The Outlook: What to watch out for in The Charlotte Observer this week

Here’s a look at some of the stories you’ll find in The Charlotte Observer and CharlotteObserver.com this coming week:

N.C. role in Jan. 6 violence grows

Brad Bennett will mark the first anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by linking into a remote court hearing over his own role in the attack.

The former Mecklenburg County resident, wellness coach and survivalist trainer is charged with six crimes — one of them a felony that could send him to prison — in connection with the violent attempt by thousands of Donald Trump supporters to stop the certification of the former president’s 2020 election defeat.

Five deaths are linked to the violence, the Observer’s Michael Gordon reports. Some 140 police officers were injured. The Capitol ransacking, which was ignited by groundless claims of voter fraud, left more than $1.5 million in damage.

Yet, nearly a year after the attack — and nine months after he turned himself in to the FBI in Charlotte — Bennett’s case and hundreds like it remain in legal gridlock.

The FBI continues to make arrests — more than 725 have been charged up to now, including 14 North Carolinians. Slightly more than 50 defendants have been sentenced, CNN reported this month.

Charlotte donors favor GOP in Senate race

A higher number of Mecklenburg County residents so far have made political donations to Republicans running for U.S. Senate than the likely Democratic nominee in 2022, a review of the latest campaign finance reports show.

From Charlotte, nearly five times as many donations have gone to former Gov. Pat McCrory’s campaign than to Cheri Beasley’s, the Democrat and former Supreme Court chief justice.

Notably, while Beasley has not pulled in as many donations from the Charlotte area — North Carolina’s bluest region — the former state Supreme Court justice has collected almost three quarters of her donations from out of state. Those out-of-state political gifts, to date, have helped make her the best-financed candidate in the race.

On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker has the highest number of out-of-state contributions, political writer Will Wright reports.

A review of fundraising receipts from North Carolina’s U.S. Senate candidates shows that McCrory has leaned strongly on Mecklenburg County, where he served as Charlotte’s mayor. Beasley has pulled most of her in-state money from the Triangle.

U.S. Rep. Ted Budd has leaned less heavily on any particular area. About 12% of his in-state contributions came from Forsyth, his home county. Slightly less than half of his donors live in North Carolina.

2022 food trends: Purposeful, less indulgent

If nostalgia, at-home cooking and comfort were king in 2021, then flexibility, moderation and creativity are their 2022 food trend counterparts, CharlotteFive reports.

After seeking solace in childhood favorites, learning to be the masters of our own kitchen and frequent trips to the liquor store, society is taking a step back to examine its choices and healthy living in many forms is emerging as the top priority.

From portion control and reducetarianism (the full story will explain that) to alcohol-free beverages and globally-inspired flavors, 2022 is shaping up to be a year where less is more. And, if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is how to pivot.

Continued supply chain and labor shortages are making sure that message gets through loud and clear as restaurants are forced to adapt their menus and patrons are pushed to adapt their expectations.

Looking ahead

▪ Mecklenburg County real estate and personal property tax payments must be paid or postmarked by Wednesday to avoid interest charges. Tax payments can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Property owners whose payments are received or postmarked after Jan. 5 will be charged 2% interest for the month of January, and an additional three-quarters of 1% every month until paid.

▪ The deadline to complete Mecklenburg County’s Resident Budget Priority Survey for Fiscal Year 2023 has been extended. The survey will remain open until Sunday, Jan. 9. The Resident Budget Priority Survey allows residents to share their budget priorities with county leaders by ranking eight categories funded by the county in the order they feel is most important. Residents can also provide feedback on categories they feel are overfunded or underfunded.

▪ The Carolina Panthers end their season Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers clinched the NFC South title with a 32-6 win over the Panthers on Dec. 26. The final game kicks off at 1 p.m. The Charlotte Hornets, meanwhile, will play two home games this week, on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons and Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks.