Thom Tillis vs. Blanche, teen takeovers: What Charlotte was talking about July 13-19
Charlotte Observer readers had plenty to say last week. From a high-stakes confirmation hearing in Washington to teen gatherings in Uptown, here are the five stories that drew the most comments on charlotteobserver.com from July 13-19 — and what your neighbors are saying about them.
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North Carolina’s senior senator was back in the spotlight as Todd Blanche, President Trump’s pick for attorney general, faced the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Readers weighed in on whether Sen. Thom Tillis lived up to his stated principles during the roughly five-hour hearing.
Deputy Opinion Editor Paige Masten wrote that Tillis had previously said he would not support a nominee who lacks independence from the White House or excuses the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. But during the hearing, Tillis spent much of his time criticizing Democratic colleagues rather than pressing Blanche on those concerns. Blanche refused to criticize Trump’s pardon of Jan. 6 rioters, called it “generous,” and made a Freudian slip about being Trump’s lawyer before correcting to past tense. He also refused to commit to meeting with Epstein survivors, although he later did.
After the hearing, Tillis said he still has concerns about the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund but is leaning toward supporting Blanche.
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Data center expansion continues to fire up readers across the region. Activists gathered outside the Charlotte Government Center on July 1 to demand that North Carolina ban new data centers, eliminate tax incentives and prevent electricity bill increases for residents.
The news conference followed a 150-day moratorium Charlotte passed on new data center approvals. State leaders such as N.C. House Speaker Destin Hall say balancing industry growth with protecting residents is a priority, though Hall did not take a position on a total ban.
Duke Energy disputes claims that data centers drive up residential rates. The company cited an analysis filed with the North Carolina Utilities Commission showing that 16 planned data centers would save customers $3.6 billion over 15 years.
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Before Wednesday’s hearing, readers were already talking about a column from Masten that discussed whether Tillis would hold the line. Epstein survivors took out a billboard near Charlotte urging a “no” vote on Blanche, and organizers flooded his inbox and phone lines asking him to “block Blanche.”
Blanche has praised the mass pardoning of Jan. 6 defendants, sought to vacate convictions of key Jan. 6 conspirators and fired federal prosecutors who worked on those cases. Tillis initially said that put Blanche “in dangerous waters” but has since said he hasn’t seen “anything disqualifying.”
Tillis flip-flopped last year on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s confirmation despite initial reservations — a decision he later said he regretted. Now, having announced he won’t seek reelection, some believe he has the chance to be consistent with his previous statements.
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The U.S. Senate race is heating up, and readers had plenty to say about Michael Whatley’s op-ed defending the Working Families Tax Cuts one year after Trump signed the legislation.
Whatley, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, wrote that North Carolina families saw $5,700 more in their pockets this past April than they did in 2025. He said nearly 1.9 million seniors across the state benefit from no tax on Social Security, with single filers seeing a nearly $24,000 decrease in their taxes and married couples seeing a nearly $47,000 decrease this year.
Whatley also highlighted exemptions on overtime and tips, energy provisions and border security measures. He criticized his opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper, for vetoing six tax cuts as governor and saying he would have voted against the Working Families Tax Cuts.
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Closer to home, teen takeovers in Uptown Charlotte drew significant reader attention. Charlotte City Council returned early from its July recess Tuesday for a special safety committee meeting to consider policy changes.
The city said Uptown, specifically near Romare Bearden Park, has seen significant weekend juvenile criminal activity, including shootings and curfew violations. One June incident involved hundreds of teens gathering after dark at Romare Bearden Park. Police arrested 23 teenagers and one adult and issued citations to 13 parents.
Experts have told the Observer that part of the problem is a lack of “third spaces” for young people to socialize outside of work, school or home. Mecklenburg County announced Teen Summer Jams, a Friday night series in July at the Eastway Regional Recreation Center featuring music and basketball.
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This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.
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