The Charlotte Ledger $9 / month

The Charlotte Ledger delivers high-quality, local news and analysis to Charlotte, focusing on diverse issues including business developments, local government actions, community events, and public services through a subscription-based model. It emphasizes detailed reporting on urban development, transportation, health care, and education, alongside personal narratives and community engagement.

Local News Urban Development Transportation Health Care Education Community Events Business and Economy Public Services Philanthropy

The hottest Substack posts of The Charlotte Ledger

And their main takeaways

She championed Charlotte's first hospitals

412 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💾 History Civil War Hospitals Reconstruction
  1. Jane Wilkes led the effort to establish Charlotte's first civilian hospitals after volunteering in Confederate camp hospitals during the Civil War.
  2. She championed the fundraising for St. Peter's Home and Hospital in 1876, followed by the creation of Good Samaritan Hospital in 1891 for the city's black residents.
  3. Her dedication to improving public health care in Charlotte was honored with a statue along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway in 2010.

How tied are Charlotte leaders’ hands on spending tourism tax money?

412 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics
  1. Charlotte and Asheville have different approaches to spending tourism taxes, with Asheville using the money for greenways, parks, and possible affordable housing and transit.
  2. Charlotte justifies spending tourism tax money on sports facilities, while Asheville has found ways to use it for various community projects.
  3. Asheville successfully broadened the use of tourism tax money through consensus building and changing laws, showing how local leaders can impact funding decisions.

Atrium Health is a unit of ‘local government’ like no other

275 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local government Healthcare Government transparency
  1. Atrium Health enjoys the benefits of being a government entity but operates like a private corporation.
  2. The Atrium Health board meetings lack openness, with limited public access and closed committee meetings.
  3. Atrium's status as a government entity allows it to avoid taxes, receive antitrust immunity, and benefit from eminent domain powers.

BREAKING: CMS cancels school for Tuesday

412 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📰 News Weather Schools
  1. CMS has canceled school for Tuesday due to a powerful storm with high winds and rain expected.
  2. Other school districts in the region have also canceled in-person classes for tomorrow.
  3. Prepare for severe weather by staying informed, keeping electronic devices charged, and securing outdoor items.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Review: 'Craft Across Continents' will get you thinking — and smiling

235 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Exhibit Sculpture Painting Design
  1. An exhibit called 'Craft Across Continents' at the Mint Museum showcases whimsical art pieces that evoke fun and creativity.
  2. Mecklenburg County experienced a 20% decrease in home sales in 2023, possibly due to high mortgage rates.
  3. A new daily podcast called CLT1st has launched in Charlotte, offering a quick way to stay informed about local news and events.

A road conundrum in Ballantyne

176 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📰 News Transportation Infrastructure Urban planning
  1. Traffic on U.S. 521 in Ballantyne is increasing, and transportation planners are exploring complex solutions like new intersections and even a possible tunnel.
  2. The widening of U.S. 521 is facing challenges due to rapid area growth, making it trickier and more costly to find effective traffic solutions.
  3. State officials are considering various comprehensive solutions, such as flyover intersections or tunnels, to accommodate the expected increase in traffic volumes in the future.

Charlotte's satirical crusader for social change

157 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Satire Civil Rights Literature History Politics
  1. Harry Golden used humor to advocate for civil rights and social justice in Charlotte during the 1950s and '60s.
  2. Golden's satirical essays in 'Carolina Israelite' addressed societal inequalities and injustices in a humorous way, gaining him fame and recognition.
  3. Golden's approach of using satire to highlight issues like segregation and discrimination made him a well-known champion of the oppressed, with a wide readership and impact.

A firebrand Charlotte preacher who inspired revolution

137 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
💾 History American Revolution
  1. Alexander Craighead, a preacher in Charlotte, strongly advocated for individual and religious independence from government oversight.
  2. Craighead's intense preaching style and disdain for government control aligned with the Great Awakening movement in America, emphasizing religious devotion for common people.
  3. His influence in the Mecklenburg County region is believed to have contributed to the spirit of independence that led to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, although the document's existence remains disputed.

As star players depart, what's next for Charlotte FC?

117 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Soccer Team Dynamics Team Strategy
  1. Charlotte FC faces roster changes as star players depart for European teams, creating opportunities for new players to join.
  2. The departure of key players like Swiderski impacts the team's dynamic and strategy, leaving space for new talents to step up.
  3. Despite the changes, Charlotte FC aims to adapt and strengthen its roster by targeting specific positions like a left-footed center back and right winger.

