Sandy Smith (left) and Laurie Buckhout (right) are vying for the Republican nomination to run against incumbent Don Davis in North Carolina’s First Congressional District.
Laurie Buckhout, a combat veteran running for office for the first time, won the Republican nomination in North Carolina’s 1st congressional District.
Buckhout defeated Sandy Smith, who was twice the Republican nominee in the Eastern North Carolina district. She will move on to face incumbent Democrat Don Davis in November’s general election.
The Associated Press called the election for Buckholt at 11:15 p.m. At that time, Buckholt was leading by a margin of 30,421 to 25,853 votes with 255 of 281 precincts reporting.
Both candidates ran on policies in step with those supported by former President Donald Trump.
Buckhout, a retired U.S. Army colonel, started a consulting firm after retiring from the service in 2010 but has since sold it. Buckhout, who lives in Edenton, ran on border security, anti-abortion and pro-gun policies.
In a speech to supporters in Edenton Tuesday night, Buckholt criticized Davis, blasting his support for President Joe Biden, who she blamed for recent inflation. Buckholt described being on the campaign trail and talking with people who had to choose between buying gas to get to work or buying groceries.
“Here in the 1st district of North Carolina, Joe Biden and the Biden agenda have one name and that’s Don Davis. Don Davis has enabled all of Biden’s failures and if you want more of the same failures, vote Don Davis,” Buckholt said.
Democrats started their attacks on Buckholt Tuesday as well.
“After spending a decade in Virginia after retiring from military service, she moved to North Carolina to run for office. Laurie is an anti-abortion extremist, insurrection apologist, and transplant opportunist only looking out for herself,” U.S. Rep Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement Tuesday.
Smith, the more experienced candidate, was the Republican nominee for the seat in 2020 and 2022. Both times, she lost to a Democrat.
Smith attended election denial events on Jan. 6, 2021 on the Washington Mall but previously told The News & Observer she did not enter the Capitol. Smith, who lives in Rocky Mount, has said her platform is anti-abortion, pro-gun, pro-military.
Davis is serving his first term in the U.S. House following the retirement of longtime Democratic Congressman G.K. Butterfield.
If Buckhout wins in the general election, she would become the first member of the GOP to represent the 1st congressional district since 1883.
Largely rural, the 1st congressional district runs along the Virginia border from Currituck County in the east to Vance County in the west, looping in Nash and Wilson counties before also drawing in Kinston and Goldsboro.
The district is widely expected to be the most competitive in the state after the N.C. General Assembly completed redistricting in October 2023.
“It’s the only competitive district in the state,” Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, previously told The News & Observer.
The district’s voters have been somewhat fluid politically in recent elections, with 52% of those who voted casting ballots for Republican Ted Budd in the 2022 U.S. Senate race. That was a change from the 2020 U.S. Senate race, when voters narrowly went Democratic.
The district could also carry national significance, if control of the U.S. House of Representatives remains tightly contested.
A Buckholt victory could mean it will be more difficult for Davis to win re-election, Cook Political Report Executive Editor Amy Walters said during a Tuesday appearance on The New York Times’ The Run-Up podcast.
“If we’re talking about the House as being a battle of inches, then this is one of those inches,” Walter said.
Adam Wagner covers climate change and other environmental issues in North Carolina. His work is produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. Wagner’s previous work at The News & Observer included coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and North Carolina’s recovery from recent hurricanes. He previously worked at the Wilmington StarNews.
Each week, join Dawn Vaughan for The News & Observer and NC Insider’s Under the Dome podcast, an in-depth analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina.
Hello and welcome to your Under the Dome newsletter. Kyle Ingram here.
The primary election is on Tuesday and will set the electoral stage for November, shaping how North Carolina — a notorious swing state — could affect national politics.
Could NC split the ticket (again)?
On Tuesday, North Carolinians will decide who they want to run for the state’s highest office, but they’ll also have a say in who gets the nomination for president.
In 2020, the state voted for Republican Donald Trump in the presidential race, but also elected Roy Cooper, a Democrat, as governor.
That split could happen again in 2024 as presidential hopefuls set their sights on North Carolina.
President Joe Biden is likely to face off with Trump again in November. As for the governor’s race, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination and Attorney General Josh Stein is the likely Democratic nominee.
Issues like abortion are expected to dominate the race, following the state’s enactment of a 12-week abortion ban last year. But some political analysts say it won’t be the issues that determine who wins, at least at the national level, but rather the personalities of the candidates.
“You’ve got two older white guys from the Northeast, and everybody already knows exactly what they think about them,” Stephen Wiley, director of the House GOP Caucus, said. “And it’s a personality-driven election these days; that’s really what it comes down to.”
If you haven’t voted already, keep in mind that there are new rules at the polls this year.
Most notably, voters now need to show an ID to vote. A list of acceptable IDs can be found on the State Board of Elections website. Voters who don’t have an ID can fill out an ID exception form at the polling place.
If you’re voting by mail, your ballot needs to arrive at the county board of elections office by 7:30 p.m. on election day. Previously, mail-in ballots were counted if they arrived within three days of the election; a bill passed last year removed this grace period.
If you’re worried that your absentee ballot may not make it in time via mail, you can drop it off in-person at your local county board of elections office.
Be sure to read The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer’s onlinecandidate questionnaires ahead of the primary election on Tuesday. Candidates’ answers appear online as part of our voter guide.
That’s all for today. Check your inbox on Tuesday for more #ncpol news.
Kyle Ingram is a politics reporter for the News & Observer. He reports on the legislature, voting rights and more in North Carolina politics. He is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill.
NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — A new wave of scams is targeting customers looking to get into the action of sports betting.
Starting March 11, you’ll be able to legally place a bet on your favorite sports team in North Carolina and you should be aware of who you’re giving your money to. Scammers are always looking for ways to get your money, and when it comes to sports betting don’t get caught up in the excitement and ignore the red flags on imposter sports betting websites.
March 1st is the first day you can create an account and deposit money into online sportsbooks, so you are ready to place your bet on March 11. When you find a sports betting website, do your research.
Nick Hill with the BBB of Eastern Carolinas says, “A lot of the scams that we’re anticipating are these scammers who create copycat websites and copycat services that mimic these real and legitimate sites and apps.”
Hill says the BBB Scam Tracker is seeing reports from consumers who accidentally registered with scam sports betting websites and apps. Hill says the fakes lure you in with too-good-to-be-true deals. “Maybe sign-up deals or guarantee winnings with their bets. Just know that nobody can guarantee winnings and that will be a for sure sign of a scam,” Hill adds.
One consumer filed a BBB Scam Tracker complaint that states: after seeing an ad online about a 1 for 1 deposit match, they put in $500, but their complaint alleges the match was far less valuable than their $500 and when it came time to withdraw their money, their account was locked and couldn’t get their $500 bucks back.
Hill says, “Before you place your bet, you really need to read the fine print on incentives and the terms and conditions.”
