Quietly but purposefully, the local NPR affiliate is becoming the most important news organization for Charlotte’s future. Under the direction of general manager Joe O’Connor and a board of directors that’s passionate about local journalism, WFAE saw total revenue increase from $4.9 million in 2016 to $6.3 million in 2017, a jump of nearly 20 percent. The nonprofit has invested in seven newsroom positions in the past year or so, bringing that staff’s size to 21. (In 2006, WFAE had just two full-time reporters.) One recent addition is former Charlotte Observer columnist Tommy Tomlinson, whose podcast featuring Southern personalities, SouthBound, launched last fall. He’ll join WFAE full-time this spring.