Jeff Sessions Came To Charlotte To Announce “Project Safe Neighborhood Task Forces” (Video)

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Jeff Sessions Came To Charlotte To Announce “Project Safe Neighborhood Task Forces” (Video)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions just traveled to the Queen City to give a speech in front of our newly appointed Western North Carolina District Judge Andrew Murray and 75 other law enforcement officials from the CMPD, Mecklenburg Sherriff’s office, and others.

The speech was primarily focused on his new “Project Safe Neighborhood Task Forces”.

According to Justice.gov, “Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gang and gun violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina (USAO-WDNC), PSN has engaged in strategic planning with federal, state and local law enforcement; strengthened partnerships among law enforcement agencies to improve gang and gun violence investigations and prosecutions; engaged in public outreach; provided training to state and local law enforcement; and sought community involvement in the fight against gang and gun violence.”

Sessions said during a speech in Washinton last week that he plans on deploying up to 260 additional federal prosecutors for PSN in key cities across the country to aggressively confront violent crime.

In his Charlotte speech, Sessions ensured his audience that “Police are not the problem…they are the solution to the problem.”

He added, “I will not accept rising crime. Plain and simple, we will not allow the progress made by our women and men in blue over the past two decades to simply slip through our fingers now. We will not cede a community, a block, or a street corner to violent thugs or poison peddlers.”

You can watch Jeff Session’s speech in full here;

What are your thoughts on the new PSN Task Forces?

Jonathan Stewart Joins Forces With ITF To Change Student’s Lives in Charlotte

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Jonathan Stewart Joins Forces With ITF To Change Student’s Lives in Charlotte

When the controversy over NFL players kneeling was at its highest back in September, Jonathan Stewart wrestled with what to do. He decided that the best way he could respond would be to pour his efforts into a local non-profit here in Charlotte – Ignite The Fire (ITF).

According to their website, “Inspire the Fire Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to helping young people succeed on stage and in life. We provide students age 10-19 yrs. artistic coaching in artistic development, life skills, and community engagement.”

Natalie, Jonathan’s wife, attended one of ITF’s concerts during Elevation Church’s ‘Love Week’.

“Natalie showed me a video of them doing a concert with so much unity and passion, just pouring out everything,” Jonathan said. He jumped on board and soon decided to organize something for the kids.

The first collaborative event started with a time of sharing – the kids had a chance to express their feelings about things that are going on in their lives, what their concerns and fears are, and what they think about the current race relations in our country.

“It was just cool to hear their voice and for them to know that we are here for them and that we’re not just showing up on Sunday taking a demonstration – we’re taking action now,” Jonathan said.

After sharing their thoughts, the players joined the kids for a collaborative painting session. They worked alongside the kids to create unique paintings that would later be auctioned off at ITF’s own fundraiser.

“It’s giving them a piece of ownership and a piece of confidence to say ‘I can do anything,'” he said.

Last Sunday, several of the kids were given field passes to the Panther’s game where they witnessed Jonathan’s record-breaking 3-touchdown game.

The next day, Jonathan and his teammates, ITF, and about a dozen other local partners held the art auction for ITF in the heart of Uptown.

They raised over $40,000 for ITF through sponsorships, ticket sales, and actioning off a few dozen one-of-a-kind items, including;

Jonathan Stewart’s game-worn “my cause my cleats“, which were painted by one of the ITF students with the Bible verse reference Phil. 4:13 on the side for $1,500;

A chalk painting of Jonathan by artist Lee Baxter for $2,500

A signed photo of all the team captains for $1,750

and all of the kid’s paintings (plus about a dozen other one-of-a-kind panthers items);

Almost everything for the event was donated, including food from Fahrenheit, the event space by the New Gallery of Modern Art, photography by Kristin Byrum, and custom drinks by Bob Peters from the Punch Room. AZSN Studio and Katrina Hutchins Events helped with planning from start to finish, Elisabeth Rose made hand painted invitations, and DJ Jonathon Wylie pitched in to support the cause.