Also on any website, look for the lock symbol and HTTPS, that means the website is secure. Also know that even on legitimate sports betting websites, you might not get access to your winnings. “Make sure that you know that these companies and apps can freeze your winnings for any number of reasons if they deem that you have displayed unusual playing patterns,”
Hill says.
Research is always key when it comes to your money. The biggest thing you need to watch out for are copycat websites, that make big promises like everyone is a winner, or that if you lose they will refund your money.
Nvidia corporate offices on Meridian Parkway in Durham.
Brian Gordon
Remember last spring when Nvidia surpassed a trillion dollars market cap? Well, the California chipmaker is now worth nearly twice that. With its dizzying stock ascent, it is the world’s fourth-most valuable company behind Microsoft, Apple and the Saudi Arabian Oil Group.
Microsoft has offices in the Triangle in North Carolina. Apple does, too (though we’re waiting on the big promised campus). The Saudi oil group, to my knowledge, does not.
But Nvidia is here, in Durham, and it seems to be hiring. On LinkedIn, the company lists 51 openings with the Bull City as a possible location, alongside cities like Austin, Santa Clara, and Redmond, Washington. Most of the roles are for various types of senior engineers. Several of the openings were posted just this week.
The company makes processing chips called graphics processing units, or GPUs, which work with other chips, called CPUs, to perform more complex computations. For most of its history, Nvidia GPUs were used to power video games; the original Xbox, for example, exclusively used the company’s chips.
Today, the market has an insatiable appetite for Nvidia chips to run their expanding AI platforms. I hope employees have been getting paid in stock options: Since Jan 1., Nvidia stock is up 65%. Since this time last year, it’s risen 252%.
Competitors are coming; Microsoft, Meta, and Google are among the giants investing in manufacturing their own chips. Yet AI-driven demand has for now made Nvidia the undisputed sector king. Last week, its market cap briefly eclipsed $2 trillion. Companywide, its headcount has swelled, too. At the start of 2020, Nvidia had 13,775 employees. As of late January, it employed 29,600.
How many of those workers are in the Triangle? In May, Nvidia told me it had around 300 workers based at its Meridian Parkway office near Research Triangle Park. Last week, I asked for an updated area headcount and initially got rejected by a company spokesperson who said, in an apparent change in policy, that Nvidia doesn’t “disclose numbers by location.”
I pushed to ask if 300 was still an accurate local employment figure, and the spokesperson said yes.
“We’re a growing company and will continue to expand our presence in various industries including health care, automotive, and more,” she said.
So Nvidia’s Durham footprint isn’t massive yet. It lists more than 1,500 positions on LinkedIn overall, which puts the 51 openings listing Durham in context. But the company is here. And it is posting jobs. It stands to reason its Durham workforce will grow. Whether Nvidia tells us about it in the future is less certain.
On to the rest of this week’s news.
Jobs deal comes, job deals go
Every other Tuesday often turn into busy days for North Carolina business reporters. That is when the state’s Economic Investment Committee generally meets to approve new economic incentives or terminate previous deals. This week was no exception, with North Carolina doing both. First the good news, the EIC approved a grant for the Japanese pharma company Kyowa Kirin to bring 102 jobs to the Lee County city of Sanford.
Japanese businesses and the Tar Heel State have had a strong relationship dating back to the 1970s. Gov. Roy Cooper’s team boasts his trip last fall to the East Asian country has helped North Carolina land multiple recent economic projects.
Now the less positive news. On Tuesday, the EIC canceled incentive grants for Clorox in Durham and Syneos Health in Wake County. Both companies cited the rise of remote work among the reasons they weren’t going to reach their initial hiring commitments. Clorox appears to also be divesting from its vitamin/supplements division.
Honestly, both Clorox and Syneos have larger area workforces than I realized. Syneos, a contract research organization, has its global headquarters in Morrisville, where it employs around 2,000. Clorox says it still has more than 500 employees in the Durham area, including at the Burt’s Bees headquarters.
The Burt’s Bees headquarters at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham. Mark Schultz mschultz@newsobserver.com
Election years are good years for Bandwidth
It’s an election year, which means Raleigh’s Bandwidth will be busy. The telecommunications software company provides mass messaging services — text and voice — for candidates. On an earnings call Wednesday, Bandwidth’s chief financial officer Daryl Raiford said the company projects “political campaign messaging and associated surcharges” to contribute $40 million in revenue.
And Bandwidth had a good week overall, with earnings beating expectations, sending its stock up 65%.
“In 2024, we expect our growth in commercial messaging to be joined by further benefit from the U.S. election season, where our capabilities uniquely serve many longstanding customers,” company CEO David Morken told investors.
Bandwidth’s sprawling new 533,000-square-foot campus off Edward Mills Road in west Raleigh. Chantal Allam
Tillis talks taxes in WSJ
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he would reject the Wyden-Smith Tax Bill that passed the House a month ago. “House Republicans let themselves get played by Democrats seeking to expand the welfare state,” he wrote. Tillis objects to how the legislation approaches the child tax credit — who would be eligible for the program and how Congress would fund it.
In his opinion piece, Tillis didn’t mention the North Carolina startups that are staring down bankruptcy due to a recent accounting change to Section 174 of the federal tax code, which Wyden-Smith would address. This is disappointing, says Evan Garland, a business consultant in Raleigh who has led a lobbying effort to reform Section 174.
“I feel it remains important for these companies’ voices be heard, as a counterpoint,” she told me in an email. .
Short Stuff: Robots, haircuts and sports betting
Bits and bytes. A handful of Triangle restaurants have debuted robots to bring food to tables. They’re hits at a pho place in Morrisville, a seafood spot in Rocky Mount, and a Mexican restaurant in Wake Forest.
Over/under 7,000 commercials. Sports betting goes statewide March 11. I’ve been seeing a lot of North Carolina-specific ads from Fanduel and Draft Kings spokespeople like comedian Kevin Hart and former Duke star JJ Reddick.
City accommodations. Boxyard RTP, the Research Triangle’s de facto downtown, has welcomed several new businesses, including a barber shop, New Wave Capitol Suites, which opened mid-February. A nice addition for the Park’s employees — and its future residents.
A robot delivers an order to lunchtime guests at Pho 919 in Morrisville. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
National Tech Happenings
The Federal Trade Commission is challenging Kroger’s attempt to acquire fellow giant supermarket chain Albertsons, arguing customers will suffer. The two companies disagree, arguing the competitive market now encompasses nontraditional grocers like Amazon. A decade ago, Kroger purchased Harris Teeter and later closed its Triangle-area Kroger stores.
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments around Florida and Texas laws that limit how social media companies moderate their platforms. The states say they want to ensure political fairness. The Florida law prevents a platform from banning a candidate while the Texas law restricts the companies from removing political content.
Can thermal batteries halve U.S. industrial heating costs? The startup Antora Energy raised $150 million to ramp up production.
Thanks for reading!
