North Carolina Ranked As Having 2023’s Second Best State Capital in America

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North Carolina Ranked As Having 2023’s Second Best State Capital in America

With 17 state capitals being the most populated cities in their states, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best State Capitals for Safety & More, as well as expert commentary.

To identify the most livable seats of state government, WalletHub compared all 50 state capitals across 49 key metrics, ranging from the cost of living to K–12 school-system quality.

Best State Capitals

Overall Rank  City State Capital Index  Affordability  Economic Well-Being  Quality of Education & Health  Quality of Life 
1 Austin, TX 65.83 9 1 2 9
2 Raleigh, NC 64.94 1 7 4 10
3 Madison, WI 62.90 21 10 1 3
4 Boise, ID 61.16 23 4 8 6
5 Lincoln, NE 60.78 7 16 10 20
6 Salt Lake City, UT 59.71 26 2 9 16
7 Concord, NH 59.31 3 19 16 25
8 Denver, CO 57.63 37 3 5 14
9 Atlanta, GA 57.28 31 9 18 7
10 Columbus, OH 56.69 14 17 29 12
11 Nashville, TN 56.03 18 6 26 26
12 Oklahoma City, OK 55.94 5 15 27 31
13 Des Moines, IA 55.49 4 28 20 30
14 Helena, MT 55.10 17 18 14 33
15 St. Paul, MN 55.04 27 22 15 21
16 Olympia, WA 54.32 35 23 13 13
17 Bismarck, ND 54.29 10 14 28 35
18 Annapolis, MD 53.83 29 32 6 22
19 Cheyenne, WY 53.75 2 25 30 42
20 Santa Fe, NM 53.47 34 26 12 19
21 Boston, MA 52.65 49 11 7 1
22 Pierre, SD 52.60 6 41 22 39
23 Sacramento, CA 52.32 46 8 23 11
24 Phoenix, AZ 52.28 33 5 34 27
25 Montpelier, VT 52.19 30 38 11 24
26 Albany, NY 50.64 45 40 19 5
27 Salem, OR 50.40 40 13 24 28
28 Frankfort, KY 50.39 13 39 35 32
29 Jefferson City, MO 50.11 11 36 43 34
30 Tallahassee, FL 50.09 41 32 25 18
31 Richmond, VA 49.57 38 24 49 4
32 Harrisburg, PA 49.51 28 30 47 17
33 Columbia, SC 49.37 32 37 37 15
34 Lansing, MI 48.95 16 27 45 37
35 Providence, RI 48.87 47 21 21 8
36 Topeka, KS 48.81 8 34 39 46
37 Springfield, IL 48.74 12 43 33 41
38 Honolulu, HI 48.70 50 20 3 2
39 Indianapolis, IN 48.51 22 29 44 29
40 Juneau, AK 47.21 25 47 17 43
41 Little Rock, AR 45.43 24 31 36 50
42 Carson City, NV 45.37 39 12 46 47
43 Charleston, WV 44.88 20 46 40 44
44 Montgomery, AL 44.66 15 44 50 40
45 Jackson, MS 44.06 19 42 41 49
46 Dover, DE 42.05 42 35 38 48
47 Baton Rouge, LA 41.27 36 48 48 36
48 Hartford, CT 41.18 48 45 32 23
49 Trenton, NJ 39.72 44 49 42 38
50 Augusta, ME 39.44 43 50 31 45

Note: With the exception of “State Capital Index,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Do you agree with the survey?

Half-Built Rock Hill Panthers HQ Now Set To Be Torn Down

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Half-Built Rock Hill Panthers HQ Now Set To Be Torn Down
via Colliers

It looks like the unfinished Carolina Panthers practice facility in Rock Hill has officially come to the end of its journey.

Plans are now in motion to demolish the entire structure. The 245–acre area, known as the “Rock Hill Overlook,” is owned by the city and York County.

Colliers International is now attempting to sell the property as a ‘mixed-use development opportunity’.

The listing for ‘Rock Hill Overlook’ reads:

“Rock Hill Overlook is a premier ± 245 acre mixed-use development opportunity with immediate access to I-77 with a newly constructed Exit 81 interchange (May 2023). This first-class property offers exceptional ease to Rock Hill & the greater Charlotte markets. The property boasts remarkable access and visibility from I-77, with an astounding ± 5,679 SF of frontage.”

