

Architect of bill mandating history and civics course surprised by resistance

By: - May 18, 2023

When House Bill 96 was filed back in February, it didn’t initially get a lot of attention. In a legislative season when higher education related-bills proposed the elimination of academic tenure, massive changes to the of the powers of political appointees, and how state universities and colleges are accredited, a bill mandating one 3-credit hour […]

Senate budget would cut funding to UNC Law School, School of Government, fund controversial new school

By: - May 17, 2023

Two prominent schools at UNC-Chapel Hill would have their funding cut by millions while a controversial new school would be created and funded under the proposed Senate version of the state budget. The budget proposal, released Monday, includes a $2.5 million cut to both the UNC School of Law and UNC School of Government in […]

Bill would mandate history course, prescribe curriculum at UNC universities, community colleges

By: - May 15, 2023

Should students at UNC System Schools and community colleges be required to take a course on history and government, irrespective of their majors? Should lawmakers be able to prescribe the curriculum for such a course, rather than campus leaders and faculty? Those are a couple of the thorny questions sparked by House Bill 96, one […]

Aerial over the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Higher ed experts: “Harm can come to our students” in changing accreditation process

By: - May 11, 2023

A bill that would compel UNC System universities and community colleges to change accreditors flew under the radar in the recent flurry of higher education legislation at the General Assembly. But as Senate Bill 680 clears legislative hurdles on the way to becoming law, the public should pay attention to the “in the weeds” issue […]

Education experts to discuss controversies surrounding university accreditation

By: - May 10, 2023

When the crossover deadline passed at the North Carolina General Assembly last week, some of the most controversial higher education-related bills filed this legislative session hadn’t yet passed from one chamber to the other, taking them off of the conventional path to becoming law. But Senate Bill 680, which would dramatically change the way universities […]

Mark Walker portrait

Former Congressman Mark Walker to seek GOP nomination for governor

By: - May 9, 2023

Former Congressman Mark Walker will join the race for the GOP nomination for governor later this month, according to sources close to the campaign. Walker telegraphed his intentions publicly for the first time Tuesday after months of teasing a possible run, with a statement from Tim Murtaugh, vice president of  communication for National Public Affairs, […]

NC State sign

Monday numbers: the continuing student suicide crisis at NC State

By: - May 1, 2023

Last week, students at North Carolina State University concluding their first week of finals learned of terrible news: two apparent student suicides. “This is heartbreaking,” Chancellor Randy Woodson wrote in a community message Thursday. “And I know there’s little I can say to console the deep hurt or heal the immense grief felt by the […]

As GOP lawmakers target university tenure, faculty and campus leaders sound the alarm

By: - April 28, 2023

As the legislative session picks up pace in Raleigh this month, UNC System faculty members, students, alumni and even chancellors are pushing back against a slate of bills they say would fundamentally alter higher education in North Carolina, with potentially disastrous results for the system and the state. The ambitious package of legislation would, among other […]