Thank you, Observer readers, for letting us serve you with essential local journalism in 2024
A glance back at 2024 reveals a year of change and achievement at The Charlotte Observer, and in the communities we’ve served.
The journalism we produced was ambitious and important. The work has often been uplifting, and at times has tested our resolve as journalists at the center of crisis and disaster.
A five-part series, along with a powerful documentary, surfaced the agony of Charlotte’s deadliest plane crash and highlighted the resilience of its few survivors.
The senseless deadly shooting of four law enforcement officers left a deep scar on the city’s soul, but did not break us.
There was — and remains — the calamity of Helene on western North Carolina.
An Observer investigation uncovered that a construction worker dies once every 10 days in North Carolina – and most of the deaths are preventable. Another deeply reported project exposed the scourge of medical debt and its crippling effect on families. Yet a third series of articles led to the closure by the city of Charlotte of a decrepit hotel once presented by a nonprofit as a refuge for the unhoused.
There are countless more unforgettable stories like these, stories that awakened our emotions and made us consider our own roles as citizens.
Whether it was a ground-shifting election or a compelling piece that pulled back the curtains to introduce us to the faith and heritage that has shaped the life of the first-year Carolina Panthers head coach in a profound way, the Observer has taken tremendous pride in our responsibility to our readers.
You are at the center of our story choices and decisions. It’s why we brought our journalism to you with nine community engagement events this year. We wanted to hear your perspectives and ideas on things large and small and share our work with you.
When we introduced Edition, our digital platform that gives readers unique access to our content in a forward-looking, easy-to-use format, we invited you to our workspace to learn more about the product, our initiatives and our goals.
In 2024, the Observer added nine journalists to its staff and further diversified its newsroom. We’ve launched multiple new newsletters and now have more than a dozen produced by the Observer staff; bolstered our social media presence; and invited you to “Coffee With a Reporter” gatherings to meet and greet our staff. Readers also now have access to all of McClatchy’s websites, including the News & Observer in Raleigh, The Herald in Rock Hill, S.C., and The State in Columbia, S.C.
As talented, resourceful and driven as our journalists are, it is also because of your continued support that we can boast of the Observer’s immense value. We balance breaking news, watchdog journalism and storytelling with ethical, fair and balanced reporting. It is our goal that everyone in Charlotte feels seen and represented.
We are committed to asking tough questions and letting you know when those questions go unanswered or requests for public records are ignored or interminably delayed. Covering everything from a Pablo Picasso exhibit to the Parents Bill of Rights; from an inequity in the criminal justice system to the best high school football players and coaches we’ve ever seen is hard work that we embrace and actually get a kick out of.
It is an honor and privilege to do award-winning journalism that matters to our neighbors and friends. We don’t take it for granted. Thank you for the opportunity to serve, connect and join you in ensuring a better Charlotte.
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
