Charlotte News Hijacked by Hedge Funds: No, We Don’t Care About NH Cats 🐾

Breaking news: Two senior cats in New Hampshire returned to their original shelter after their owner died. Touching? Sure. Relevant to Charlotte? It's about as relevant as teaching a Northerner to make BBQ. Yet, this week, The Charlotte Observer decided to serve this purr-worthy gem—a story with zero connection to Charlotte. 🐾

Let’s not mince words: This isn’t journalism; it’s the byproduct of a dying newspaper, hollowed out by private equity. Once a cornerstone of the Queen City, The Observer has been reduced to publishing syndicated fluff to fill the gaps left by newsroom layoffs. The culprit? Chatham Asset Management, the private equity overlord that bought the Observer in 2016, has since been squeezing every last penny out of it.

Private Equity: The Real Villain

When Chatham swooped in, they promised stability—keep the staff, retain leadership, preserve quality. Instead, we got a gutted newsroom, outsourced content, and clickbait masquerading as news. Why? Because private equity firms don’t care about communities. They care about profits. 💸

Here’s the playbook: slash jobs, reduce local coverage, and syndicate as much content as possible to cut costs. Chatham didn’t buy the Observer to serve Charlotteans; they purchased it to wring out every last revenue drop before the operation collapses. And now we’re left with stories about New Hampshire cats instead of coverage of the issues that matter to this city.

Charlotte Stories, Not Syndicated Fluff

Charlotte is brimming with stories that deserve to be told. Why isn’t The Observer covering the small businesses revitalizing East Charlotte? Or the challenges facing affordable housing in our booming South End? Instead, they’ve abandoned their responsibility to tell our city’s stories in favor of wire content that could run in any paper, anywhere.

At The Queen City Express, we’re proud to stay hyperlocal. We believe in covering the people, places, and events that make Charlotte the city we love. No matter how cute they are, you’ll never catch us syndicating fluff about cats in New Hampshire. 🐕🐾

Charlotte Deserves Better

Here’s the harsh reality: when local journalism dies, communities suffer. Who holds local politicians accountable? Who tells the stories of unsung heroes in our neighborhoods? Who connects us to the issues that shape our daily lives? Certainly not private equity-backed papers churning out content without connection to the Queen City.

We’re fighting to keep local news alive at The Queen City Express. Real stories, written by real people, for real Charlotteans. We’re here to give this city the journalism it deserves—no hedge funds, syndicated fluff, or compromises. 🏙️

Shoutout to Our Sponsor

This fiery take is fueled by Glory Days Apparel, Charlotte’s own nostalgia-driven clothing brand. Whether you’re sporting Hornets gear or repping the Panthers, their designs capture the spirit of the Queen City. Shop local, support local, and show off your Charlotte pride. 🐝💜

Jack Beckett: fueled by caffeine, disdain for private equity, and a love for real journalism. Catch more of my sharp-edged takes and caffeine-fueled rambles at The Queen City Express.

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Looking for the best of Charlotte? We’ve got you covered: restaurant reviews, cultural deep dives, and real journalism about the issues that matter to our city. There is no clickbait, no hedge fund influence, just smart, thoughtful takes on the Queen City. Whether you want to know where to eat, what to do, or what’s happening in your neighborhood, we’re your go-to for all things Charlotte. #KeepItLocal #WeAreCharlotte