Generated by All in One SEO v4.8.8, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Queens University News Service The Queens News Service provides news for Charlotte-Metro and Mecklenburg Areas. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://queensnewsservice.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Charlotte’s First Gen Z Council Member Talks Leadership and Change](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/06/01/charlottes-first-gen-z-council-member-talks-leadership-and-change/) - A Queens University News Service Q&A - [From Coffee to Current: For one Charlotte café, recycling batteries is as simple as stopping in for a latte](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/06/01/from-coffee-to-current-for-one-charlotte-cafe-recycling-batteries-is-as-simple-as-stopping-in-for-a-latte/) - At Not Just Coffee, the usual rhythm of espresso drinks, laptop work sessions and café conversation plays out as expected. But near the counter, tucked into an unassuming corner, sits something slightly out of place: a battery drop box. It is not part of the typical coffee shop experience, yet it represents a growing effort - [Betting on the Game: How Sports Gambling is Changing College Athletics](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/05/29/betting-on-the-game-how-sports-gambling-is-changing-college-athletics/) - From media coverage to small school risks, the rapid rise of sports betting is reshaping the college sports environment. - [Charlotte Latino Film Festival Celebrates Growth, Community, and Resilience ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/05/19/charlotte-latino-film-festival-celebrates-growth-community-and-resilience/) - A Puerto Rican film played on two screens simultaneously. The house was sold out. For Giovanna Torres, that night cristalized everything she had been working towards. The Charlotte Latino Film Festival, now in its third year, wrapped its most ambitious edition yet with 13 feature films, two short films, and a closing night centered on - [As Funding Declines, Charlotte’s Arts Community Turns to Public Support](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/05/19/as-funding-declines-charlottes-arts-community-turns-to-public-support/) - As public funding for nonprofits shifts at the local and national level, arts organizations across Charlotte are beginning to feel the effects through tighter budgets, reduced programming and growing uncertainty about what comes next. The arts play a vital role in shaping Charlotte’s cultural identity. Artists create spaces for storytelling, reflection and connection, while also - [Tuesday Mornings in Charlotte](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/05/11/tuesday-mornings-in-charlotte/) - How the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Morning Forum continues to be stalwart for the city’s Black community - [Where Decisions Take Shape: Understanding Charlotte's City Council Committee Structure](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/04/13/where-decisions-take-shape-understanding-charlottes-city-council-committee-structure/) - In Charlotte, the most important decisions aren’t always made under the bright lights of a full council vote. Instead, they begin in quieter rooms — inside committees of the Charlotte City Council — where fewer people are watching and even fewer know how to speak up. The debate surrounding 1-77 brought new attention to the - [Project BOOST continues to elevate and heal broken communities](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/05/11/project-boost-continues-to-elevate-and-heal-broken-communities/) - What began as a small hospital-based intervention effort has grown into a key piece of violence prevention work in Charlotte, with leaders now looking to expand its reach across the region. Project BOOST, housed within Atrium Health, has evolved significantly since it began in 2021, according to program manager Britney Brown. Initially designed to support - [A Charlotte news legend’s advice on journalism](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/04/13/a-charlotte-news-legends-advice-on-journalism/) - Ken Koontz talks about the evolution of local news as communities come together for the inaugural Local News Day - [Introducing the Spring 2026 QNS Editorial Team](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/01/26/introducing-the-spring-2026-qns-editorial-team/) - We are excited to introduce you to the newest reporters in the Queens University News Service. - [When the Crowd Gets Quiet: The Hidden Pressure of College Athletics](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/03/19/when-the-crowd-gets-quiet-the-hidden-pressure-of-college-athletics/) - On game nights at Queens University of Charlotte, Curry Arena is alive. Students jump to their feet, music pumps through the gym and every made 3-pointer is met with a cheer. That energy was even higher earlier this month as guard Chris Ashby made 10 3-pointers and scored 34 points, leading Queens University to its - [Pricing Into Adulthood: Students Navigate Charlotte’s Housing Crunch](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/03/05/pricing-into-adulthood-students-navigate-charlottes-housing-crunch/) - In Charlotte, cranes dot the skyline and “For Rent” signs line busy corridors — but for many college students, those signs signal competition rather than opportunity. The city continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the United States, bringing new businesses, residents and development. But that growth has come with a cost: - [Rooted in Solidarity: Huntersville Yoga Studio Mobilizes for Social Justice](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/03/04/rooted-in-solidarity-huntersville-yoga-studio-mobilizes-for-social-justice/) - At iShine Yoga & Wellness in Huntersville, the work of participants recently went beyond the mat – taking a stand for immigrant rights, and offered a glimpse into a growing movement that turns personal wellness into collective action. On a recent chilly Friday, 71 people gathered for “Rooted in Solidarity: Breath, Movement and Community Care,” - [Charlotte Jewish Film Festival Celebrates 22 Years of Culture and Community](https://queensnewsservice.org/2026/02/03/charlotte-jewish-film-festival-celebrates-22-years-of-culture-and-community/) - The Charlotte Jewish Film Festival kicked off its 22nd year on Saturday, Jan. 24. The festival, open to the entire community, has 17 feature films lined up celebrating and highlighting Jewish culture. Films are shown at several venues across Charlotte such as the Independent Picture House and Temple Israel. Viewers can buy single night tickets - [How DEI Funding Cuts Are Reshaping Charlotte’s Arts Community](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/12/20/how-dei-funding-cuts-are-reshaping-charlottes-arts-community/) - Arts organizations across Charlotte are facing a shifting landscape as national and local conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) lead to changes in funding priorities. For many groups, these cuts are more than budget adjustments, they directly affect the visibility of the creative work being produced and the cultural spaces in the city. Founded - [Federal Funding Cuts Hit Queens University Programs, Forcing Hard Choices as Merger Looms](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/12/20/federal-funding-cuts-hit-queens-university-programs-forcing-hard-choices-as-merger-looms/) - Queens University of Charlotte is entering a year of major transition as federal funding cuts, enrollment struggles and the looming merger with Elon University converge to reshape the future of the century-old institution. While the university maintains that its core mission will remain intact, administrators and faculty acknowledge that the financial pressures facing private colleges, - [The AI Wave: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Job Market and the Future of Tech Careers](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/12/18/the-ai-wave-how-artificial-intelligence-is-changing-the-job-market-and-the-future-of-tech-careers/) - Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the inner dynamics of how people work, learn and find careers. From self-checkout registers to advanced data systems, AI is the driving force behind the innovation of today. However, as the technology spreads, it is raising critical questions about job security, skill development and the way in which schools prepare - [Charlotte Reentry Programs Could Look Different After Federal Budget Cuts](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/12/20/charlotte-reentry-programs-could-look-different-after-federal-budget-cuts/) - Recidivism rates remain high across America and programs that can help reduce those rates are now in jeopardy with federal budget cuts. According to the Council on Criminal Justice, the Trump Administration in April terminated 373 grants from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP). Charlotte has seen a 49% re-arrest rate within - [North Carolina’s Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis and its Future](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/12/20/north-carolinas-growing-youth-mental-health-crisis-and-its-future/) - Across North Carolina, adolescents experiencing mental health crises wait in emergency rooms for days or even weeks for a psychiatric bed to become available. Youth in Mecklenburg County are no exception to this statewide challenge since the county, among many others, lacks the infrastructure required to treat the growing number of young people in crisis. - [Fox Body Events Focus on a more Positive View of Charlotte's Car Community](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/11/26/fox-body-events-focus-on-togetherness-and-bringing-positivity-back-to-charlottes-car-community/) - Each year around the end of October, the people of Charlotte see an increase in the number of "foxes" in the area. These "foxes," however are not small fluffy animals, instead they refer to a model of the Ford Mustang. Ford Mustangs from the years 1979-1993 are fondly referred to as "foxes" because their fox - [Despierta: Empowering Charlotte’s Latina Women and Youth](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/11/19/despierta-empowering-charlottes-latina-women-and-youth/) - Despierta has a mission to empower Latina women and youth in Charlotte through programs focused on mental health and education. In the past week, Charlotte's immigrant community has faced unprecedented fear due to the U.S. Border Patrol's operation, detaining over 200 individuals in a matter of days. "We are aware that recent actions by I.C.E. - [The Charlotte Irish Connection: The Irish Heart of the Queen City](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/11/18/the-charlotte-irish-connection-the-irish-heart-of-the-queen-city/) - “Everything that the Irish community does in Charlotte, why is it all a secret?” asked Peter Byrne, former president of the Charlotte Irish Connection. His question captures a quiet truth about the city’s Irish presence. The Charlotte Irish Connection, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting Irish culture, connection and celebration, is working to change that. - [Introducing the Fall 2025 QNS Editorial Team](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/10/14/introducing-the-fall-2025-qns-editorial-team/) - We are excited to introduce you to the newest reporters in the Queens University News Service. - [AI Usage in Charlotte Retail: Balancing Technological Advancement with Humanity](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/10/17/ai-usage-in-charlotte-retail-balancing-technological-advancement-with-humanity/) - As artificial intelligence (AI) begins to influence nearly every aspect of daily life, the retail industry has proven to be an ideal ground for its application and growth. From social media marketing to supply chain management, AI has become an unstoppable force shaping how businesses operate and how consumers shop. Whether shoppers have recognized its - [Cultivating a Happy and Healthy Community with Shared Garden Spaces](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/10/16/cultivating-a-happy-and-healthy-community-with-shared-garden-spaces/) - Through the physical satisfaction of creating a whole life cycle from seed to edible produce or beautiful flowers, gardens have proven to hold value within communities. When cities experience years of steady growth, people often find themselves with a lack of space to enjoy tending a garden. Food scarcity, lack of community-controlled outdoor space, unmanaged - [Programs attempt to address the teacher shortage. Are they enough?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/10/17/programs-attempt-to-address-the-teacher-shortage-are-they-enough/) - Schools across Charlotte continue to experience teacher shortages while the demands of the job become increasingly difficult to manage. Local educators point to low pay, heavy workloads and limited support. “Teachers are being assigned more and more responsibilities, creating unrealistic expectations and a lot of stress,” one teacher told the Queens University News Service. The - [A2 Milk: The Protein Shift Changing How Some Drink Dairy](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/10/15/a2-milk-the-protein-shift-changing-how-some-drink-dairy/) - Experts say lactose intolerance affects between 30 and 50 million Americans. Whether it comes with bloating, stomach cramps or the general assumption of lactose intolerance, many people are unable to enjoy dairy products. With A2 milk, there may be an option. Olivia Miller, co-owner at Riverbend Creamery, runs a farm in Lincolnton, N.C. with a - [Keeping History Alive: Charlotte DAR Honors the Spirit of Independence](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/07/03/keeping-history-alive-charlotte-dar-honors-the-spirit-of-independence/) - As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, members of Charlotte’s Alexandriana Chapter reflect on Revolutionary War history and their ongoing mission to preserve it. - [Black Charlotteans Are in a Constant State of Trauma, But Awakening to the Need for Mental Health Care](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/02/24/black-charlotteans-are-in-a-constant-state-of-trauma-but-awakening-to-the-need-for-mental-health-care/) - Black residents of Charlotte need to acknowledge how the last three years have created a period of constant trauma with proven negative impacts on their mental health, according to therapist and social rights activist Justin Perry. As Black History Month comes to a close, Black Americans are continuing to deal with challenges marked by the - [College Students Rely on Emergency Contraceptives. Do Charlotte-Area Universities Make Them Accessible?