MLB expansion will pass North Carolina over unless we act | Opinion
As Major League Baseball considers expansion, the focus drifts to Nashville while ignoring the largest unserved baseball market in the United States. The Charlotte–Triad–Triangle corridor, combined with the South Carolina Upstate, forms a 17-million-person region with no MLB team and no dominant allegiance — a true opportunity to build, not shift, a fan base.
This is not a marginal market. It is a fast-growing, economically diverse powerhouse anchored by finance, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and aviation. The game is already here — USA Baseball, elite college programs, and a deep minor league network. MLB would complete it.
If North Carolina is passed over, it won’t be due to lack of scale or strength. It will be because we failed to say what should be obvious.
We are ready. Now we need to act like it.
Mike Ciriello, Durham
Why ban institutional landlords?
As a North Carolina property manager, I’m concerned by the growing push to ban institutional landlords. It may sound politically appealing, but telling Americans who can and cannot own property does nothing to solve the real housing challenges facing our communities.
The reality is simple: banning large housing providers will not lower the cost of buying or renting a home. In fact, it could make affordability worse. When lawmakers discourage investment in housing, supply tightens, competition increases, and prices rise. We’ve seen similar unintended consequences with rent control policies, where well-intended rules often reduce available housing and drive up long-term costs.
Professionally managed housing providers help expand options for residents in today’s market. Whether a provider is large or small, what matters most is maintaining properties responsibly, treating residents fairly, and delivering a quality living experience.
North Carolina needs practical housing solutions, not political slogans. We should welcome responsible investment that expands housing options and strengthens communities, not drive it away with misguided bans.
Robert Dell’Osso, Cary
Summer meals for kids
As summer break approaches, I think back to my own school days. School is hard, kids can be cruel, and many students feel embarrassed for things they cannot control — including receiving free lunch. But there is no reason for shame when nearly 60% of North Carolina public school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, according to the NC General Assembly.
That statistic becomes even more concerning during summer break, when many children lose access to school meals. Summer Nutrition Programs help by offering meals at schools, parks, churches, and community centers. While these programs are valuable, they often fail to reach students in rural areas or children whose parents work full time and cannot transport them to meal sites.
As Congress debates a farm bill that would cut millions in SNAP funding, I think about the students who depend on these programs. Children should spend summer enjoying friends and sunshine — not worrying about their next meal. I urge Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis to oppose any Farm Bill or bailout package that weakens SNAP benefits.
Danielle Shamel, Raleigh
Data centers and Duke Energy
The recent ode to data centers by Representatives Willis and McNeely highlights Duke Energy’s concerns, not those of ordinary ratepayers.
We are concerned about our energy bills rising; Duke Energy wants to sell more electricity and add to their record first quarter 2026 profits of $9.17 billion. We are concerned about the tremendous water that will be guzzled by these hyper-scale electricity behemoths; Duke Energy supplies electricity, not water.
The authors suggest that U.S. security is tied to the construction of these data centers. Data centers have been around since the 1950s, and the ‘cloud’ for about twenty years. These hyper-scale data centers are being built to power Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency, not to keep our data secure.
Cathy Buckley, Raleigh
Teens, driving and phones
As a high school senior and Teen Safe Driving Ambassador in North Carolina, I have seen how easily distracted driving can become habitual among drivers. Phones have become part of everyday life, and many people treat time behind the wheel as another opportunity to multitask.
I joined the Teen Ambassador program because I wanted to help change that. After losing my uncle in a fatal car accident, safe driving became personal to me. Through conversations, events, and social media, I have encouraged my peers to make small but important changes, such as setting playlists before driving and keeping phones out of reach.
As an ambassador, I noticed safety matters stuck more with someone the same age. I have had friends tell me they now drive differently because of our conversations. That matters because it shows how awareness can lead to real behavioral change.
That is why efforts like the Senate Bill 797 matter, the Hands Free NC Act. Encouraging safer habits now can help prevent tragedies later.
Safe driving is not just a rule. It is a responsibility we owe to ourselves, our passengers, and everyone else on the road.
Trey Laurore, Raleigh
No Iran plan
Despite no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran, our administration entered this war with no plan and little consideration of the consequences.
Worldwide shortages and rising prices caused by closure of the Strait of Hormuz create hardships for us all. The chaos created by this unnecessary war breeds uncertainty: Is the Strait open, closed? War over? No? Negotiations underway or not? What happens next?
People are afraid. They are dying — civilians, children, soldiers, including 13 Americans. There is no justification for any of this.
The United States has become a pariah. Indeed, we have lost the moral high ground.
Sue Jefferson, Washington, NC
Roberts wrong on racism
13 years ago, the Roberts-led Supreme Court, in its Shelby decision, struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. This pre-clearance required that several states with a history of illegal voter discrimination had to submit any proposed changes to DOJ for review first. In his majority opinion, Roberts indicated that DOJ pre-clearance was no longer needed since systemic forms of voting discrimination had significantly diminished.
So here we are now with a very recent Supreme Court decision (Louisiana vs. Callais) that upends Roberts’ thinking. This decision further limits federal protections against racial gerrymandering and erodes the 15th Amendment. In its immediate aftermath, several states (mostly southern) have already announced plans to re-draw their maps to further reduce the potential impact of minority voters.
John Roberts got it all wrong. Racism sadly remains alive and well in our country.
James P. Witeck, Apex
This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "MLB expansion will pass North Carolina over unless we act | Opinion."