She’s a preschooler and a rap star

98 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Politics Education Events Media
  1. 5-year-old viral rapping sensation Savannah 'VanVan' McConneaughey went from freestyling on the playground to performing on big stages with her original songs.
  2. Savannah's parents nurtured her talent from a young age, posting her singing videos on social media, leading to viral success on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
  3. Savannah's music journey includes brand deals, magazine features, performances at prestigious venues, and upcoming plans for an album, all while maintaining her love for performing and connecting with her audience.

BREAKING: Norfolk Southern says it's willing to deal on the Red Line

275 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Transportation Legislation Economy Government
  1. Norfolk Southern is now considering allowing commuter rail on its tracks in Mecklenburg after a 20-year impasse
  2. The change in Norfolk Southern's stance could give momentum to Charlotte's regional transit system plans
  3. The city leaders hope that a deal with Norfolk Southern for the Red Line could help secure support for a larger transit plan

Here come the triplexes

58 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💼 Business Local news Real Estate
  1. The newsletter is focused on local business news in Charlotte, N.C.
  2. County commissioners were unimpressed with a recent Atrium board meeting.
  3. There is discussion about providing money for developers in the city.

How to find a job in Charlotte

58 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Job search
  1. Tips on finding a job in Charlotte are shared in the post.
  2. Frontier Airlines CEO discusses big CLT expansion in the article.
  3. No transit tax referendum is expected this year.

Unfrozen caveman journalist

432 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
💼 Business Subscription Model Small business
  1. The author started The Charlotte Ledger in 2019 to address the lack of high-quality local information in Charlotte.
  2. They chose a subscription-based business model over advertising, focusing on serving readers rather than chasing clicks.
  3. The team at The Charlotte Ledger has steadily grown, expanded their content, and prioritized quality journalism to attract and retain subscribers.

Atrium Health halts lawsuits against patients for unpaid medical bills

137 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Medical Debt Patient Advocacy Hospitals
  1. Atrium Health has stopped suing patients for unpaid medical bills, a practice criticized for targeting vulnerable individuals.
  2. The change comes amidst increasing concern over medical debt burdens on Americans.
  3. Despite halting new lawsuits, Atrium still pursues payment for existing judgments, leaving some patients struggling with debt.

Developer rolls the dice on massive uptown casino complex

373 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
💼 Business Real Estate Hospitality Entertainment Local news Consulting
  1. A developer plans a massive casino and hotel complex in uptown Charlotte after new gambling laws are passed
  2. A beloved business requests historic status, potentially affecting new tower developments near Morehead Street
  3. Chick-fil-A and Carvana partner to tackle traffic congestion by allowing drive-thru customers to idle in a car vending machine

What if we treated car crashes like plane crashes?

137 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
📰 News Transportation Analysis Safety Urban planning
  1. When investigating plane crashes, every piece of evidence is examined to prevent future incidents. Car crash investigations should also focus on prevention rather than just assigning blame.
  2. A group of urbanists is analyzing car crashes like plane crashes, suggesting changes to prevent future accidents based on detailed analysis.
  3. Factors like lack of mid-crossing pedestrian refuges, long traffic signal cycles, and high speed limits contribute to car crashes, highlighting the need for changes in infrastructure and traffic management.

Atrium and Novant get millions in property tax breaks

235 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
💼 Business Healthcare Taxation Nonprofit Government Regulation Financial impact
  1. Atrium and Novant hospitals receive millions in property tax breaks, exempting them from paying taxes on billions of dollars worth of property.
  2. The tax breaks the hospitals receive could total $23 million in Mecklenburg County alone, contributing to a loss in potential tax revenue that could fund essential public services like education and law enforcement.
  3. Critics argue that as large, multi-billion-dollar enterprises, hospitals like Atrium and Novant should do more to justify their tax-exempt status and provide greater community benefits.

🏆 Nominations now open for 40 Over 40 Awards!

19 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
📰 News Awards Healthcare Community Business
  1. Nominations are open for The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, recognizing community difference-makers in their 40s and beyond.
  2. Life advice from previous 40 Over 40 Award winners includes trusting instincts, keeping setbacks in perspective, and living each day with meaning.
  3. Charlotte leaders are urging Atrium Health to consider working with a charity to abolish medical debt, a cause with community impact.