The Charlotte Starter Kit launches today!
Plus: The news of the week — Storm pummels western N.C.; Faulty instruments hobble CMS bands and orchestras; Billy Joel and Sting announce Charlotte concert; Trump stumps in Mint Hill
Good morning! Today is Saturday, September 28, 2024. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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Check out our newcomer’s guide to navigating the Queen City. Share it, and help us perfect it.
by Lindsey Banks
“Welcome to Charlotte!”
Chances are, we’ve all extended that sentiment to a newcomer, in one form or another.
That was me when I moved here two years ago as a recent college graduate. After a week or two of spending my evenings surrounded by moving boxes in my small apartment, I was ready to get out and explore.
But where to begin?
Recommendations on Yelp, social media and local media websites only revealed one thing: Everyone has opinions, and, in today’s climate of advertising and social media influencers, it’s hard to know who you can trust and who is being paid to promote something.
The Ledger’s new “Charlotte Starter Kit” is meant to fill that gap.
Our welcome guide launches today. It’s a free, seven-day email series that organizes all of the info a newcomer needs. Recent data shows that about 117 people are moving to the Charlotte region every day, according to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
I’m excited to share how this free, seven-day email series will work — and how you can help.
How it works: Sign up at CharlotteStarterKit.com, and you or someone you know, gets one email daily for a week. Each email is dedicated to a specific topic, including a Charlotte history and slang crash course, restaurant and activity recommendations, advice on how to meet people, and more. The emails include bulleted lists with links to other trusted sources, personal testimonials, photos and an offer for a free 30-day subscription to The Charlotte Ledger.
Recipients can skim through each email in less than 3 minutes, take what they want from it, and then wait for the next one. It’s a low-risk, high-reward deal.
How can you help? OK, so you’re not a newcomer — but we need your help! We’ve worked hard to release the Starter Kit into the world. Now we want YOU, a trusted and appreciated Ledger reader, to be among the first to test it out.
Sign up, go through the series, and send your feedback.
Are there things you don’t agree with or suggestions we missed? Probably. Let us know.
Know someone who would benefit from the Starter Kit? Please pass along the signup link. It’s because of readers like you that this project was possible, so thank you!
Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter for The Ledger: lindsey@cltledger.com
Today’s supporting sponsor is Trinity Episcopal School. Trinity Episcopal School is marking 25 years of creating scholars, nurturing spirituality, and embracing diversity in Charlotte's center city. Trinity offers a unique K-8 curriculum with a focus on critical thinking, curiosity about the world around us, and service to the community. Learn more about the admission process for the 2025-26 school year and register for an open house.
This week in Charlotte: Storm slams N.C. mountains and shuts down parts of Charlotte; Lt. Gov. Robinson’s staff bails; No charges in Panthers’ failed S.C. project; More N.C. students passing AP exams
Heavy rains caused major flooding on King Street in downtown Boone on Friday morning, just one example of troubles that hit much of western North Carolina.
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Local news
Storm pummels the region: The remnants of Hurricane Helene soaked Charlotte and the North Carolina mountains, closing I-40 indefinitely west of Asheville; causing severe flooding in towns including Boone, Hendersonville and Asheville; prompting evacuations near Mountain Island Lake in Mecklenburg County; knocking out power to more than 800,000 North Carolinians; and closing hundreds of roads and making travel in the area difficult.
Billy Joel and Sting to perform in Charlotte: (Axios Charlotte) Billy Joel and Sting will perform together at Bank of America Stadium on May 10, 2025, marking the only Southeast stop on their tour. Tickets go on sale Oct. 4.
Education
Instrument needs: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools middle and high school band and orchestra directors say they're struggling with insufficient funding to repair instruments they need to keep their programs running, with the school district funding each program $700 per year for repairs. After The Ledger wrote about the situation in Wednesday's newsletter, the Charlotte Symphony put together an effort to gather community support to address the problem.
More NC students passing AP exams: (WUNC) A record number of North Carolina high school students are taking and passing Advanced Placement (AP) exams, earning college credit. Over 84,000 students took AP exams last year, with more than 65% passing, slightly surpassing the national average.
Politics
Half of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s state staff quits: (WRAL) The fallout continues from a CNN report linking offensive posts on a porn site chat board to Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running for governor. Most of his campaign staff and office staff resigned this week.
Trump in Mint Hill: (WFAE) Former President Donald Trump Wednesday during a campaign stop in Mint Hill said that he’d threaten to blow Iran “to smithereens” if he was president and a candidate faced threats from Iran.
Business
No charges filed in failed Panthers HQ project: (WBTV) The South Carolina Attorney General's Office has decided not to pursue criminal charges regarding the failed Carolina Panthers' $800M practice facility project in Rock Hill. After an investigation into the use of public funds and allegations of misappropriation, the AG’s office concluded there was no criminal intent involved.
Atrium buys 40 acres in Atlanta: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Atrium Health spent $70M to buy a 40-acre site in southwest Atlanta. The healthcare system owns hospitals in Rome and Macon, Ga., and has partnered to open a clinic in the Atlanta area. The company declined to say what is it planning for the site.
Hotel headed to med school campus: (Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers) Developers of The Pearl medical innovation district in Midtown/Dilworth say they have picked a developer of a 200-room hotel for the site and that construction on it should start in 2025.
Sports
Panthers win: After two lackluster games, the Carolina Panthers celebrated their first win of the season on Sunday by beating the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22. The Panthers were led by longtime backup quarterback Andy Dalton, who played instead of 2023 No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young.
Prep sports rescheduled: (WBTV) Because of this week’s storm, many school sporting events, including Friday night football games, were shifted to today or next week.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
A Ledger/N.C. Health News in-depth article explores how more patients in North Carolina are getting hit with hospital “facility fees,” which are charges added to bills for medical services provided in hospital-owned facilities. The trend has been driven by hospitals buying up clinics, physician groups, and other healthcare facilities, which has led to less competition and higher prices for patients.
Plus: Raj Chetty shares how to keep economic mobility rising; Toppman reviews Children’s Theatre’s “School of Rock.”
Wednesday (🔒):
Toppman reviews “Space Explorers: The Infinite”; Reader question on vegetarian options at Panthers games
Friday (🔒):
Q&A and podcast episode with the CEO of University City Partners about the area’s future
Plus: Heavy rains soak Charlotte; Toppman reviews Blumenthal’s “Faulty Towers”
Ways of Life (🔒)
Michael Cowan, who passed away in August at age 40 due to a brain aneurysm, was remembered by many for his selfless generosity, lighthearted nature and love for knowledge. His impact was seen in his 3-year-old daughter Rory, who inherited her father's intuition and was able to thank the doctors and nurses who tried to help her father.
The city’s transit plan, which had a boost of momentum this month, could continue to be slow-moving, as a key legislator says the General Assembly might not vote on the plan this year. Plus: SouthPark is launching a free, on-demand electric vehicle service.
The stakes are high as Charlotte FC plays Miami, where Messi is back; defender Nathan Byrne signs a new contract; Brandt Bronico raises $50,000 for Beds for Kids charity
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman