Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: Coronavirus Now Present In Mecklenburg; Mass Cancellations

There are more diagnosed cases of the coronavirus (which has now been officially named a pandemic by the World Health Organization) this week, including two so far here in Mecklenburg County.

President Trump has halted travel from most European countries. Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina, and the Mecklenburg County Health Department is making preparations. Airlines are slashing the number of flights, and several entities are talking about intensifying their cleaning efforts (including Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte Area Transit System and Charlotte Douglas International Airport).

Universities in North Carolina and around the country are suspending classes or moving them online, and CMS has stopped all field trips. We’ll give you the latest.

The Hawthorne Lane Bridge has an estimated completion date for later this month, but the project looks months away from being ready. What are officials saying?

And we’ll have local reaction to this week’s primaries.

A panel of local journalists will discuss these stories and more on the local news roundup.

Guests:

Glenn Burkins, founder and publisher of Qcitymetro.com

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com and WCCB

Joe BrunoWSOC-TV reporter

Ann Doss HelmsWFAE education reporter

Claire Donnelly, WFAE health care reporter

What’s Next After CMS Board Suspends Superintendent

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It is a challenge that school systems around the country face, but the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system does seem to regularly make headlines because of changes and turmoil in leadership. This week, CMS officials announced the suspension of superintendent Clayton Wilcox in an email. Wilcox, who has been in the job for two years and early this year got a bump in compensation, is the district’s fifth superintendent in 10 years

Local News Roundup: Reaction to Comey Firing, Parents Weigh In on CMS Map, Crime on the Rise

Carolina senators react to the firing of the FBI director. Charlotte-Mecklenburg parents give the school board feedback on the student assignment plan. Violent crime figures are on the rise. Mike Collins and our reporter roundtable discuss the week’s news.

Friday News Roundup: New CMS Boundary Proposal; Bank Shareholder Meetings; Dale Jr. Retires

On the local news roundup: new school boundaries for CMS.  Different atmospheres at the annual Bank of America and Wells Fargo shareholder meetings. Craft brewers stymied in their efforts to grow, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. turns in the keys. Host Mike Collins and the roundup reporters cover those stories and much more.

CMS Student Assignment Changes, and What’s Next?

CHARLOTTE, NC — Under CMS Superintendent Ann Clark’s proposed plan for phase two of Student Assignment, neighborhoods across Mecklenburg County would see their elementary, middle or high schools change.

More magnets schools and magnet seats would also be added.

WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in on what all the changes mean for your kid.