Panthers’ Kicker Secures Rare Victory in Soaked Showdown with Falcons

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Eddy Piñeiro nailed a 23-yard field goal right as the clock ran out, snagging the Panthers second win of the season (2-12) over the Atlanta Falcons.

It was a wet and wild game at the Bank of America Stadium, and although ticket prices were the cheapest we’ve ever seen, the rain, cold, and abysmal season record kept most seats in the stadium empty.

Piñeiro was the star the Panthers, scoring all their points in the tight 9-7 victory. The game was a bit of a slog with the rain and both teams struggling to score. But Bryce Young stepped up, leading the Panthers on an impressive 90-yard drive in the final minutes. This came after the Falcons’ Desmond Ridder threw a game-changing interception.

Young was on point, throwing to Tommy Tremble, Jonathan Mingo, and DJ Chark, while Chuba Hubbard kept the ball moving on the ground. Young finished with 18 completions out of 24 attempts for 167 yards, and Hubbard racked up 87 rushing yards.

This win was a big deal for interim head coach Chris Tabor, and it put Piñeiro in the Panthers’ record books with his 65th field goal. The game had its share of standout moments: J.D. DiRenzo made his NFL debut, Troy Hill forced a fumble, and Xavier Woods grabbed an interception that set up the winning drive.

In the end, it was all about that final Panthers drive – 17 plays, 90 yards, capped off by Piñeiro’s game-winning kick. Young’s cool performance, especially in those last crucial moments, was a highlight of the game.

To catch the latest Carolina Panthers action against the mighty Packers, Jaguars, and Buccaneers, make sure you have an Xfinity connection at hand for the best NFL experience. The NFL Network is now exclusively available on the Xfinity Stream app accessible across devices, making the live football experience double the fun like never before. 

So, what are you waiting for? Contact the Xfinity phone number team to sign up for the plan of your choice today.

Making a Difference: How Charlotte’s Giving Machines Are Changing Lives This Holiday Season

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This holiday season, Charlotte will be welcoming a new way to give back – “Light The World Giving Machines”.

Stocked with a variety of goods and services, these machines are designed to aid those most in need this holiday period. Located at the Promenade on Providence shopping center, the giving machines offer items and services priced between $5 and over $200. Each selection represents an essential item that will benefit both local and international charities.

This year, the Charlotte Giving Machines are collaborating with three local nonprofit organizations:

  1. Baby Bundles: This organization provides new mothers facing hardships with a bag filled with essential items for their newborns, such as baby clothes, blankets, burp cloths, bibs, and developmental toys, as they leave the hospital.
  2. Beds for Kids: They offer beds and vital furniture to children and their families in need, working in partnership with over 40 referral agencies throughout the Charlotte area.
  3. The Relatives: As the only emergency shelter for young people and adolescents in Mecklenburg County, The Relatives also runs On-Ramp, a resource center for young adults transitioning to independent living.

These giving machines, now present in 61 cities globally, including the U.S., have become a convenient tool for aiding numerous families. The Charlotte Light The World Giving Machines are available for donations from December 14th to January 1st at the Promenade on Providence.

North Carolina Is Quickly Becoming The Epicenter Of America’s Green Revolution

North Carolina is quickly becoming the most significant player in the global EV movement and broader green revolution with Toyota’s recent announcement of their $8 billion electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant, Epsilon Advanced Material’s newly announced $760 million facility, Wolfspeed’s upcoming $5 billion semiconductor plant, and Vietnamese electric auto maker VinFast’s $2 billion investment in our state.

“Our progress has made sure our state continues to be the best place for people to live, learn, work and raise a family. I’ve never been more excited about North Carolina’s future,” said Governor Cooper in a press release.

Additionally, Forza X1 is investing $10.5 million in an electric-powered boat and motor manufacturing facility, and Boom Supersonic plans to invest over $500 million in sustainable aviation in North Carolina.

So far this year, our state announced a total of 28,300 new jobs across over a dozen headquarter moves and major expansions related to the green movement. CNBC even ranked the Tar Heel state as the #1 state in America to do business in.

