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Wednesday, June 18, 2014
First Drip First Drip (6/18/14): Poll shows voters want Duke to foot coal ash cleanup bill, more
Posted By Ana McKenzie on Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Not only do a majority of North Carolinians want Duke Energy to pay for the coal ash cleanup - 82 percent of respondents in a recent poll said they'd reconsider voting for a legislator should he or she vote to pass the clean-up bill to Duke's customers. "Duke has estimated that the final cost of the cleanup could be $2 billion to $10 billion. NC WARN contends in its poll questions that paying for the cleanup could cost each of Duke's N.C. customers as much as $20 per month in higher rates."
A North Carolina resident recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean with a nasty souvenir: a painful, mosquito-borne illness. The symptoms of chikungunya show up about a week after being bitten and include "the sudden onset of fever and severe, often disabling, joint pains in the hands and feet." Symptoms last only last about a week in most cases. Still, double up on the repellant this summer.
Another day, another World Cup watch party gone terribly awry. On Sunday, about 30 people died in Kenya after gunmen opened fire on a group of fans watching a game. Now comes news that an explosion at a watch party in Kenya has killed at least 21 and injured 27. Though no one's taken credit for the blast, officials suspect it was the extremist group Boko Haram's work.
Asked in an interview with CNN how she would handle the increasing number of unaccompanied minors entering the country through the Mexican border, former secretary of state and possible 2016 presidential nominee Hilary Clinton said they should be sent back to their home countries "as soon as it can be determined who responsible adults in their families are." "'The former First Lady went on to add that, 'We have to send a clear message: Just because your child gets across the border, that doesn't mean the child gets to stay ... We don't want to send a message that is contrary to our laws, or we'll encourage more children to make that dangerous journey.'"
Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 9:55 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 18, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Charlotte Squawks X: Ten Carolina Commandments at Booth Playhouse
- Credit: LunahZon Photography
* The Merry Wives of Windsor at UpStage
* Coal Ash Stories Charlotte at Area 15
* "Off The Chain" Comedy with Rodney Perry at The Comedy Zone
* Trivia & Karaoke at Tin Roof
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
News DENR to Duke Energy: Submit plan to fix leaky coal ash pipes
Posted By Ana McKenzie on Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 12:50 PM
By July 17, Duke Energy must submit to the state plans to fix leaking corrugated metal pipes and concrete spillway pipes discovered at coal ash impoundment dams at five power plants, including several in the Charlotte area.
But a DENR spokeswoman told me in an email that "no deadline has been established for when the repairs at each plant are to be complete. Each will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis." The plants include Marshall Steam Station in Catawba County, Riverbend and Allen Steam Stations in Gaston County, Buck Steam Station in Rowan County, and Cliffside Steam Station in Rutherford and Cleveland counties.
- Duke Energy (Flickr Creative Commons)
- Riverbend Steam Station, in Gaston County
After the Feb. 2 Dan River coal ash spill, state dam safety engineers required Duke to submit video footage of the insides of all such pipes at its coal ash basins around the state, which is how the leaks were discovered. They pose no imminent threat to the public, according to a DENR statement.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 10:38 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 17, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* God Grew Tired of Us at Behailu Academy
* Country Tuesday at Snug Harbor
* Trivia at Big Ben British Pub
* Flute & Percussion Concert featuring Orlando Cela & Patrick McGinty at Evening Muse
* Fight Night Comedy Competition at The Comedy Zone
The Plug Now hiring: news bloggers and writers
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Do you follow local news but routinely spot gaps in local news coverage? Are you dreaming up great story ideas every day? Did you read the Cannon affidavit front to back? We have the gig for you.
Creative Loafing is looking for enthusiastic, serious and intelligent news bloggers and writers to contribute to our blog The CLog. We're looking for experienced journalists who are interested in writing about local politics, local news and culture. Moreover, we're looking for writers who understand how to do that for an alternative newsweekly. The "who," "what" and "where" are important, but we're also concerned with "why," "how" and "what's next?"
You must be based in Charlotte. You must know Charlotte. A love/hate relationship with Charlotte is preferred, though not required. Serious applicants, send a resume with relevant work experience and a brief cover letter to ana.mckenzie@creativeloafing.com. Consider your cover letter your first assignment. Fail to catch our attention and you'll be tossed.
