Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 5d

Thank you!

Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 5d

Thank you!!

Is UNC football worse than failing a midterm? A student’s ESPN claim goes viral

Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 6d

Being part of a few years of The N&O’s storied history was a dream come true for this lifelong NCian.

I don’t think I’ll ever have the words to sum up how grateful I am to have worked here, with these people. For now, I’ll just say “thank you.” ❤️📰

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 6d

Some news: Yesterday was my last day @newsobserver.com. It’s bittersweet to leave, but I’m looking forward to staying on the most interesting beat in my home state.

Next week I’ll join @theassemblync.bsky.social, where I’ll continue covering higher education across North Carolina!

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Reposted by Korie Dean

The News & Observer @newsobserver.com · 8d

Junior Anna Yi’s quote delivered TikTok viral views and an on-air appearance during the Tar Heels’ loss to Clemson.

Junior Anna Yi’s quote delivered TikTok viral views and an on-air appearance during the Tar Heels’ loss to Clemson.

UNC reinstates suspended professor, finding ‘no basis’ he pushed political violence

Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 10d

Could have spent the afternoon watching the train wreck that is UNC football. Decided to protect my peace and enjoy some bluegrass instead

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Reposted by Korie Dean

Keung Hui @keunghui.bsky.social · 11d

UNC reinstates suspended professor, finding ‘no basis’ he pushed political violence. “No basis to conclude” Dwayne Dixon “poses a threat to University students, staff, and faculty” or engaged in conduct violating policy. (Via @koriedean.bsky.social) newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced #ncpol

The university’s review found “no basis to conclude” that Dixon “poses a threat” to the university and the community.

After careers spent serving NC, retirees face stagnant pensions amid inflation

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Reposted by Korie Dean

Dawn B. Vaughan @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social · 13d

New in depth story from me today.

Hundreds of thousands of people spent their careers in public service in North Carolina, and like current state employees, a late state budget affects them, too.

#ncpol #ncga

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

The delayed state budget also leaves thousands of retired state employees with uncertainty about a COLA this year.

UNC has paid nearly $1M for PR help since 2024, in part to find its ‘Way’ again

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 12d

New: UNC has paid nearly $1 million for PR support since last year, with some work focused on the university’s reputation.

The firm found stakeholders believed “Carolina has lost its ‘Way.’”

With @shelbyswanson.bsky.social & @jwatsonfisher.bsky.social: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

“Over the last 10 years, there’s been a degradation of what UNC stands for,” said one interviewee who the consultant interviewed last fall.

NC State sues Monsanto, manufacturer of PCBs, over Poe Hall contamination

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Reposted by Korie Dean

Keung Hui @keunghui.bsky.social · 13d

NC State University sues Monsanto, manufacturer of PCBs, over Poe Hall contamination. NC State alleges Monsanto marketed PCB mixtures to the building industry as being safe despite knowing they were toxic. (Via @koriedean.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced

Poe Hall has been closed for nearly two years after the toxic chemicals were discovered.

UNC professor on administrative leave over alleged ties to anti-fascist organization

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Reposted by Korie Dean

Thad Ogburn @thadogburn.bsky.social · 13d

UNC has placed a professor on administrative leave while it investigates his alleged ties to an anti-fascist group. He says he hasn't been part of the group since 2018. The group says it disbanded in 2019. Details from @koriedean.bsky.social.

A rally in support of Dixon was planned for Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at UNC.

Ex-UNC provost suing over trustees’ Signal messages allegedly used the app himself

Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 14d

Alternatively, if anyone would like to loan me $400 so I can purchase Harry, please lmk

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 14d

In case anyone is in the market there is a Harris Teeter Harry the Happy Dragon coin ride for sale on Facebook marketplace

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 20d

And yesterday’s news from me, with two sources saying Clemens himself has used auto-delete on Signal: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

Screenshots obtained and reviewed by The N&O appear to show Chris Clemens using Signal, but don’t show who turned on the auto-delete feature.

Former UNC provost sues university, trustees over alleged open meetings violations

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 20d

@newsobserver.com’s initial coverage here: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

The suit accuses the board of “systematically hiding matters of grave public concern behind closed doors.”

UNC ex-provost suing over Signal messages used the app himself, professor alleges

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 20d

Latest update to former UNC Provost Chris Clemens’ lawsuit against the Board of Trustees: board Chair Malcolm Turner is out with a statement calling the complaint a “baseless assault”

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 20d

Thanks JR!

Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 21d

NEW: Former UNC Provost Chris Clemens sued the Board of Trustees in part for using Signal to discuss university business with auto-delete on.

Two sources say Clemens himself has done the same — though it's unclear if he or another user turned on the setting. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

Screenshots obtained and reviewed by The N&O appear to show Chris Clemens using Signal, but don’t show who turned on the auto-delete feature.

Former UNC provost sues university, trustees over alleged open meetings violations

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Reposted by Korie Dean

The News & Observer @newsobserver.com · 22d

The suit accuses the board of “systematically hiding matters of grave public concern behind closed doors.”

The suit accuses the board of “systematically hiding matters of grave public concern behind closed doors.”

Former Provost Sues UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees Over Closed Meetings

Reposted by Korie Dean

Matt Hartman @themhartman.bsky.social · 22d

breaking news from unc: former provost chris clemens is suing the university for open meetings and public records violations during their discussion about delaying tenure votes

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

Chris Clemens accused the trustees of "hiding matters of grave public concern,” including tenure debates, using a Signal group and closed session.

www.theassemblync.com

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Reposted by Korie Dean

Keung Hui @keunghui.bsky.social · 25d

Enrollment is up at all UNC System schools, except one that ‘took a hit’ from Helene. UNC System enrollment set a record with 256,438 students this semsster. All UNC schools increased enrollment except UNC Asheville. (Via @koriedean.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced

Enrollment is up at all UNC System schools, except one that ‘took a hit’ from Helene

For the first time, more than 250,000 students are enrolled at North Carolina’s public universities.

Kirk’s Slaying Prompts College Leaders to Speak Out

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Reposted by Korie Dean

Josh Moody @byjoshmoody.bsky.social · 27d

Some colleges are backtracking on institutional neutrality in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder, and Clemson University has suggested its professors do not have the full protection of the First Amendment when mocking or celebrating his death.
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...

Universities are making exceptions to institutional neutrality policies to issue statements on Charlie Kirk’s death as some take aggressive action against some faculty remarks.

www.insidehighered.com

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Korie Dean @koriedean.bsky.social · 27d

New: Tuition in the UNC System could go up next year for the first time in nearly a decade, with campuses allowed to propose increases of up to 3%.

But not everyone will pay more due to the state's fixed tuition mandate for current students. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

Tuition in the UNC System could go up next year, but not everyone will pay more

The Board of Governors is expected to approve any increases in February.

Maps, voter ID and governor’s powers: a look at ongoing political lawsuits in NC

Reposted by Korie Dean

The News & Observer @newsobserver.com · 27d

📧 In today's Under the Dome newsletter: Our state is no stranger to high-profile litigation, and consequential cases over governmental power, gerrymandering and voting rights continue to play out at the state and federal level.

Our state is no stranger to high-profile litigation, and consequential cases over governmental power, gerrymandering and voting rights continue to play out at the state and federal level.