The state’s skilled workforce, ranging from laborers to engineers, has been crucial in attracting these investments. North Carolina’s commitment to renewable energy, with a 52% increase in production over the past 5 years and significant solar and wind energy capacity, has also played a major role in the recent trend.

These developments are part of North Carolina’s long-term economic strategy, which includes investments in education, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure improvements like the expansion of Charlotte Airport and highways. This approach positions North Carolina as a potential model for economic development and modern business attraction.

What do you think about North Carolina’s green energy dominance?

Reimagining Belmont: Bold New Plan To Transform Downtown’s Historic Streets

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In a bold move to reshape Downtown Belmont, a group of visionary property owners on Main Street’s west side, just north of the railroad tracks, enlisted Historical Concepts to craft a forward-thinking concept plan to redevelop the city. The new initiative is aimed at revitalizing the area while honoring Belmont’s rich history as a textile and railroad powerhouse.

City officials are now working with the property owners to refine and consider the proposed plan, set to begin in January 2024. The city is now asking for community involvement, inviting residents to share their vision for Downtown Belmont’s future.

For those who ant to be part of the journey and to learn more about the Comprehensive Land Use Plan update, visit the city’s dedicated webpage at www.cityofbelmont.org/2023CLUP.

NC Borrowers Have Average of $38,143 of Student Debt – 8th Highest in America

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A new study has revealed that North Carolina has the eighth highest student debt per borrower.

Higher education research group Degree Choices analyzed data from the Office of Federal Student Aid to determine which states had the highest average student debt per borrower.

1. Maryland

Topping the list for the states with the highest amount of student debt per borrower is Maryland, with an average debt of $43,116. In total, Maryland’s student debt stands at $36.7 billion across 851,200 borrowers.

2. Georgia

The state with the second highest student debt per borrower is Georgia, with an average debt of $41,775. Georgia’s total student debt of $70.6 billion is spread across 1.69 million borrowers.

3. Virginia

Virginia has the third highest amount of student debt per borrower. The state’s total student debt is $43.8 billion spread across 1.1 million borrowers, equating to an average student debt of $39,599.

4. Florida

With an average debt of $38,683, Florida has the fourth highest student debt per borrower. Florida has 2.72 million total borrowers, while the state’s total student debt is $105.4 billion.

5. South Carolina

The state with the fifth highest student debt per borrower is South Carolina, with an average student debt of $38,360. The state’s total student debt is $29.1 billion across 758,600 borrowers.

6. Illinois

Illinois is sixth on the list of states with the highest student debt per borrower, with an average student debt of $38,349. A total of 1.65 million borrowers hold $63.1 billion of student debt in Illinois.

7. Delaware

The state with the seventh highest amount of student debt per borrower is Delaware, with an average debt of $38,174. The First State has $5.1 billion of student debt across 133,600 borrowers.

8. North Carolina

With an average student debt per borrower of $38,143, North Carolina has the eighth highest student debt per borrower on average. In total, 1.35 million borrowers hold $51.6 billion of student debt in North Carolina.

9. Vermont

Vermont has the ninth highest student debt per borrower. Vermonters hold $3 billion of student debt across 78,800 borrowers, giving an average student debt per borrower of $38,071.

10. Hawaii

Hawaii rounds out the top 10 states, with an average student debt of $37,995. The Aloha State’s 123,700 borrowers hold $4.7 billion in student debt.

How much student loan debt do you still have? 

Panthers’ Ticket Prices For Sunday’s Game Lowest In History Amidst Nor’easter

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The Carolina Panthers are having a tough time this season, and it’s really showing in their ticket prices. After a rough loss to the New Orleans Saints, they’re now sitting at a 1-12 record – dead last in the NFL.

This weekend, they’re gearing up to play the Atlanta Falcons (6-7) in Uptown, and to top off their horrible record, the weather is shaping up to be extremely wet, cold, and windy, with a massive Nor’easter expected to pound our state Sunday afternoon into the evening.

You can now snag tickets for the game for the lowest they’ve ever been – as cheap as $14 per seat – about the same as a beer at Bank of America Stadium.

If you’re up for watching the Panthers lose again while getting wet and cold, you’re in luck!

8 Best CSGO Case Opening Sites In 2024

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8 Best CSGO Case Opening Sites In 2024

Opening cases is one of the best parts about being a CSGO player as you can find rare skins. Cases can be bought, or you can win them through betting. Either way, they’re the perfect opportunity to receive a legendary item.

If you want to take advantage of this, you must choose the best CSGO case opening sites. It’s not that easy, though – the Internet is filled with what seems to be the perfect website, when many of these platforms are simply trying to drain your bank account and provide you with nothing of value.

But don’t worry – we won’t let you go through such a negative experience. Here are some of the top CSGO case opening sites that you should consider in 2024.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-computer-desk-with-a-monitor-keyboard-and-mouse-JomkRNkzKhE

The Best Websites for Opening CSGO Cases

Are you still searching for the best CSGO case opening sites? Say no more – here are your options:

1. DatDrop

If you want some rare skins that all your friends – and opponents – will be jealous of, you should consider DatDrop. This CSGO case opening site makes it easy for you to open cases. You can join case battles, giving you some fun competitions before enjoying the new designs.

DatDrop has a nice interface which makes the experience more pleasant. It is also optimized for mobile, so you can open cases wherever you are.

The platform has bonuses and promotions from time to time. For example, if you activate a code like “gamblecsgo100”, you can get 5% off every money deposit, but only a maximum of $100 per 24 hours.

2. CSGORoll

Look no further than CSGORoll if you only want to use top-notch CSGO case sites. The website is the perfect place for CSGO fans, as it lets you gamble and open cases. The platform uses a provably fair system, and it has a large variety of skins to offer.

You also get to enjoy some cool bonuses and promotions from time to time. There’s even a referral program that grants you nice rewards when you sign up.

3. KeyDrop

KeyDrop has an easy registration process and it makes your adventure welcoming and pleasant. What’s great about it is that it provides CSGO cases with much better odds than competitors and has a provably fair system.

You can choose from case battles or upgraders among other things and the skin variety will impress you for sure.

KeyDrop offers daily free bonuses, and you even get a sign-up bonus. “gamblecsgo100”, for instance, gives you $0.55 for free and 10% for your first deposit if activated.

4. DaddySkins

With DaddySkins, not only can you win some very rare and cool skins, but you also have the chance to get rid of old, unused skins. The website has an Upgrader which lets you transform your cheap skins, getting something legendary and valuable in return.

Besides, there are lso numerous bonuses and promotions to enjoy. With the right promo code, you can get a very cool reward. For instance, the code “Gamble100” grants you a free 8% to first deposit bonus.

5. Bandit.Camp

Bandit.Camp is a skin betting platform that mainly focuses on RUST. Still, the site also allows you to open daily free cases and even play the crate unboxing game. The rewards are amazing, and it can show you what the CSGO case opening experience would feel like. To open a free case, you should log into your Steam account. 

You can play one of the available games, do some crate unboxing, or join crate battles. There is even a live chat on the platform where you can talk to other players.

Bandit.Camp offers a few promotional codes too. For instance, if you redeem a code like “hellagood”, you can get $0.15 free scrap when you register, as well as 5% when you make a deposit.

6. Clash.GG

If you’re looking for a great CSGO case opening experience, you should consider Clash.GG. This website is quite new compared to some of its competitors, but it has a lot of amazing skins to offer. Its nice interface makes things even better for players.

Also, there are promo codes and bonuses that users can enjoy. For example, the code “csgocatalog” offers you a daily free case, rakeback, and 5% on your deposit.

7. RustClash

RustClash is one of the top case opening websites for Rust. It’s not dedicated to CSGO, but it’s good practice, not to mention that you can still obtain some unique skins in the process. The platform has various games for players to enjoy, including Plinko, upgrader, and Battles.

If you use an affiliate or promotion code, you can also get some free cases with valuable skins inside. Promotions take place regularly, with codes like “HELLAGOOO” giving you 24-hour daily free case and rakeback.

