NATIONAL COVERAGE
- Mecklenburg County 2025 Election Results: Transit Tax Passes, Democrats Sweep Charlotte City Council and School Boardby Jack BeckettMecklenburg County voters approved a landmark transit tax, re‑elected Mayor Vi Lyles, and delivered a clean sweep for Democrats on the council and school board in Charlotte’s 2025 municipal election.
- Charlotte Mercury Review: SNL’s Cold Open and Weekend Update Outshine an Otherwise Flat Nightby Jack BeckettA sharp, slow-journalism review of SNL’s Nov. 1 episode: an inventive cold open and witty Weekend Update carry a lackluster night. We break it down for Charlotte—with a wink toward our “Poll Dance 2025” election hub.
- Charlotte’s $19B Transit Tax Vote: Federal Shutdown and NC Redistricting Set the Stakesby Jack BeckettFederal shutdown hits day 34 as Charlotte votes on $19B transit tax. How Washington chaos, Raleigh redistricting, and local politics collide three weeks before Election Day.
- CMS Candidate Forum: Districts 1–6 discuss gains, funding, communications and policy at WFAE eventby Jack BeckettWFAE and the League of Women Voters hosted a CMS board forum. Candidates for Districts 1–6 outlined views on achievement, funding, communications, immigration policy, teacher retention, and district needs.
- Wells Fargo’s $10 Million Fine Vanishes: A Charlotte Perspective on Accountabilityby Jack BeckettWells Fargo’s last fake‑accounts case ends with a $0 fine for a former executive, drawing outrage from a Charlotte writer duped by the bank. Is this justice for millions affected?
- Corporate and Crypto Donors Bankroll Trump’s $300 Million White House Ballroomby Jack BeckettDozens of America’s most powerful companies and billionaires are bankrolling President Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom — a project built on influence as much as marble.
- No Deal in Raleigh: NC Lawmakers Leave Town With Medicaid Cuts, Pay Raises and Tax Plans in Limboby Jack BeckettNC lawmakers end session with no budget deal — leaving Medicaid cuts, teacher raises, and tax plans in limbo as House and Senate trade blame and head home.
- How Charlotte Will Pick Its Transit Board Next: Council Tweaks MPTA Timeline and Rulesby Jack BeckettCouncil aligned the MPTA appointment timeline with partner schedules and swapped a hard category rule for “encouraged,” after recusing one member. Here is what changes on Nov. 6, 12‑15, 17, and 24.
- A Rare Moment of Bipartisan Agreement: Throwing Someone Overboardby Jack BeckettNorth Carolina’s House finally found bipartisan harmony — in calling for one of its own to resign. A rare moment of agreement in a chamber better known for food fights.
- SNL Episode 3: Sabrina Carpenter’s Pop-First Play Pays Off With One NSFW Joltby Jack BeckettSNL’s Oct. 18 episode put pop over politics: a “Domingo” cold open, tight staging, a brief mic glitch, and “Nobody’s Son” with an uncensored lyric on many feeds.
- Early Voting in Mecklenburg: Sites, ID Rules, Transit Tax, and Races to Watchby Jack BeckettEarly voting is open in Mecklenburg. What is on the ballot, how same-day registration works, what the transit tax funds, and how NC secures your vote, plus links to our 2025 race guides.
- Charlotte crime down, Uptown concern upby Jack BeckettCMPD says crime fell through September, yet Uptown’s high-profile incidents keep fear high. We examine the numbers, the nightlife strategy, and the gap between data and trust in Charlotte.
- Charlotte Spent $25,000 Investigating Corruption Claims That Proved Baseless | Mercury Localby Peter CellinoCouncilmember Watlington’s corruption allegations have cost Charlotte $ 25,000. Investigation found nothing. She has no regrets. That’s the problem.
- What Charlotte Council Actually Approved: Stadium Bonds, Lay-Down Lease, and a 4,400-Seat Performance Venueby Jack BeckettCouncil advanced stadium financing steps, leased a lay-down yard, and cleared a 4,400-seat, privately funded performance venue. No money moves until contracts are finalized and approvals are received.
- Sheltering Dignity: Charlotte’s Non-Congregate Shelter Plan, Metrics, and Guardrailsby Jack BeckettCharlotte considers a 62-room non-congregate shelter with on-site care and a faith-based transitional campus. The council seeks guaranteed access to outreach, clear metrics, and contract guardrails.