“It was amazing to see how quickly people came together and were willing to donate their time and resources. We had so many people interested in sponsoring and doing whatever they could to help support our event,” Jonathan said. “People were quickly able to grasp what ITF is about and connect to the cause. All of that is because of what Dennis has created and it inspired so many other people to do something outside of themselves to support an amazing organization.”

Team Stew plans on continuing to work with ITF to help kids across our city of find hope and inspiration in their lives.

“I’d like to continue to use my platform to help give ITF the resources it needs to continue to create more opportunities for the kids,” Jonathan said.

Tomorrow evening (Dec. 20th) they will be holding their next fundraising event at CPCC’s Pease Auditorium (1206 Elizabeth Ave) starting at 7pm – this time it will be open to the public;

Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under – don’t miss out!

When asked how Charlotteans can help inspire middle school and high school students in their communities, Jonathan said, “Encourage and take action (funding!!!) to the arts and creative outlets for kids, not just focusing strictly on sports and traditional academics.”

If you’d like to get involved with or donate to Inspire The Fire, you can find out more on their website here.

Jerry Richardson Just Gave Up Full Control Of The Panthers To Tina Becker

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Jerry Richardson Just Gave Up Full Control Of The Panthers To Tina Becker

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has just named Tina Becker as COO (Chief Operating Officer) and has given her full control of the organization.

“Becker is now officially one of the highest-ranking female executives of any team in the National Football League,” according to the press release.

“These have been some of the most difficult days of my 19 years with the Panthers, but I am lifted up by the strong resolve and the commitment our employees have shown to this organization,” Becker said. “Our team on the field is performing at a very high level, and I believe is bound for the Super Bowl. My immediate focus will be to ensure the corporate side of the organization performs at the same high level, while addressing the real concerns that have been raised in recent days.”

Becker originally started with the organization as a TopCat Cheerleader and was quickly promoted to the coach of the squad;

After becoming the TopCats squad coach, she continued to work her way up the ranks in the Panthers organization with incredible professionalism and wisdom, serving in almost every area, including business operations, ticketing and sponsorship, stadium operations, entertainment and fan engagement.

Before transitioning to the owner’s office in 2014, Becker served as the team’s director of entertainment for 2 years.

“Tina is the right person to lead this organization. I know she is committed to the Panthers, to the city of Charlotte and to ensuring this organization is run in a professional and progressive manner,” according to former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl.

Campbell Soup Just Agreed To Buy This Charlotte Company For $4.7 Billion

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Campbell Soup Just Agreed To Buy This Charlotte Company For $4.7 Billion

The New Jersey-based Campbell Soup Company has just announced a purchase agreement with Charlotte-based Snyder’s-Lance for $4.7 billion.

According to their press release, Campbells will be paying $50 per share to buy Snyder’s-Lance – a premium of approximately 27% above Snyder’s-Lance’s closing stock price on Dec. 13th – the last trading day before media reports started leaking the potential transaction. Today Snyder’s-Lance stock closed at $50.04 on the NASDAQ.

The purchase will allow Campbells to drastically expand their “Global Biscuits and Snacks division”, adding Snyder’s of Hanover, Lance, KETTLE chips, Cape Cod, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Pop Secret, Emerald and Late July to Cambell’s current snacking lines of Pepperidge Farm, Arnott’s and Kelsen.

“The acquisition of Snyder’s-Lance will accelerate Campbell’s strategy and is in line with our Purpose, ‘real food that matters for life’s moments.’ It will provide our consumers with an even greater variety of better-for-you snacks. The combination of Snyder’s-Lance brands with Pepperidge Farm, Arnott’s and Kelsen will create a diversified snacking leader,” commented Denise Morrison, Campbell’s President and CEO. “This acquisition will dramatically transform Campbell, shifting our center of gravity and further diversifying our portfolio into the faster-growing snacking category.”

Campbells has not yet said if they will be making any layoffs at the Syder’s-Lance headquarters in Ballantyne, or if they will keep the Syder’s-Lance name.

