WCNC Charlotte Flashpoint

There's a dichotomy in Charlotte's commercial real estate market: Part of it is thriving and the other, faltering.

"The broader retail market is healthier than it's really ever been. We've seen record low vacancy rates. The big exception is the mall space," said Chuck McShane, director of market analytics at Costar.

Carolina Place Mall recently joined a growing list of properties across Charlotte including the EpiCentre, Northlake Mall and uptown's "One Wells Fargo" building that are defaulting on their loans. 

McShane said interest rate hikes and a shift away from certain commercial spaces are to blame. 

Read more.

Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly. 

SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora  || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. 

On this jam-packed edition of Flashpoint, Ben Thompson interviews David Longo, the co-chair of Vote Yes for School Boards, about the $2.5 billion bond package for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools that will be on November's ballot. Longo is also a part of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and believes the investment in our schools is long overdue. During this conversation, Longo will make his case for the school bonds and explains why it's critical to secure funding for Charlotte's public schools as soon as possible.

Then we turn our attention to North Carolina's political scene where new election laws and redistricting have put the Tar Heel State back in the national spotlight. State lawmakers will return to the General Assembly soon to draw new district lines for the U.S. House, Senate and state House districts. Dr. Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College, says Republicans have the power to do whatever they want due to the balance of power in the General Assembly. During this interview, Bitzer explains the history of North Carolina's redistricting and why Republicans view North Carolina as a critical state for keeping their slim lead in the U.S. House.

And finally, WCNC Charlotte's Tradesha Woodard has an update on the Eastland Yards development. The property, which has sat vacant for years despite numerous grand ideas, could soon start moving in the right direction. after developers agreed to work together on a shared project that will benefit the east Charlotte community. FULL STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-leaders-approve-proposal-eastland-mall-site/275-0aec878d-16fb-418b-8218-6d28912e6eb4

Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly. 

SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora  || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. 

Charlotte Center City Partners announced the Reimagining Vintage Office Design Competition. 

This fall, the Uptown development group is collecting ideas from architecture, design and building firms on ways to repurpose some of Uptown's underutilized office space.

"We still have economic development momentum," Charlotte Center City Partners Senior Vice President James LaBar said on WCNC Charlotte's Flashpoint.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/uptown-charlotte-development-group-converting-old-office-buildings/275-f5670d46-0970-4e40-a39f-e9f18aacf7b3

Also on this week's episode, Ben Thompson interviews Shane Fox, the county manager in Alexander County. And Kia Murray takes a look at the growing pains longtime Charlotte residents of color are facing as the Queen City's growth prices many people out of their communities.

FULL STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/affordable-housing-crisis/gentrification-charlotte-vulnerable-neighborhoods/275-7c11e2cd-fd51-45c1-a800-9710ba5c0a26

Teachers are returning to the classroom across North Carolina, wondering what pay raises they're getting. State lawmakers are still trying to hammer out a state budget, weeks late. 

"We need a pay raise that acknowledges the hard work that our educators do on a daily basis, but also allows them to live with dignity in order to pay their bills, and not have to work a second job or not have to leave the profession entirely," Tamika Walker Kelly, President of the North Carolina Association of Educators, said.

According to the teacher's advocacy organization, North Carolina ranks 46th in the country for starting pay. The State Superintendent for Public Instruction says she's confident the state's new budget, when passed, will include generous pay raises. 

"I am hoping along with all of our other teachers and parents, I'm sure, that this year's budget is going to make a big dent in that beginning teacher pay ranking," Superintendent Catherine Truitt said.

As Charlotte celebrates Pride this weekend, the North Carolina LGBTQ+ community is facing new restrictions that the General Assembly passed this week.

"We've come a long way. But the battle is not over, Liz Schob, communication manager of Charlotte Pride, said. "The journey is not over. We have a long way to go. And frankly, we can't do this alone. We need folks who are allies to step up and walk beside us and help us keep doing this work."

On Wednesday, a GOP supermajority in the General Assembly overrode Governor Cooper's vetoes and passed a host of new laws impacting the LGBTQ+ community. They include a ban on trans women from participating in women's sports, a ban on doctors from providing gender-affirming care to minors and a ban on elementary schools having any materials dealing with gender and sexuality. Teachers would also be legally required to "out" any of their transgender students to the child's parents.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/charlotte-pride-festival-laws-targeting-lgbtq-youth-north-carolina/275-c2e8c98d-8ec3-430d-a1fb-1ebc05c6c412

This week on Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson speaks with the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley on the possibility of expanding Medicaid in the state of North Carolina. Later, Bens talks to NC State University professor Shiyan Jiang about incorporating AI in the classroom.

Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.

It appears plans for a $500 million casino in Anson County are progressing. News of the possible facility only recently came to light. On this episode of Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson interviews Anson County Manager Len Sossamon about the casino and what lawmakers have told him as the county prepares for a major economic boost.

Sossamon said Raleigh lawmakers have assured him the casino "will be" in the budget that is still being hashed out in the General Assembly.

With the promise of approximately 1,750 jobs, the project could be transformative for Anson County, a place that's come across economic hard times as factories closed over the years. He said the western part of Anson County is being eyed for the project due to its proximity to Charlotte.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/anson-county-casino-will-be-in-ncs-new-budget/275-3b9b6fda-a121-4ce5-91c1-2a4cf8bc3aa4

This week on Flashpoint, WCNC's Ben Thompsons talks to with Mario Black of Millions Youth March of Charlotte about crime in the Queen City. Black said online platforms offer a place for teens to organize. He said a massive July 4th brawl at Romare Bearden Park in Uptown was orchestrated first on social media.

"They post something on social media, then they post a meet up," he said.

Later, Ben talks to Stephanie Hand – Democratic candidate for District 6, Charlotte City Council. Hand narrowly lost the race for the district six seat on Charlotte City Council.

"We missed the mark by 357 votes the last time," Hand said.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/anti-violence-group-says-social-media-driving-charlotte-crime/275-2c5e0b96-fb1d-45c5-b558-609554578104