Local Hunters Organizing North Carolina’s 10th Annual Coyote Hunting Tournament

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Local Hunters Organizing North Carolina’s 10th Annual Coyote Hunting Tournament

The 10th Annual Carolina Coyote Classic is coming to our state next week and is being marketed as one of the biggest coyote hunting events in the nation.

It will officially be held from Feb. 17-19, 2023. There will be over $10,000 in cash and prizes for the winners. The guaranteed cash payout for the Coyote Derby reaches up to $3000.

Stanly County, NC is proud to host the Carolina Coyote Classic, with the  Stanly Convention and Visitors Bureau offering their support. The tournament consists of two events: the Coyote Derby and the Fat Dog Contest.

The Coyote Derby is a race to see who can take down the most coyotes over the course of the weekend. As for the Fat Dog Contest, the goal is to bag and weigh the biggest coyote of the tournament.

Date Breach May Have Compromised Thousands of NC Medicare Beneficiaries’ Data

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Date Breach May Have Compromised Thousands of NC Medicare Beneficiaries’ Data

After a recent data breach from North Carolina’s Healthcare Management Solutions, LLC (HMS), which largely handles NC Medicare beneficiaries’ personal information, state officials are warning Medicare recipients to be vigilant.

Those affected by the breach will be notified by letter in the coming weeks. If you were affected, you should be receiving an updated Medicare card with a new Medicare identification number.

“Those seniors receiving Medicare benefits should be on the lookout for correspondence from the federal government regarding this incident,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey in a press release. “I urge those that do receive letters in the mail to take action and ensure their information is secure.”

Once you receive your new card, you should:

1. Follow the instructions in the letter that comes with your new card.
2. Destroy your old Medicare card.
3. Inform your providers that you have a new Medicare Number.

For assistance with Medicare questions, contact NC SHIIP at 1-855-408-1212 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to speak to a SHIIP counselor.

Carowinds Is Turning 50 – Hiring Over 2,000 New Employees For Massive Anniversary Season

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Carowinds Is Turning 50 – Hiring Over 2,000 New Employees For Massive Anniversary Season

Carowinds has just announced plans to hire over 2,400 new employees in preperation for its 50th year in celebration of “Carolina fun.”

The theme park is expecting to fill at least 300 of these positions during a week-long hiring fair running from Saturday, Feb. 18 through Friday, Feb. 24. New roles will include singers, dancers, admission attendees, lifeguards, food and beverage servers, ride operators, security, and more.

During their 50th anniversary season, the amusement park will feature upgraded food and beverage menus, a unique nighttime show, and the debut of Aeronautica Landing featuring a total of 5 new rides.

To view or apply for any of the available positions, check out all the positions here.

Mecklenburg County Lighting a ‘Controlled Burn’ at Noon Today

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Mecklenburg County Lighting a ‘Controlled Burn’ at Noon Today

The Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff has just announced that they will be setting the Rural Hill Nature Preserve on fire today as part of a fire-preventing controlled burn.

The county sent out an alert noting that residents may see smoke around North Charlotte today between 12pm and 3pm this afternoon:

Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff are conducting a controlled burn today beginning around noon at Rural Hill Nature Preserve. Smoke will affect air quality in the downwind area for 2-3 hours. To reduce your exposure to smoke, stay indoors or avoid areas of heavy smoke.

According to the Mecklenburg County website, “land managers use controlled burns (also known as prescribed fire) to mimic the natural disturbance caused by the natural fires of years ago. These fires are carefully planned and conducted under specific weather conditions to achieve specific goals. In this way fire can safely be used as a management tool.”

For more information on Mecklenburg County prescribed burns visit: meck.co/RXfire

Charlotte Among Top Places For Black Americans Economically

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Charlotte Among Top Places For Black Americans Economically
As Black History Month begins, it’s important to recognize the many financial barriers that Black Americans continue to face today.
In fact, the median income of Black households in 2021 was almost $23,000 less than the median income of all households nationally.
However, the economic environment for Black Americans can vary from place to place.
In a new study, SmartAsset analyzed data for 133 locations across the U.S. to uncover where Black Americans fare best economically. They evaluated metrics such as household income, homeownership and education, among others.
Their findings show that Charlotte ranked among the top 15 places where Black Americans fare best economically.
1. This is the Labor Force Participation Rate.

