Improving test scores has been a focus of educators at CMS. The pandemic did a number on those scores and the struggle to raise them up has been daunting, but last year showed marked improvement with 72% of students hitting their benchmarks. Still, they fell short of expectations. So, we take a dive into the numbers, look at tools to improve learning, and more.

Former Charlotte City Council member Braxton Winston, who lost the race for North Carolina Labor Commissioner last year, will now lead the state's largest federation of labor unions.

The Carolina Panthers not only lost their game Sunday in Arizona, they also lost two offensive linemen. Center Austin Corbett injured his left knee and guard Robert Hunt tore his left bicep. Both have been placed on injured reserve, which means they’ll miss at least a month. The Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons Sunday.

Mecklenburg County is set to receive almost $75 million over the next 18 years to tackle the opioid crisis. To help people understand how those funds are being allocated, officials held a community meeting on Monday on how they plan to spend $28.5 million of it through the 2028 fiscal year.

Representatives with Mecklenburg County announced at a community meeting on Monday that they plan to launch a post-overdose response team and a program that aims to support those dealing with substance use and mental health challenges.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board member Melissa Easley faced criticism over the weekend for a statement on the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. She and the CMS school board have since responded.

At a Flat Rock briefing with state and local leaders, Gov. Josh Stein said North Carolina has received in federal funds only 9% of the estimated $60 billion in damages from Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina Rep. Laura Budd spoke Monday about safety on Charlotte’s transit system and political violence nationwide.

Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene destroyed Lake Lure’s beloved Flowering Bridge, the structure is set to be rebuilt with more than $2.5 million in federal funds. Republican Congressman Tim Moore says the FEMA grant will cover 90% of the cost to replace the 1925 stone arch bridge, which volunteers had transformed into a public garden. The landmark was declared damaged beyond repair after the storm, and demolition began last month.

By January, a new state law will require NC school districts to restrict students’ cell phone use. Some schools were already trying similar policies, and students say they're less distracted in class.

The rivers and streams of western North Carolina are still recovering from Hurricane Helene almost a year later. Contractors have pulverized those streams with heavy equipment to remove storm debris — causing a second ecological disaster in the storm’s wake.

Over the past several months, immigration enforcement activity, both real and rumored, has frightened communities across Charlotte. Latino residents, regardless of status, have been adjusting their daily lives. Many have reduced shopping, gathering and other public activities. While headlines often focus on political arguments and border statistics, the local consequences are playing out quietly, in corner stores, laundromats and bakeries.