Syder’s-Lance currently employs about 1,300 people in Ballantyne.

The deal is expected to close in the summer of 2018.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Stephen Curry Want To Buy The Panthers

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Stephen Curry Want To Buy The Panthers

After yesterday’s announcement that Jerry Richardson plans on selling the Carolina Panthers at the end of this season, several celebrities and business figures began announcing on social media their desire to buy the team.

Two of the most serious announcements undoubtedly came from legendary rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (aka Puff Daddy) and NBA star Stephen Curry.

Diddy announced his intentions in a series of Tweets;

and a very personal video message on his Instagram account;

In his Instagram video, Diddy calls our team the “North Carolina Panthers”, says he will be the “best owner you could imagine”, and also says he will sign Colin Kaepernick and put him in the running to be next year’s starting quarterback.

Stephen Curry’s announcement was slightly more subtle…simply saying “I want in!” in response to Diddy’s tweets;

Diddy then responded back by saying “Holla at me, let’s get it!”

Given Diddy’s estimated 2017 net worth of $820 million, and the fact that Stephen Curry will make over $47 million in 2017 alone, the two may have enough money between them to buy the franchise…depending on how close their bid gets to it’s recent $2.2 billion valuation.

Update 12/18/2017 11:30am

Colin Kaepernick has just tweeted out that he wants in:

What do you think about Diddy buying the Panthers?

Richardson Announces That He Will Sell The Panthers At The End of This Season

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Richardson Announces That He Will Sell The Panthers At The End of This Season

In one of the most shocking announcements of the year, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has just announced that he will be selling the Carolina Panthers at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.

Yesterday evening, the Panthers organization released the following statement;

In it, Richardson states;

“There has been no greater mission or purpose in my life than to have brought an NFL franchise to Charlotte…I always knew that if given the chance, The Carolinas would rise to the occasion…”

“…I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership. Therefore, I will put the team up for sale at the conclusion of this NFL season. We will not begin the sale process, nor will we entertain any inquiries, until the very last game is played. I hope everyone in this organization will be firmly focused on just one mission: To play and win the Super Bowl…”

The announcement of the sale comes less than a day after shocking new revelations into Richardson’s workplace misconduct investigation.

Yesterday morning Sports Illustrated released an exclusive report that details 4 settlements with former Panthers employees after alleged sexual misconduct. Since the former employees signed non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses, they would not be allowed to release the names of the former employees.

The report notes that, while at work, Richardson “would ask women to turn around so he could admire their backsides. Then, in his rolling Southern drawl, he’d offer comment, drawing from a store of one-liners he’d recycle each week. Among those in heaviest rotation: ‘Show me how you wiggle to get those jeans up. I bet you had to lay down on your bed to fit into those jeans. Did you step into those jeans or did you have to jump into them?'”

The former employees said that his comments were often dismissed due to the owners status and age. “No one ever said anything, at least not that I heard,” says one former Panthers employee. “He was the boss. It was [viewed] more of a creepy-old-man thing than a threat.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said that the league cannot make any comments about the Sports Illustrated report at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

Now that we know Richardson will be selling the team at the end of the is season, the big question is, will they stay in Charlotte?

The contract says that if the team seeks to leave during that window, the city can take them to Mecklenburg Superior Court to prevent them from leaving.

But after June 2019, there is no requirement the team stay in Charlotte.

If the team leaves after June 2019, the contract says the city would have either the option of buying the stadium for fair market value or the Panthers would pay the city the remaining debt payment on the city’s $75 million investment.

The Panthers currently has a 6 year ‘tether’ contract in place with the city of Charlotte that will be ending in 2019.

In April of 2013, Charlotte agreed to spend $87.5 million on stadium improvements and other expenses if The Panthers would agree to stay in the city for at least 6 more years.

Whoever buys the team at the end of this season will have to keep the team here until then, but after June of 2019, they will certainly have some powerful leverage with the city.

