North Carolina Is Last in the Country. Mecklenburg's Board Said So Out Loud.
The state ranks first for business and last in school funding. On Tuesday night, Mecklenburg's board said both things out loud.
Jack Beckett·Mar 19, 2026
government
North Carolina Is Last in the Country. Mecklenburg's Board Said So Out Loud.
The state is ranked first for business. Four commissioners spent the end of a long meeting sitting with what that means for public schools.
Jack Beckett·Mar 19, 2026
A Teacher Got Three Minutes. The Board Got the Rest of the Night.
A CMS teacher brought documented facts and a specific ask to the Mecklenburg County Board. The board did not respond. Three hours later, four commissioners said the same things he'd said — to each other.
Jack Beckett·Mar 19, 2026
Berger Requests Recount in Razor-Thin North Carolina Primary, Opening Door to Power Shift in Raleigh
A 23-vote margin in the NC Senate District 26 Republican primary has triggered a recount that could reshape leadership in Raleigh and ripple into Charlotte…
Jack Beckett·Mar 18, 2026
Charlotte City Council 2026: Budget Pressures, Toll Lane Fights, and the Topics That Actually Matter
Charlotte City Council spent Q1 2026 juggling a razor-thin budget, a toll lane revolt, affordable housing policy, and a transit authority handoff with a July…
Jack Beckett·Mar 15, 2026
Charlotte Just Changed Who Gets to Sell You a Tomato
A quiet UDO change lets farmers markets operate by right in Charlotte's industrial zones — and at least one council member says that's the whole point.
Jack Beckett·Feb 18, 2026
Charlotte Crime Down 29%, But Perception of Safety Remains Challenge for New Police Chief
New CMPD Chief Stella Patterson told state legislators violent crime is down 29% in Charlotte, but residents still feel unsafe. Bridging that gap defines her…
Jack Beckett·Feb 10, 2026
Two Half Days Become Full Ones: CMS Board Acts After Storm Chaos
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools voted unanimously to convert two early release days into full school days after winter storms disrupted eight consecutive days of…
Jack Beckett·Feb 7, 2026
We Won't Publish Guilt-by-Proximity Headlines
When an unaccepted invitation becomes a headline, journalism slips into insinuation. Here's why The Charlotte Mercury won't publish proximity stories without…
zappeterc·Feb 4, 2026
CMS Board of Education Meeting Recap: New Principals Named, Literacy Data Reviewed, 2027–28 Calendar Options Released
CMS leaders outlined 3–5 reading progress targets, named new school leaders, and launched a community survey for two 2027–28 calendar options after a virtual…
Jack Beckett·Jan 28, 2026
Charlotte Democratic Primary 2026: Stein Endorses Challenger to Incumbent Cunningham in High-Stakes House Race
Governor endorses challenger to 7-term Charlotte incumbent who votes with GOP 84% of time. March 3 primary will decide whether Democrats can restore veto power.
Jack Beckett·Jan 27, 2026
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