This story was originally published March 1, 2024, 9:02 AM.
Related stories from Raleigh News & Observer
Brian Gordon is the Technology & Innovation reporter for The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. He writes about jobs, start-ups and all the big tech things transforming the Triangle. Brian previously worked as a senior statewide reporter for the USA Today Network and covered education for the Asheville Citizen-Times.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A strong cold front will barrel through the Triangle late Wednesday bringing the potential for a squall line of gusty showers and isolated storms. This will be followed by a rapid change to colder weather.
There is now a level 1 severe weather risk from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. for parts of the Triangle. Damaging winds being the main threat.
Due to the threat of gusty winds, there could also be spotty power outages. Wednesday is a First Alert Day for ABC11 audiences.
Weather Change Timeline
Skies remained cloudy Tuesday night and with a warm air mass well entrenched in the area, overnight temps dropped very little, bottoming out in the upper 50s.
This sets the stage for a very warm day on Wednesday and despite very little, if any, sunshine, temperatures will reach the mid-70s. The record high tomorrow is 81, set in 2011 and if the sun were to break through the cloud cover for a few hours we could make a run at the 80-degree mark.
The cold front reaches the area Wednesday, and the latest hi-res model timing supports a late-afternoon thunderstorm with the actual frontal passage. We’ll have all kinds of strong wind on both sides of the front, with gusts nearing 50 mph in spots before the gradient diminishes later Wednesday night.
The risk of severe weather in the Triangle is fairly low. If there is any severe weather it is likely to be in the form of damaging winds.
Showers linger into the early hours of Wednesday evening and then clouds hold through the remainder of the night.
Temperatures will plummet Wednesday evening and drop to near-freezing during the night.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina’s 2024 primary election is approaching with top candidates, such as Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Kamala Harris all slated to visit this week.
As of Sunday, February 25, more than 25,000 people voted early in Wake County, with women and Democrats making up most of the turnout, according to Wake County’s unofficial early voting daily turnout.
“Saturday is the last day to participate in in-person early voting,” Wake County Board of Elections director Olivia McCall said. “We’re hoping that it picks up and people get involved.”
McCall said this is the first time the new ID requirement is in effect, so voters should make sure their information is up to date.
There’s a whole lot for voters in North Carolina for March 5, especially with the Republican party and the Democratic party both holding primaries that day, according to political analyst David McLennan.
“For the governor and for the president, both parties have a front runner and a pretty clear frontrunner for President,” McLennan said. “Donald Trump is well out in front of Nikki Haley and for governor, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson seems to be the front runner in that race. On the Democratic side, Joe Biden looks like he has a pretty easy time in North Carolina, and then Josh Stein is leading his challengers quite handily.”
McLennan said there are also more competitive races in addition to the race for Governor, other Council of State offices, House of Representatives, Congress, and legislative seats.
“Lieutenant Governor is a very competitive race,” McLennan said. “We have 14 candidates on the Republican side. We see some congressional races like the one just outside of Raleigh … another 13 candidates. So, we have a lot of people running for open seats.”
Many issues are at the forefront of candidates’ minds, including immigration, crime and abortion.
Eloise Best, who cast her ballot on Monday, said abortion is one of the main issues she cares about.
“I think women should have the right to make their own choice and not have the government decide for them,” Best said.
More than 106,000 people turned out in the 2022 primary on Election Day. McCall said they hope that number picks up and more people get involved.
“Surgery, transplant or accident in a car. Suddenly there’s a need for blood,” said Dr. Bandarenko. “The Red Cross is one of the major suppliers in our region. They’ve asked us to exercise conservation measures to make sure those who truly need blood will have it available.”
But despite the critical need for blood donors, there’s been some debate online about whether those who have received a COVID vaccine are eligible to donate.
“The American Red Cross is now asking blood donors if they ever received the Covid vaccine,” an X user posted last week. “If you answer Yes, they want you to call ahead to see if you’re still eligible. I thought the vax was ‘safe and effective’? What info are they hiding from us?”
Similar rumors have been spread on Facebook and TikTok, Snopes reported — but the claims concerning ineligibility arefalse.
If you have received a COVID vaccine, you are eligible to give blood — but in rare cases you may have to wait before donating.
Do I have to wait to give blood after getting vaccinated?
In most cases, there is no wait time to donate blood for those who received the COVID vaccine, according to the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross says those who received vaccines from the following manufacturers and are symptom-free do not have to wait to give blood:
However, if you got a vaccine from a manufacturer not listed above, or you don’t know what type of vaccine you received, you’ll have to wait two weeks before donating blood, according to the Red Cross.
How do I know which type of vaccine I received?
If you were vaccinated, you should have received a card or printout indicating which COVID vaccine you got, the Red Cross says.
The Red Cross encourages donors to bring those cards with them to their appointments.
Am I eligible to donate blood in NC?
In North Carolina, you must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds to donate blood, according to UNC Medical Center. Donors under 18 must have a signed parental consent form to donate blood on the day of donation.
“Donors should feel well and healthy on the day of donation and free of infectious diseases, including colds,” UNC Medical Center says.
Additional eligibility criteria may apply to individuals with certain medical conditions, or who are on medication, according to the Red Cross.
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Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
Eden of Plaza located at 1212 Pecan Ave. in Plaza Midwood.
Jacob Roberts
Courtesy of Eden of Plaza
Charlotte is home to several booming Black-owned businesses, including bars, clubs and other nightlife spots.
A history of good nightlife: The city’s first Black nightclub, Excelsior, opened 80 years ago. The club, which closed in 2016, was a beloved staple in the community for decades as a space for social events, political meetings and celebrations.
This story was originally published February 23, 2024, 6:00 AM.
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Chyna Blackmon is a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
Romeo and Juliet’s luck took a turn after more than 1,000 days of waiting for a home, a North Carolina shelter said.
Screengrab from the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society on Facebook
Two “canine lovebirds” spent more than 1,000 days in a shelter — and now, they have a new home together.
The long-awaited adoption brought the “most perfect” ending to the week of Valentine’s Day, according to the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society in North Carolina.
“Romeo & Juliet now have an awesome mom and dad and a loving forever home,” the shelter wrote Feb. 18 on Facebook.
The aptly-named dogs finally got new owners more than three years after they were rescued as strays in December 2020. Early on, the humane society tried to separate them since it can be tougher to find a home for two dogs.
“Juliet was fine, she was really more into human affection and didn’t seem too bothered by not being with Romeo,” a shelter spokesperson told McClatchy News in an email. “He, on the other hand, was completely shut down without her. We knew pretty quickly that in order for him to have any quality of life, he would need to stay with her.”
As the years passed, the dogs became some of the shelter’s longest residents and were known for adoring one another. The shelter hoped Romeo, a bluetick coonhound mix, and Juliet, a redbone coonhound mix, would continue their close bond.
“Romeo and Juliet MUST BE ADOPTED TOGETHER as they deserve a forever home that has room for both,” the shelter wrote on Facebook in June.