8. R1-skins.com

R1-skins is relatively new, yet it’s a top platform to win some amazing skins. The Cashback and Upgrade features allow you to make money or get better skins.

The case opening feature coming to the site very soon will give you more opportunities to get rare and valuable skins that will be the envy of all.

Besides, there are some great promo codes, welcome bonuses, and even a referral program. So, you can’t go wrong with R1-skins.

How Do I Open a CSGO Case?

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-computer-mouse-sitting-on-top-of-a-mouse-pad-CeLKGSblciM

Opening cases is easy. You need to buy a case from one of the best CSGO case opening sites or win one by playing games. Here is how you can open it:

  1. Check your inventory after buying the case to make sure it’s there.
  2. Buy a key. Each case will have one specific key.
  3. Use it to open the box.

How to Choose Your CSGO Case Opening Site?

Choosing the best CSGO case opening platform is easy if you know what to pay attention to. Some factors to consider include:

  1. Online Reviews – Make sure the case-opening sites CSGO have positive reviews.
  2. Skin Variety – You should have different skins to choose from.
  3. Case Variety – Ensure there are various types of cases offered.
  4. Good Customer Service – The customer support team should be easy to reach out to in case there are any issues.

What Are the Best Sites to Open Cases in CSGO?

The best case-opening sites for CSGO will be different for everyone. In general, you want something with skin variety, quick withdrawals, and bonuses. Some of the best sites to consider include:

        DatDrop

        CSGORoll

        KeyDrop

        DaddySkins

        Bansit.Camp

        Clash.GG

        RustClash

        R1-Skins

Conclusion

If you want a good experience, then you must use the perfect CSGO case opening sites. We’ve provided you with some options in this guide, so research them and choose the right one for you. Moreover, all these websites have some incredible promotions and bonuses that give you free cases and first-deposit bonuses, and you don’t want to miss that.

Charlotte Preparing for Nor’Easter Onslaught: Several Inches of Rain and Power Outages Possible

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A powerful ‘Nor’Easter’ low pressure system is set to travel up the East Coast from this coming weekend, potentially producing over 3 inches of rain and tropical storm force wind gusts.

Weather Forecast MapsPrecipitation 3 hours, 34°N 81°W, 2023/12/17 4:00 PM (UTC−05:00), © VentuSky.com

The term ‘Nor’Easter’ describes a storm along the East Coast characterized by winds originating from the Northeast.

This particular storm, moving significantly inland, is expected to drench the Charlotte area with steady rain throughout Sunday. As the storm’s center approaches closer, heavier bouts of rain are anticipated later in the day. Additionally, wind gusts ranging from 30 to 50 mph could occur, raising the possibility of widespread power outages.

Charlotte’s Kwamé Ryan Makes History By Becoming First Black Conductor of Symphony

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Breaking new ground in its near-century history, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has just appointed Kwamé Ryan, its first non-white director. The 53-year-old, born in Canada and raised in Trinidad, was selected by the Charlotte Symphony in a unanimous decision this week.

“As a dynamic leader who understands the full potential of the relationship between an orchestra and its community,” said Charlotte Symphony President David Fisk in a press release. “Kwamé will undoubtedly deepen the Charlotte Symphony’s service to Charlotte and the region, and, with his passion for music education, bring extraordinary, powerful music-making to a wider audience of all ages.”

Ryan’s hiring is notable in an industry where, as a League of American Orchestras study highlights, Black individuals seldom reach the top position of music director.

A Cambridge University Musicology graduate who trained under conductor Peter Eötvös, Ryan has an extensive background conducting orchestras in the U.S., U.K., and Germany. His recent work includes conducting the world premiere of Jake Heggie’s “Intelligence” at the Houston Grand Opera.

Chosen unanimously by the Charlotte Symphony’s Music Director Search Committee, Ryan will start his four-year contract in the 2024-25 season, succeeding Christopher Warren-Green.

The Charlotte Symphony, the oldest symphony orchestra in the Carolinas, is composed of 65 full-time professional musicians.