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/05/12/college-students-rely-on-emergency-contraceptives-do-charlotte-area-universities-make-them-accessible/) - At UNC Charlotte, a student group launched a free service to deliver emergency contraceptives and safe sex products to college dorms. At Davidson College, a vending machine dispenses those pills alongside pregnancy tests, condoms, and menstrual products. At Wingate University, the health center leaders are rapidly working to improve contraceptive access and hoping to install - [Mecklenburg trails most of the state on COVID-19 vaccination rates ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/02/mecklenburg-trails-most-of-the-state-on-covid-19-vaccination-rates/) - Despite holding mass vaccinations at a stadium, an arena, and even a speedway, Mecklenburg County has one of the lowest vaccination rates among North Carolina’s 100 counties. As of today, 9.24 percent of Mecklenburg residents have received first doses of the vaccine. Only Onslow, Duplin, Hoke, Randolph, and Wayne counties have recorded a lower percentage - [A Leader in Therapy Expects COVID and Uvalde To Disturb Charlotte Teachers for Years to Come](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/06/09/a-leader-in-therapy-expects-covid-and-uvalde-to-disturb-charlotte-teachers-for-years-to-come/) - As the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system heads into summer break, conversations with two teachers from the same elementary school reveal that they expect to deal with the consequences of COVID and the Uvalde school shooting for years to come. The leader of a new mental health care initiative to support teachers says her experience with - [COVID-19 Didn’t Help the North Carolina Nursing Shortage, But the Real Causes Are with Education -- And It Gets Worse](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/09/30/covid-19-didnt-help-the-north-carolina-nursing-shortage-but-the-real-causes-are-with-education-and-it-gets-worse/) - At around 4 p.m., nurse Lydia Bohinski begins her day. She puts on her scrubs and packs her lunch before heading to a 12-hour shift at Duke Hospital in Durham, only to get home and repeat the same schedule the next day. Or sometimes even for the next five days -- a harsh reality for - [COVID vaccine optional COVID-19 Vaccine Remains Optional for Most College Students in Charlotte COVID vaccine optional](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/07/29/covid-vaccine-optional-covid-19-vaccine-remains-optional-for-most-college-students-in-charlotte-covid-vaccine-optional/) - With a few weeks remaining before the fall semester begins, five of 14 Charlotte-area colleges and universities have announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for student enrollment. Livingstone College, Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte, and Johnson C. Smith decided in April and May to require vaccination. In June, Queens University of Charlotte and Lenoir-Rhyne University also decided - [COVID-19 vaccine will be optional for most college students in Charlotte ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/30/covid-19-vaccine-will-be-optional-for-most-college-students-in-charlotte/) - Most students who attend colleges and universities in the Charlotte area will not be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when they return to class next fall. A Queens University News Service survey of 13 North Carolina colleges and universities within 65 miles of Charlotte found that at least six of the institutions will not - [NC hospitals find COVID-19 vaccine to be a tough sell among their own employees ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/09/nc-hospitals-find-covid-19-vaccine-to-be-a-tough-sell-among-their-own-employees/) - A survey of North Carolina’s 14 largest hospitals finds that many have not managed to vaccinate a third or more of their employees against COVID-19, despite having early and easy access to vaccines. Seven of the 14 hospitals surveyed reported vaccination rates ranging from 50% to 65%. Five refused to disclose their vaccination rates. By - [How Faith Groups and Colleges Are Building on Lessons From COVID](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/11/10/how-faith-groups-and-colleges-are-building-on-lessons-from-covid/) - At a recent community event in Charlotte, about 60 faith leaders, students, health officials and educators gathered to sift through what COVID taught them about the intersection of faith, health and higher education. What they learned has the potential to nationalize a program launched during the pandemic on college campuses in the Carolinas. Two key - [Charlotte Ballet’s Raven Barkley on Mentorship and the Liberation of Performing in Tights That Match Her Skin Color](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/19/charlotte-ballets-raven-barkley-on-mentorship-and-the-liberation-of-performing-in-tights-that-match-her-skin-color/) - One of Charlotte’s most visible African-American artists says that two months after reading her poem at the presidential inauguration, Amanda Gorman continues to inspire young people of color. As a dancer, Charlotte Ballet’s Raven Barkley understands the power of gestures, symbols and movement. All literally guide her life's journey. She says the poetry of Amanda - [After decades of policing made tougher by death, protest and COVID-19, Officer Shaun Ward explains the city of Charlotte's approach to community policing ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/12/after-decades-of-policing-made-tougher-by-death-protest-and-covid-19-officer-shaun-ward-explains-the-city-of-charlottes-approach-to-community-policing/) - Charlotte police officer Shaun Ward faces a tough job. After years of nationwide protests over deaths in police custody and police behavior, and recent calls for defunding, Ward’s job is building relationships between the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and community members -- particularly those from minority populations. Before and after the deaths of Keith Lamont Scott - [How A Local Charlotte University Makes Room for Unhoused People](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/02/02/how-a-local-charlotte-university-makes-room-for-unhoused-people/) - Queens University of Charlotte joins churches and nonprofits across Charlotte for Room in The Inn - [Testament of Freedom](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/01/09/testament-of-freedom/) - A Queens University of Charlotte concert will honor American democracy - [Backstage at WinterFest](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/11/26/backstage-at-winterfest/) - The annual holiday spectacular at Carowinds brings live entertainment, family activities to the amusement park. - [Artist captures Charlotte’s changing character](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/11/26/artist-captures-charlottes-changing-character/) - David French has been painting the Queen City’s landmarks for nearly two decades. - [Matej Dusa: The journey of a little boy from Slovakia to the 2024 Paris Olympics](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/11/11/matej-dusa-the-journey-of-a-little-boy-from-slovakia-to-the-2024-paris-olympics/) - For Matej Duša, a student at Queens University of Charlotte, swimming is not only a part of his daily routine but also a piece of his identity. - [Election Night in Mecklenburg County](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/11/05/election-night-in-mecklenburg-county/) - There is a good chance we will not know the results of the 2024 presidential election tonight, but we should know local results on races like the North Carolina gubernatorial, Lt. Governor and Attorney General races – all important elections for residents of Mecklenburg County. What can you expect tonight? One thing to remember is - ['You can't do an election without pizza'](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/11/04/you-cant-do-an-election-without-pizza/) - Charlotte Journalism Collaborative partners share election night plans and favorite local pizza joints with QNS ahead of Election Day - [Cultivating Community in Charlotte's West Boulevard Corridor ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/10/31/cultivating-community-in-charlottes-west-boulevard-corridor/) - Neighborhood’s first functional grocery store in over 30 years will bring greater food access, sustainable agriculture and more to area residents. - [Women Running Together](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/10/28/women-running-together/) - How a Charlotte run club is meeting the needs of local runners looking for friendship and safety - [Farming on His Own Terms](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/06/11/farming-on-his-own-terms/) - Evan Streeter left behind traditional agriculture to build a farm focused on compassion, sustainability and change. - [How a $100 bill sparked a Charlotte startup](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/06/09/found-fortune/) - On a day like many others, Cristian and Katheryn Hermida shared a meal at their regular spot. Trying to start a business had left them with a very low budget, and Mr. K’s had the cheapest fried chicken sandwich and sweet tea they could find. Situated between Leather & Lace and an apartment building, the - [A Tale of Two Cities: Life on Both Sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/05/14/a-tale-of-two-cities-life-on-both-sides-of-the-u-s-mexico-border/) - Douglas Douglas, Arizona is a small and charming city lying in the Sulphur Springs Valley. The town started as a mining town, smelting the copper from nearby Bisbee, Arizona. The mine closed in 1987, and the town never really recovered. Douglas has a modest population of around 15,000. The main building in the city’s downtown, - [Goatscaping: The Landscaping Alternative You Didn’t Know You Needed](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/04/09/goatscaping-the-landscaping-alternative-you-didnt-know-you-needed/) - What if your overgrown backyard could be cleared without chemicals and for a third of the cost? Instead of hiring a crew, imagine a team of goats arriving to do the job exactly how nature intended. Your lawn gets cleared, you save some money, and it's fun to watch. What is Goatscaping? Goatscaping is an - [Tattooing on Dark Skin: How Charlotte artists are breaking barriers](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/04/18/tattooing-on-dark-skin-how-charlotte-artists-are-breaking-barriers/) - Tattoos are a beautiful way of expressing our personalities to the world. From American traditional, to black and grey the tattooing industry has a plethora of artists that have different styles so customers have options that fit what they want on their body. Charlotte's tattoo scene is flourishing with different shops popping all over the - [Now what? Immigration and ICE safety on Charlotte college campuses](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/03/28/now-what-immigration-and-ice-safety-on-charlotte-college-campuses/) - En Español por La Noticia College students have a lot to deal with – assignments, tests, grades, extracurricular activities and burgeoning friendships that will often last a lifetime. On top of this, some students now have an added fear lingering in the back of their minds every day, the possibility of an ICE raid on - [Technician by Day, Demon Barber by Night](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/04/01/technician-by-day-demon-barber-by-night/) - Sondheim musical thriller blends suspense, dark humor and rich storytelling this weekend at Queens University - [The thrilling, unforgettable and chilling - Sweeney Todd](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/04/01/the-thrilling-unforgettable-and-chilling-sweeney-todd/) - Sondheim musical thriller blends suspense, dark humor and rich storytelling this weekend at Queens University - [Why Half of Small Businesses Fail in Five Years and How to Beat the Odds](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/03/18/why-half-of-small-businesses-fail-in-five-years-and-how-to-beat-the-odds/) - Entrepreneurs struggle with sales, capital, and expectations, experts say - [Art in a City Thrives When Artists Do](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/03/28/art-in-a-city-thrives-when-artists-do/) - Collaborative playdate with Miami artist and other events during Charlotte SHOUT! highlight the McColl Center’s role in the community. - [Guarding Against Danger: How women can protect themselves while exercising](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/03/18/guarding-against-danger-how-women-can-protect-themselves-while-exercising/) - For many women, running alone on Charlotte’s greenways comes with an unsettling risk – a reality made worse by the increased sense of danger in remote areas. Blue light boxes, which for years were a common sign of security, have now become increasingly unnecessary with the common presence of cell phones. They are now more - [Spring break in Charlotte](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/03/03/spending-spring-break-in-charlotte/) - Swap South Beach for South End in this affordable and entertaining guide to a day in the Queen City - [‘We want to bring people to the city to spend money’: Charlotte Sports Foundation brings millions, additional benefits to the city](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/03/03/we-want-to-bring-people-to-the-city-to-spend-money-the-charlotte-sports-foundation-brings-millions-additional-benefits-to-the-city/) - The Duke’s Mayo Bowl, held January 3, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium, reportedly brings in millions to the city of Charlotte each year. Along with other events like the Ally Tipoff and Duke’s Mayo Classic, the Charlotte Sports Foundation says its events brought in around $160 million in 2022 and 2023. “We want to - [Fire Risk in Charlotte: Is Climate Change Creating the Perfect Storm for Wildfires?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2025/02/14/fire-risk-in-charlotte-is-climate-change-creating-the-perfect-storm-for-wildfires/) - As people in California clean up the ashes and start the long road toward recovery, the potential for wildfires elsewhere has been a burning question for other states. Are urban wildfires a growing threat in more places, including North Carolina? Jack Scheff, an associate professor of earth, environmental and geographical sciences at UNC Charlotte, says - [Triumphs and Trials:  Small Businesses Navigate the Paris 2024 Olympic Games](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/08/06/triumphs-and-trials-small-businesses-navigate-the-paris-2024-olympic-games/) - As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approached, all small businesses had the same question: how will this event affect me? Interviews with a pharmacy near Place d’Italie, a restaurant in Montmartre and a crystal shop along the Seine reveal a fairly clear answer: it depends on what you’re selling. Reasonably priced, iconically French food in - [Stand-Up Comedian Takes on Paris Olympics: Barricades and Surprises](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/08/06/stand-up-comedian-takes-on-paris-olympics-barricades-and-surprises/) - After a path through Raleigh, Charlotte and Washington, DC, Sarah Donnelly came to Paris 12 years ago for love. Since then she’s become a stand-up comedian, multicultural mom, and an expert on what’s funny about everyday life in France. After graduating from Queens in 2005, Donnelly met her now husband 13 years ago while living - [Slovakia to Charlotte to Paris: A Swimmer's Journey to the Olympic Games](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/08/05/slovakia-to-charlotte-to-paris-a-swimmers-journey-to-the-olympic-games/) - On Friday, August 2, Matej Duša of Team Slovakia competed in the 50-meter freestyle at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking a significant milestone in his athletic career. The captain of Queens University of Charlotte’s swimming team has an impressive resume, including holding the current Division II National Record for the men’s 50-yard freestyle and - [Paris Parent Warns: 'Olympic Village Overwhelms Our Neighborhood'](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/08/05/paris-parent-warns-olympic-village-overwhelms-our-neighborhood/) - As Paris geared up for the 2024 Olympic Games, the ambitious urban renewal plans for Saint-Denis, a northern suburb where 113,942 people live, sparked a mix of excitement and concern. While government planners based in Paris hoped to transform the area and boost its infrastructure, local parents and leaders are worried about the potential long-term - [From Protest Hub to Play Oasis: The Open-Air Toy Library Transforming Place de la République](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/08/05/from-protest-hub-to-play-oasis-the-open-air-toy-library-transforming-place-de-la-republique/) - Two graffitied red storage containers sit prominently in the heart of Place de la République, the epicenter of protests in Paris. - [After the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Could an Art Game Change the World?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/08/04/invader-story/) - Unexpected beneficiaries of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are enjoying newfound exposure. Beyond the athletic events, hundreds of thousands of fans are engaging in another game: spotting iconic mosaics by the street artist Invader. A Charlotte artist says the Paris game has the potential to change street art throughout the world. “We’ve been taught in - [The Rising Superpowers of Charlotte Social Media Influencers](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/03/27/the-rising-superpowers-of-charlotte-social-media-influencers/) - Of an estimated 50 million content creators worldwide, three Charlotteans are showing how they can make a living out of a passion for food, travel, events and small businesses. - [Practicing in Charlotte and Packing for Paris: Team USA Field Hockey Roster Announced](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/06/13/practicing-in-charlotte-and-packing-for-paris-team-usa-field-hockey-roster-announced/) - Bolstered by an early June victory against Team Great Britain, the sixth-ranked team in the world, Team USA field hockey is excited about the recent momentum around women’s sports as it gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “This year has been so much fun to be a female athlete and seeing all these - [County Commissioner Race Comes to Class - Gen Z Looks for Mecklenburg Solutions](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/11/03/county-commissioner-race-comes-to-class-gen-z-looks-for-mecklenburg-solutions/) - Candidates in the hotly contested Mecklenburg County Commission District 5 race took time for early morning classroom meetings just days before the Nov. 8 election, addressing concerns posed by Gen Z voters at Queens University of Charlotte. In two separate 8 a.m. classes, Democrat Laura Meier, a community advocate and former teacher, and Republican Matt - [For a Dozen Charlotte Swimmers, a Meet in Omaha Determines Whether They’re Going to the Tokyo Olympics ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/05/28/for-a-dozen-charlotte-swimmers-a-meet-in-omaha-determines-whether-theyre-going-to-the-tokyo-olympics/) - During the next three weeks in Omaha, Neb., about a dozen world-class Charlotte swimmers get their shot to compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games. For almost all the 1,000 athletes competing in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, this is the most competitive event of their lives -- and the conclusion of more than a year - [Meet the Air Force Pilots Behind the Fly-Over at the Coca-Cola 600 --  How Do They Coordinate So Precisely with the National Anthem, Anyway?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/05/29/meet-the-air-force-pilots-behind-the-fly-over-at-the-coca-cola-600-how-do-they-coordinate-so-precisely-with-the-national-anthem-anyway/) - A fly-over by the U.S. Air Force at the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday – Charlotte’s biggest NASCAR race of the year – presents a rare chance to meet the pilots. In a race on Memorial Day weekend, they are eight pilots from NATO countries. All eight are T-38 Talon jet instructors for the Euro-NATO Joint - [COVID-19 Created Record Visits and New Impacts for North Carolina Parks -- What Happens When Social Distancing Meets 'Social Trails'](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/05/07/covid-19-created-record-visits-and-new-impacts-for-north-carolina-parks-what-happens-when-social-distancing-meets-social-trails/) - Residents hit the outdoors in record numbers as COVID-19 spread through North Carolina, creating new impacts on state parks. The state park system welcomed a total of 19.8 million visitors in 2020, which is 400,000 more than the system’s previous high in 2017. “That is because during the pandemic, when a lot of other venues - [Departures by NC Correctional Officers Increased by 14% in 2020 ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/05/14/departures-by-nc-correctional-officers-increased-by-14-in-2020/) - In 2020, when COVID-19 was sweeping the state, more than 1,700 correctional officers left their jobs at North Carolina prisons. That’s a 14% increase from the number of officers who left in 2019 and the biggest jump in more than a decade, according to an analysis of North Carolina state controller data by the Queens - [Families have until today to choose in-person learning over remote; CMS chairwoman urges more students to sign up for in-person learning ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/01/families-have-until-today-to-choose-in-person-learning-over-remote-cms-chairwoman-urges-more-students-to-sign-up-for-in-person-learning/) - The chairwoman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board said she hopes this week to see more Black students choose a return to in-person learning for the remainder of the school year. Families have until today (Thursday, April 1) under a new state-imposed deadline to choose between in-person learning and remote learning for their children. To this - [NC hospitals find COVID-19 vaccine to be a tough sell among their own employees ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/09/nc-hospitals-find-covid-19-vaccine-to-be-a-tough-sell-among-their-own-employees-2/) - A survey of North Carolina’s 14 largest hospitals finds that many have not managed to vaccinate a third or more of their employees against COVID-19, despite having early and easy access to vaccines. Seven of the 14 hospitals surveyed reported vaccination rates ranging from 50% to 65%. Five refused to disclose their vaccination rates. By - [Enrollment in the UNC System Is Virtually Flat, Due to COVID-19 ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/23/enrollment-in-the-unc-system-is-virtually-flat-due-to-covid-19/) - Full-time undergraduate enrollment in the University of North Carolina System remained virtually flat from fall 2019 to fall 2020, as COVID-19 changed students’ plans and the universities’ financial situations. Enrollment increased just .12%, the smallest increase in the past five years, according to an analysis of UNC System data by the Queens University News Service. - [How NC College Grads Can Find a Job in a Pandemic ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/30/how-nc-college-grads-can-find-a-job-in-a-pandemic/) - This year’s college graduates face the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as they enter the workforce. Potential employers still struggle to recover from the pandemic and unemployment nationally hovers at 6% after peaking a year ago at nearly 15%. What must a graduate do to get a job now? Experts at career centers from - [What’s a Digital Strike? 15-Year-Old Activist Mary Ellis Stevens on Protesting Safely in Charlotte in a Pandemic](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/02/04/whats-a-digital-strike-15-year-old-activist-mary-ellis-stevens-on-protesting-safely-in-charlotte-in-a-pandemic/) - A 15-year-old Charlotte high school student has become a role model for responsible climate activism. Effective protest during COVID-19 can take many forms, she says, and making cookies is one of them. Mary Ellis Stevens, a sophomore at Myers Park High School, started protesting for climate change by sitting alone with a sign, outside Charlotte - [COVID-19 Raises an Intriguing Question: What Can Businesses on Charlotte's East and West Sides Learn from Each Other?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/02/01/covid-19-raises-an-intriguing-question-what-can-businesses-on-charlottes-east-and-west-sides-learn-from-each-other/) - As they struggle to survive COVID-19, small businesses on the east and west sides have begun giving each other advice on keeping the doors open. The networking started with a new community initiative, Key in CLT, designed to help small businesses thrive through the pandemic. It receives federal funding through the CARES act. They’re focusing - [As COVID-19 surges, families of inmates struggle to contact loved ones ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/02/22/as-covid-19-surges-families-of-inmates-struggle-to-contact-loved-ones/) - As COVID-19 surges through North Carolina’s prison system, families are struggling to make contact with loved ones behind bars. On March 16, 2020, the North Carolina Division of Prisons suspended visits to all state prison facilities. Since then, communication between family members and their incarcerated relatives has proved more difficult, and several families contacted said - [The Impact of a Headscarf – Female and Muslim in the South  ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/02/15/the-impact-of-a-headscarf-female-and-muslim-in-the-south/) - In recent research on the experience of Muslim women, Charlotte religion professor Hadia Mubarak interviewed women from throughout the United States. All of them had experienced discrimination or hate crimes, and all of them were wearing headscarves at the time of the incident. As a Muslim who grew up in Panama City, Fla., and has - [Mimosas and Masks: How a Charlotte nail salon is recovering from COVID-19 ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/02/26/mimosas-and-masks-how-a-charlotte-nail-salon-is-recovering-from-covid-19/) - Imagine saving for years to start a nail salon, identifying a location, building out the space, hiring employees, and carving out a new approach to personal care service. Five months later, in a business that requires close physical contact, COVID-19 hits. For Dr. Trang Tran and her husband Don Do, who own Mimosas Nail Bar - [In Oral Quaran Tradition, Charlotte Boy Becomes a Hafiz](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/07/01/in-oral-quaran-tradition-charlotte-boy-becomes-a-hafiz/) - Inside a mosque in north Charlotte, 12-year-old Mohsin Siddiqui sits in a corner of the prayer