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Community Corner

🌱 Social Districts For Charlotte + Low-Income Medicaid Expansion

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Charlotte.

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
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Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your new edition of the Charlotte Daily. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in town.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid. High: 88 Low: 72.

Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

  1. It's been a decade of intense opposition but now, the greater majority of North Carolina Republicans are accepting the idea of a Medicaid program expansion that will cover hundreds of thousands of additional low-income adults in North Carolina. According to WFAE, "legislative approval finally appears within reach. ... Some details remain to be worked out, but there's a real opportunity to hammer out a compromise by year's end. It's a remarkable political turnabout in North Carolina, sure to be analyzed in the dozen states that have yet to accept the federal government's offer to cover people who make too much to be insured by traditional Medicaid but too little to receive subsidized private insurance." (WFAE)
  2. Due to people complaining about high temperatures at its exhibits, Camp North End decided to provide air conditioning for future exhibitions. According to WBTV, "recently, Crayola IDEAworks closed its interactive exhibit in Camp North End early "because of the extreme heat and air conditioning challenges. ... The venue's air conditioning system could not keep up with the demand."(WBTV)
  3. Charlotte Post reported, "the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency with more than 19,000 cases reported worldwide." According to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as of July 26, there were 38 cases of monkeypox reported in North Carolina with 18 cases reported in Mecklenburg County. (Charlotte Post)
  4. According to WCNC, "the U.S economy reported a hit. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell .9% in the second quarter. This is the second straight decline and economic watchdogs said this is a strong sign of a recession. Experts told WCNC Charlotte many Americans are not spending on large value products like cars. Mike Hutchens, owner of Mike's Auto Sales in Charlotte said, he's taking hits too." According to Joseph Von Nessen who is an expert in economics at the University of South Carolina, as a result of the GDP falling, "people are taking the conservative approach to spending." (WCNC.com)
  5. According to WBTV, "social districts could soon become a reality in parts of Charlotte. This after the Safe Communities Committee advanced the proposal to the full council to be considered next month. Business owners are excited the proposal is one step closer to becoming a thing here in Plaza Midwood." WBTV reports that the definition of a social district is "a designated area where people can drink alcohol from establishments off the premises, on the sidewalk, in parks or other social areas." (WBTV)

Today in Charlotte:

  • Summer Camp at Guidepost Montessori at Prosperity (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
  • Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Avondale Presbyterian Church (10 a.m.)
  • Unseen Oceans (Exhibition) at Discovery Place Science (10:30 a.m.)
  • Baby Storytime: Sing & Sign - Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual Programming (10:30 a.m.)
  • French for Beginners Conversation Club (11 a.m. to noon)
  • Virtual Toastmasters Club - Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual Programming (noon)
  • Poetry and Pancakes at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center (2 to 3 p.m.)
  • English Conversation Club - Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual Programming (3 p.m.)
  • Stronger Together: Support for your Job Search (4 to 5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Thank you Humane Society of Charlotte for taking 12 animals, including this bunch of cuties. (CMPD Animal Care and Control via Facebook)
  • Working with your best friend is a luxury Officer Simpson has every day. K9 Officer Levi loves praise after a job well done and chasing a ball attached to a rope. Get to know this CMPD team that loves serving Charlotte. www.joinCMPD.com (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
  • Charlotte Ballet dancers Anna Mains and Rees Launer have been spending the past few weeks at the National Choreographers Initiative (NCI) in California working with multiple choreographers and dancers from around the country!⁠ ⁠(Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
  • We can't wait for our actors to start working with these puppets! "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" returns Aug. 25 with puppets designed by our very own resident designer and craft specialist, Magda Guichard. (Children's Theatre of Charlotte via Facebook)
  • As soon as September, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) could be seeking approval to move forward with a design refresh of the Red Line. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
  • Civic Leadership Academy Applications are now OPEN! Apply by Aug. 21! The City of Charlotte's Civic Leadership Academy is a free program designed for Charlotteans who are ready to take the next step in being community leaders. (City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services via Facebook)
  • Very friendly, thin dog walked up to my front door. He walked around to a few other doors. Seems to have broken off his chain. Red collar is his, leash is mine. (Nextdoor)
  • Anyone need baby girl clothes from 18-24 months and under? And shoes size 5c/6c? Contact me because I'm getting rid of it all. (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. See you all tomorrow 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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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