Charlotte-Mecklenburg is behind the national average in land use and transportation, according to a new study from the non-profit Sustain Charlotte. The report looks at nine categories, including air quality, energy use, and water use and assigns a letter grade for both local trends and how the city compares to national averages. Among the report's findings: land use decisions have led to 60 food deserts in the county, transportation costs consume more of residents' income than the national average, and the number of families and children living in poverty doubled from 2000 to 2011.
Marshall came to WFAE after graduating from Appalachian State University, where he worked at the campus radio station and earned a degree in communication. Outside of radio, he loves listening to music and going to see bands - preferably in small, dingy clubs.