Mobile
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Film / Film News Opening Friday
Posted By Matt Brunson on Thu, Jun 4, 2015 at 3:16 PM
- Roadside Attractions
- Love & Mercy
Entourage - Jeremy Piven, Adrian Grenier
Insidious: Chapter 3 - Dermot Mulroney, Lin Shaye
Love & Mercy - John Cusack, Paul Dano
Spy - Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham
First Drip First Drip (6/4/15): State votes on multiple controversial bills
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Thu, Jun 4, 2015 at 10:41 AM
An FBI affidavit released Wednesday revealed ways in which alleged gang leader Jamell Cureton communicated with gang members from his jail cell, allegedly ordering the killing of a Lake Wylie couple expected to testify against him. Letters seized during a search of Cureton's cell show him communicating with other alleged members of the local chapter of the United Blood Nation and making statements such as, "Hunt for blood and hunt gone (sic) hunt for you." Cureton's lawyers say the letters were illegally seized by the federal government.
A Ballantyne urgent care center's refusal to help a three-year-old autistic boy because he had South Carolina Medicaid has gained attention since being picked up by local news outlets recently. The boy fell down a flight of steps two weeks ago and his mother rushed him to Carolina HealthCare Systems (CHS) in Urgent Care in Ballantyne. CHS released a statement saying it would enroll all of its facilities near the border in South Carolina Medicaid.
A group of mothers of kids with special needs in Union County Public Schools (UCPS) are lobbying to have cameras put in special education classrooms, after they say multiple instances of abuse have forced them to take their kids out of school. UCPS says it is doing research locally and statewide into putting cameras in classrooms.
A string of car accidents shut down traffic on I-77 in Huntersville for hours overnight. The first wreck, which took place around 11:30 p.m., reportedly involved two tractor trailers and a Honda Civic. One person had to be extricated from the wreckage of that crash. Two more accidents happened shortly after, both also involving tractor trailers. Police said the accidents were due to construction in the area. The interstate was reopened before 5 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
News Lawmakers refuse to wait for Ag-Gag bill, force bill through override vote
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, Jun 3, 2015 at 10:06 PM
The bill, covered in detail by Creative Loafing in today's issue, brought ire from animal and workers' rights groups for attempting to hold whistleblowers financially liable for damages to their employers as a result of filming illegal or harmful business practices in the workplace.
On Friday, McCrory asked lawmakers to include language to protect "honest employees" who aim to uncover abuses on the job by taking them straight to law enforcement while still allowing employers to sue activists who take a job with the intent to film harmful practices and show them to the public.
Instead, the House and Senate both voted to force the law through as is. A three-fifths majority is needed in each chamber to override a governor's veto. A debate on the Senate floor preceding the override vote took only 15 minutes, reportedly.
In a statement from the Humane Socity of United States President and CEO Wayne Parcelle, he implied that GOP representatives were playing on the same team as special interest groups in the agriculture industry.
“Today House Republicans did the blocking and tackling for the state’s poultry factory farms and enacted a law that will potentially shield cruel and even illegal behavior," Parcelle said. "This new law turns whistleblowers into criminals, and it provides special protections for corporations and individuals that do terrible things to animals and even vulnerable people.”
Although similar laws applying to farms have been passed in four other states, this is the first such law to apply to all businesses, including nursing homes and day cares.
In a statement from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the organization pointed to a recent study from an independent research group showing that 74 percent of North Carolina voters support undercover investigations by animal welfare groups on farms.
“The ASPCA is deeply troubled by the veto override of HB 405, which will silence whistleblowers and keep North Carolina residents in the dark about horrific abuses that take place on factory farms,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO. “Siding against the public and allowing unscrupulous farmers and businesses to keep their atrocities secret is a shameful decision that hurts responsible businesses and stains the integrity of the state legislature.”
Speaking over the phone from Raleigh, where she was lobbying lawmakers to kill the bill, Chloe Waterman, senior manager of legislative strategy for ASPCA, said she was frustrated with the entire process carried out by North Carolina legislators.
"I've covered a lot of different legislation in a lot of different states," she said. "I've never seen representatives ignore their constituents in this way."
In its statement, ASPCA thanked McCrory and other representatives who had spoken against the bill, including Rep. Becky Carney of Mecklenburg County. Rep. Rodney Moore of Mecklenburg County was a sponsor of the bill. The law will take effect January 1, 2016.
First Drip First Drip (6/3/15): Cam Newton signs $103.8 million deal with Panthers
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, Jun 3, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton signed a five-year extension worth $103.8 million yesterday, according to league sources. The deal will keep Newton in Carolina until 2020 and will pay him $60 million in guaranteed money. He is now among the top five highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL.
Clint Eastwood will reportedly direct a movie about pilot Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger, who famously landed a Charlotte-bound airbus A320 in the Hudson River in 2009. The jumbo jet involved in the "Miracle on the Hudson" is now the main attraction at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte. Warner Bros. is backing the yet-to-be-named film.