Tips for New Nurses to Prevent Burnout

Sharon Anderson
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Tips for New Nurses to Prevent Burnout

Burnout is usually a state of physical, psychological, and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress in the workplace. It is characterized by a lack of energy and enthusiasm for work or feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Nurses can experience burnout when they work in high-pressure roles within organizations that are understaffed or require significant overtime hours to meet the demands of their job. According to research, new nurses who experience burnout are more likely to suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Strategies to Cope with Burnout Issues

The consequences of nurse burnout include decreased job satisfaction and performance, absenteeism, career changes, resignations, medical errors, decreased patient safety, and fatigue-related injuries or illnesses among staff members. Burnout can also lead to increased levels of substance abuse among nurses, who may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with stress. Struggling toward developing healthy work environments where nurses can flourish without fear of experiencing burnout will help reduce rates of burnout among nurses. Additionally, investing in professional development opportunities such as continuing education courses and leadership development programs will help mitigate the effects of work-related burnout. 

Nurse burnout is an increasingly prevalent issue in the healthcare industry. MSN programs are an excellent way to help nurses become better prepared for their role in providing quality care. The programs focus on helping nurses gain a deeper understanding of the medical field, build essential skills, and develop strategies for managing stress and burnout. Burnout is caused by several factors, including long hours, heavy workloads, lack of resources, and difficult patient situations. 

For working nurses wanting to advance in their careers, an MSN online program provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes courses on stress management techniques and coping strategies. Additionally, online programs help prevent burnout since nurses can study according to their schedule and convenience. Furthermore, students enrolled in MSN programs have access to mentorships with experienced healthcare professionals who can provide guidance on how to deal with challenging professional scenarios. Through mentorship opportunities, nurses can gain support from a trusted source while learning how to handle their heavy workloads effectively. 

A few of the tips for nurses to cope with work stress and avoid burnout are as follows:

  1. Taking Regular Breaks

A recent study found that nearly 31 % of new nurses reported feeling burnt out within their first year on the job. Taking frequent breaks throughout the day can help reduce the amount of stress, burnout, and fatigue that new nurses experience. Taking a few minutes from work to take a deep breath, stretch, chat with a colleague, or take a short walk outside can help nurses regain focus and improve energy levels. 

2. Engaging in Physical Exercise 

Exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. According to a Harvard study, exercise helps increase endorphins which can act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers. Studies have shown that regular physical exercise can also lead to improved sleep quality, cognitive function, and overall mental health. This is particularly important for new nurses who work long shifts or in high-stress environments, as poor sleep has been linked to increased rates of burnout. 

3. Consuming Balanced Diet 

An adequate diet also plays an important role in reducing stress and nurse work burnout. Eating a balanced diet can boost energy levels while providing essential vitamins and minerals that positively impact mood. Studies have found that nutrition is closely linked with mental well-being. Deficiencies in certain vitamins, such as B-12, are linked with depression and other mental health issues. For nurses, it is important to ensure they get enough nutrients from their food during their busy days to improve patient care and outcomes.  

4. Getting Organized

The hectic and often chaotic nature of the nursing profession means that nurses can quickly become overworked, overwhelmed, and exhausted without being organized. Poor organization leads to missed deadlines and tasks, leading to negative career repercussions. When nurses have a clear structure in place, they are better equipped to manage their workload and prioritize tasks as needed. Keeping an organized schedule also allows nurses to take time for themselves, thus avoiding burnout. Creating weekly and daily checklists is important to stay on track with goals and tasks. Keeping all notes and important documents in one place will help prevent extra stress caused by searching for information. 

5. Setting Boundaries

Working in the medical field, nurses can easily become overwhelmed by the demands of their job and fall victim to burnout if they do not take the necessary steps. Setting boundaries is one such way to ensure this doesn’t happen. When nurses set boundaries, they draw a line between their personal life and the demands of their profession. This helps them maintain a healthy balance between their job duties and other parts of their life. It also helps them identify when they are under too much pressure at work so that they can take action to reduce it or seek help from colleagues or supervisors. Additionally, by maintaining clear professional boundaries with their patients, they can avoid becoming too emotionally drained while still providing quality care. 

6. Finding a Support System in the Workplace 

Having an established support system is vital for any nurse, but especially for those just starting in the nursing field. Whether it is family members, colleagues, or friends that one can call upon for advice and moral support can make all the difference during times of stress and burnout.  Moreover, finding joy in what we do each day helps us maintain perspective on our purpose and why we chose this profession in the first place. Take time each day to find something positive about your job. 

