🌱 Nonprofit Gives Legal Help To Immigrants + NC Looks At Pot Pardons

Hey, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Charlotte Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. In today's issue, you'll find news about...

• Gov. Cooper is working on marijuana pardons in North Carolina.
• Local group is working to convince Hispanics to vote at the polls.
• The city of Charlotte seeks a new chief operating officer.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and not as warm. High: 72 Low: 46.

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Here are the top five stories today in Charlotte:

1. "The second-in-command at the Charlotte Area Transit System is leaving the organization. New job postings from the City of Charlotte show the city is seeking a new chief operating officer and WBTV sources confirm that current COO Allen Smith is leaving. The shakeup comes after months of WBTV investigations highlighting problems plaguing CATS bus operations division. It’s not the only change coming to CATS. The job postings also show the city is creating a new position, transit chief administrative officer and is hiring a new marketing and communications officer," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
2. Governor Roy Cooper is looking for "action the state can take on marijuana pardons following President Joe Biden’s federal action Thursday. A response from Gov. Cooper’s office sent to Channel 9 Friday said Gov. Cooper’s office recommends decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana. On Thursday Biden announced that he is pardoning prior federal offenses for simple marijuana possession, according to the Associated Press. That doesn’t include charges for distribution of marijuana," WSOC Charlotte reports. (WSOC Charlotte)
3. North Carolina police made arrest after a set of armed robberies in the Charlotte area. "Detectives with CMPD say they arrested 27-year-old Darius Nicholson in connection with the crimes. CMPD notified Queen City News of at least five incidents in the past few months. Surveillance video captured who police believe to be Nicholson stealing various items and brandishing a gun at multiple stores throughout the Charlotte area. They think at least two CVS stores, two Walgreens, and a Lowe’s home improvement store were hit," according to WGHP Fox8 Greensboro. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
4. For many months now, "the Hispanic Federation has been working to register Hispanic voters in North Carolina, ahead of November's midterm election." According to Lariza Garzon, director of North Carolina operations, they've visited places "where the community frequents, like supermarkets, the Hispanic festivals, churches, universities, places like that, to tell people about the elections to register them to vote." As voter registration period ends, this organization will focus on "ensuring those newly-minted voters head to the polls in November," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
5. Carolina Migrant Network, a grassroots group, is focused on its mission that started two years ago: providing legal representation to immigrants. Stefanía Arteaga co-founded this organization because she saw that the growing immigrant and migrant population in Charlotte had a lack of free or affordable legal services. Arteaga wants everyone to have a "fighting chance" when in court," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

Today in Charlotte:

• Fall Bird Hike with Judy Walker at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens (8:00 a.m.)
• Fall Plant Sale: Open to the public today (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Read Like A Star Book Club: Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual Programming (10:00 a.m.)
• "Markets at 11" in Ballantyne's Backyard: Shop local vendors and enjoy live music, brews and food trucks in a community park. (11:00 a.m.)
• Charlotte Chak Art Festival outside of the Trailhead Building (11:00 a.m.)
• Song of Redemption: A Cultural Discussion From a Black Male Perspective | Hosted at That's Novel Books (12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
• R&B with Soul Food Lunch Tour at Camp North End (12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
• Julian Vaughn performance at Middle C Jazz (7:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Local companies hiring seasonal workers ahead of the holidays (WBTV)
• The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will come from western North Carolina. (WCNC.com)
• We are 40 kennels over capacity and need fosters and adopters now. Please consider adopting (fees are waived!) or fostering. (CMPD Animal Care and Control via Facebook)
• Acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens joins your Charlotte Symphony for a special one-night-only special Gala Concert, Nov. 5 at Belk Theater. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• “Get out!” Experience Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning social thriller on the big screen while the Charlotte Symphony performs the score live in-sync with the film. Nov. 4 at Belk Theater. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Have you registered yet for Nature at Night on Oct. 15? Time's running out! Included in your ticket price are games, s'mores, popcorn, hayride, hikes, face painting, a glow in the dark cup and goody bags (for those under 12). (Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Nature Centers via Facebook)
• Freedom School family! It's that time again: our monthly supply drive! In the month of October we are requesting new in package items that are all things crafty. These items allow our scholars to express themselves...(Charlotte Freedom School Partners via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll see you soon.

— 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