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled that a 2013 law that would do away with teacher tenure is unconstitutional. In a 2 to 1 decision, the court ruled that a decision to repeal a law that would allow teachers to earn tenure after four years on the job violated constitutional rights protecting contracts and preventing governments from taking a person’s property without just compensation.
A victim was taken to CMC Charlotte with life-threatening injuries after being shot in west Charlotte this morning. There were reportedly 18 shots fired during the incident, which took place on Marlowe Avenue around 6 a.m.
Salisbury Mayor Paul Woodson has announced that he will yet again refuse to issue a special proclamation for the town's LGBT pride festival. Former Mayor Susan Kluttz issued a proclamation for the Salisbury Pride Festival in 2011 but the same honor has been denied by Woodson in each year following that. He said the proclamation is not meant for events that are political or controversial. The Salisbury Pride Festival will be held from June 14 to 20.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Jun 3, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 3, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Chappo at Evening Muse
• Sid David at The Comedy Zone
• Self Aware Records w/ Family Bike, Totally Slow, Black Market, Family Friend at Snug Harbor
• Collective at LaCa Projects
• Open Mic at Summit Coffee
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
First Drip First Drip (6/2/15): N.C. health insurers propose rate increase
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Tue, Jun 2, 2015 at 10:01 AM
North Carolina health insurance companies want to raise average premiums between 11 and 26 percent in 2016 on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The proposed change is due to data concerning customers who have signed up for Obamacare over the last two years; Blue Cross Blue Shield reps say they are sicker than expected. More than 90 percent of North Carolinians covered through the marketplace received federal subsidies, meaning they won't take as hard a hit on rising premiums.
Details of Justin Shane McGlamery's Thursday arrest are coming to the surface, as the Union County Sheriff's Office has announced that the Mecklenburg County probation officer bought heroin four times in the last two weeks, including twice while wearing his badge and firearm. He was arrested at the Stonecrest Shopping Center on Thursday and briefly hospitalized after swallowing heroin.
The North Carolina Senate overrode a veto from Pat McCrory on a piece of legislation that would allow magistrates and registers of deeds to opt out of performing civil services and marriages for same-gender couples. The override vote was 32 to 16, the same as the original vote in February. Reports have said that the House could vote on an override as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.
The North Carolina Senate voted on final approval of new rules regarding abortion in the state, primarily one that would extend the waiting period for a woman wanting an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. It also requires doctors to give more data to regulators regarding second-trimester abortions. The bill now moves to the House for final approval.
Several UNC Charlotte students living in the Circle Apartments near the college have been given until the end of the day to move out after concerns about inspections have been raised. The new building has failed several inspections and will have to be inspected again. Owners of the apartment building have said the floor collapsed in one apartment with people inside.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Jun 2, 2015 at 9:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 2, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• St. Vincent at The Fillmore
• Beer Ed at Growlers Pourhouse
• Halston & Warhol: Silver & Suede at Mint Museum Uptown
• New Kids on the Block, TLC, Nelly at Time Warner Cable Arena
• 180 Seconds Open Mic Night at The Comedy Zone
Monday, June 1, 2015
First Drip First Drip (6/1/15): Police searching for shooting suspect
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Mon, Jun 1, 2015 at 11:30 AM
CMPD officers are still searching for a man who shot at a police officer early this morning in the University area. An officer responded to a suspicious person call on Minglewood Drive, and when he arrived the suspect shot a him and fled the scene. Police said the suspect was a black male, 15 to 18 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall with short hair, an orange hooded sweatshirt and a white backpack.
Charlotte City Council will hold a special meeting this afternoon to discuss budget options after a straw vote last week found most supporting budget proposal "B", but some in disagreement. The proposal would raise property taxes 2 percent and change trash fees. The council is trying to cover a $22 million shortfall in this year's budget.
Three people, including a federal agent, were injured in a car accident that shut down I-485 near the Providence Road exchange this morning. The accident, which involved a Federal Protection vehicle and two other vehicles, happened around 8:30 a.m. and authorities she the road down until about 10 a.m.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham will reportedly announce his candidacy for presidency from his hometown of Central, South Carolina today. Graham will run on a hawkish platform that includes plans to increase U.S. troop presence in Iraq by more than 300 percent.
Sources say Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers are close to finalizing a long-term contract extension that would keep Newton in Charlotte at least through 2020. Newton has led the Panthers to their first back-to-back playoff appearances in franchise history over the past two years, and won his first playoff game last season.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Jun 1, 2015 at 11:19 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 1, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Knocturnal w/ Gift of Gab at Snug Harbor
• Find Your Muse Open Mic at Evening Muse
• T.J. Miller at The Comedy Zone
• Piedmont Wine and Wealth Social Hour at Howl at the Moon
• Open Mic at Puckett's Farm Equipment
-
Atlantic City's boardwalk suffers fate similar to Charlotte's 2
A storm destroyed the Queen City's own boardwalk almost 80 years ago
-
5 Reasons To Buy Home Insurance Policy
-
Top European Poker Players Reveal Their Winning Strategies 1