room, legs crossed and fully focused, rocking back and forth as he practices verses from the Quran, the central religious text of Islam. In an oral Muslim tradition called hifz, Mohsin recently completed the memorization of all 6,200 verses - [Meet the New Guardians of Charlotte’s Tree Canopy: Laurie Reid Dukes and Jane Singleton Myers](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/07/15/meet-the-new-guardians-of-charlottes-tree-canopy-laurie-reid-dukes-and-jane-singleton-myers/) - For the first time in history, the guardians of the Charlotte tree canopy are both women. In the spring of 2021, Laurie Reid Dukes became city arborist and Jane Singleton Myers became executive director of TreesCharlotte. Among their key goals: grow the canopy in low-income neighborhoods, increase plantings, and diversify tree species in the urban - [Can Art Unite Cops and Kids? A Charlotte Non-Profit Says Yes](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/08/19/can-art-unite-cops-and-kids-a-charlotte-non-profit-says-yes/) - If young people and police officers create art together, what kind of an understanding can they reach? Workshops led by the Arts Empowerment Project, a Charlotte program that uses art to heal vulnerable youth, took a recent step toward answering the question. A July session focused on painting, poetry and photography opened 18-year-old Ramey Carter’s - [Charlotte Builder of Ships in Bottles Says Pirate Season is Underway](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/09/09/charlotte-builder-of-ships-in-bottles-says-pirate-season-is-underway/) - About 1,000 people a day are moving into North Carolina. A Charlotte-based builder of ships in bottles has a tip for them. Pirate Season is underway. On Saturday, Sept. 18, Bath Fest celebrates the golden age of piracy. Bath was the first town in North Carolina and a stopping place for Blackbeard. Talk Like a - [Supply Shortages Make Halloween Tough to Predict, But Morris Costumes Expects Yard Decorations to Be Big](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/09/23/supply-shortages-make-halloween-tough-to-predict-but-morris-costumes-expects-yard-decorations-to-be-big/) - Toilet paper rolls and hand sanitizer bottles became popular Halloween costumes last year. Supply chain shortages, remember? This year, according to Charlotte-based Morris Costumes, backups in the supply chain are delaying the arrival of the latest Halloween costumes. But Morris Costumes -- one of the largest costume distributors in the world -- ended up with - [Meet the Guy Setting Up the Twisty, Turny Party At Charlotte Motor Speedway This Weekend ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/10/06/meet-the-guy-setting-up-the-twisty-turny-party-at-charlotte-motor-speedway-this-weekend/) - Garrett Carter remembers when Marcus Smith, general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, first came up with the idea of converting the 1.5-mile oval to a 2.28-mile Roval for a NASCAR race. “He called a couple of people in the NASCAR world and said, ‘Hey, I have this idea.’ And they all thought he was crazy,” - [Is Charlotte Emerging as a Kombucha City?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/10/21/is-charlotte-emerging-as-a-kombucha-city/) - Fresh produce and consumer appetite for seasonal drinks could make Charlotte one of the kombucha high points of the East Coast, says the founder of a brewery that makes the fermented tea. “If there is a kombucha capital, it's somewhere in California,” said Townes Mozer, who founded Charlotte’s Lenny Boy Brewing in 2011. “The West - [Think Charlotte Rents Are High? Be Glad You're Not an International Student](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/12/02/think-charlotte-rents-are-high-be-glad-youre-not-an-international-student/) - Recent increases in housing costs are creating financial struggles for international students in Charlotte, with some students facing a decision to cut short their education and return to their home country. Other students are turning to a university-run food pantry for help with tight monthly budgets and considering moves to less-expensive housing in South Carolina. - [Against the Odds, a Few Small Charlotte Nonprofits are Thriving ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/12/09/against-the-odds-a-few-small-charlotte-nonprofits-are-thriving/) - A few small Charlotte nonprofits have found ways to thrive while navigating their way through national headwinds created by COVID-19. An October 2021 report by the Urban Institute found that 37% of nonprofits throughout the United States reported fewer donations in 2020 than in the five preceding years. The research organization also found that small - [At the Whitewater Center’s Tuck Fest This Weekend, Three Charlotte Teenagers are Ready to Rock](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/04/27/at-the-whitewater-centers-tuck-fest-this-weekend-three-charlotte-teenagers-are-ready-to-rock/) - In an annual celebration this weekend at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, three Charlotte teenagers who have trained together since middle school are local favorites in a wild climbing sport you’ve probably never heard of. It was called “psycho bouldering” – psicobloc in Spanish – when it was invented almost 50 years ago on the - [The People Transforming Charlotte Churches from Sacred to Secular Spaces ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/07/08/the-people-transforming-charlotte-churches-from-sacred-to-secular-spaces/) - Their work is often controversial. But as architects and entrepreneurs describe the transformation of Charlotte churches into restaurants, art centers, condos, and coworking spaces, the need for respect and reverence occupies an awful lot of their conversational bandwidth. City historians cite the extraordinary influence of churches on the character of communities and the formation of - [What Greek Festival Dancers Can Teach Faith Communities](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/09/07/what-greek-festival-dancers-can-teach-faith-communities/) - People love Charlotte’s Greek Festival for the baklava and gyros. But the way the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral teaches folk dancing could show a few new moves to congregations nationwide, who are facing historic declines in attendance. The festival helped make Holy Trinity the fourth largest Greek Orthodox parish in the United States. The - [Can Faiths Fix Political Polarization? Q & A with LeDayne Polaski of MeckMIN](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/09/15/can-faiths-fix-political-polarization-q-a-with-ledayne-polaski-of-meckmin/) - What does MeckMIN do? We represent nine different faith groups in the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. All of those faiths call their adherents to love their neighbors. But it’s hard to love a neighbor that you don’t know well. So all of our work is about helping people get to know each other well so that - [Moving Homeless Families to Shelter and Affordable Housing Q & A with Major Todd Mason of The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/09/22/moving-homeless-families-to-shelter-and-affordable-housing-q-a-with-major-todd-mason-of-the-salvation-army-of-greater-charlotte/) - ‘When we meet people, it’s often on the worst day of their life’ - [For Charlotte's NASCAR Road Course, Engineers Prep Cars for Blue Turtles and Right Turns](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/10/06/for-charlottes-nascar-road-course-engineers-prep-cars-for-blue-turtles-and-right-turns/) - A traditional NASCAR race features fast cars turning left, counterclockwise around an oval track. A road course like the Bank of America ROVAL 400 presents engineers with a challenge you wouldn’t expect. How do they reconfigure cars to turn right? The ROVAL course at Charlotte Motor Speedway is a special case for several reasons, explained - [Four Filmmakers Will Join a Celebration At The Charlotte Jewish Film Festival](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/01/31/four-filmmakers-will-join-a-celebration-at-the-charlotte-jewish-film-festival/) - After two years of virtual showings, the organizers of this year’s Charlotte Jewish Film Festival are returning to tradition with an opening night gala celebration for an event now entering its 19th year. You can’t get any more celebratory – or traditional – than Neva Small performing “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” in a singalong from “Fiddler on - [Bring It On! Finally! A Charlotte Team Reveals the World of Competitive Dance](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/04/20/bring-it-on-finally-a-charlotte-team-reveals-the-world-of-competitive-dance/) - It’s totally dark except for the glow from the stage. My hands become shaky and breath unsteady as we form a circle. Our hair has so much gel that it’s rock hard to touch. As dance team captain, I repeat our motto, “Believe you can and you will.” Then I clear my mind and stare - [How Three Gen Z Women Curate Y2K Vintage Fashion](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/05/18/how-three-gen-z-women-curate-y2k-vintage-fashion/) - Ella, Bella, and Mariela struck up a bond over their passion for all things “Noughties” – the fashion of the late 90s and early 2000s – a little over a year ago. They’ve since turned their friendship and fashion into a business venture. Noughties Market CLT is the brainchild of the three friends, Ella Vernile, - [Bagels, Croissants and Tres Leches: You Knead to Know Who's Behind These Charlotte Ethic Bakeries](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/06/07/bagels-croissants-and-tres-leches-you-knead-to-know-whos-behind-these-charlotte-ethic-bakeries/) - My earliest memory of my family’s bakery is waking up at 5 in the morning to deliver bagels to the businesses my parents catered to. I was about 5 years old. My mother was carrying me, and I remember falling asleep with my pillow and a blanket in the back seat of a GMC Yukon. - [What Queens Students Learned at The Border: How Faith Fuels the Immigrant Journey](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/09/24/what-queens-students-learned-at-the-border-how-faith-fuels-the-immigrant-journey/) - After studying immigration issues for 16 weeks, a dozen students from Queens University of Charlotte visited the border in El Paso, Texas, for five days in early May and saw firsthand how people are empowered by faith and how important it is in their journey to the United States. Volunteers in El Paso and Charlotte - [Fútbol as Cultural DNA: Charlotte FC's Engagement with Latino Communities](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/10/16/futbol-as-cultural-dna-charlotte-fcs-engagement-with-latino-communities/) - Hosting Inter Miami on Saturday, Oct. 21 – the team that signed what may be the greatest fútbol player since Pelé – presents Charlotte FC with the opportunity to expand on an already-thriving relationship with Latino and Hispanic communities. Regardless of whether artificial turf, injury, or World Cup qualifying games prevent Lionel Messi from playing - [Artists 'Bug Off' to the Urban Outdoors, and A Beetle Becomes a Mobile Mural Machine](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/10/30/artists-bug-off-to-the-urban-outdoors-and-a-beetle-becomes-a-mobile-mural-machine/) - In the last 10 years, dozens of murals, walking tours, festivals and national commissions have turned Charlotte into a city of talking walls. Now, with help from a red 1969 Volkswagen Beetle, a pair of artists is experimenting with light to make murals move. Mark Doepker and Rebecca Lipps call it the Eyelumination Project. Five months ago they sculpted - [How the Marvel Universe Exhibition Reveals Superpowers in a Charlotte Graphic Novelist](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/11/13/how-the-marvel-universe-exhibition-reveals-superpowers-in-a-charlotte-graphic-novelist/) - Walking through the "Marvel: Universe of Superheroes" exhibition with Charlotte graphic novelist Wolly McNair provides an escape into a world that answers at least three big questions: Why is Spider-Man so important? What are the superpowers of graphic artists? Can graphic novels change the narrative of someone’s life? I’m a student journalist and a graphic - [Tamales, Hallacas, and Humitas, Oh My! Unwrapping a Corn'y Holiday Tradition in Charlotte](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/12/19/tamales-hallacas-and-humitas-oh-my-unwrapping-a-corny-holiday-tradition-in-charlotte/) - Tamales very widely by region. We take a look at the hallacas of Venezuela with help from the staff at Los Chamos on South Boulevard in Charlotte. - [Batter Up: Charlotte Jewish Film Festival Hits a Home Run with 'Israel Swings for Gold'](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/01/24/batter-up-charlotte-jewish-film-festival-hits-a-home-run-with-israel-swings-for-gold/) - The Charlotte Jewish Film Festival is showing ‘Israel Swings for Gold,’ a documentary about the Israel national baseball team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, on Sunday, Jan. 28. Photo by Menemsha Films - [Meet Five Gen Z Drivers Challenging NASCAR Stereotypes](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/04/13/meet-five-gen-z-drivers-challenging-nascar-stereotypes/) - In a red and gray suburban office building in Concord, a mile from Charlotte Motor Speedway, the next up-and-coming Black, Latino and female NASCAR drivers are in the third month of a year-long training program. They’re all teenagers and want to race in the Cup Series – the highest level in NASCAR. They want to - [The First and Only Muslim Domestic Violence Shelter in the Carolinas Welcomes All Faiths ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/12/16/the-first-and-only-muslim-domestic-violence-shelter-in-the-carolinas-welcomes-all-faiths/) - The founder of the first and only Muslim-operated domestic violence shelter in the Carolinas can point to some easy numbers to understand. There are 13,500 animal shelters in the United States, but only 1,887 domestic violence shelters. Sa’idah Sudan started Charlotte’s shelter in October 2019 after an experience in a hospital emergency room in New - [Evictions Don’t Seem to Be Causing a Homeless Spike. Yet. ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/01/20/evictions-dont-seem-to-be-causing-a-homeless-spike-yet/) - The end of a federal moratorium on evictions has not yet resulted in a significant spike in local homelessness, say two key Charlotte nonprofit organizations focused on the issue. While homelessness increased during the pandemic, new shelters and services that did not exist in 2019, as well as new investments of community resources, donations and - [A Look Into the Minds of Team USA Skeleton Athletes, From Charlotte Competitor Mystique Ro ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/02/10/a-look-into-the-minds-of-team-usa-skeleton-athletes-from-charlotte-competitor-mystique-ro/) - What sort of person would rocket across ice, headfirst, at 80 mph with no more protection than a helmet? Mystique Ro knows. And she has some idea of what's going on in the minds of the three Americans competing in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games – Katie Uhlaender, Kelly Curtis, and Andrew Blaser. “I - [How to Run a Jewish Film Festival in Charlotte During a Rise in Antisemitism  ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/02/03/how-to-run-a-jewish-film-festival-in-charlotte-during-a-rise-in-antisemitism/) - Films that help create understanding across cultures is important for the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival, taking place Feb. 5-27. Cinema Sabaya is a 2021 film about Arab and Jewish women in a filmmaking workshop. Image from Green Productions - [Telling Stories at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Takes Building Relationships, Not Searching Garages](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/02/17/telling-stories-at-the-nascar-hall-of-fame/) - NASCAR evokes the image of crowds, the shouts and rush of a speedway, the roar of machines pushed to their limit — not a museum or a collection of artifacts. Tom Jensen, curatorial affairs manager at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, would beg to differ. Jensen recalls beginning his journey with NASCAR at the age - [Americans Trust Local Meteorologists on Climate Change. For Brad Panovich, Social Media Helps Build That Trust ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/03/03/americans-trust-local-meteorologists-on-climate-change-for-brad-panovich-social-media-helps-build-that-trust/) - Charlotte meteorologist Brad Panovich realizes people are hungry for more information on climate change, even though time constraints in his daily forecasts limit how much explanation he can devote to it. That’s why Panovich takes advantage of the time and space available in social media and speaking engagements to explain the subject. In the last - [Charlotte Has a Language Access Problem. Here's the City’s Plan to Fix it.](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/03/17/charlotte-has-a-language-access-problem-heres-the-citys-plan-to-fix-it/) - Among the Charlotte inequities exposed by COVID-19 is a foundational block of culture -- access to language. The 77,000 Charlotte residents whose primary language is not English struggled to get basic information about staying safe during a pandemic. One of the key Charlotteans behind a new policy to make information about basic services more accessible - [How University Students Are Keeping Ramadan Alive in Charlotte ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/03/31/how-university-students-are-keeping-ramadan-alive-in-charlotte/) - For about 1,000 Muslim university students in Mecklenburg County, the first celebration of Ramadan since COVID restrictions were lifted means they will be celebrating with classmates rather than family. This year Ramadan is scheduled for April 2 through May 2, and Muslim students at UNC Charlotte have been planning for it since January. Ramadan is - [Meet the Chef on a Mission to 'Veganize' Charlotte Soul Food](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/04/07/meet-the-chef-on-a-mission-to-veganize-charlotte-soul-food/) - Quientina Stewart wants everyone to know that there’s an abundance of healthy ingredients within the soul food experience, contrary to most stereotypes. Soul food in the South often falls into the category of macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and hush puppies – fatty foods not typically identified with health and nutrition. But on a recent - [Gambit in the Queen City – A Chess Center's Play for the Internet](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/04/14/gambit-in-the-queen-city-a-chess-centers-play-for-the-internet/) - Located near a hair salon and a pediatrician’s office in a plain-vanilla retail center in Pineville, it’s an unlikely place for a nerve center of the global chess world. But the Charlotte Chess Center is home to some of the top chess players in the United States and serves a growing population of students in - [About 500 Local College Students Get Concussions Annually. Here's What It Feels Like ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/04/22/about-500-local-college-students-get-concussions-annually-heres-what-it-feels-like/) - It felt like zero gravity. It was a tie. I didn’t expect it because we were out of bounds. In a high school wrestling match, there would have been a fight. Angry parents would rush the mat. As a referee, I’ve thrown out high school athletes for that. My opponent steps in with his hips - [After 2 Years of Isolation, a Film Festival Reunites Charlotte's LGBTQ Community](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/05/05/after-2-years-of-isolation-a-film-festival-reunites-charlottes-lgbtq-community/) - In a year when 36 state legislatures introduced or passed a record number of laws targeting LGBTQ populations, organizers point to three critical tasks for next week’s Reel Out Charlotte film festival. Reunite people after two years of isolation, provide education, and showcase powerful independent films. Scheduled for May 11-15, the 14-year-old festival is screening - [Charlotte Bus Operators Say Poor City Infrastructure May Lead to Additional Violence Against Drivers ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/05/12/charlotte-bus-operators-say-poor-city-infrastructure-may-lead-to-additional-violence-against-drivers/) - Charlotte bus operators fear a recurrence of circumstances that led to the shooting death of bus driver Ethan Rivera, if government officials and residents ignore critical issues with city infrastructure, laws, and behavior. Rivera, 41, was shot and killed on Feb. 11 in an incident of road rage in uptown Charlotte. Five current and former - [How Swimming Coach Jeff Dugdale Won 14 National Titles: Start with a Goal That Makes You Sick To Your Stomach  ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/05/19/802/) - When Jeff Dugdale was an assistant coach for Duke University’s swimming program in the 2000s, his day job was in pharmaceutical sales for GSK. It was a combination of experiences that shaped his approach to coaching. High-performing leaders in business aren’t very much different from high-performing swimmers. Banners around the campus at Queens University of - [With Evictions Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Charlotte Attorneys Describe Human Consequences](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/06/02/with-evictions-returning-to-pre-pandemic-levels-charlotte-attorneys-describe-human-consequences/) - Evictions in Mecklenburg County have returned to pre-pandemic levels and are now averaging 2,500 per month, a rate that keeps Charlotte among the nation’s top cities for evictions, say attorneys with legal aid organizations that represent tenants. The most recent data from the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts indicates a level of 30,000 - [Accessibility Lessons from the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Have Implications for Paris in 2024 ... and For All Cities](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/06/09/accessibility-lessons-from-the-tokyo-olympics-and-paralympics-have-implications-for-paris-in-2024-and-for-all-cities/) - Lessons learned from Japan’s approach to accessibility at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have implications not only for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, but for organizations throughout the world, say an expert on disability policy at the University of Tokyo and a Paralympic gold medalist from North Carolina. Mark Bookman, now a post-doctoral - [Charlotte’s Going Rate to Housesit and Take Care of a Dog? $100 to $140 Per Night](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/06/16/charlottes-going-rate-to-housesit-and-take-care-of-a-dog-100-to-140-per-night/) - Demand for pet-sitting is booming in Charlotte as dogs and cats acquired during the pandemic stay at home while owners return to the office or take summer vacations. The going rate for an experienced pet sitter to stay overnight in the owner’s house, watch the pet, and water the plants is $100 to $140 per - [Ride Along with a Charlotte Animal Care Officer – No Longer the Dogcatchers from 'Lady and the Tramp'](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/06/23/ride-along-with-a-charlotte-animal-care-officer-no-longer-the-dogcatchers-from-lady-and-the-tramp/) - The first call of the day for officer Chris Meyer was about a small black dog tied to a tree. It was a sunny day in the middle of June, and neighbors were concerned that the dog was unattended and outside for too long. Driving an animal care van along a Derita neighborhood street, Meyer - [New Restrictions on Hajj Force Charlotte Muslims to Change Plans ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/06/30/new-restrictions-on-hajj-force-charlotte-muslims-to-change-plans/) - A series of new restrictions announced between April and June by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have disappointed Muslims around the world. “I was let down and I was shocked at the same time,” said Hannah Tamimi, a member of the Muslim Community Center in Charlotte. “The ministry has basically canceled Hajj - [Next Weekend Marks the New Year for Charlotte Muslims. But It's a Remembrance of a Historic Event, Not a Party](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/07/21/next-weekend-marks-the-new-year-for-charlotte-muslims-but-its-a-remembrance-of-a-historic-event-not-a-party/) - It’s a confusing question for a teenager at the Muslim Community Center. What’s it like to celebrate the Islamic New Year? “What is she talking about?,” Muhammad asked the boy next to him, who explained that the reporter was not asking about the celebration after Hajj, called Eid al-Adha, but about an event on Saturday, - [DeLesslin George-Warren Considers Himself A Pollinator on the Catawba River ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/07/28/delesslin-george-warren-considers-himself-a-pollinator-on-the-catawba-river/) - In an environment marked by disappearing lakes and rising wildfires, DeLesslin George-Warren believes the people of the Catawba Nation raise an existential question: how do you create a society that lasts 6,000 years? “What we’re doing is reclaiming, revitalizing and reweaving our culture,” said DeLesslin George-Warren, a citizen of the Catawba Nation near Rock Hill. - [Leaders in the arts offer a few ideas on saving Charlotte theater](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/09/29/leaders-in-the-arts-offer-a-few-ideas-on-saving-charlotte-theater/) - After almost three years of near-death experiences for Charlotte theater organizations, arts leaders say they have a few new ideas about how to survive. Unfortunately, there’s a huge need for a cure. One music director said the recent closure of the Actors Theatre of Charlotte could be just the beginning. On Broadway, the producer of - [Residential Bidding Wars May Be Over in Charlotte, But Concerns About Affordability Aren't](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/10/19/residential-bidding-wars-may-be-over-in-charlotte-but-concerns-about-affordability-arent/) - Charlotte's real estate market may be cooling off, with less pressure on homebuyers to bid tens of thousands of dollars over asking price. Compared to cities like Denver and New York, local real estate experts say home prices in the Queen City are relatively low. But experts also caution that the market is unpredictable, and - [What It's Like for Athletes in Charlotte's Newest D1 School](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/11/03/what-its-like-for-athletes-in-charlottes-newest-d1-school/) - The rumors had been whispering their way through the Queens University of Charlotte campus last school year, and in early May, it became official: our Division II school was moving to Division I, the highest level in college athletics. I’m an international student from Dublin, Ireland, on the Queens field hockey team, and when I - [They're Not Called 'Food Deserts' Anymore; Six Ways Charlotte is Addressing Food Insecurity](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/12/08/theyre-not-called-food-deserts-anymore-six-ways-charlotte-is-addressing-food-insecurity/) - Food deserts don’t occur naturally. Charlotte leaders focused on food insecurity say they’re a symptom of purposefully unequal policies, systems, and design. And they’re not even called “deserts” anymore. What most people know is that food insecurity exists throughout Charlotte. The surprising news is that nonprofit organizations, farmers markets and local government are working together - [In Advance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, A Hero Advises Charlotte To Focus On