Joe Marusak
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Joe Marusak
@jmarusak.bsky.social
380 followers 390 following 420 posts
Pulitzer Finalist reporter covering breaking news, Lake Norman and a lot more for The Charlotte Observer. Grew up in Rhode Island, Tar Heel by choice since 1989.
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jmarusak.bsky.social
‘They’re not chasing criminals.’ Manolo’s Bakery owner closes store to protect customers

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‘They’re not chasing criminals.’ Manolo’s Bakery owner closes store to protect customers
“Thank you, thank you to the community and all the people that have supported me,” Manuel “Manolo” Betancur said. “But I need to protect my community.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:57 AM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Charlotte marathon: Record turnout, runners from 19 countries, all 50 states

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Charlotte marathon: Record turnout, runners from 19 countries, all 50 states
A Lancaster, S.C., runner may have set a new world record for fastest half marathon pushing a double stroller, race organizers said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:35 AM
jmarusak.bsky.social
‘Just walked up to them.’ Border Patrol question people at a Charlotte Walmart

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‘Just walked up to them.’ Border Patrol question people at a Charlotte Walmart
At one point, “I thought one of the guys was even approaching me, you know,” a nearby restaurant manager said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:26 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
‘Why just me?’ Charlotte man says Border Patrol broke pickup window, stole keys

Read our story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/article31293...
‘Why just me?’ Charlotte man says Border Patrol broke pickup window, stole keys
“Are you an illegal immigrant?” the man said an officer asked. He replied that he didn’t have to answer and asked why he was singled out.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Federal officers spotted in Charlotte as elected officials back immigrant community

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www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Federal officers spotted in Charlotte as elected officials back immigrant community
On Central Avenue, a picture by Immigration Alerts CLT appeared to show two federal agents behind a man with his hands behind his back.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
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Man dies after fatal crash in uptown Charlotte. Someone shot him, police say.

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Man dies after fatal crash in uptown Charlotte. Someone shot him, police say.
“Currently, we have our homicide and crime scene units out here actively working the scene,” a police major said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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As Border Patrol descends on Charlotte, groups form immigrant protection network

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As Border Patrol descends on Charlotte, groups form immigrant protection network
“We want our immigrant neighbors to know they are not alone. We are committed to keeping our community protected, respected and supported.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:29 AM
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Driver alert: See street closures for Saturday’s Charlotte marathon.

Read my update at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Driver alert: See street closures for Saturday’s Charlotte marathon.
A record 11,500 runners are scheduled to compete in the 21st annual Novant Health Charlotte Marathon through various neighborhoods.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
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Road to popular Lake Norman BBQ restaurant to close for months, NCDOT says

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Road to popular Lake Norman BBQ restaurant to close for months, NCDOT says
The state is requiring a national builder to realign an intersection to prevent bottlenecks from hundreds of homes under construction.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
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UPDATE: Great Smoky Mountains National Park closures announced.

Charlotte temperatures to plummet below freezing, NWS says. Snow in mountains.

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www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather...
Charlotte temperatures to plummet below freezing, NWS says. Snow in mountains.
“In many places this could amount to a hard freeze and end the growing season,” forecasters said in an alert.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:27 PM
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Ex-Rep. Dan Bishop, R-NC, confirms new role as a top US prosecutor in the state

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Ex-Rep. Dan Bishop, R-NC, confirms new role as a top US prosecutor in the state
Despite no official announcement, former Charlotte-area U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop said he has a new role as a top prosecutor in North Carolina.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
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Charlotte temperatures to plummet below freezing, NWS says. Snow in mountains.

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather...
Charlotte temperatures to plummet below freezing, NWS says. Snow in mountains.
“In many places this could amount to a hard freeze and end the growing season,” forecasters said in an alert.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
CLT flight delays, cancellations soar as FAA issues ‘ground stop’ on Saturday

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www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
CLT flight delays, cancellations soar as FAA issues ‘ground stop’ on Saturday
At least 127 flights were cancelled and 190 were delayed by 9 a.m., according to FlightAware, the real-time flight tracking site.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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NBA player lists his Lake Norman mansion at Trump golf course for $5.8M

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NBA player lists his Lake Norman mansion at Trump golf course for $5.8M
The 8,887-square-foot home includes three elevator-served levels and a 30-foot, handmade chandelier through a sculptural staircase.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
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Mystery prosecutor drops criminal charges against former NC cop

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www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Mystery prosecutor drops criminal charges against former NC cop
The Iredell DA didn’t return calls and the state online court system was backlogged, leading to secrecy in the case of a former officer.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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As Catawba Indians celebrate $1B NC casino, chief says tribe plans a second one

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www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
As Catawba Indians celebrate $1B NC casino, chief says tribe plans a second one
The main complex of the inaugural $1 billion casino will total 2.2 million square feet, each floor spanning seven acres, officials said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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‘A very dangerous place.’ Franklin Graham on Gaza, as relief flight departs NC.
Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
‘A very dangerous place.’ Franklin Graham on Gaza, as relief flight departs NC.
“They are a wicked group of people,” Graham said about Hamas. “They could care less about Gaza.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
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Exclusive: Mooresville mayor unveils plans for village of free homes for veterans

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Exclusive: Mooresville mayor unveils plans for village of free homes for veterans
Andy Pujol, a 9/11 survivor and founder, CEO and chairman of the board of Building Homes for Heroes, joined the mayor for the announcement.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM
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Birkdale Village is sold again, less than a year after an Atlanta firm bought it

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Birkdale Village is sold again, less than a year after an Atlanta firm bought it
The new out-of-state owner called the mixed-use development near Lake Norman a “premier” community.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
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Daniel Naroditsky, Charlotte chess grandmaster and coach, has died at age 29

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Daniel Naroditsky, Charlotte chess grandmaster and coach, has died at age 29
“Let us remember Daniel ... for the joy and inspiration he brought to us all every day,” his family said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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Search resumes for missing kayaker on the Catawba River near Charlotte-area dam

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Search resumes for missing kayaker on the Catawba River near Charlotte-area dam
Huntersville firefighters said a crew on their fire boat has helped East Lincoln Fire in the search.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
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3 killed in separate areas of Charlotte on Saturday, police say

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3 killed in separate areas of Charlotte on Saturday, police say
The killings were unrelated, according to information from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
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Major Lake Norman road closed for hours after gas line break prompts evacuations

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Major Lake Norman road closed for hours after gas line break prompts evacuations
“It was pretty crazy,” a startled witness said. “Dirt and natural gas shooting about 60 feet in the air.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM
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Live updates: Protesters gather for ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump rally in Charlotte.

Read our team updates at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Live updates: Protesters gather for ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump rally in Charlotte
Rallies across the Charlotte region and nation intend to be peaceful protests against the policies of President Donald Trump.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
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1 dead as SUV, big rig burst into flames in Interstate 77 wreck, trooper says

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1 dead as SUV, big rig burst into flames in Interstate 77 wreck, trooper says
A tractor-trailer driver failed to slow in time for stopped traffic, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM