BB&T and Suntrust Announce $66 Billion Merger With New Headquarters in Charlotte

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BB&T and Suntrust Announce $66 Billion Merger With New Headquarters in Charlotte

Two of the largest banks in the Southeast have announced they’ll be merging and establishing a new headquarters right here in the Queen City.

The new $66 billion deal will join Atlanta’s Suntrust Bank with Winston-Salem’s BB&T to creat the 6th largest bank in America.

According to a press release, “the combined company will operate under a new name and brand, which will be determined prior to closing.” (you can vote for the company’s new name in our poll below)

The company’s new headquarters in Charlotte will include an expansive Innovation and Technology Center to drive digital growth and development. The former community banking centers of both companies will remain in operation in Winston-Salem and Atlanta.

The board of the new company will be comprised of an equal number of executives from both companies.

“This is a true merger of equals, combining the best of both companies to create the premier financial institution of the future,” said BB&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kelly S. King. “It’s an extraordinarily attractive financial proposition that provides the scale needed to compete and win in the rapidly evolving world of financial services.”

William H. Rogers, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust, also noted, “With our geographic position, enhanced scale and leading financial profile, these two companies will achieve substantially more for clients, teammates, associates, communities, and shareholders than we could alone. I have tremendous respect for Kelly, his leadership team and the BB&T associates. We will leverage our respective strengths as we focus together on the future.”

The new bank will add $442 billion in banking assets to Charlotte, bringing us one step closer to regaining the title of “second biggest banking city in America“.

[totalpoll id=”29980”]

North Carolina Regulators About To Start Cracking Down On CBD Products

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North Carolina Regulators About To Start Cracking Down On CBD Products

After a wave of unregulated CBD products in local dispensaries, markets, and restaurants, NC politicians are now starting to crack down on practices that violate Food and Drug Administration rules.

The compound CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of 113 identified cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa. CBD does not alter the consciousness of the user or make them feel ‘high’, as THC does. Many health professionals are saying that CBD can help with a wide variety of ailments, including; Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more.

According to the FDA, the following are considered ‘prohibited acts’ when it comes to CBD; adding CBD to food products, adding CBD to nutritional supplements, and unregulated health claims about CBD.

Many restaurants, bars, and food trucks around Charlotte have been featuring the drug on their menus recently;

Starting next week, North Carolina regulators plan on sending warning letters to businesses who are violating one or more of the FDA’s ‘prohibited acts’.

Companies receiving the warning letters won’t face any immediate penalty or fines, but fines could start to be issued if repeated non-compliance occurs.

“We treat products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds as we do any other FDA-regulated products — meaning they’re subject to the same authorities and requirements as FDA-regulated products containing any other substance,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a Dec. 20th statement.

“It’s unlawful under the FD&C Act to introduce food containing added CBD or THC into interstate commerce, or to market CBD or THC products as, or in, dietary supplements, regardless of whether the substances are hemp-derived,” noted Gottlieb.

Other hemp products will continue to be sold in a relatively unrestricted manner, including hemp seeds, hemp seed protein, and hemp seed oil. For your safety, do your research before purchasing any product. There are tons of sites, like CBDForSure, that publish guides for consumers like you.

Top 10 Latest Nigerian Movies

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Top 10 Latest Nigerian Movies

Nollywood is recognized in Africa and around the world for producing quality African movies. The Nigerian film industry produces the top-rated comedy, drama, romance, action and horror movies. The industry keeps improving in quality and content over the years. Latest Nigerian movies are proof of how far Nollywood has come.

Nigerian movies are always entertaining and have a lesson at the end. There is also the cultural aspect especially in movies which are set in traditional kingdoms.  Nollywood creators are among the best in Africa. The following are the top 10 latest Nigerian movies.

  1.    Lionheart (2018)

Lionheart stars Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, and Pete Edochie among others. The film was a huge success especially after being distributed by Netflix. Genevieve Nnaji plays the corporate girl who wants to save her father’s company.

  1.    Isoken (2017)

The movie stars Marc Rhys, Dakore Akande, and Funke Akinde. The romantic comedy was directed by Jadesola Osiberu and tells the story of a woman who seems to have achieved everything but gets pressured by her family to marry.

  1.    Slow County (2017)

The main characters of ‘Slow County’ are Sambasa Nzeribe, Majid Mishel, Ivie Okujaye and Tope Tedela. The movie is about a poor teenage mother who ended up in contact with a drug lord who introduced her to a different world.

  1.    The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2018)

Starring Olu Jacobs, Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, and Joke Silva, the film shows the drama that goes on in a hotel co-owned by a couple in Lagos. You will enjoy this movie if you love watching humour that is mixed with romance.

  1.    Celebrity Marriage (2017)

The Pascal Amanfo directed film shows the lives of popular women who despite looking perfect in public go through tribulations at home. One celebrity is a victim of gender violence while another is in distress because of not getting pregnant. The Stars in the movie are Tonto Dikeh, Odunlade Adekola, Jackie Appiah and Toyin Aimakhu. Celebrity Marriage is among the most entertaining latest Nigerian movies

  1.    Potato Potahto (2017)

Starring Chris Attoh, Joke Silva, OC Ukeje and Kemi Lala Akindoju, Potato Potahto tells the funny story of a divorced couple who are contemplating living together even after the separation. They soon realise the idea was not genius and try to figure things out.

  1.    What Lies Within (2017)

The thriller movie shows the life of two women who are faced with challenges as they go about with their life in Lagos. The women have to find an immediate solution because the issues they are facing are affecting their families. The stars in the movie are Michelle Dede, Vanessa Nzediegwu, Tope Tedela, and Paul Utomi.

  1.    Banana Island Ghost (2017)

The action and comedy film tells the story of a dead man who is given a chance to find his soul mate. He is however limited to three days, failure to which he will know his fate. The main characters are Adetomiwa Edun, ChiomaOmeruah, and Ali Nuhu.

  1.    Hakkunde (2017)

Hakkunde is about a young, focused graduate who faces everyday challenges to achieve his dream. He fights love, bigotry and social constructs to accomplish his goal. The movie stars Ali Nuhu, Rahama Sadau and Toyin Aimakhu among other actors.

  1.    The Wedding Party 2 (2017)

The main characters in the movie are Adesua Etomi, Patience Ozokwor, Daniella Down, Enyinna Nwigwe and musician Banky W. The movie is about the life of a newlywed couple and how they live with their family and friends.

Stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Desmond Elliot, Mike Ezuruonye, Tonto Dike and others owe Nollywood their fame and success. Nollywood is credited with creating numerous blockbusters which bag regional and international film awards. The above mentioned latest Nigerian movies are both amusing and exciting.

Source: YEN Ghana

New Panthers’ Owner Talks About Possible Roof Over Renovated Stadium

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New Panthers’ Owner Talks About Possible Roof Over Renovated Stadium

After over a year of speculation, new Panthers’ owner David Tepper indicated that he’s leaning toward renovating the current stadium instead of relocating or building a new one.

Yesterday afternoon, Tepper spoke the media after a charity event at Bank of America Stadium where he made a $120,000 gift to CMS. He talked about using the stadium for a wider array of events, including concerts, more charity events, and specifically, ‘the Final Four’.

Governor Roy Cooper met with Tepper last week and said he talked with the new owner about potentially hosting the major basketball tournament.

Tepper stated that he would “like to put a roof” over the Uptown Stadium in order to make that happen.

“I’ve said it before — but I would love if we could ever do it to get people to support it — to put some sort of roof in here and have a Final Four in North Carolina,” Tepper told reporters.

It’s unclear at this point how serious Tepper was in his comment, as the 24-year-old stadium has always been an outdoor stadium and the changes a roof may require an unreasonable amount of redesign.

What do you think about putting a roof on Panthers’ Stadium? 

Belmont Is Building A New $12 Million Hotel As Charlotte’s Growth Continues To Push West

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Belmont Is Building A New $12 Million Hotel As Charlotte’s Growth Continues To Push West

As Charlotte continues its historic growth period, new development projects are popping up in all directions around our city.

With the multi-billion dollar expansion of our international airport and the progress of the sprawling 1,300 acres “River District” (which some are saying could become Charlotte’s ‘next Ballantyne’), much of that growth is spilling into Gaston County.

Gaston’s easternmost towns of Belmont, Mount Holly, Cramerton, and Lowell are seeing the biggest effects with new subdivisions, apartment complexes, breweries, and restaurants popping up all over.

The Town of Belmont just announced one of their most ambitious projects in recent years – a $12 Million ‘all-suite’ hotel concept called ‘Home2 Suites by Hilton’.

The approved final plans for the project earlier this week and posted plans to their Facebook page;

“At its regular meeting on Monday evening, the Belmont city council approved a plan for a new Hilton Home 2 Suites hotel on Hawley Avenue (behind Chick-Fil-A). This $12 million project should break ground later this year.”

What do you think of all our recent growth?

Jurassic Quest 2019 Is Coming To Charlotte This Spring

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Jurassic Quest 2019 Is Coming To Charlotte This Spring

The biggest dinosaur event in the country is coming to Charlotte this spring.

Jurassic Quest 2019 has just announced that it will be bringing life-sized dinosaur replicas, rides, games, and activities to the Queen City

Events include; The Dinosaur Exhibit, Dino Tour, Dinosaur Rides, Dino Bounce Houses, Bungee Pull, Fossil Dig, Jurassic Jeeps, Dino Scooters (for ages 3 & under), Excavation Station (One Turn Per VIP Ticket), Dino Cinema, Crafts & Coloring Station, Science Station, and more

Jurassic Quest will be coming to Charlotte this April 5-7 at the Park Expo off Independence Blvd.

For tickets or more info click here.

CMS Increasing Cleaning Measures As Flu-Related Deaths Increase Around Our Area

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CMS Increasing Cleaning Measures As Flu-Related Deaths Increase Around Our Area

Schools around the Charlotte region are now issuing warnings to parents to take extra precautions surrounding an increasing outbreak of flu cases in the Carolinas.

The CDC has already reported a total of 50 flu-related deaths this season in the Carolinas alone.

North and South Carolina are now 2 of the hardest hit states in our nation for the flu;

According to the CDC, “a total of 4,423 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported by FluSurv-NET sites between October 1, 2018 and January 26, 2019. The overall hospitalization rate was 15.3 per 100,000 population. The highest rate of hospitalization was among adults aged ≥65 (39.8 per 100,000 population), followed by children aged 0-4 (27.3 per 100,000 population) and adults aged 50-64 (20.5 per 100,000 population). Among 4,423 hospitalizations, 4,115 (93.0%) were associated with influenza A virus, 254 (5.7%) with influenza B virus, 27 (0.6%) with influenza A virus and influenza B virus co-infection, and 27 (0.6%) with influenza virus for which the type was not determined. Among those with influenza A subtype information, 723 (78.3%) were A(H1N1)pdm09 virus and 200 (21.7%) were A(H3N2).”

Some of the best remedies you can use at home to protect against the flu include;

CMS and Fort Mill Schools both say they are increasing cleaning schedules for their classrooms and making parents and teachers more aware of the increased danger.

The Concord Airport Saw It’s Busiest Year In History With A 21% Increase in Passengers Last Year

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The Concord Airport Saw It’s Busiest Year In History With A 21% Increase in Passengers Last Year

The Concord-Padgett Regional Airport just had their best year in history.

The Charlotte region’s second largest airport saw an increase of 21% from the previous year with a total of 145,510 passengers for 2018, according to their press release. They saw a total of 990 departures per week, averaging 19 per week flying to destinations throughout the southeast, including Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, The Emerald Coast, and New Orleans.

“We work hard with our airline and regulatory partners to provide a safe, convenient, affordable, and efficient passenger experience,” said Concord Aviation Director Dirk Vanderleest. “Our success has resulted in increased service frequency and has the potential to bring more destinations in the future.”

Plans are underway to strengthen airport taxiways to handle even more flights in 2019.

NC Hospital’s Cyber Attack Exposes Names, SS Numbers, and Health Info For 20,000 Patients

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NC Hospital’s Cyber Attack Exposes Names, SS Numbers, and Health Info For 20,000 Patients

A North Carolina Hospital has just become the victim of a major cyber attack, resulting in the compromising of over 20,000 patients’ names, birthdates, social security numbers, and health information, according to records from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

An internal investigation at the Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC revealed that between July 4 and August 17, 2018, 3 employees’ email accounts were compromised after they responded to phishing emails. Those email accounts had access to the now compromised database of patient information.

CVMC has now hired security experts to enhance employee education, added increased email security controls, and upgraded hardware and software as appropriate to repel future malicious threats.

They are also providing a complimentary 1-year credit monitoring service for all those affected.

If you’ve visited Catawba Valley Medical Center within the past year, you can call them at 828.326.3000 to see if you were affected.

Young Man Hit By Light Rail Train This Morning in Charlotte

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Young Man Hit By Light Rail Train This Morning in Charlotte

A young man was hit this morning by the LYNX Blue Line light rail in LoSo.

CMPD was called to the intersection of Woodlawn and Old Pineville Rd. at about 5am this morning.

According to CATS, the train that hit the man was a ‘sweeper train’, which checks the tracks and signals each morning without carrying any passengers.

Police say the man was in his late 20s or early 30s and was laying down on the tracks at the time the sweeper train came by and hit him.

The man was taken to the hospital immediately after emergency crews arrived. His injuries were minor, according to MEDIC.

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