They could ask the city for more money for stadium or team improvement, ask for a completely new stadium, or simply move the team to a new city that might offer them an even better stadium and perks.

Charlotte Is Ranked As One Of The Top Cities In America For Women in Tech

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Charlotte Is Ranked As One Of The Top Cities In America For Women in Tech

south-end-light-railCharlotte was recently listed on yet another ‘best cities’ list.

The website SmartAsset.com does an annual analysis of the largest 59 U.S. tech cities and ranks them on four key metrics: the gender pay gap in tech, income after housing costs, women as a percentage of the tech workforce, and four-year tech employment growth.

This year, the Queen City saw substantial improvements in almost every area.

“Charlotte ranks as the 13th-best city for women in tech, up from the 32nd spot in the 2016 edition of our analysis. In the past year, we’ve found that the gender pay gap has shrunk by 3%. But the number of women in computer and mathematical jobs remains the same. Female tech workers make up just 27% of those roles,” according to SmartAsset.

Women are not only making strides in the work-place, but also in the political realm. We now have a female mayor, a majority of women on the city council, and this past January’s ‘Women’s March on Charlotte‘ saw one of the biggest turnouts out of all the participating cities around the world.

How do you feel about women’s rights in Charlotte? Have you seen improvements? What other changes would you like to see made in our city? 

Woman Uses Urinal At Today’s Panthers Game

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Woman Uses Urinal At Today’s Panthers Game

During today’s game against the Green Bay Packers, one female Panthers fan decided that her urgency to pee outweighed any possible shame that might come with pulling her pants down and peeing backward in a men’s urinal in front of a bunch of guys.

The unnamed woman was wearing a Greg Olsen jersey, blue jeans, and high-heeled boots.

The picture was taken by another unnamed fan and sent it to the Laces Out Podcast – it was then immidiately posted to their twitter account;

The tweet has already been shared over 200 times and has received 46 comments in less than 2 hours, with most people praising her boldness;

Next time, she might want to get one of those female urination things.

What do you think about her decision?

New South Carolina Law May Significantly Increase Texting-While-Driving Penalties

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New South Carolina Law May Significantly Increase Texting-While-Driving Penalties

If you live or drive in South Carolina and you own a cell phone, you might be affected by a new bill that was just introduced by SC Representative Bill Taylor for some penalties for a dui offense.

The new bill would increase the current fine from $25 to $100 and up to $300 and 2 points off your license for a second offense if you’re caught holding your phone and either typing, sending, or reading texts.

“It really is the same, or worse offense, than drunk driving,” Taylor said. “So, let’s call it what it is.”

North Carolina’s penalty is already set at $100 but won’t take any points off your license.

The new SC would allow the use of Bluetooth functions and GPS mapping usage, as long as a driver’s hands don’t touch the screen while driving.

What do you think about the new bill?

Charlotte Named 2017’s 2nd Fastest-Growing Large City in America

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Charlotte Named 2017’s 2nd Fastest-Growing Large City in America

charlotte-most-attractive-real-estate-markets-in-americaWith economic growth expected to slow in the short term after a devastating hurricane season, the personal-finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2017’s Fastest-Growing Cities in America.

To determine where the most rapid local economic growth occurred over a period of seven years, WalletHub’s analysts compared 515 U.S. cities across 15 key metrics. The data set ranges from population growth to college-educated population growth to unemployment rate decrease. In addition, we produced a separate ranking by city size.

Economic Growth in Charlotte (1=Fastest-Growing; 258=Avg.)

  • 41st – Population Growth
  • 134th – Median Household Income Growth
  • 17th – Job Growth
  • 125th – Poverty Rate Decrease
  • 148th – Regional GDP Growth
  • 1st – Growth in Number of Businesses
  • 35th – Working-Age Population Growth
  • 222nd – Foreclosure Rate Decrease

Charlotte ranks 20th overall and 2nd in terms of large-city growth.

For the full report, you can visit: wallethub.com/edu/fastest-growing-cities/7010/

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