Remembering NASCAR legend Bruton Smith + Charlotte renames street for historic Black community

Hey folks! KJ here. Before we get into our Charlotte news for the day, something a little more national: The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a North Carolina case put forth by the state’s Republican-led legislature.

Here’s an explanation from Will Doran: “While the matter before the Supreme Court stems from a gerrymandering lawsuit in North Carolina, critics said the argument could be used in any state, for a variety of purposes — like overturning the results of future presidential elections. The basic premise is that there should be few checks and balances when it comes to election law. State legislatures should have near-total control over the rules, the theory says, without state courts being allowed to decide if a state’s elections laws are constitutional.”

You can find more from that story here. We have a lot more news to cover below, thank you to Sydney Bergan for her help.

1. ‘Look at all he built.’ Bruton Smith funeral in Charlotte draws hundreds

Hundreds of family, loved ones and admirers of Bruton Smith paid their final respects to the NASCAR legend on Thursday afternoon.

The service for Smith — the Charlotte Speedway builder, race promoter and billionaire auto dealer — was held at Central Church and was a celebration of the life of the Oakboro native and Charlotte resident.

Logos for Charlotte Motor Speedway and Sonic Automotive Group stood beside Smith’s casket during the service, which was topped with a collection of white roses and lilies. More than two dozen flower bouquets lined the front of Central Church.

You can find more from Ellis Williams here.

2. ‘Brooklyn will never die’: City completes street renaming for historic Black community

The last of nine streets in Charlotte renamed by the Legacy Committee has officially been changed, as Stonewall Street — named for Confederate general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson — became Brooklyn Village Avenue.

About 60 years ago, a thriving Black community in Charlotte was destroyed as part of an “urban renewal” project approved in 1958. Thousands of Brooklyn residents were displaced.

Seven of those former residents joined Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to celebrate the renaming this afternoon.

“Now (people outside of Charlotte) will see what the New South Charlotte can look like,” Lyles said. “We know that this represents positive change. We know that it represents the willingness to examine who we are and to move forward.”

Blake Douglas has more.

3. Attorney wins right to sue Charlotte-based U.S. office for sex discrimination

North Carolina Attorney Caryn Strickland accused a supervising attorney of sexual harassment in 2019, claiming he flirted with her and insinuated that he could advance her career in return for sexual favors.

Soon after voicing her accusation, Strickland says she tried to use the court’s internal dispute resolution process but was “stonewalled” by office leadership. This prompted her to resign in 2019 and sue the office a year later.

Unlike other federal government employees, federal judicial workers don’t have protections from workplace sexual harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Despite these limited workplace legal protections, Caryn has won the right to continue her case.

Read more from Sara Coello.

4. Hornets free agency guide: What will happen with Miles Bridges, Cody Martin and others?

NBA free agency will offically begin at 6 p.m. today and the Hornets have a lot of decisions to make. The biggest: What will they do with Miles Bridges?

Here’s some context on the situation: Bridges was reportedly arrested on felony domestic abuse charges yesterday. On Tuesday, prior to Bridges’ arrest, GM Mitch Kupchak made it clear the team wants to re-sign him.

“The options appeared to be dwindling for Bridges to land a maximum contract earlier in the week with Detroit using a good chunk of its cap space,” Rod Boone writes. “San Antonio has money available, but that’s not a destination because the Spurs are in total rebuild mode following the reported traded of Dejounte Murray to Atlanta for Danilo Galinari.”

Rod also drops some insight on the status of Cody Martin, Isaiah Thomas and other big names in this free agency primer.

5. Some more stories to read

• Breaking: Charlotte woman pleads guilty to brutal 2020 murder of Mary Collins

• Charlotte home-buying program will offer more assistance to combat rising prices

• North Carolina sheriffs carry clout when defending officers at risk of losing their badges

• What’s a ‘NIMBY’? What about ‘YIMBYs’? Charlotte development debates, explained

• Editorial Board: An ominous development for the 2024 election, thanks to NC Republicans

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