🌱 NC Renews Sports Betting Effort + Transit Officials Plan For Strike

Good morning, neighbors! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Charlotte Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. In today's briefing, you'll find these stories and more:

• North Carolina lawmakers expect a "renewed effort" to legalize online sports betting in 2023 as more states nationwide allow legal wagering on games.
• Newly released 911 calls are painting a clearer picture of what happened the night a suspect shot Mecklenburg County Park Ranger on the job.
• Charlotte Area Transit System officials say they’re making a plan just in case bus drivers decide to strike.

But first, today's weather:

Some sun. High: 60 Low: 48.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in Charlotte? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "North Carolina lawmakers expect a "renewed effort" to legalize online sports betting in 2023 as more states nationwide allow legal wagering on games. During an appearance in Charlotte Monday, North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, a Republican, said he believes there will be enough support to bring online betting to North Carolina. The state senate passed a bill last summer but it fell apart in the House amid concerns from critics that sanctioning sports gambling would create addicts, leading to increases in theft, embezzlement and debt. Berger expects new legislation to start in the House and make its way to the Senate this time around," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "A crash early Tuesday morning has closed a portion of Albemarle Road in east Charlotte. That collision closed the inbound lanes at Albemarle Road near Faulconbridge Drive. Medic said two people had serious injuries and were taken to Atrium CMC Main. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said an out-of-county law enforcement agency chased a vehicle into Charlotte, where that vehicle crashed and the people inside were injured," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
3. "Fundraising continued over the weekend for three men who died after a scaffolding collapsed at a Charlotte construction site on Jan. 2. Amid the week of mourning, families gathered for a friendly soccer match to honor the youngest victim, José Canaca, 26. The sports fields at Garinger High School, Canaca’s alma mater, were filled with his loved ones Saturday afternoon. The day of soccer matches was organized to raise money for his burial, held Monday morning in Mint Hill. Canaca, originally from Honduras, was the first of the three victims to be buried," WFAE reports. (WFAE)
4. "Newly released 911 calls are painting a clearer picture of what happened the night a suspect shot Mecklenburg County Park Ranger on the job. The shooting happened Nov. 27 at the Friendship Sportsplex on Cindy Lane. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says the suspect, 36-year-old Tyson Corpening, is also responsible for another incident on Dec. 5, where a rock broke a Marizetta Kerry Childhood Development Center window. A search warrant for Corpening revealed he allegedly left a note at each scene, written on similar paper and in similar handwriting. CMPD officers said the note at the daycare stated kids would be killed within 24 hours. It also mentioned killing minorities and referenced the message left at the Friendship Sportsplex incident," WGHP FOX8 Greensboro reports. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
5. "Charlotte Area Transit System officials say they’re making a plan just in case bus drivers decide to strike. That strike could come in the next 30 days if the union and CATS management leaders can’t agree on a new contract. Steel, metal, air, rail, and transit, also known as SMART union leaders, have been meeting with RATPDev, the management company over CATS drivers, since last summer to come up with a new union contract or collective bargaining agreement. Charlotte area transit system drivers overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike, clearing the way for them to hit the picket line within a month," WGHP FOX8 Greensboro reports. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Retro-Themed Mid-Month Party at Crunch Fitness - Ballantyne (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Food Truck: Cousins Maine Lobster in The Brixham Tent (11:00 a.m.)
• Kids in the Woods hosted by McDowell Nature Preserve (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• While we normally call Charlotte's highways, city streets, and public spaces our home, we're thrilled to announce that our ArtPop Cities Program Class of 2023 will be presenting in a collective gallery show!⁠ ⁠(ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Please help us welcome our newest addition to the Brave Step team ... Timarah Chisolm. Timarah will be spearheading outreach to survivors in underserved and/or marginalized communities, and she brings a wealth of community outreach...(Brave Step via Facebook)
• We hope the union and the company that employs CATS’ bus drivers take this opportunity to reach an agreement that creates conditions for a safe and rewarding career for drivers. And we hope this is resolved before a strike. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Birdsong Brewing is getting set to release its Honey Pie Double IPA. (WCNC.com)
• Panthers ask to interview former assistant for head coaching position. (WCNC.com)
• NC house speaker opposes Charlotte's transportation plan. (WCNC.com)
• The biggest donuts in North Carolina are located in Charlotte. (K104.7)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• 24hourgutters.com — (Visit website)
• Rosensteel Fleishman, PLLC — (Visit Website)
• CyberMax iPhone Repair — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Social Security Seminar at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (January 17)
• SAT Master Strategies In-Person Class (January 29)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com