I have read all of the newspapers in the Charlotte area. This article will address the pros and cons of all of them and I will tell you which one I used to subscribe to, before relocating to Seattle. The dominant Newspaper in the region is obviously the Charlotte Observer. However there are some other great newspapers you should be aware of, the Rhinoceros Times, and Creative Loafing. No one reads the Post!

Charlotte Observer
The Observer is the largest newspaper in terms of circulation, in both North and South Carolina. It is owned by the McClatchy Company which is a massive publishing company in California. This makes the observer less appealing to me, because where is the local community? I do love the Observer's cartoonist Kevin Siers, a great artist with some funny illustrations. If you have not checked out the NASCAR website that the Observer owns it is worth checking out. The Charlotte is great for the daily reader who wants a big paper with a lot of gumption. For now I'll pass and sometimes buy it on Sunday.

Rhinoceros Times
The Rhino is based in Greensboro, so not exactly a Charlotte paper, but worth mentioning. It is a weekly conservative paper, so it can't really compete with the Observer. I love the Rhino because of its extensive coverage of local issues, and blatant regard for "free speech" as they have consistently expressed strong political views in the opinion columns. This paper is not bias and ready to post or write anything they are presented with. One of my favorite parts of the Rhino is that Orson Scott Card has an editorial column in the paper. If you do not know who that is get up right now and go buy Ender's Game, one of the greatest Science Fiction books of all time. Card is one of the greatest Sci-fi authors of all time as well.

Creative Loafing
Creative Loafing is the name of alternative newspapers published in 4 cities. It once again it is a weekly paper, so it can't really compete with the Observer. It is a great paper nonetheless, with really good content about local news, culture, and the media. I would put it on opposite spectrums politically and respectively to the Rhino. They are similarly direct competitors. You can find the Rhino around more than Loafing, but both are equally readable.

So what did I subscribe to? That's easy, the Observer. I sold out to the man, so that I could read every day. I read them all though and like the Rhino and Loafing better. But you have to pick and choose your battles. I lost mine to the Observer. There is just too much news to put it down and give it up.