Tricia Cotham switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. The move gave the North Carolina GOP a supermajority. Now the Democratic Party’s efforts to unseat her are taking shape.

Democrats have had just six Black general election candidates out of 50 Council of State races in the last five elections — 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004. After veiled criticism about privilege, here's a look at the NC Democratic Party’s Black representation, especially in council of state races.

When he was Charlotte’s planning director two years ago, Taiwo Jaiyeoba spearheaded the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which aims to remake Charlotte into a sustainable city less reliant on cars — as well as one that’s less segregated by race and income. But his housing choice doesn't match up with the goal and hopes that developers would build more duplexes and triplexes, creating what’s known as “missing middle housing.”

In North Carolina, marijuana is illegal. But smokable hemp products that get people high are sold throughout the state. Last week, a video went viral of a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer punching a woman during an attempted arrest for smoking what police said was marijuana. Four other officers were restraining the woman at the time.

Deberry, who was first elected in 2018, said she is the most qualified candidate in the race. Jackson announced he was running for attorney general after Republican lawmakers redrew his congressional district to favor a Republican.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled four years ago (in a North Carolina case) that it would not rule on partisan gerrymandering, saying that should be left to states. In North Carolina, that’s a dead end for Democrats, since the GOP has a 5-2 advantage on the North Carolina Supreme Court. The only recourse is to argue under the Voting Rights Act that the map is disenfranchising Black voters.

North Carolina Republican lawmakers released new maps for Congress and the General Assembly last week. The state legislative maps look to cement their supermajorities. The congressional map uses some brutal gerrymanders to wipe out at least three Democratic seats, giving the GOP a boost in its efforts to keep the U.S. House in 2024.

There has been a particularly spirited debate in the Black community over the CMS school bonds. Here's a look at the vote in a different way: The demographic headwinds CMS is facing.

Last year, Democrats often complained the judicial system had become increasingly political, especially after the conservative U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. But this spring, those concerns abated, temporarily at least. Can Democrats keep up a string of wins?

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson maintains a large lead in the Republican primary for North Carolina governor, according to a Meredith College Poll released Monday. Attorney General Josh Stein also has a significant advantage on the Democratic side.