Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said today he won’t retire on Jan. 1 and will continue as chief at least through the Republican National Convention in August.

Friday, Dec. 6, 2019

Panthers Coach Ron Rivera is fired as owner David Tepper prepares for a new era and as he awaits a decision on Major League Soccer coming to town. A new Charlotte City Council is sworn in, but only three members are newcomers. Mayor Vi Lyles begins her second term and addresses our homicide problem, and candidate filing begins with new maps.  

On Tuesday, Mary McCray, a retired teacher, will hand off the gavel after seven years as chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board.

A Huntersville housing developer says he's putting on hold a 101-unit project in a historically African American neighborhood because of neighbors' concerns. It's a rare case where organized opposition has given a voice to residents threatened by gentrification. 

For the last two months, the city of Charlotte has tried to get State Treasurer Dale Folwell to say CMPD chief Kerr Putney's retirement plan is OK.

But city attorney Patrick Baker said Thursday that the city has given up trying to convince him. 

It's the first weekend in December, and there's a lot happening in the Queen City to keep folks busy. There's a performance by a Grammy-nominated Charlotte native. A holiday classic on stage, a dog parade and the touring company of a show that's currently on Broadway. Joining Gwendolyn Glenn to talk about these and other arts and entertainment events is Tim Miner, co-founder of Charlotte is Creative. 

The Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra is South Carolina's newest. And, according to its founders, long overdue.