Monday, August 10, 2026

This is a podcast produced by actual humans from the Queen City Podcast Network. From the Queen City Podcast Network, this is CLT First, Charlotte's first daily news podcast. Changes to state elections likely on hold. More on that in a moment. But first, it is Monday, August 10th, 2026. Temperatures coming back up this week. For today, partly cloudy, high of 92, low of 73. I'm Brian Baldeshevitz. First day of classes at UNC Charlotte is just a week away. But judging by traffic near the university, students are making their way back already. Charlotte Mecklenburg schools don't come back until August 25th, and there are some questions. If suspended school superintendent Crystal Hill will retain her position, still be suspended, or something else when the school year starts. WFAE reports the CMS board met last week behind closed doors once again to be briefed on the investigation into what board members will only say are administrative and operational oversight issues. Hill was suspended with pay in June. The board promises a public update before the new school year begins. The Charlotte Ledger reports a third-party review of Medic, Mecklenburg County's emergency medical services provider, found the operation to be lacking in a few key areas, specifically citing outdated systems and insufficient funding. The key finding determined the systems 911 response times fell short of their goal. The report determined that to improve response times, more employees and more hours were needed, meaning a $14 million price tag per year from McLeanburg County. The committee behind the study, which was commissioned by Mecklenburg County, Medic, and a third party, will continue analysis of the results this month. State lawmakers have recessed for the summer, and Governor Josh Stein says he will veto House Bill 958, the voting rights bill that would, among other things, shorten the early voting window. What do these things have to do with each other? It means Stein's veto and the state lawmakers' summer recess ensure the new voting restrictions will not take effect before the November midterm election. State House Speaker Destin Hall told reporters last week he hopes to be able to override the veto, but not until lawmakers return from their break. Even then, it appears Republicans lack the votes to override the veto. Business Sentencing Magazine reports the on-again, off-again hemp industry restrictions are headed for an overhaul. House Speaker Hall says he believes the House can agree on an age restriction when they return, but many of the more severe restrictions in House Bill 328 are dead. North Carolina's hemp industry generates some $4 billion a year, $87 million in state sales tax revenue, and include about 16,000 jobs. Some 63 days into the city's 150-day moratorium on data center development, the Charlotte Ledger reports extending the pause, is on the table. Deputy City Manager Allison Craig says adding another review process would require extra analysis from a third party, leaving some questions as to who would pay for that. A new 20-member community task force is scheduled to begin meeting this week to help advise the city in future data center recommendations.

Is Luke Keekley the greatest Panthers player ever? The debate is on next. Where do you turn to stay in touch with the city around you? Broadcast news isn't what it used to be. Commercial radio doesn't scratch that itch. If only there was one place you could get it all, when you want, wherever you want, on your schedule, there is the Queen City Podcast Network. Listen to your city on your schedule at queencity podcastnetwork.com and everywhere you get your podcasts. Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kikley has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon in Canton, Ohio. This prompted Herb White and Cameron Williams from the Charlotte Post Sports Charlotte podcast to debate if Kikley is the greatest Panther ever in the most recent episode. Fair warning. A current former Panthers quarterback takes a hit in this clip. But I don't think it's necessarily, you know, when you say greatest ever, it's what you did on the field. But it's also, to me, what you represent and how you carry yourself off the field. And so Kekly, I think, rises to that level. Well, he's got Cam knocked if you're going to talk a way he represents himself in the organization. Absolutely. And so, you know. Kickley, Sam Mills, those guys epitomize class in what they did in the community and how they carried themselves as well as their excellence on the field. So to me, I don't think you would get a whole lot of pushback to say, even though he was never the MVP, you know, which is basically a quarterback. prize these days. Luke King is probably greatest panther ever. I'll say that with full-throated endorsement. There you go. And well, and I can guarantee you Luke would have dove after that ball in the Super Bowl, too. Yikes. The Sports Charlotte podcast is a member of the Queen City Podcast Network and can be found at Apple Podcasts on Spotify and everywhere your favorite podcasts are found because, say it with me, local stories matter. UNC men's basketball will play West Virginia on Friday, November 27th in Charlotte as part of the Dick Vital invitational at the Spectrum Center. Charlotte Sports Foundation and ESPN will play host to the event. Somehow, it's only the sixth time the two programs have ever met. North Carolina has never beaten the Mountaineers. And congratulations to Charlotte's junior girl softball all-stars out of Mallard Creek, who swept their way to a world championship this weekend in Kirkland, Washington. The girls in the 12 to 14 age group went undefeated in all seven games to win the championship, powered by timely hitting and the pitching of Addison Louder, who took the mound in every game of the tournament and earned all seven wins with an ERA of only 1.15 and 39 strikeouts, and that is pretty good. Congratulations, girls. That's it for this Monday once again. Stay cool, stay hydrated, be nice to each other. We'll see you tomorrow for another CLT first.

CLT First is produced by the Queen City Podcast Network at the QCPN Studios in Uptown Charlotte. Got a story idea or something you want to talk about? Email us at hello at queencity podcastnetwork.com.