North Carolina Found To Have Some Of The Worst Access to Mental Healthcare in America

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A new study has revealed that North Carolina is the state with the tenth worst access to mental healthcare in America.

MentalHealthRehabs.com, a national directory of mental health providers, analyzed data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to find which states have the best and worst access to mental healthcare. They did this by calculating the number of mental health facilities per 100,000 residents in each state.

North Carolina’s 230 mental health facilities equate to an average of 2.15 mental health facilities per 100,000 residents, 17.5% lower than the national average, ranking 41st overall. That is better than South Carolina, however, which ranks 46th overall with only 1.59 facilities per 100k residents.

Table: Number of mental health facilities per 100,000 residents in each state ranked highest to lowest

Rank State Mental Health Facilities per 100k Difference to National Average Number of Mental Health Facilities Population
1. Alaska 10.36 +297.7% 76 733,583
2. Maine 7.94 +204.8% 110 1,385,340
3. Vermont 6.65 +155.1% 43 647,064
4. West Virginia 6.03 +131.4% 107 1,775,156
5. Wyoming 6.02 +131.1% 35 581,381
6. Nebraska 5.74 +120.4% 113 1,967,923
7. Utah 5.47 +110.1% 185 3,380,800
8. Montana 5.34 +105.1% 60 1,122,867
9. Arizona 4.69 +80% 345 7,359,197
10. Connecticut 4.44 +70.4% 161 3,626,205
11. Ohio 4.35 +66.9% 511 11,756,058
12. Kentucky 4.34 +66.7% 196 4,512,310
13. Arkansas 4.17 +60.1% 127 3,045,637
14. South Dakota 3.85 +47.7% 35 909,824
15. Wisconsin 3.7 +42% 218 5,892,539
16. Indiana 3.63 +39.3% 248 6,833,037
17. Minnesota 3.59 +37.6% 205 5,717,184
18. New Hampshire 3.58 +37.6% 50 1,395,231
19. Mississippi 3.5 +34.5% 103 2,940,057
20. North Dakota 3.46 +33.0% 27 779,261
21. Washington 3.42 +31.1% 266 7,785,786
22. Maryland 3.29 +26.4% 203 6,164,660
23. Idaho 3.15 +20.8% 61 1,939,033
24. Delaware 3.14 +20.6% 32 1,018,396
25. New Mexico 3.12 +19.9% 66 2,113,344
26. Pennsylvania 2.97 +13.9% 385 12,972,008
27. Iowa 2.94 +12.7% 94 3,200,517
28. Oklahoma 2.84 +8.9% 114 4,019,800
29. Kansas 2.79 +7.2% 82 2,937,150
30. Massachusetts 2.75 +5.6% 192 6,981,974
31. Louisiana 2.74 +5.4% 126 4,590,241
32. Missouri 2.67 +2.5% 165 6,177,957
33. Tennessee 2.65 +1.8% 187 7,051,339
34. Michigan 2.65 +1.8% 266 10,034,113
35. New York 2.6 -0.1% 512 19,677,151
36. Oregon 2.55 -2.2% 108 4,240,137
37. Virginia 2.38 -8.5% 207 8,683,619
38. Rhode Island 2.38 -8.7% 26 1,093,734
39. New Jersey 2.33 -10.5% 216 9,261,699
40. Nevada 2.23 -14.2% 71 3,177,772
41. North Carolina 2.15 -17.5% 230 10,698,973
42. Illinois 2.11 -18.8% 266 12,582,032
43. Colorado 2.09 -19.8% 122 5,839,926
44. Alabama 1.99 -23.6% 101 5,074,296
45. California 1.77 -32% 691 39,029,342
46. South Carolina 1.59 -39% 84 5,282,634
47. Georgia 1.52 -41.6% 166 10,912,876
48. Florida 1.52 -41.7% 338 22,244,823
49. Hawaii 1.18 -54.7% 17 1,440,196
50. Texas 0.99 -62% 297 30,029,572
  US Overall 2.61 8,707 334,233,854