Relationships](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/01/19/in-advance-of-holocaust-remembrance-day-a-hero-advises-charlotte-to-focus-on-relationships/) - Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker made headlines one year ago – on Jan. 15, 2022 – for his life-saving decision to throw a chair at the gunman holding him and three others hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. Cytron-Walker moved to Winston-Salem in July 2022 to become rabbi of Temple Emanuel, and continues to combat - [Goodyear Art Hopes to Spread a Model Focused Completely on Local Artists](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/01/26/goodyear-art-hopes-to-spread-a-model-focused-completely-on-local-artists/) - Eight years ago, a group of local artists stumbled upon a unique opportunity – a developer offered them an abandoned Goodyear tire center as a home for their work. A space for collaboration and messiness became a program where artists support other artists. Goodyear Arts is one of a growing number of on-the-ground organizations with - [How Charlotte Apartment Complexes Mislead Potential Tenants Through Online Reviews](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/03/16/how-charlotte-apartment-complexes-mislead-potential-tenants-through-online-reviews/) - Prospective tenants rely heavily on online reviews nowadays to determine where they want to live. But what happens when the reviews are bogus or misleading? Fake online reviews for apartments and other businesses are becoming a more widespread problem in Charlotte and around the globe, experts say. About 4% of worldwide online reviews are fake, - [911 Response Times are Getting Better, But People are Still Left Waiting](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/03/23/911-response-times-are-getting-better-but-people-are-still-left-waiting/) - One evening in January, James Holtzclaw called 911 after being involved in a minor car accident. “I was put on hold for four minutes before I even got to speak with anyone,” said Holtzclaw. “It was 6 p.m. when the accident happened. By the time I called a second time since no officer came, it - [Charlotte Is Becoming Friendlier to Pedestrians. But Nationally, It Ranks Close to Last on Walkability](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/04/19/charlotte-is-becoming-friendlier-to-pedestrians-but-nationally-it-ranks-close-to-last-on-walkability/) - While Charlotte has become more pedestrian friendly in recent years, the city still has far to go, according to organizations that work to improve walkability. Out of 130 cities with populations over 200,000, Charlotte is sixth from last on a walkability ranking by WalkScore, an organization that measures walkability by analyzing walking routes and the - [Charlotte's Bike Safety Ranking Is Dismal. Education, More Lanes and a Network Could Help](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/04/20/charlottes-bike-safety-ranking-is-dismal-education-more-lanes-and-a-network-could-help/) - Bicycling on Charlotte streets tends to evoke two reactions. Drivers moan when cyclists slow them down, and cyclists fear for their lives when forced to ride next to cars. Mixing bikes and cars in the same lane often makes bicycling in Charlotte unsafe. That combination is even more dangerous because bike awareness and safety gets - [South End is Ground Zero for Towing - The Perils of Parking in a Party Precinct](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/05/14/south-end-is-ground-zero-for-towing-the-perils-of-parking-in-a-party-precinct/) - Thinking about some lavender ice cream at Jeni’s on Camden Road? Tapas and rioja at Barcelona Wine Bar on Worthington Avenue? How about a Hulk Hogan cocktail at Pins Mechanical on Tremont Avenue? The one with blueberry vodka and a popsicle? If you’re planning a South End celebration for graduation — or for Mother’s Day - [How Charlotte Pit Crews Survive the Heat In Daytona's Final NASCAR Race of the Season](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/08/21/how-charlotte-pit-crews-survive-the-heat-in-daytonas-final-nascar-race-of-the-season/) - The final race of the NASCAR Cup Series takes place on Saturday, Aug. 26 in Daytona, Florida — in state's hottest month of the year. For the pit crews and the trainers who support them, preparation boils down to steamy afternoons at practice facilities just north of Charlotte. Bill Heisel specializes in sports medicine that - [The Bird Science of 'Imping': A Glimpse into North Carolina's Science Tourism](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/09/15/the-bird-science-of-imping-a-glimpse-into-north-carolinas-science-tourism/) - Once a month at the Carolina Raptor Center, hospital manager Sunny Cooper (shown) and colleagues perform the ancient operation of "imping." - [Recognizing the Enslaved in Mecklenburg County: Historic Properties Are Writing New Chapters](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/09/27/recognizing-the-enslaved-in-mecklenburg-county-historic-properties-are-writing-new-chapters/) - As school systems, universities and museums throughout the United States reckon with ways to present the history of slavery, three of the oldest, most historic properties in Mecklenburg County are no exception. - [Sometimes, Reality Bites. Why Simulators Are Key for the Bank of America Roval 400](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/10/04/sometimes-reality-bites-why-simulators-are-key-for-the-bank-of-america-roval-400/) - You’re a driver or an engineer getting ready for the Bank of America Roval 400. How do you prepare for a road course that exists for only a few weeks each year? At tech centers just north of Charlotte, NASCAR racing teams use sophisticated simulators that enable drivers to mark in their visual and physical - [Pineville Debuts Utility Box Makeover Just in Time for Arts in the Park](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/05/09/pineville-debuts-utility-box-makeover-just-in-time-for-arts-in-the-park/) - On a recent Friday afternoon in Pineville Lake Park, it would be difficult to imagine a more tranquil scene. Men sailed red boats on a small lake. A hungry heron glided in for a landing. Four artists painted nature scenes on utility boxes To make the park even prettier, the Pineville Parks and Recreation Department - [Bringing Native Americans Together in Charlotte: The Power of 'Talking Circles' in Urban Areas](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/12/04/bringing-native-americans-together-in-charlotte-the-power-of-talking-circles-in-urban-areas/) - As the holiday season continues, a Charlotte social worker sees emerging traces of hope for the 70% of Native Americans who live in urban areas — including 22,000 in Mecklenburg County. Tonia Jacobs Deese leads “Talking Circles” coordinated by the Metrolina Native American Association. Scheduled monthly in libraries, the circles offer a safe space for 12 to - [As Graduation Season Begins in Charlotte, a Modest Tribute to College Campus Wildlife](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/05/03/as-graduation-season-begins-in-charlotte-a-modest-tribute-to-college-campus-wildlife/) - I've studied conservation biology for the last four years in the middle of Charlotte, on a university campus shared with thousands of birds and animals. - [The arrival of ‘the Academy’ --  Charlotte FC brings huge changes for youth soccer in the Carolinas](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/05/21/the-arrival-of-the-academy-charlotte-fc-brings-huge-changes-for-youth-soccer-in-the-carolinas/) - In most American sports, college athletics are a gateway to the major leagues. In soccer, they are a dead end. A player's best chances are at “the academy.” The arrival of Charlotte FC and its academy provide a fresh look at how young athletes grow up in the world of professional soccer. Conversations with academy - [New Grassroots Initiative Engages Charlotte-Area University Students to Organize COVID-19 Vaccinations](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/06/11/new-grassroots-initiative-engages-charlotte-area-university-students-to-organize-covid-19-vaccinations/) - A new Charlotte initiative relies on university students to mobilize vaccinations for COVID-19 among populations with “vaccine hesitancy,” including groups with historic distrust for government programs. Working with faith communities and non-profit organizations trusted by these groups, students will provide reliable resources about the vaccine. The “Faith in the Vaccine” initiative is included in a - [Charlotte’s best burger joints keep prices unchanged. Want to keep them afloat? Add fries, sides, and drinks.](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/06/25/charlottes-best-burger-joints-keep-prices-unchanged-want-to-keep-them-afloat-add-fries-sides-and-drinks/) - Good news for the Fourth of July. Despite sizzling global beef costs, Charlotte’s best burger joints are keeping hamburger prices unchanged. It’s not great news for the restaurants, which are emerging from their worst year in history. The global price of beef increased 12% in the last year. Grocery stores increased beef prices by 4-5%. - [For Charlotte swimmers, Olympic team trials were a learning experience ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/06/25/for-charlotte-swimmers-olympic-team-trials-were-a-learning-experience/) - About three dozen North Carolina swimmers competed for a slot on the U.S. Olympic swimming team in Omaha, Neb., this month. A third were from Charlotte. But only one – Claire Curzan of Raleigh -- will compete at the Tokyo Olympics in July. Curzan secured second place in the 100-meter butterfly final with a time - [Charlotte organizations respond Friday to new Juneteenth national holiday ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/06/18/charlotte-organizations-respond-friday-to-new-juneteenth-national-holiday/) - The day marks the end of slavery in the United States. President Joe Biden signed legislation on Thursday afternoon declaring the Juneteenth holiday. Most federal employees observed the holiday on Friday, because June 19 falls on a Saturday this year. Post offices and postal services were staying in operation nationally on Friday and Saturday. A - [Negotiating Peace Between Raptors and Humans in Mecklenburg County ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/06/04/negotiating-peace-between-raptors-and-humans-in-mecklenburg-county/) - During a year of COVID-19, the Carolina Raptor Center had some time to look at data on injured birds. It learned that interactions with humans are both the cause of the problem and the solution. A wildlife educator at the center, McKenna Schaffer, has been studying a database of more than 24,000 medical records of - [After a Year of Learning to Survive a Pandemic, Confidence Returns to Kids in Summer Camps](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/07/22/after-a-year-of-learning-to-survive-a-pandemic-confidence-returns-to-kids-in-summer-camps/) - In a season of evolving guidelines, protocols and behaviors, Charlotte summer camp leaders say kids are displaying a new sense of confidence that may have faded during a year of COVID-19. After months of lessons in surviving a pandemic, kids know the drill. “There’s more confidence because we know more, and we’ve put these practices - [Environmentalists and Designers Examine New Ways of Looking at Water in Charlotte](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/07/29/environmentalists-and-designers-examine-new-ways-of-looking-at-water-in-charlotte/) - Conversations with experts reveal three pieces of information useful to planning for Charlotte’s future water supply: population growth points to water shortages by 2050, dealing with storm water drainage is critical, and green infrastructure is a big part of the solution. How cities -- and specifically Charlotte -- manage water is a major focus for - [Despite pandemic, Charlotte Symphony stays in tempo; Coming up next, a brewery concert series in NoDa](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/02/despite-pandemic-charlotte-symphony-stays-in-tempo-coming-up-next-a-brewery-concert-series-in-noda/) - At a time when social distance is everything, you might think the Charlotte Symphony has been silenced. However, a glimpse inside the life of the symphony’s principal harpist, Andrea Mumm, tells you otherwise. Mumm, 33, was the featured performer on March 27 when the symphony live-streamed a virtual concert billed as “Debussy + Strauss.” A - [COVID Has You Waiting for a Vet Appointment? Here’s What to Watch For. ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/07/08/covid-has-you-waiting-for-a-vet-appointment-heres-what-to-watch-for/) - Labrador retrievers are the most popular dogs in North Carolina, according to the American Kennel Club. U.S. pet ownership increased by 10 percent in 2020, creating high demand for veterinary services. Photo by Phil Dolby. - [CMS chairwoman urges more students to sign up for in-person learning ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/04/21/cms-chairwoman-urges-more-students-to-sign-up-for-in-person-learning/) - The chairwoman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board said she hopes this week to see more Black students choose a return to in-person learning for the remainder of the school year. Families have until today (Thursday, April 1) under a new state-imposed deadline to choose between in-person learning and remote learning for their children. To this - [In Denver, Tiny Homes Take On Affordable Housing In Charlotte, Zoning Presents an Obstacle](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/26/in-denver-tiny-homes-take-on-affordable-housing-in-charlotte-zoning-presents-an-obstacle/) - As rents rise and affordable living options rapidly dwindle in Charlotte, one might think the city would welcome the idea of an economical “tiny house village.” However, the city of Charlotte is not yet prepared to accept that concept. Before that can happen, zoning laws must be changed. “The biggest setback to building a tiny - [Need help on rent, mortgage, utility bills? Apply here. ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/12/need-help-on-rent-mortgage-utility-bills-apply-here/) - Monday, March 15, is the deadline for Charlotte residents to apply for up to three months of help with their rent, mortgage or utility bills through a program offered by the city of Charlotte. So far, the city has helped nearly 6,500 households pay bills under a program called RAMPCLT. Applications received by Monday will - [At Soccer Games, Markets, and Churches, Students Offer New Ways to get Vaccinated](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/08/05/at-soccer-games-markets-and-churches-students-offer-new-ways-to-get-vaccinated/) - A soccer game is not one of the first places you would look to get vaccinated for COVID-19. But thanks to the Faith in the Vaccine initiative and its student ambassadors, that’s where you’ll find it. On a hot July evening at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, two soccer clubs from Honduras -- Club - [As public events return, will hosts ask to see your vaccination card? ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/26/as-public-events-return-will-hosts-ask-to-see-your-vaccination-card/) - By summer, every American who wants a COVID-19 vaccine should have the opportunity to get one. Then comes the question: Will I need a vaccination card to get into a public event? While most people who put on events locally have yet to announce their intentions, Charlotte’s premiere performing arts venue says no card will - [Undocumented immigrants who pay taxes denied economic stimulus checks ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/09/undocumented-immigrants-who-pay-taxes-denied-economic-stimulus-checks/) - Three times now, Congress has approved economic stimulus payments for individual taxpayers to help them through the pandemic—and each time it has purposely excluded a significant number of them. They are taxpayers without a Social Security number. A total of 4.4 million people paid $23.6 billion in taxes using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) - [GOP leader: NC will not accept Biden’s offer to expand Medicaid to state’s working poor ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/05/gop-leader-nc-will-not-accept-bidens-offer-to-expand-medicaid-to-states-working-poor/) - A leading North Carolina Republican predicts that the state’s General Assembly will not accept President Biden’s new offer to help provide Medicaid coverage to more than 500,000 low-income residents. Representative Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) continues to advocate for a separate plan that would be managed by the state and require recipients to pay insurance premiums. Lambeth, - [For The Tokyo Paralympic Games, Swimmer Hannah Aspden Shifts From Rookie to Mentor](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/08/12/for-the-tokyo-paralympic-games-swimmer-hannah-aspden-shifts-from-rookie-to-mentor/) - With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games gearing up for opening ceremonies on Aug. 24, swimmer Hannah Aspden plans to use her experience from Rio 2016 to help her teammates thrive in one of the most challenging athletic competitions in the world. Aspden, a native of Raleigh and a rising senior at Queens University of Charlotte, - [COVID-19 infection rates higher in neighboring states that did not require masks  ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/03/12/covid-19-infection-rates-higher-in-neighboring-states-that-did-not-require-masks/) - North Carolina issued tougher restrictions than most neighboring states to combat COVID-19. Now, it has a lower infection rate to match. As of March 1, only Virigina had a lower infection rate, at 6.71%, than North Carolina’s rate of 7.74%. By comparison, Tennessee had the highest infection rate at 11.17%. North Carolina and Virgina have - [Swimmer Hannah Aspden Takes Gold at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/08/30/swimmer-hannah-aspden-takes-gold-at-tokyo-2020-paralympic-games/) - Hannah Aspden, a rising senior at Queens University of Charlotte, won gold in the 100-meter women’s backstroke S9 competition today – Monday, Aug. 30 – at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Aspden’s time of 1:09.22 set a new American record and landed her first career Paralympic gold medal. She took two bronze medals at the - [A Raleigh Mom Raised a Paralympian, then Watcher Her Win Two Gold Medals from Across The World](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/09/02/a-raleigh-mom-raised-a-paralympian-then-watcher-her-win-two-gold-medals-from-across-the-world/) - On the final Monday of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Hannah Aspden shared a moment of disbelief with her mother in a 2 a.m. phone call from across the world. Aspden had just set a new American record and landed her first career gold medal in the 100-meter women’s backstroke S9 competition at the Paralympics. - [Hamilton, Wicked, and Immersive Van Gogh --  Are They Art Interlopers in Charlotte?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/09/16/hamilton-wicked-and-immersive-van-gogh-are-they-art-interlopers-in-charlotte/) - As the city of Charlotte rethinks the way it supports the arts, a grassroots organizer offers a simple point of view. Prioritize Charlotte artists, and art created here. Manoj Kesavan formalized BOOM Charlotte just before the Democratic National Convention in 2012, creating festivals and programs of inclusion, diversity, and collaboration among artists and communities. It - [As a New Report Reveals an Increase in Homelessness, a Charlotte Nonprofit Looks for Long-Term Solutions](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/10/14/as-a-new-report-reveals-an-increase-in-homelessness-a-charlotte-nonprofit-looks-for-long-term-solutions/) - Randall Hitt hears stories about homelessness every day. A story about a guy named Stephens shows how it’s a systemic problem that can happen to anyone. Stephens was a barber and a business graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A brain condition made him lose his balance, and he couldn’t cut - [Imagine You’re Minister of a Charlotte Church. How Do You Handle Political Conflict in Your Flock?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/10/28/imagine-youre-minister-of-a-charlotte-church-how-do-you-handle-political-conflict-in-your-flock/) - Ministers with experience at four Christian congregations in Charlotte agree that a key solution to current high levels of partisan political conflict is a focus on what unites them as a community. When a faith community shares a core set of beliefs, they say, people within that community can use this foundation to bridge differences - [After 400 Wins, Queens Basketball Coach Bart Lundy Points to a Major Loss as a Career Turning Point  ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/11/24/after-400-wins-queens-basketball-coach-bart-lundy-points-to-a-major-loss-as-a-career-turning-point/) - Bart Lundy landed his 400th victory in college basketball on Nov. 12. The coach at Queens University of Charlotte points to his firing at High Point University in 2009 as a turning point in his career. “I like the saying, ‘As you go up in anything, you better plant some flowers because on your way - [Housing for Afghan Refugees is Scarce, But Charlotte Volunteers Are Gearing Up to Help](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/11/11/housing-for-afghan-refugees-is-scarce-but-charlotte-volunteers-are-gearing-up-to-help/) - Though housing options for new Afghan refugees arriving in Charlotte are few and far between, passionate volunteers, former military personnel, interpreters, and former refugees are already gearing up to support the transition to life in a new city. In the coming months, North Carolina is expecting to house around 1,200 Afghan refugees across the state, - [Is an End Coming in January for What Housing Advocates Call Legal Discrimination in Charlotte? ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/11/19/is-an-end-coming-in-january-for-what-housing-advocates-call-legal-discrimination-in-charlotte/) - After two years of work by Charlotte affordable housing advocates, a campaign to end discrimination against renters based on the source of their income should reach a climax in the next two months. In 2019, a group of affordable housing organizations banded together to prevent landlords from denying housing to tenants who use government housing - [Shepard Fairey is Impressed by the Everyday Sense of Collaboration in Charlotte Civic Art](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/11/04/shepard-fairey-is-impressed-by-the-everyday-sense-of-collaboration-in-charlotte-civic-art/) - Conversations with artist Shepard Fairey about his latest works in North Carolina reveal the role of murals in civic life, how growing up in the South affects his work, and how impressed he is by recent collaboration among Charlotte artists and institutions. Fairey grew up in Charleston and became famous in 2008 for his work - [Volunteers: The Unsung Heroes of the Tokyo Paralympics ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/12/22/volunteers-the-unsung-heroes-of-the-tokyo-paralympics/) - Kindness is a universal language. In August, when I found myself in the Paralympic Village in Tokyo, I learned a lot about the cultures of the world and what makes us all unique. I was most surprised by the way Japanese volunteers filled a void I had expected to feel without my family and friends. - [Four Experts Summarize the State of Charlotte Evictions – After a Federal Moratorium Ends, the Pace Accelerates ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2021/12/22/four-experts-summarize-the-state-of-charlotte-evictions-after-a-federal-moratorium-ends-the-pace-accelerates/) - Charlotte housing advocates are stunned at the accelerated pace of evictions in Mecklenburg County during the fall, amid fallout from COVID and the end of a federal moratorium on evictions. “For the greater part of 2021, landlords weren't able to move forward with evictions related to non-payment and COVID-related non-payment,” said Hannah Guerrier, a supervising - [Queens University Reflects on a Somber Legacy with Slavery in Upcoming Podcast. ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/01/27/queens-university-reflects-on-a-somber/) - The involvement of Queens University of Charlotte with slavery is disappointing but not surprising, according to a task force uncovering the history of the issue. A podcast series featuring interviews with task force members and the president of Queens is scheduled for distribution in early April. Excerpts from interviews conducted by students for the series - [After Two Months on the Road, A New  Bookmobile Rewrites a Chapter from the Past](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/03/24/after-two-months-on-the-road-a-new-bookmobile-rewrites-a-chapter-from-the-past/) - For Saul Hernandez, the first two months of operating Charlotte’s first bookmobile since 1965 are providing new pathways to both the future and the past. As coordinator of the new, sky-blue, 33-foot-long Mobile Library – called “MoLi” and pronounced “Molly” – he is impressed and a little surprised at the way visitors respond to its - [Mecklenburg County colleges and universities respond to Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/07/14/mecklenburg-county-colleges-and-universities-respond-to-supreme-court-decision-on-roe-v-wade/) - Five colleges and universities with a major presence in Mecklenburg County expect no changes in their health care and student services after the Supreme Court’s decision to remove constitutional protections for abortion. Davidson College, Johnson C. Smith University, Johnson & Wales University, Queens University of Charlotte and UNC Charlotte are all evaluating the impact of - [From A Home for Refugees in East Charlotte, Volunteers Distribute Meals that Honor Their Culture](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/10/27/from-a-home-for-refugees-in-east-charlotte-volunteers-distribute-meals-that-honor-their-culture/) - The path to the Hindu Center of Charlotte takes visitors through a neighborhood of red brick ranch houses built in the 1960s, just off Idlewild Road in east Charlotte. On every weekday at a center for seniors a couple of blocks away, volunteers prepare more than 140 meals for refugees who have trouble adjusting to - [Ghosts Could Sell More Beer and Wings. But Charlotte Hesitates](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/10/18/ghosts-could-sell-more-beer-and-wings-but-charlotte-hesitates/) - Ghost tours and haunted houses draw thousands of tourists a year to Charleston and Savannah. Charlotte offers many haunted bars and restaurants, but experts in the paranormal say the city is lagging in its use of ghosts to sell beer and wings. Public knowledge of haunted encounters is usually good for business, said Tina R. - [Charlotte Is Not Immune To Hostility Toward Faith Groups, Say Leaders from Sikh, Muslim, and Jewish Communities](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/02/16/charlotte-is-not-immune-to-hostility-toward-faith-groups-say-leaders-from-sikh-muslim-and-jewish-communities/) - Recent acts of vandalism against a Sikh house of worship in south Charlotte are only the most recent examples of hostility toward faith groups that have taken place for thousands of years, according to leaders from Sikh, Muslim and Jewish communities. Studies indicate that acts of violence and harassment against faith groups are increasing, and - [College Athletes in Mecklenburg County Grind Their Way Into Endorsement Deals](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/11/17/college-athletes-in-mecklenburg-county-grind-their-way-into-endorsement-deals/) - Athlete Gabe Lechner of Queens University of Charlotte uses her Instagram account to promote Liquid IV, a sports beverage company. Queens