This is not a full-time position, nor will you get rich working for us. What we are offering, however, is the opportunity to have your byline associated with a media outlet that's not afraid to tell it like it is.
Monday, June 16, 2014
News 19 of 25 charter schools approved in N.C. not ready to open this fall
Posted By Ana McKenzie on Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 2:28 PM
As of now, just six of the 25 charter schools approved to operate this year in North Carolina are ready to open in the fall. The Charlotte Observer reports 19 schools still have to prove to the state that they have the "students, classrooms and plans" in place to open.
And the situation is worse in Charlotte: Eight of the 10 approved for the area still haven't produced the information required to open.
Charlotte was also home to the troubled StudentFirst Academy, which opened in August 2013 and closed in April. The state approved its charter despite noting shortcomings in the application. By November, the state was investigating reports of mismanagement and academic problems. Details about undocumented expenses, inflated administrator salaries, unpaid bills and middle school students napping during the school day emerged in later legal documents.Some cited the school's troubles as a sign that North Carolina moved too fast to approve new schools after lifting the 100-school cap in 2011. Others say the state's Charter School Advisory Board has swung too far in the other direction. The state received 71 applications for 2015-16, but the board has recommended approval for only 11.
An advisory board is expected to meet today to get an update of the schools' progress.
First Drip First Drip (6/16/14): N.C. CEO pay on the rise, Starbucks offers tuition money to baristas, more
Posted By Ana McKenzie on Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 10:13 AM
Median compensation for the CEOs of some of North Carolina's largest publicly traded companies rose 14 percent last year - and figuring out how the executives are paid is even tougher than ever. "Executive pay packages are more complicated than ever, tied to an array of performance targets like 'return on non-cash average assets' with components such as 'performance share rights.'"
Proposed natural gas pipeline expansions could delay fracking in North Carolina and boost the economy in the eastern part of the state. Two companies have proposed a new interstate transmission line that would transport natural gas from the Marcellus Shale to Duke Energy power plants, among other customers, "creating temporary construction jobs and boosting property tax revenues for cash-strapped governments" in rural counties.
About 30 gunmen opened fire on a group of soccer fans watching the World Cup in Kenya last night. Officials say Somalia's al Shabaab Islamist group is likely to blame for the massacre, which killed at least 50.
Starbucks announced it will pay for two years' worth of tuition for its baristas to take online courses at Arizona State University. Juniors and seniors will get full rides; freshmen and sophomores will be offered partial scholarships. "The so-called Starbucks College Achievement Plan is for employees who work at a company-operated store for an average of at least 20 hours a week, which Starbucks says covers the vast majority of its 135,000 U.S. staffers."
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 16, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Allure of Flowers After Hours at Mint Museum Uptown
* Knocturnal at Snug Harbor
* All You Can Bowl at Strike City
* Open Mic with Al & Jeff at Puckett's Farm Equipment
* Monday Night All Stars at Double Door Inn
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Sunday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Sun, Jun 15, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 15, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* John Butler Trio at The Fillmore
* Shrek the Musical at Matthews Playhouse
* Cultural Exchange Festival at Latibah Collard Green Festival
* Sunday Funday: Father's Day at All American Pub
* Love's Labor's Lost at The Green
Friday, June 13, 2014
Arts The Cheap List: Juneteenth, Brew Stash Bash, Vintage Charlotte Market
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Jun 13, 2014 at 4:26 PM
Going out in Charlotte doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, to prove that statement, we've compiled a list of cheap things to do in the Q.C. this weekend. These events may vary, but they're all entertaining and they won't break your bank (piggy banks excluded).
World Cup Game Watch at Vida Vida: The games continue with a viewing of Chile vs. Australia at 6 p.m. June 13. Vida Vida, 210 E. Trade St. charlotte.vidacantina.com.
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas at Independence Park: Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas celebrates the abolishment of slavery. It features African heritage displays, crafts, dance performances, drum circles and other activities. If you can't make it out on Friday, then try for Saturday or Sunday. June 13-15. Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Lane. www.juneteenthofthecarolinas.com.
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Question the Queen City: The haunting of Love’s Pass
The railroad pass has claimed at least 14 lives
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The Secret Service: Behind Mark Millar's next comic film
Here are some things you should know about the upcoming movie adaption.
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