Final answer:
Mike Gordon erases the board listing the previous day's edition to make space for new stories, maintain organizational practices, and symbolically reset the newsroom's focus for the current news cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Charlotte Observer metro editor Mike Gordon likely erases the entire board listing the contents of the previous day's edition as part of a daily routine to make space for the day's new stories and assignments. In a fast-paced newsroom environment, it is essential to maintain organizational practices to keep track of which stories have been covered and which are in the pipeline.
The clearing of the board signifies the start of a new workday, resetting the workflow to prioritize current news items and editorial tasks. It is possible that this action also serves as a symbolic reminder to the team to shift focus and bring fresh perspectives to the day's news cycle.