Does NC law allow Rep. Tricia Cotham to be recalled? + How Panthers execs collaborated on offseason moves

Andrew Nantais
·2 min read

Hey, everyone! Drew here. It’s Friday Jr.!

Do you know where to find the best pizza in all of Charlotte? If so, CharlotteFive needs your help.

Head on over to their latest Readers’ Choice poll to help decide the ultimate pie in the Queen City.

Second round of voting just opened today. Get on over and vote!

1. Could Rep. Tricia Cotham be recalled? What can and can’t happen under NC law

N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, left, and House Speaker Tim Moore, center, look on as N.C. State Rep. Tricia Cotham speaks during a press conference at the N.C. GOP headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The press conference was to announce Rep. Cotham is switching parties to become a member of the House Republican caucus.
N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, left, and House Speaker Tim Moore, center, look on as N.C. State Rep. Tricia Cotham speaks during a press conference at the N.C. GOP headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The press conference was to announce Rep. Cotham is switching parties to become a member of the House Republican caucus.

In case you missed it: Democratic State Rep. Tricia Cotham announced yesterday she’s switching parties and joining the House Republican caucus.

The move has triggered calls for her to resign or be removed from office since she recently ran and was elected as a Democrat in November.

However, options are limited under North Carolina law.

Mary Ramsey explains.

2. Charlotte grocers in billion-dollar battle for shoppers. Here’s where we spent the most

Penelope Colgrove, 3, left, and her twin sister, Mia, push little shopping carts at the Lidl on South Tryon Street in Charlotte.
Penelope Colgrove, 3, left, and her twin sister, Mia, push little shopping carts at the Lidl on South Tryon Street in Charlotte.

When it comes to the grocery wars here in Charlotte, one retail giant stands above them all: Walmart.

For the fourth year in a row, Walmart captured the most sales revenue compared to any other local grocer, according to a new report by Chain Store Guide.

The hyper-competitive Charlotte grocery store market saw sales hit nearly $9.5 billion last year, a 10% increase from 2021 totals.

Catherine Muccigrosso breaks down the numbers.

3. ‘A tremendous need.’ How one Charlotte group plans to bridge the digital divide

Nisa Allen, left, smiles as she receives a new Lenovo Think Pad laptop provided by E2D, the Center for Digital Equity, LISC, and Barings during a kick-off event at Evoke Living at Westerly Hills on Thursday, October 27, 2022.
Nisa Allen, left, smiles as she receives a new Lenovo Think Pad laptop provided by E2D, the Center for Digital Equity, LISC, and Barings during a kick-off event at Evoke Living at Westerly Hills on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

One Charlotte native is working to help those in her community who lack digital and computer resources.

Tiffany White, who lives near Beatties Ford Road, is a digital navigator with The Center for Digital Equity, a local hub operating from Queens University of Charlotte, working to bring critically needed technology, computers and digital literacy to residents in Mecklenburg County.

“I’ve been in that community. I went to school there. Just to see everything shifting…it just breaks my heart,” White says.

Chyna Blackmon shares more on the efforts to create digital equity.

4. ‘We weren’t going to settle’: How Panthers executives collaborated on offseason moves

Carolina Panthers assistant general manager Dan Morgan, left, speaks with team owner David Tepper, right, during a 2022 game. At right is general manager Scott Fitterer.
Carolina Panthers assistant general manager Dan Morgan, left, speaks with team owner David Tepper, right, during a 2022 game. At right is general manager Scott Fitterer.

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer hasn’t been able to relax since mid-January.

Following an exhaustive coaching search, a blockbuster trade for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and a measured by aggressive spending spree in free agency, it’s been a busy offseason for Fitterer and Carolina.

Mike Kaye caught up with Fitterer at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix to find out how he was able to pull it all off.

5. Some more stories to read

---

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading! If you don’t already, subscribe to the Charlotte Observer here. If you’re already a subscriber (thanks!), download our iOS or Android app to stay connected.

Find more updates at charlotteobserver.com, and follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok to see more from us. Enjoy your day!

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can sign up here.

Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.

Recommended Stories