Michael Graff

3 weeks ago | theassemblync.com | Michael Graff

Jack Cobb closed his work laptop at about 8 p.m. on a cold and drizzly February night in south Charlotte and stirred up an old fashioned. He settled into his couch with a book that stretched his understanding of faith and values, Dominion, which traces 2,000 years of Christianity’s command over the Western world. Cobb was somewhere around the turn of the first millennium when his phone buzzed. The caller was his colleague and close friend at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

1 month ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Michael Graff

When I was four years old, my parents surprised me with my first puppy, Pepper. Pepper quickly became my best friend. My dad often shares a story about watching me play with him. After witnessing my pure joy, he smiled and said, “I love you, buddy.” Without skipping a beat, I replied, “I love Pepper.”At four, I obviously didn’t understand the concept of love! I assumed I could only choose one person (or puppy) as the recipient of my affection.

1 month ago | axios.com | Michael Graff

• I've been the Southern bureau chief at Axios for three years, and one of the great pleasures of the job has been working with your local duo of Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin. Why it matters: Friday was my last day at Axios, so I thought I'd offer up my hottest cold takes on your city and this newsletter. • Adam and Nate are a gift to your city. They're two of the best reporters and humans in our nationwide newsroom.

2 months ago | axios.com | Michael Graff

The color of the laundry is about all that remains. Burgundy and gold. Shades that used to mean something back when we 1980s kids were, uh, kids. Why it matters: Break out the boomboxes and walkmans. Those colors mean something again.

Nov 9, 2024 | victoriaadvocate.com | Michael Graff

When I was in high school, my family went on a ski trip. Toward the end of our vacation, my two youngest siblings decided they wanted to try skiing tougher mountains. Since I’m the oldest, I offered to take them. We caught a gondola to the top of the mountain, planned our path down, then took off. The skiing started off great. We enjoyed the views as we sped down the mountain. But after some time, I realized I wasn’t seeing any more signs.