🌱 Black And Hispanic Unemployment Rates Hit Low + Driver Blindsided

Hello, Charlotte! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including updates on...

• A bill increasing punishments for violent protests following the 2020 demonstrations over George Floyd's murder passed the North Carolina House on Wednesday.
• A woman who was driving a sedan that was struck by a stolen Mercedes Benz Tuesday in the Belmont neighborhood told Channel 9 she was blindsided.
• Unemployment rates hit an all-time low in January according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a little rain. High: 63 Low: 47.

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Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "The Charlotte Vintage Market is a great way to shop local and shop secondhand. After the pandemic, Charlotte Vintage Market transformed from an online experience to in person events. Here you can find great vintage items, including great gear from the Hornets, the Panthers, the Knights, plus from UNC and Duke. Outside of sports they also have great clothing for everyday life," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "Last year the North Carolina Tar Heels struggled in the regular season, earned a lowly eight seed in the NCAA Tournament, and proceeded to make their way to the NCAA championship game before falling to the Kansas Jayhawks. This year, after a tough start followed by a 10-2 stretch that included wins over Ohio State, Michigan and NC State, it looked like Hubert Davis and his team was at it again," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "A bill increasing punishments for violent protests following the 2020 demonstrations over George Floyd's murder passed the North Carolina House on Wednesday despite harsh criticism from social justice advocates. Some bipartisan support signals a potential override of any veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who issued one that blocked similar legislation two years ago. Like the 2021 proposal, the new bill was spearheaded by Republican House Speaker Tim Moore, who has cited rioting and looting that he saw firsthand in downtown Raleigh in June 2020 amid otherwise peaceful protests as an impetus for the legislation," WFAE reports. (WFAE)
4. "A woman who was driving a sedan that was struck by a stolen Mercedes Benz Tuesday in the Belmont neighborhood told Channel 9 she was blindsided. “When he hit me, it was loud,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified. “Like that noise, I will never get out of my head because he hit me hard.” Her four-year-old son was also in the car. They both were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening," WSOC-TV reports. (WSOC-TV)
5. "Unemployment rates hit an all-time low in January according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Cuzzo’s Cuisine owner Andarrio Johnson has been empowering his community for nearly a decade. “I remember when I had two employees and now I have 47,” said Johnson. His two restaurants are helping to lower the unemployment rate for Black Americans which is now reaching a near record low nationally. Shamira Wright is with Urban League of Central Carolina. An organization striving to eliminate the Black unemployment rate in Charlotte," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Mid Atlantic Boat Show at Charlotte Convention Center (10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte 49ers Softball vs Campbell at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (3:00 p.m.)
• Queens University of Charlotte Men's Lacrosse vs Virginia Military Institute at Queens University of Charlotte (4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
• Cody Carnes "God is Good!" Tour in Elevation Church - Lake Norman (6:30 p.m.)
• Charlotte Symphony: Brahms Symphony No. 4 at Belk Theater (7:30 p.m.)
• Comedy at The Creek hosted by Highland Creek Golf Club (8:00 p.m.)
• Friday Night Improv Show at VAPA Center (8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
• Noel performance at Middle Jazz C (9:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• CHNO Coffee Co. does Cold Brew & Pastry Pick-Ups (WCNC.com)
• The Great Southeast Snowstorm, 50 years later (WCNC.com)
• You can now nominate officers for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police-Community Relations Awards (WCNC.com)
• Two fifth grade students at Endhaven Elementary were inspired by class projects to help children at St. Judes Hospital. Jackson and Aarav created a fundraiser to gather pennies, nickels and dimes to be gathered.(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Opening weekend was a success! From our post show Mix & Mingle to the premiere of two new works on our stage and the Charlotte premiere of our Artistic Director’s own work, we couldn’t have asked for a better first performance. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Be sure to check out the Spring Edition of @themillmag - the Creatives issue! With a cover featuring work by Cities Program artist Matt Myers (@myerspaints), this issue features each of our 2023 cities Program artists! (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Meet our Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Stair Pairs! The stage is set for another year of our Gala, and the Queen City just got even more royal. This year’s theme is A Royal Fête so we’ll be in our most royal attire for an evening. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Our community has lost a giant with the passing of former Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Shirley L. Fulton. Blazing a historic path in the profession, Judge Fulton was the first Black woman to serve. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney's Office via Facebook)
• Over the weekend, Principal Trumpet Alex Wilborn & Principal Oboe Hollis Ulaky gave masterclasses for Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras students! They worked with the students on the importance of playing. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Brave Step family ... Can you give a heartfelt welcome to our new intern, Gabby, a senior at @davidsoncollege, majoring in communications with a minor in philosophy. She is interested in pursuing a nonprofit career.(Brave Step via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Michael Ide, who won a Specialized Sirrus 1.0 hybrid bike from Bike Source Charlotte during our year-end fundraising campaign! Thanks to Michael and all of you who donated, we were able to raise nearly $34,000. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• During Black History Month, we asked some of our staff who was the most influential historical Black figure in their lives. In this three-part series, we’ll explore how the past and present convergence into greatness. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• The Charlotte City Council is shaping the priorities that will guide the city's next budget. Resident feedback is the foundation of that work. Take our survey to rank and share your priorities for the fiscal year 2024 budget. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• It's amazing how passionate our volunteers are! We're celebrating volunteers who served over 100 hours last year. A few recipients are pictured here with our Director of Volunteer & Family Programs. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Congrats to our partners at Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC they do an awesome job keeping our community fire safe! (Safe Kids Charlotte Mecklenburg via Facebook)
• Thirty years ago this month, University City Regional Library opened its doors to the public for the first time. On Feb. 14, the public is invited to celebrate this anniversary. Storytime, games, and crafts will be available.(Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you again on Monday.

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coast Girl with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

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