Then after 1,154 days of waiting, the “sweet” dogs started their next chapter with a familiar person. A shelter volunteer and her husband are now the “new pet parents for one of the strongest-bonded pairs of dogs we have ever had the honor of caring for,” the animal organization wrote.
Social media users were fans of the update, including several who congratulated the “canine lovebirds” on their new family.
The dogs were adopted in the Sapphire area, roughly 55 miles southwest of the popular mountain town of Asheville.
Simone Jasper is a reporter covering breaking stories for The News & Observer and real-time news in the Carolinas.
Truist Financial Corp. is selling its stake in Truist Insurance Holdings, a subsidiary of Truist and the fifth largest insurance brokerage in the U.S., for $15.5 billion, the Charlotte-based bank said Tuesday.
Truist Insurance Holdings’ sale is expected to provide $10.1 billion in cash for reinvestment, according to the bank. The sale — expected to close in the second quarter of this year — is to an investor group led by private equity firms Stone Point Capital and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Mubadala Investment Co. and other co-investors are also part of the investment.
The agreement comes five months after Truist announced a $750 million companywide cost-cutting plan. The plan included “sizable” layoffs resulting in about $300 million in savings, according to Truist. The bank has not detailed how many layoffs are coming.
The brokerage deal will strengthen Truist’s balance sheet and create flexibility for Truist investments, Truist Chairman and CEO Bill Rogers said in a statement.
The sale is subject to regulatory reviews and approvals. Truist’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the agreement.
Truist Financial Corp. is selling its stake in subsidiary Truist Insurance Holdings, the fifth largest insurance brokerage in the U.S., for $15.5 billion. Truist
About the Truist deal
Truist Insurance Holdings with more than 200 offices and about 10,000 employees, will remain headquartered in Charlotte, according to Truist. The sale is not expected to have any local impact.
The partnership with Stone Point and CD&R is critical to remaining competitive in a rapidly changing industry, TIH Chairman and CEO John Howards said in a statement.
Stone Point is an alternative investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, with more than $50 billion of assets under management. Founded in 1978, CD&R is privately owned by its partners and has offices in New York and London.
In 2019, Atlanta-based SunTrust and Winston-Salem-based BB&T merged in a $66 billion deal to form Truist, and chose Charlotte for the new bank’s headquarters city.
This story was originally published February 20, 2024, 10:30 AM.
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Catherine Muccigrosso is a business reporter for The Charlotte Observer. An award-winning journalist, she has worked for multiple newspapers and McClatchy for more than a decade.
One of North Carolina’s prominent families has filed a lawsuit against Charlotte’s largest hospital over millions of dollars in inheritance.
Cannon textile mill descendants want to stop Atrium Health from receiving distributions from the family trust, according to a petition filed in N.C. business court. The trust was created in 1965 by Ruth Coltrane Cannon, wife of longtime Cannon Mills president Charles Albert Cannon, for her grandson Charles Albert Cannon III, who died Oct. 28.
Textile magnate Charles Cannon founded Cannon Mills in Kannapolis. It was the world’s largest producer of towels and sheets for decades. The mill, bought by Pillowtex 1982, closed abruptly closed in 2003 wiping out 7,650 jobs. It was the largest one-day job loss in the history of North Carolina and the textile industry at that time. The mill was demolished in 2005 and is now the site of the 350-acre North Carolina Research Campus.
Following Charles Cannon III’s death, Ruth Cannon said in her will that she wanted the trust to go to Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, according to the Feb. 7 petition. If the trust could not be paid “expressly” to the Cabarrus County-owned hospital, it would be distributed to “religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes,” the petition states.
The filing does not specify the trust’s value.
Cabarrus Memorial has not existed since the 1980s and became part of Atrium through a series of mergers in the 2000s, according to the petition. Atrium is now part of Advocate Health with revenue of more than $27 billion.
Since Cabarrus Memorial does not exist, “the trustees have preliminary concluded that Atrium Health is not the proper remainder income beneficiary,” and trustees should proceed with alternative income distribution, according to the petition.
“Atrium Health does not meet the trust’s express condition that remainder income be paid out for ‘charitable purposes,’” the petition states.
On Jan. 24, Atrium objected to the trust’s interpretation of the will and laid claim to it, threatening legal action if income distributions did not begin on Feb. 15.
The trust is represented by Kearns Davis, James C. Adams II and Agustin M. Martinez of Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard LLP.
The petition requests a jury trial.
Atrium Health officials and attorneys representing the trust did not respond by Friday afternoon for requests for comment.
Law360 trade publication first reported the case.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Catherine Muccigrosso is a business reporter for The Charlotte Observer. An award-winning journalist, she has worked for multiple newspapers and McClatchy for more than a decade.
Juliette Singleton serves Raleigh’s first Meals on Wheels lunch to Ellen Dortch Shore 50 years ago.
File photo
The News & Observer
RALEIGH
Fifty years ago, Juliette Singleton drove across Raleigh with her first carload of roast turkey, sweet potatoes and peas — a lunchtime savior for the home-bound, the arthritic and the 95-year-old craving chit-chat and gravy.
Along with her partner, Singleton made Raleigh’s first-ever delivery for Meals on Wheels, a daily hot lunch aimed at seniors no longer capable of frying chicken, chopping salad or driving to the Piggy Wiggly.
The first stop on her route that day took Singleton just a few blocks from her starting point at Hillyer Christian Church: the home of Ellen Dortch Shore, a widow for nearly 40 years.
At 88, the widow pulled up a chair, tucked into her lunch and smiled at her new friend.
“Normally,” she said, “I just have a glass of sherry, crackers and cheese.”
A ‘very rewarding’ experience
This month marks a half-century for Meals on Wheels, which started out in 1974 serving nine people — a total now topping 1,400 across Wake County. Volunteers now exceed 2,200 people.
“It was very rewarding for me,” said Singleton, who still remembers her first stop after thousands of deliveries. “I had this one lady who was so sweet, she’d been to her granddaughter’s wedding, so we was very insistent that I stay and see the pictures, and whenever I’d leave she’d say, ‘Will you put this letter in the mailbox for me?’”
Juliette Singleton holds a photograph that documented Raleigh’s first-ever Meals on Wheels delivery 50 years ago in 1974, when she served Ellen Dortch Shore. Josh Shaffer
I should note on this anniversary that I carry a deep fondness for Meals on Wheels, mostly thanks to my Grandma Irene Kern. A plucky Baptist and ardent crossword puzzler, she drove a weekly route around suburban Los Angeles well past the age of 90.
Grandma would often take me along with her when I was a boy of 8 or 9, showing me off to the shut-ins who spent lonely days watching soap operas or playing canasta. I’d hand them their low-sodium entrees and their 2 percent milk, and Grandma would ask about their cataracts or their hypertension.
The last time I her, a few years before she died, Grandma was several decades older than most of her clients — still driving her little Plymouth Champ full of hot trays.