Conclusion 

Burnout is a real and serious problem for new nurses. However, some steps can be taken to help prevent burnout. By following the tips mentioned above and leveraging available resources within your workplace environment, you can go a long way toward preventing burnout and becoming a successful nurse. Always remember why you joined this profession in the first place, and never let your passion for helping people fade away.

Charlotte Claims One Of The Nation’s Largest Office Deals by Sale Price

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Charlotte Claims One Of The Nation’s Largest Office Deals by Sale Price

CommercialCafe’s newest report, which ranks the country’s top 50 largest office property transactions of 2022, was just released, showing Charlotte’s biggest sale last year was also one of the biggest in the nation.

The transaction data for the most expensive office deals of 2022 for properties larger than 25,000 feet is based on data compiled by CommercialEdge that was extracted on January 30, 2023.

Here are some key takeaways:

  • Charlotte’s $206 million sale of The Line property ranked as the nation’s 44th priciest office deal closed in 2022.
  • The 305,000-square-foot property was sold by Portman Holdings to CBRE Investment Management in the second quarter of 2022.
  • North Carolina claims 4 of the 50 U.S. priciest office deals of 2022. Besides Charlotte’s The Line, there are:  Raleigh’s Bloc [83] (Portfolio) which ranked 23rd after being sold for $326 million, Durham’s Park Point (Portfolio) – ranked 30th – which had a total sale price of $288 million, and Research Triangle Park’s Syngenta RTP Innovation Center (ranked 42nd) with a total sale price of $213 million.
  • At a regional level, there was a total of 14 deals from the Southern region that made the list, the highest of which being the 601 Massachusetts Avenue NW property in Washington, D.C., which sold at a total sale price of $531 million.
  • At a national level, 2022’s priciest office deals were the 245 Park Avenue sale in New York and the Alexandria Center at Kendall Square – 100 Binney Street in Cambridge, MA, both surpassing the $1 billion threshold in total sales prices.

You can find additional information about this topic, as well as the complete list of the 50 major U.S. office deals of 2022 ranked by sales volume, in our full report: https://www.commercialcafe.com/blog/most-expensive-office-sales/

Duke Energy Places Advanced Microgrid Into Service in North Carolina

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Duke Energy Places Advanced Microgrid Into Service in North Carolina

Duke Energy has placed into service one of the nation’s most advanced green microgrids in the Madison County town of Hot Springs.

The Hot Springs microgrid consists of a 2-megawatt (AC) solar facility and a 4.4-megawatt lithium-based battery storage facility. The microgrid not only provides a safe, cost-effective and reliable grid solution for serving the Hot Springs area, but it will also provide energy and additional bulk system benefits for all customers.

This will include reliability services to the electric grid, such as frequency and voltage regulation and ramping support and capacity during system peaks.

“Duke Energy has numerous smaller microgrids on our system, but this is our first  microgrid that can power an entire small town if its main power line experiences an outage,” said Jason Handley, general manager, Distributed Energy Group.

Hot Springs, with a population of just over 500, has limited rerouting options should an outage occur. During its testing phase, Duke Energy’s microgrid was able to pick up the town’s entire load from a black start without any help from the energy grid – using only the solar and battery storage to restore power. The microgrid served the town’s load while the company gathered data.

“Through energy storage and microgrids, Duke Energy can enable the integration of more renewables onto the grid and help improve reliability while keeping costs affordable for customers and the communities we serve,” added Handley.

Duke Energy worked with the technology company Wärtsilä, who supplied the battery energy storage system for the project. The microgrid utilizes Wärtsilä’s sophisticated energy management system, the GEMS Digital Energy Platform, for integrated control of both the solar and energy storage facilities.

“The Hot Springs inverter-only-based community microgrid is a great step forward for Duke Energy and our customers. This project has reduced the need for equipment upgrades in an environmentally sensitive area,” added Handley. “We are using lessons learned from this first-of-its-kind installation to take to our other microgrids under construction in Indiana and Florida. At a larger scale, microgrids bring more resiliency to the energy grid for our customers.”

Duke Energy has been active with microgrids and battery storage, with over 60 megawatts connected throughout Duke Energy’s regulated areas. In Asheville, Duke Energy operates a 9-megawatt lithium-ion battery system at a substation site in the Rock Hill community – near Sweeten Creek Road. In Haywood County, the company has a 3.8-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery and 10-kilowatt solar DC microgrid installation serving a communications tower on Mount Sterling in the Smoky Mountains National Park.

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