Today is Friday, November 6, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
Today's Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by Robinson Bradshaw. Robinson Bradshaw is an esteemed Carolinas-based corporate law firm committed to providing clients with comprehensive legal services of the highest quality.
Good morning! It’s Tony. One thing that sometimes bugs me about the media is the lack of follow-up. Something will happen. Then, later, you wonder, “What ever became of that?” Well, today’s Ledger follows up – on the federal ban on hemp, which is causing some N.C. businesses to power down ahead of a deadline next month; on Tuesday’s election, with a data-informed look at the Democratic surge in Mecklenburg; and on the pay of CMS’ acting superintendent, who has been on the job about six weeks. Plus, Duke Energy discusses data centers, a closer look at the EpiCentre’s new ownership and more!
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While some business owners are hoping for a last-minute change to the law, the industry is already responding to uncertainty by pulling back
THC seltzers have been available at some local bottle shops and chain stores, such as these at Total Wine & More in south Charlotte, but they could become illegal later this year. (Photo: Tony Mecia/The Charlotte Ledger)
by Daniel Larlham Jr.
The federal redefinition of hemp slated to go into place later this year would effectively bring an industry that employs thousands of people in the Tar Heel State to its knees.
While some business owners anxiously hope for an 11th-hour change to the law, at least one expert in the industry says that the damage has already been done.
Duke Energy: Big power needs from data centers will begin hitting the grid next year
In its third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, leaders at Charlotte-based Duke Energy say 5.2 gigawatts of power for data centers that are under construction now will begin using energy in the second half of 2027 and 2028.
How much is 5.2 gigawatts, exactly? It could power about 4.2 million homes for one year and is more than four times what was required to operate the DeLorean time machine in “Back to the Future.”
Mecklenburg’s Democratic landslide: What voting data reveals about turnout, ticket-splitting and suburban shifts
Political scientists will be studying Tuesday’s election for years, after Democrats won resounding victories around the country.
In Mecklenburg, we can glean some clues from the voting details released this week.
The county has been solidly Democratic for years, but it became so to an unusual degree on Tuesday: Democrat Roy Cooper won Mecklenburg with 76% of the vote — a far better showing than Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, who received 65%.
You can see the shift by precinct here:
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More on the election: How LaKesha Womack beat Tim Moore, what happens next for courts and legislature
The latest on Tuesday’s election from our partners at The Election Hub:
CMS provides details on acting superintendent Melissa Balknight’s pay
REAL ESTATE WHISPERS
Real Estate Whispers is our weekly look at commercial real estate development, debates and debacles — with plenty of scoops and information you won’t find anywhere else.
🏚️ The latest on the joint venture that bought the former EpiCentre — and Ashley Fahey’s take on what’s needed to turn the property around
🧾 The top 10 commercial building permits in October. Data centers are on the list.
🏸 Padel club to join lineup at Brookhill Village
🏗️ What’s proposed in the Unified Development Ordinance text amendment
🍕 Deets on new Mellow Mushroom at CLT
And a wrap-up of land deals and real estate news from us and other sources
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10: “Coffee with the Chamber,” 8:30-9:30 a.m., at Ruby Sunshine, 12330 Johnston Road. Join the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce for an invigorating morning event that brings together coffee lovers and business professionals from across the Charlotte area. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned executive or just a morning person, this event is the perfect opportunity to brew new connections and spark innovative conversations. Registration required. Free for members. $5 for non-members.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11: “DISCover Ultimate Frisbee Veterans Day Camp,” 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews, 2425 Sports Pkwy. This event will introduce kids to the sport of ultimate frisbee in a simple, fun and interactive way. A Family Skills Challenge will follow, and participants are encouraged to stay after to watch Charlotte Ultimate club players in a showcase game. This event is “Pay What You Can.” Free and low-cost options are available and range from $0-$30.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12: “Verse & Vino,” 6-9:30 p.m., at Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation presents Verse & Vino, the region’s premier literary event presented by PNC Bank. Verse & Vino welcomes acclaimed NYT bestselling authors Isaac Fitzgerald, Lucy Foley, R.F. Kuang and Walter Mosley. Attendees will enjoy exclusive opportunities to meet each author, an elegant, seated dinner and unlimited wine. $250.
NOVEMBER 15: “‘The War of the Worlds’ - Movie and Talkback,” 1-3 p.m., at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. A friend of Mr. and Mrs. George Pal and a longtime torchbearer for Pal’s legacy, event host producer-director Arnold Leibovit will introduce the films, sharing personal memories and behind-the-scenes stories about the man and his extraordinary worlds of wonder. The feature will be preceded by two Academy Award-winning “Puppetoons” cartoons. $9.75/ticket.
In brief
New plan for Discovery Place nature museum: Mecklenburg County officials have proposed a resolution to the dispute over Discovery Place’s defaulted $14.7M loan for the Charlotte Museum of Nature, with private donors agreeing to repay roughly $13.5M over five years. The proposed deal, which county commissioners are expected to vote on Nov. 17, would also clear the way for the new $65M nature museum in Freedom Park to open. (Charlotte Business Journal, subscriber-only)
Atrium boosts pay and benefits: Advocate Health, the parent company of Charlotte-based Atrium Health, says it will invest an additional $1.24B in employee pay and benefits in 2027, including raising its minimum starting wage to $20 an hour, offering four weeks of paid parental leave and absorbing most of the projected increase in employee health insurance costs.
N.C. Democrats outline priorities: North Carolina Democrats, who won control of the state House on Tuesday, say they plan to focus on making life more affordable by addressing housing, electricity and healthcare costs while increasing funding for public schools and education. (WRAL)
Club West gets new owner, sells production facility: Club West Brewing, formerly Sycamore Brewing, has sold its production facility near Camp North End for $6.65M, and it has a new owner: Kevin Hadell, an out-of-state entrepreneur. The changes follow struggles with the brewery’s distribution business and layoffs of production workers in the wake of the arrest of the brewery’s co-founder on sex crime charges last year. (Axios Charlotte, Charlotte Observer)
South Charlotte TJ Maxx relocates: The discount retailer is relocating from 4726 South Blvd. to a 25,570 sq. ft. space at Seneca Square, 5107 South Blvd., with a grand opening set for Nov. 19, according to a press release. The new store will open at 8 a.m. that day and feature clothing, accessories, beauty products and home goods.
N.C. State hazing investigation: Newly released search warrants in a hazing investigation at N.C. State University detail allegations that Sigma Nu fraternity pledges were beaten, burned and “forced to eat each other [sic] vomit,” as well as consume cigarettes, chewing tobacco and expired milk, with several students reportedly hospitalized. (WNCN)
An alligator walks into a bagel shop: A 3-foot-long alligator wandered through an open back door into a bagel shop in Southport, N.C., startling the owner and prompting a 911 call before police and animal control officers safely captured and relocated the reptile. (WSOC)