Back in 1974, a lunch from Meals on Wheels cost $1.75, and sponsors picked up what the neediest couldn’t afford. Now, one meal costs $4.75 if a client wants to pay it. If you’re over 60 with a chronic disability, you can get a meal regardless.
Meals on Wheels began in Raleigh in 1974, prepared at Wake Memorial Hospital and transported to volunteers by Red Cross van. News & Observer
But here’s something you learn going door-to-door: Nutrition and poverty come in many forms. When some people answer Meals on Wheels’ knock, it’s the first and last time they’ll open the door all day.
Take Ellen Dortch Shore, their first-ever client.
Singleton confessed some Meals on Wheels volunteers wished The News & Observer had chosen a different photo for the inaugural run in 1974, considering Shore is pictured in front of her silver and her art collection.
She was 88 at the time, but in 1914, she had married Dr. Clarence A. Shore — the first director of the State Laboratory of Hygiene and a worldwide authority on the treatment of hydrophobia.
Dr. Shore’s widow
The N&O described all of Raleigh society fawning on the young couple at their wedding, filling a gift room with silver, glass and china. “A testimonial to the popularity of the couple,” the reporter raved. “A more beautiful display has not been seen here.”
Dr. Shore would build his reputation in the growing field of public health, speaking at international conferences and enjoying a high status in Raleigh. But he would die young of thrombosis in 1933, meriting two columns above the fold on the N&O’s front page and a headline that called him “a notable figure of progress.”
His widow kept very much in the public eye afterward: turning the first shovel that broke ground for Rex Hospital in 1935, traveling to London by steam ship in 1958, lending a 19th-century Chinese bronze tiger for an art exhibit in 1967.
But whenever she got mentioned, she appeared under her husband’s name: Mrs. Clarence A. Shore.
And when she died in 1981 at age 95, her death merited three sentences on page 29.
Imagine a loneliness so large it fills 48 years.
Imagine how nice it would be, as an 88-year-old woman with so much of life taken away, to answer the door and find someone standing there with a tray full of hot food.
Related stories from Raleigh News & Observer
Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.
Rick Steves taking a break from filming in Italy’s Dolomites. Steves visited Charlotte to speak at a lecture for the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Courtesy of Rick Steves’ Europe
A little over halfway through his lecture, travel writer and TV personality Rick Steves quoted the prophet Mohammad: “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled.”
The message, which was delivered to the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on Thursday evening at the Knight Theater, may not have been a direct quote of his own but fell in line with his overall thesis: You have to get out there to better understand, not only the world, but yourself and the worldview around you.
It was Steves’ third trip to Charlotte with his last visit taking place in 2013. He said he’s always impressed with the city. “It just seems like a very smart, modern city. I like it. It reminds me I should get up and get to know our country a little better.”
The celebrated travel writer and host of Rick Steves’ Europe on PBS said he has traveled 100 days a year for decades and mostly in Europe (which he refers to as his “beat”.) “When you write a chapter, you hope it has a long life and then you just tweak it every year when you visit. That’s generally the case, but certain things have major changes,” he said.
“Berlin used to be two cities, now it’s one after the fall of the wall. So, you’ve got to bite the bullet and reconfigure the whole chapter because it’s been redesigned… when I made the initial review of all these countries, deciding what would be in the book, it’s pretty accurate. But you realize, oh, I should have done that city and then you go to that city and you like it and you have to add to the book.”
To him, Europe is the springboard for traveling abroad. He said he encourages Americans to venture “past Orlando.”
“There’s a general affluence (to Europe). When I started traveling, there were a lot of no star hotels. Now, they don’t have any no star hotels. Everything’s good. Everything has potential,” he said.
Rick Steves conducting guidebook research in Bern, Switzerland. Steves visited Charlotte to speak at a lecture for the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on Thursday, Feb. 15. Courtesy of Rick Steves’ Europe
“The second cities are great in Europe… Of course we want to go to Edinburgh but you’ve got to check out Glasgow. Of course you want to visit Lisbon but you should check out Porto. You want to go to Paris, but you have got to see Marseilles. All of the crowds are in those first cities, none of the crowds are in the second cities. So if you want to get out of the crowds, you can do it. But most people don’t prioritize (that).”
As an American, it is easy to be sucked into the concept that we’re treading on Europe as the “ugly American tourists” – armed with big sunglasses and hats, snapping pictures everywhere and funneling out of tour buses in front of the Roman Coliseum or Big Ben like cattle. But Steves says that perception is more restrained among Europeans than it might be portrayed in the media.
“I think the perceptions of the American government (in Europe) goes up and down.. sometimes they don’t like our policies. But when you travel, they don’t know what party you are. They don’t know what your politics are. You’re just a person from the United States and they’re happy to see you,” Steves said.
“I’m always impressed by how they cut us slack in our politics and you’re just seen as an interesting visitor from far away. If you’re curious and if you’re not judgmental, and if you’re there to learn and have a good time, Europeans would love to be your friend.”
For Steves embodies transformational travel when he makes his 100 day trek away from home, and while he understands that a traveler or pilgrim style trip is not what everyone would want, he encourages Americans to give it a try to better expand their understanding of who people really are across the world rather than what they’re designated to through sound bites or television news clips during major events.
Steves recalls a recent trip to Iran, where amidst the “Death to America” propaganda streamed down buildings, he found a people that weren’t too far from our own.
“You go to Iran and you realize they’re essentially just like us. They’ve got their frustrations with the government. Our government is more responsive, their government will lock you up or torture you if you do something wrong,” he said.
“I’d love for us to go and get to know the enemy, it’s tougher for them. They understand this better, it’s tougher for them to dehumanize us and for us to demonize them with our propaganda. It’s a constructive thing (to visit).”
At the end of the day, Steves wants you to leave every trip with some sense of perspective either on the place you just visited or yourself. As in the Mohammad quote before, Steves wants to know how many people you met and how many memories you made of human interaction rather than how many memorable sites you checked off your list or how many countries you got to.
“It’s never not constructive to travel and talk to people. I’m a coastal elite, privileged white guy that travels a lot and has all these highfalutin ideas. It’s important for me to get out and talk to people around the country and find out what people’s life stories are. My worldview is shaped by something and the person over there is shaped by something else,” he said.
“It’s good to know each other.”
Steves’ work can be found at ricksteves.com and on PBS where his television program airs. This is the third visit he has made to Charlotte to speak with the World Affairs Council, the last time being in 2013.
Rick Steves photographed for New York Times Magazine. Zachary Scott Courtesy of Rick Steves’ Europe
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The East Coast is renowned for its diverse culture, historic landmarks, bustling metropolises like New York City and Boston, and a stunning coastline dotted with charming seaside towns and pristine beaches. From the vibrant energy of city life to the tranquility of coastal retreats, the East Coast offers many experiences for residents and visitors alike. It’s no wonder so many people call the East Coast home.
