Friday, May 18, 2018
The Panthers have a new owner. Lawmakers, back in Raleigh for the first day of the short session, confront teachers from across the state as well as another group of demonstrators in Raleigh asking lawmakers to address poverty. And, Charlotte residents weigh in on the proposed city budget and possible tax increase. A panel of reporters joins Mike Collins to expand on those and other stories.
It's official. The Carolina Panthers have a new owner. Billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper just inked a deal to buy the team for $2.2 billion, a record NFL sales price. The Panthers will likely remain in Charlotte, but what will new ownership bring? And what's the status of the NFL investigation into former owner Jerry Richardson?
Lawmakers returned to Raleigh this week to begin a short session aimed at making adjustments to the budget. They were met with thousands of teacherswho converged on the General Assembly wearing red and holding signs. School was out at districts across the state, including CMS, while public educators protested for higher pay, better funding for schools, and more respect for their profession.
They weren't the only protesters hoping to reach state legislators this week. Demonstrators in Raleigh joined a six-week nationwide campaign aimed at addressing poverty. The Poor People's Campaign is led by Rev. William Barber who also spearheaded the Moral Monday protests at the state capitol in 2013.
Last week, city manager Marcus Jones unveiled the city's proposed $2.6 billion budget. It would give Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers a raise, a small pay bump for the Charlotte Fire Department, and allocate $50 million towards funding affordable housing. The budget would also raise the property tax rate for the first time since 2013. Charlotte residents got a chance to weigh in on the budget proposal at this week's city council meeting. What did they say?
Plus, we ask our reporter roundtable to settle the latest internet debate - is it "Yanny" or "Laurel?" Those stories and more on this week's Local News Roundup.
Guests
David Boraks, WFAE Reporter
Jim Morrill, Political reporter for the Charlotte Observer
Mary C. Curtis, columnist at Roll Call and contributor at WCCB-TV
Shawn Flynn, Managing Editor for Spectrum News
