Is one of North Carolina’s most powerful business leaders racist? 

A new report questions Charlotte-based banking giant Wells Fargo. They say that, from 2000 to 2024, the company was far less likely to lend money for mortgages to Black and Latino customers. 

“It is highly suggestive to me that their businesses really focus on upper-income white borrowers and neighborhoods,” one of the report’s authors said. 

Mortgage lending patterns are huge. The US has a documented history of discriminating against prospective homeowners who are Black or brown, sometimes explicitly. Google “redlining.” It can be eye-opening. 

We’ve been told that that such practices are a thing of the past. But this suggests otherwise. 

Construction worker Ramiro Martinez helps guide a roof truss into place atop a new house under clear skies along Edwards Avenue in Asheville on July 2, 2025. (USA Today via Reuters)

Hope you’ve had a chance to check out C&P’s shiny new website. Forgive us any bugs as we work out the kinks. 

C&P reader Dorothy Labe caught the sunset beautifully in this shot from Wake Forest. 

Have a view that can top this? Send it our way.

This is your chance to ask questions of two of North Carolina’s biggest 2026 candidates. Register for free here.

(airdone/Shutterstock)

When the federal agents showed up, Charlotte’s Lili Jaramillo was at the bus stop. 

She helped shepherd kids to and from the bus stop because, for some parents, it was too dangerous to go outside. 

Border Patrol and ICE agents were scooping up folks who looked or sounded like immigrants. 

People like Jaramillo, who works at a local nonprofit, were helping to bridge those gaps as best they could. But local stations reported as many as 30,000 kids absent from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. 

It’s not just about the loss of classroom time. For some kids, school is an essential meal-provider too. 

C&P’s Jessica F. Simmons digs into how a flurry federal activity is impacting hunger in NC communities. It might be worse than you think.

1. North Carolina could legalize medical marijuana now that it’s been federally rescheduled, Senate leader says. Marijuana Moment

“North Carolina lawmakers will take a more serious look at legalizing medical marijuana in the state following the Trump administration’s move to reschedule cannabis at the federal level, the state’s top senator says.”

2. NC House Democrats blast cross-county eminent domain provision in controversial bill. NC Newsline

“Senate Bill 214 contains a provision that allows Franklin County to seize property in Halifax, Vance or Warren counties.”

3. A growing number of North Carolina communities are passing data center moratoriums. Axios

“Last week, Orange County passed a one-year moratorium on data centers, and, earlier this month, Apex passed one as well after a developer attempted to build a data center there.”

Michael Jordan playing for the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. (mccarmona23/CC BY 2.0)

I don’t really need to tell you that Michael Jordan is from North Carolina, and even when he was playing or working elsewhere, the GOAT kept a residence here. 

Recently, Jordan demolished his old home and began work on a new one in this North Carolina community. 

He’s not the only NC celebrity with a home here. Here’s who else has called the Tar Heel state home. 

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m an NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Today’s edition includes stories from Jessica F. Simmons, NC Newsline, and Sam Cohen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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