If you’re contemplating a move to the East Coast while sticking to a budget, we’re here to help. Redfin has compiled 10 of the most affordable places to live along the East Coast so you can discover a city that aligns with both your budget and lifestyle goals. Read on to see which cities have made the list.
The first city on our list of most affordable places to live on the East Coast is Baltimore, MD. With a median home sale price of $200,000, this is a great area to call home. Baltimore has roughly 602,500 residents, so you’ll have a big city feel without the price tag. There are plenty of things to do in Baltimore, like exploring the downtown area where you’ll find museums, shops, and the iconic Lexington Market, taking in the views from Inner Harbor, and checking out the historic Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
Next up on our list is Pittsburgh, PA, with a median home sale price of $217,950. Philadelphia is home to about 302,900 residents and is known for its Gilded Age landmarks like the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Make sure to explore the Market Square, which dates back to 1764, the Fourth Avenue Historic District, and take in the scenic views from Point State Park.
“The City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia, PA, is the third city on our list of most affordable places to live on the East Coast. Philadelphia has a median home sale price of $234,700 and a population of 1.5 million, so you’ll definitely be living the city life. With its rich history, Philadelphia has plenty of landmarks to explore. Make sure to check out the food stalls at Reading Terminal Market, see the Liberty Bell, stop by Independence Hall, and catch a performance at “America’s Oldest Theatre,” Walnut Street Theatre.
Fourth place is Greensboro, NC, where the median home sales prices are about $271,500. Greensboro has about 285,300 residents, and you may want to move to this city for plenty of reasons. In Greensboro, you can check out museums like the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, the Blandwood Museum, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum. You can also enjoy the views at the Greensboro Arboretum, explore the eclectic shops and restaurants in historic Downtown Greensboro, or catch a live performance at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
Heading to Florida, the next city on our list is Jacksonville. This Atlantic Coast city has a median home sale price of $308,900 and a population of about 903,900. Jacksonville is known for its beautiful beaches, outdoor recreational activities, and vibrant arts and culture scene. Make sure to enjoy a beach day at Jacksonville Beach, explore the natural beauty of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, stroll along the scenic Riverwalk, or experience the vibrant dining and entertainment scene at the Jacksonville Landing.
With a median home sale price of $350,000, Richmond, VA, is the next most affordable place to live on the East Coast. This city has a population of 228,800 and is known for its historic landmarks, beautiful parks, and vibrant culinary scene. Richmond has plenty of things to do, whether you’re immersing yourself in history at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, enjoying outdoor recreation at Belle Isle or Maymont Park, exploring the charming Carytown district with its unique shops and eateries, or experiencing the vibrant arts and culture scene at the Richmond Folk Festival.
Seventh is Virginia Beach, VA, with a median home sale price of $358,000 and a population of about 450,100. The city is known for its beautiful beaches, outdoor recreational activities, and maritime history. Virginia Beach has many attractions like the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, lined with shops and restaurants, and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Another vibrant East Coast city to consider moving to is Charlotte, NC. The city has about 872,500 residents and a vibrant arts scene, beautiful parks, and diverse culinary offerings. There are many landmarks to check out in Charlotte, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Freedom Park, the U.S. National Whitewater Center, the Levine Museum of the New South, and the historic NoDa district.
Famous for its amusement parks – Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, Orlando, FL, has a median home sale price of $394,950. With about 285,700 residents, this central Florida city is a great area to call home if you’re looking for affordability and access to entertainment. For example, you can discover the marine life at SeaWorld Orlando, explore the dining and entertainment options along International Drive, or spend time outside at one of the many beautiful lakes.
The final city on our list of most affordable places to live on the East Coast is Raleigh, NC. The area has a median home sale price of $400,000 and about 469,300 residents. As the capital of North Carolina, there are lots of historic places, attractions, and landmarks to see. In Raleigh, be sure to discover the history at the North Carolina Museum of History, enjoy outdoor recreation at William B. Umstead State Park, explore the vibrant arts scene in the Warehouse District, or experience the local offerings at the Raleigh Farmers Market.
Methodology: Analyzed the 50 most populous metros on the East Coast and have a median home sale price at or below $400,000. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during February 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com February 2024. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
Travis Wilson, candidate for N.C. labor commissioner in the 2024 Republican primary.
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Candidates for North Carolina labor commissioner
The North Carolina labor commissioner primary has four Republican candidates vying for the nomination: Luke Farley, Jon Hardister, Chuck Stanley and Travis J. Wilson. Incumbent Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson, a Republican, is not seeking reelection. Democratic candidate Braxton Winston is unopposed, so he will appear on general election ballots with the Republican primary winner.
RALEIGH
To help inform voters, this candidate questionnaire is available without a subscription and may be republished by local publications across North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
What offices have you run for or held before? Have you had any other notable government or civic involvement? Previous candidate for Union County commissioner and current member of the Union County Historical Preservation Commission.
What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected?
I look forward to working with the commissioner of insurance and the Industrial Commission to protect those who wish to be classified as independent contractors.
What do you think is or is not working well under the current labor commissioner? If not, how would you change it?
Until recently the commissioner had been fairly conservative in the creation of new rules, but that changed when he moved to mandate* an Exposure Control Plan upon employers. Placing additional workplace education burdens on employees and giving outside entities increased influence on defining and combating airborne illnesses is a step backwards.
*Editor’s Note: There is a proposal before the Department of Labor for consideration that deals with airborne infectious diseases. It was submitted as a rulemaking petition by groups including Episcopal Farmworker Ministry; North Carolina State AFL-CIO; Union of Southern Service Workers; Western North Carolina Workers’ Center; the Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County/El Vinculo Hispano; and the North Carolina Conference of the NAACP.
What can be done to make sure the state is regularly inspecting workplaces for health and safety?
Schedules and time allotments need to be reviewed to ensure efficiency.
Should North Carolina increase penalties for health and safety violations by employers? Do you believe that would reduce workplace deaths and injuries?
No.
What should be done to address staff vacancies in your agency and in state government as a whole?
First determine if existing staff are being utilized efficiently and then engage in conversations with high school students who are choosing an education path to pursue after graduation.
North Carolina has the second lowest unionization rate in the country. Do you think that should change, and how?
Low rates of unionization do not concern me. What concerns me instead are efforts throughout the country, sometimes backed by unions, to redefine independent contractors as employees.
Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.
Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February.
Lezlie Sterling
lsterling@sacbee.com
Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means love is in the air — and hopefully that’s all you’re smelling.
Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February and runs through mid-April, according to Triangle Wildlife Removal. That means male skunks are preparing to chase female skunks, while leaving behind an unmistakable scent in the process.
While spotted skunks are mostly found in the western part of the state, striped skunks are present in nearly every county, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission says.
The striped skunk has the ability to “spray a yellowish, nauseating musk” from glands in its butt that can cause temporary blindness and leave behind a putrid smell, according to N.C. Wildlife.
Here’s what to know about when skunks spray, how to keep them away from your home and what to do if you get sprayed.
Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February. Lezlie Sterling lsterling@sacbee.com
When do skunks spray?
Skunks, which are mostly nocturnal animals, typically spray in situations when they feel threatened, such as when they see a person or animal approaching, N.C. Wildlife says.
The agency recommends leaving skunks alone if you come across them, and allowing them to leave the area on their own.
Are skunks beneficial to the ecosystem?
Yes, skunks have a job to do, which is another reason to leave them alone if you cross one.
“Skunks benefit the ecosystem, and people, by consuming a large number of pests including mice, voles, moles, beetles, worms and grubs,” says N.C. Wildlife.
How to keep skunks away from your home
Though skunks are mostly found in the woods, they can pop up in suburban areas if there are food sources or places to hide, N.C. Wildlife says.
Here are some tips on how you and your pets can avoid encounters with skunks, according to N.C. Wildlife:
Secure your trash in tight-fitting containers, and clean up any food residue on grills and near your house.
Feed your pets indoors.
Use bird feeders designed to keep bird seed off the ground.
Close off crawl spaces, and openings underneath porches, decks and sheds.
Check your yard at night for skunks before letting your pet go outside
Striped skunks can be hunted year-round, but you should check to see if local ordinances in your town restrict the discharge of firearms before hunting, N.C. Wildlife recommends.
What to do if you get sprayed by a skunk
According to N.C. Wildlife, if you or your pet are sprayed by a skunk, you can mix the following ingredients and spray the affected area to get rid of the smell:
You should not premix or store the mixture, since the solution could explode, N.C. Wildlife says.
Fact or fiction? Contrary to popular belief, tomato products do not get rid of skunk smell, according to Healthline.
“These products may help mask odor, but they do not oxidize or destroy the thiols or thioacetates that cause them,” Healthline says.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
North Carolina, a state renowned for its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich history, is also becoming a haven for cyclists. With an increasing number of cities prioritizing bike-friendly infrastructure, it’s an exciting time to explore the state on two wheels.
In this Redfin article, we delve into the top ten most bikeable cities in North Carolina, offering insights into their unique characteristics and appeal to cycling enthusiasts.
All data sourced January 2024.
1. Carrboro, NC
Bike Score: 58 Median Sale Price: $395,000 Median Rent Price: $1,580
With a bike score of 58, Carrboro, a suburb of Chapel Hill, is the most bikeable city in North Carolina. The region boasts several cyclist-friendly neighborhoods, like Colins Crossing and Colonial Heights. These areas contain bike lanes and plenty of attractions accessible by bike.
Bike Score: 51 Median Sale Price: $412,000 Median Rent Price: $1,520
A coastal hub, Wilmington has a bike score of 51, making it the second most bikeable city in the state. There are bikeable roads, neighborhoods, and trails throughout Wilmington, like the River to Sea Bikeway, helping make the city accessible without a car.
Bike Score: 50 Median Sale Price: $635,500 Median Rent Price: $2,050
Chapel Hill is the third most bikeable city in the state. Particularly bikeable areas in Chapel Hill include Downtown and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. These places are home to destinations like the Morehead Planetarium and the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
Bike Score: 49 Median Sale Price: $288,000 Median Rent Price: $1,180
Elizabeth City has plenty of amenities a cyclist needs to succeed, including bike paths, local parks, and wide residential streets. Particularly bikeable streets include Ehringhaus Street and Hughes Boulevard. So, whether you’re in the mood for commuting or a leisurely ride, you’re sure to find a route that works for you.
Bike Score: 43 Median Sale Price: $236,990 Median Rent Price: $1,350
As the fifth most bikeable city in the state, Greenville is known for its university and medical center. Cycle to the River Park North or get a bite to eat at Sup Dogs with friends after a group ride. And if you’re in the mood for an adventure, head to the Greenville Greenway.
Bike Score: 42 Median Sale Price: $300,000 Median Rent Price: $1,560
New Bern, with amenities like wide residential streets and brunch shops, is the sixth most bikeable city in North Carolina. Consider taking a ride with friends to enjoy the views at Union Point Park or the New Bern Historical Society Civil War Battlefield Park. If you’re a commuter, take advantage of the wide roads like Neuse Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.
Bike Score: 41 Median Sale Price: $195,000 Median Rent Price: $1,100
With a Bike Score of 41, Havelock is the seventh most bikeable city in North Carolina. Havelock has plenty of amenities a cyclist might need, from wide open roads like East Main Street, to gorgeous destinations like the Croatan National Forest. Consider riding with friends, commuting to work, or starting a weekly cycling group.
Bike Score: 41 Median Sale Price: $532,500 Median Rent Price: $1,955
Known for its tech industry and proximity to the Research Triangle Park, Morrisville is the eighth most bikeable city in North Carolina. With mild hills, bike lanes, and plenty of amenities cyclists love, there’s something for every rider. If you’re in the mood for an adventure, consider cycling to Lake Crabtree County Park or the Indian Creek Greenway.
Bike Score: 40 Median Sale Price: $203,000 Median Rent Price: $1,180
Jacksonville has a bike score of 40, making it the ninth most bikeable city in the state. There are a number of parks in Jacksonville, like Northeast Creek Park and Wilson Bay Park, that are great cycling destinations. You can also stop at Biagio’s for a mid-ride snack.
Bike Score: 39 Median Sale Price: $400,000 Median Rent Price: $1,685
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is the tenth most bikeable city in the state. The area has many great spots for cyclists, like the Neuse River Trail, the Capital Area Greenway, and the Morning Times cafe. Consider planning a route and commuting to work or school if you’re able.
Methodology: Walk Score, a Redfin company, helps people find walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly places to live, rating areas on a scale from 0-100. To calculate a Bike Score for a city, Walk Score measures a location’s bikeability using four equally weighted components: Bike lanes; hills; destinations and road connectivity; and bike commuting and mode share. Points are awarded based on importance and are weighted based on total amounts. Bike Score does not take into account access to restaurants, grocery stores, parks, or other amenities. Bike Score uses data from OpenStreetMap, USGS, and the Census Bureau.
Ally Financial, a banking company with a large workforce in Charlotte, announced Monday it’s planning to cut about 5% of its employees.
The Detroit-based business operates its Ally corporate center in Charlotte at 601 S. Tryon St. — inside a 26-story office building between uptown and South End in Charlotte. Ally has 11,700 employees, including 2,700 in Charlotte.
The cuts were first reported by national outlets Monday.
It’s unclear how many positions will be cut in Charlotte. Peter Gilchrist, a spokesman for Ally, said impacts were not limited to any specific department or location.
Courtesy of Crescent Communities
“Despite a challenging macroenvironment, we remain relentlessly focused on serving our customers and all stakeholders by making the tough, yet necessary, decisions to guide our business into the future,” Gilchrist stated. “After taking steps over the past year to pause hiring and manage staffing expenses through natural attrition, we have made the difficult choice to selectively reduce our workforce.”
