Rebuilding Western NC to Chiefs in Charlotte: See the Observer’s best photos for November

The emotional 2024 presidential election is officially in the books. There were long lines at the polls and especially during early voting. The people have spoken — Donald Trump was chosen as president over Vice President Kamala Harris.

Here in Charlotte, the race between Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham and Democrat Nicole Sidman for House District 105 was too close to call. A recount sent Cotham back to Raleigh.

The Carolina Panthers improved their record to 3-9.

Chancellor Lee Adams, the son of former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth, celebrates his 25th birthday. His mother, Cherica Adams was shot four times in 1999. She died 28 days after the shooting.

Many local high school football teams are pushing toward the playoffs. Friday night lights continue.

Our reporters and visual journalists continue to document the recovery in Western NC as winter sets in. Volunteers with Cabins 4 Christ had built nearly 100 homes for people in Western NC who were displaced by Hurricane Helene.

A hidden gem exists at the Waterworks Visual Arts Center gallery in Salisbury, NC where a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ exhibit with Picasso and Monet is on display. Normally, these paintings are only seen at museums in New York City, Washington D.C., Paris, or Spain.

Every day visual journalists bear witness to the people in our communities and their stories. Some images are pleasant, while others are painful and heart-wrenching to produce.

Our mission is to document truthfully, fairly and with compassion.

This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 6:00 AM.