Cornelius group wants Confederate monument taken down + NC House approves controversial anti-riot bill

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Here’s your news for today.

1. Cornelius Confederate monument must go, group says. ‘Our main strategy is education.’

A citizens group in north Mecklenburg is rallying support to remove a 114-year-old Confederate soldier monument.

The group’s been reaching out to local congregations to gain support to address the monument that stands just south of downtown Cornelius.

“It’s not in keeping with the values of the town,” Pam Jones, president of Unity in Community North Mecklenburg told The Charlotte Observer yesterday about the statue.

Joe Marusak reports on the group’s efforts.

2. Jewish, Black coalitions in Charlotte partner to bring community tasty history lesson

It’s said food can be the way to one’s heart, but for the Charlotte Black/Jewish Alliance, it’s the bridge between two cultures.

The alliance is a coalition of Jewish and Black young professionals dedicated to building community through honest conversations. As part of this mission, the group on Friday will host Soul Food Shabbat, to open discussions to the public on the shared history that Jewish and Black communities have over cultural food.

DJ Simmons shares more details on the event.

3. NC House approves controversial anti-riot bill with enough votes to override a veto

The North Carolina House approved legislation today that would implement stricter criminal penalties for rioting.

The controversial bill that critics have called “racist” now heads for the Senate. With support from those Democrats, the bill passed by a large enough margin to override a veto from Gov. Roy Cooper.

Avi Bajpai has the latest on the legislation.

4. NC Judge Shirley Fulton, legal trailblazer, activist, dies at 71

Longtime Mecklenburg County Judge Shirley Fulton, the first Black woman to win a Superior Court seat in North Carolina, died earlier this morning.

Fulton, whose influence stretched from the courthouse to a decades-long list of significant community endeavors, was 71. After leaving the bench in 2002, Fulton went into private practice. But she continued to throw herself into highly public community initiatives — from reforms in the courts to public housing and local schools.

Mike Gordon looks back on Fulton’s life and legacy.

5. Some more stories to read

• El Toro Bruto in South End has a new dinner menu — and it’s going full service

• Another Bed, Bath & Beyond store will be closing soon in the Charlotte region

• Panthers add to coaching staff, hire linebackers coach to work with new DC Ejiro Evero

• Planning a Valentine’s Day dinner? Here are 30 romantic Charlotte-area restaurants

• Health inspection cites Charlotte bakery for food stored on floor, dirty fruit

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