Gilchrist said Ally is committed to supporting affected employees and will be offering a severance package and career support. The company will continue to hire employees in critical areas of the business, he said. Employees impacted will be able to apply for openings.
“We remain confident in our long-term strategy, with a strong balance sheet and nimble, scalable businesses that are poised for future growth,” Gilchrist added.
Ally provides a variety of services such as banking, investing, home loans and auto finance. Ally has been in the Charlotte market since 2009.
Banking cuts continue
Ally’s cuts add to multiple banks with a Charlotte presence that are doing the same because of economic conditions.
In September, San Francisco-based Wells Fargo said additional layoffs and a decrease in office space are expected for the company. The State reported Monday that Wells Fargo will lay off up to 525 employees in Columbia and close an office space by June 30, 2024.
Wells Fargo’s largest employment hub is in Charlotte with 27,000 workers in the city.
Truist is also planning $750 million in layoffs and other cuts to reduce expenses.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Chase Jordan is a business reporter for The Charlotte Observer, and has nearly a decade of experience covering news in North Carolina. Prior to joining the Observer, he was a growth and development reporter for the Wilmington StarNews. The Kansas City native is a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University.
Another uptown Charlotte tower could soon see a sign emblazoned atop the skyscraper.
Wells Fargo is asking the city for a zoning change so it can hoist signage on top of the tower at 550 S. Tryon St., the former Duke Energy building, a rezoning petition filed with the city of Charlotte shows.
The skyscraper — with its iconic handlebar roof and LED light show — is among the tallest and most recognizable towers in Charlotte. The bank-owned building sits adjacent to the Levine Center for the Arts and its “The Firebird” statue.
Wells Fargo’s plan calls for one sign on each side of the existing office high-rise, according to the petition filed Sept. 22. Illustrations show each sign would be 1,880 square feet across the handlebar. The petition does not include wording for the signs.
The signage and enhanced lighting on the building are part of a commitment and effort to make significant investments in Charlotte, Wells Fargo spokesman Josh Dunn told the Charlotte Observer on Wednesday.
“The architecture and design … provides a consistent branding placement opportunity with clear views of the building and Wells Fargo signage,” he said. “We are proud to elevate the Wells Fargo brand and build awareness for our company through building signage, joining numerous other major companies with a presence in Uptown Charlotte.”
Earlier during the year, he said the company earmarked $500 million over the next five years to upgrad workspaces and properties to createa better employee experience across the Charlotte region.
Wells Fargo illustration
Requests are reviewed by the city’s Planning Department, followed by a public hearing and a recommendation from the Planning Commission’s Zoning Committee.
The Charlotte City Council ultimately hears and decides the fate of all requests for rezoning within the city.
Changing Charlotte skyline
Wells Fargo’s plan was first reported by The Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC-TV.
In recent years, Charlotte’s skyline has been changing with more names going on buildings, including Ally, Barings and Regions.
But some of the changes have been met with backlash.
Charlotte-based Truist Financial Corp. said Thursday that it’s agreed to sell a chunk of its insurance business, for a hefty price tag. DAVID T. FOSTER III
On alternating sides of the tower, over 47 stories high are two 558-square-foot logos, opposite two 980-square-foot nameplates.
About Wells Fargo tower
Wells Fargo submitted this image in its rezoning request to place atop the tower at 550 S. Tyron St., a building formerly occupied by Duke Energy, and now filled with the bank’s employees. Wells Fargo
The 48-story, nearly 1.3 million-square-foot tower was developed by Childress Klein, based in Charlotte. The building architect was TVS Design and contractor Batson-Cook Construction, both based in Atlanta.
The building, completed in 2010, includes a 350-seat auditorium, 40,000-square-foot of retail and eight levels of underground parking with 2,100 spaces, according to TVS Design.
Dunn said the upgraded LED lighting on the sides and top of the building will elevate the Wells Fargo Lights program and “provides a unique opportunity to celebrate, support, and promote events, causes, programs and nonprofit organizations that directly connect with the community in Charlotte.”
Wells Fargo moves
In January, Wells Fargo began consolidating its East Coast hub offices in Charlotte.
The bank moved employees out of One and Two Wells Fargo Center buildings into Three Wells Fargo Center and South Tryon Street. The South Tryon Street tower is Wells Fargo’s Charlotte headquarters.
Wells Fargo’s has submitted a rezoning petition for two skyline signs on each side of the 550 S. Tryon St. tower in Charlotte.
Wells Fargo recently renovated 21 floors at 550 S. Tryon and 14 floors at Three Wells Fargo Center at 401 S. Tryon St.
The San Francisco-based bank has its largest employment hub in Charlotte, with about 27,000 workers.
This story was originally published September 27, 2023, 3:44 PM.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Catherine Muccigrosso is the retail business reporter for The Charlotte Observer. An award-winning journalist, she has worked for multiple newspapers and McClatchy for more than a decade.
Wells Fargo has agreed to pay a $35 million civil penalty to settle charges of overcharging more than 10,900 customers for advisory fees.
Financial advisers from Wells Fargo and its earlier firms made handwritten or typed changes on clients’ advisory agreements to show reduced fees when their investment accounts were opened, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a recent news release. But employees failed to honor the agreements by not setting them up in the billing system after negotiations, according to the SEC.
Certain customers who opened accounts before 2014 though the end of December 2022 were overcharged for advisory fees, which totaled more $27 million, the SEC stated.
Wells Fargo is based in San Francisco but has its largest employment base in Charlotte, with about 27,000 workers here. The penalty is the latest in a series of fines, penalties and settlements that the beleaguered bank has faced in recent years.
“For years, Wells Fargo and its predecessor firms negotiated reduced advisory fees with thousands of clients, but failed to honor them, overcharging those clients millions of dollars as a result,” Gurbir Grewal, director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, stated in the news release. “Today’s enforcement action underscores the need for firms growing their businesses through acquisition to ensure that their growth does not come at the expense of client protection.”
SEC Investigators also said Wells Fargo failed to have written compliance policies and procedures to determine if billing systems had accurate data to prevent overbilling.
Wells Fargo paid $40 million, including interest, to compensate account holders overcharged by advisers.
According to the news release, the bank also agreed to pay a $35 million penalty and didn’t admit or deny the SEC charges, but consented to findings about the firm violating sections of an investment advisers act, and agreed to a cease-and-desist order and censure.
Wells Fargo will pay a $35 million penalty to settle SEC charges that it charged excessive advisory fees. File photo
Other Wells Fargo penalties
The SEC announcement is one of several financial scandals involving Wells Fargo,
The bank has faced a series of regulatory sanctions since its 2016 fake accounts scandal, when it was discovered hundreds of thousands of Wells Fargo workers opened millions of accounts for customers without their permission in order to meet sales goals for over a decade.
And following an investigation, a $145 million settlement was reached last September after the U.S. Labor Department looked into concerns about Wells Fargo’s contributions to its 401 (k) plan.
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