University News Service photo by Shannon Kingston. - [Voter Reactions Today in Myers Park Polling Booth Concerns Span Neighborhood and Nation](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/11/08/voter-reactions-today-in-myers-park-polling-booth-concerns-span-neighborhood-and-nation/) - Voters at the polling station at Myers Park Traditional Elementary School cited crime, abortion access, inflation and education as top issues in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Queens University News Service photo - [For Nonprofits Like Crittenton, Food Donations Need Planning and the Magic of Human Connection](https://queensnewsservice.org/2022/11/30/for-nonprofits-like-crittenton-food-donations-need-planning-and-the-magic-of-human-connection/) - The executive chef and the CEO of Crittenton have an interesting problem. They need to feed 40 to 45 people every day — women in challenging situations who lack support, and the staff members who help them. They don’t have a lot of resources. If you are Tawaan Ward or Diane Thompson, your networking skills - [Two Members of Gen Z React to "Fiddler on the Roof"](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/01/31/two-members-of-gen-z-react-to-fiddler-on-the-roof/) - For its gala opening night on Saturday, Feb. 4, the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival is screening “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen” – a behind-the-scenes documentary of “Fiddler on the Roof.” My name is Hannah Jane Tracy, and I’m 20 years old, ethnically Jewish, and from Asheville, North Carolina. My friend Sev Allton is 19, - [Charlotte Congregations Are Doing More For The Environment Than You Might Think  ](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/02/09/charlotte-congregations-are-doing-more-for-the-environment-than-you-might-think/) - Religious leaders and environmentalists agree on their advice for faith groups in Charlotte, a place where congregations have shaped people, roads, universities and hospitals for more than 200 years. Educate yourself and build a community to take care of this place, they say, because it’s a sacred gift. The good news is that many congregations - [Charlotte history professors on proposed NC law: 'Politicians should not prescribe course content'](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/03/30/charlotte-history-professors-on-proposed-nc-law-politicians-should-not-prescribe-course-content/) - History professors are wary of political influence over the content of their courses, worry heightened by proposed new legislation in North Carolina, according to interviews with five professors at Charlotte area colleges. In a largely party-line vote, Republican proponents argued it’s important to educate students about traditional documents such as the U.S. Constitution and Gettysburg - [How Welcoming Are Charlotte Faith Groups To LGBTQ Communities](https://queensnewsservice.org/2023/04/29/how-welcoming-are-charlotte-faith-groups-to-lgbtq-communities/) - The youth director at Temple Israel in Charlotte, Alan Johnathan, describes why many Jewish people are adding an orange to update their traditional Passover seder meal. The seder plate includes at least five symbolic foods: bitter herbs (maror in Hebrew), for the bitterness of slavery; leafy greens (karpas), for spring and the hope of new - [Urban Heat Islands: Can Charlotte Lead the Way in Cooling Cities?](https://queensnewsservice.org/2024/02/14/urban-heat-islands-can-charlotte-lead-the-way-in-cooling-cities/) - Landscape architect Veronica Westendorff says trees and shrubs in mobile planters can help improve climate in locations where space is tight. These planters are located on Barclay Downs Drive in the SouthPark area. 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[Medicaid](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/medicaid/) - [DEI](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/dei/) - [arts funding](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/arts-funding/) - [National Endowment for the Arts](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/national-endowment-for-the-arts/) - [BOOM Charlotte](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/boom-charlotte/) - [Charlotte Jewish Film Festival](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-jewish-film-festival/) - [independent films](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/independent-films/) - [cinema](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/cinema/) - [arts and culture](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/arts-and-culture/) - [Yoga](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/yoga/) - [Wellness](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/wellness/) - [social justice](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/social-justice/) - [Carolina Migrant Network](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/carolina-migrant-network/) - [affordable housing](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/affordable-housing/) - [college life](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/college-life/) - [corporate-owned housing](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/corporate-owned-housing/) - [State of Housing report](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/state-of-housing-report/) - [apartments](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/apartments/) - [Charlotte housing](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-housing/) - [student athletes](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/student-athletes/) - [Chris Ashby](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/chris-ashby/) - [NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/ncaa-mens-basketball-tournament/) - [Charlotte basketball](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-basketball/) - [college basketball](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/college-basketball/) - [local news](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/local-news/) - [Ken Koontz](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/ken-koontz/) - [Charlotte journalists](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-journalists/) - [Archive CLT](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/archive-clt/) - [City of Charlotte](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/city-of-charlotte/) - [local government](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/local-government/) - [Charlotte City Council](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-city-council/) - [I-77 in Charlotte](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/i-77-in-charlotte/) - [Charlotte Documenters](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-documenters/) - [Atrium health](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/atrium-health/) - [violence prevention programs](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/violence-prevention-programs/) - [Project BOOST](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/project-boost/) - [Charlotte NC](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-nc/) - [violence intervention](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/violence-intervention/) - [Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Morning Forum](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/sarah-stevenson-tuesday-morning-forum/) - [Tuesday Morning Forum](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/tuesday-morning-forum/) - [Winston Robinson](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/winston-robinson/) - [nonprofit funding](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/nonprofit-funding/) - [Charlotte Center for the Arts](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-center-for-the-arts/) - [Goodyear Arts](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/goodyear-arts/) - [Charlotte Latino Film Festival](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/charlotte-latino-film-festival/) - [Cine Casual](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/cine-casual/) - [Giovanna Torres](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/giovanna-torres/) - [film](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/film/) - [Latino films](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/latino-films/) - [sports betting](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/sports-betting/) - [recycling](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/recycling/) - [Not Just Coffee](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/not-just-coffee/) - [JD Mazuera Arias](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/jd-mazuera-arias/) - [Gen Z](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/gen-z/) - [city council](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/city-council/) - [civic engagement](https://queensnewsservice.org/tag/civic-engagement/) ## Authors - [Palmer Magri](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/pmagri/) - [Sam Carnes](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/scarnes/) - [Queens University News Service](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/queens-university-news-service/) - [Mona Dougani](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/mdougani/) - [Elvis Menayese](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/emenayese/) - [Cristina Cabrera-Barrientos](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/ccabrera/) - [Grace Wesoly](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/gwesoly/) - [Jordan Grantz](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/jgrantz/) - [Vlada Maznytska](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/vmaznytska/) - [Kiarra Murrill](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/kmurrill/) - [Caroline Willingham](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/cwillingham/) - [Debora Tessou](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/dtessou/) - [Emily DeAugustino](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/edeaugustino/) - [Ahmed Alsaleh](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/aalsaleh/) - [Hannah Aspden](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/haspden/) - [Ethan Rudnet](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/erudnet/) - [Simone Feast](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/sfeast/) - [Henri Somadjagbi](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/hsomadjagbi/) - [Samuel Earley](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/searley/) - [Diana Gomez](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/dgomez/) - [Michael Johnson](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/mjohnson/) - [Austin Watkins](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/awatkins/) - [Shannon McGuire](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/smcguire/) - [Hannah Tracy](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/htracy/) - [Ellie Fitzgerald](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/efitzgerald/) - [Lara Boyle](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/lboyle/) - [Tatiana Gomez](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/tgomez/) - [Jane Lowery](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/jlowery/) - [Nicole Casarrubias](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/ncasarrubias/) - [April Little](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/alittle/) - [Joe Wilwerding](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/jwilwerding/) - [Maggie Dineen](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/mdineen/) - [Devonte Thomas](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/dthomas/) - [Casey Osiecki](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/cosiecki/) - [Karsyn Sadler](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/ksadler/) - [Finian Curran](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/fcurran/) - [Nico Gomez](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/ngomez/) - [Reanna Bloomer](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/reanna-bloomer/) - [Sofia Bartholomew](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/sofia-bartholomew/) - [Arianna Albano](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/arianna-albano/) - [Emily Thompson](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/emily-thompson/) - [Samuel Navarro](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/samuel-navarro/) - [Jet Francis](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/jet-francis/) - [Josie Boyer](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/josie-boyer/) - [Caleb Parr](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/caleb-parr/) - [Natalie Coates](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/natalie-coates/) - [Serena Billett](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/serena-billett/) - [Macie Newman](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/macie-newnam/) - [Alanah Payne](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/alanah-payne/) - [Fabienne Gnos](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/fabienne-gnos/) - [Caroline Johnson](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/caroline-johnson/) - [Sawyer Davis](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/sawyer-davis/) - [Jocelyn Hunter](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/jocelyn-hunter/) - [Astrid Ramirez Guerrero](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/astrid-ramirez-guerrero/) - [Mary Shanahan](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/mary-shanahan/) - [Penelope Goldstein](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/penelope-goldstein/) - [Allison Chipps](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/allison-chipps/) - [Natalie Dempsey](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/natalie-dempsey/) - [Jaylen Jones](https://queensnewsservice.org/author/jaylen-jones/)