The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance announced on Friday that Robert McCutcheon will join the organization as president and CEO effective Monday. McCutcheon succeeds Andrea Smith, who has served as interim president and CEO of the organization since May 2024. McCutcheon previously served as president and CEO of Husqvarna North America in Charlotte.

A cold, snowy winter contributed to a strong ski season in North Carolina, despite the effects of Helene. It’s getting a lot greener as spring approaches. In the High Country though, there’s still snow on ski slopes and a couple of good weeks left to enjoy the winter sports, says Kimberley Jochl, president of the North Carolina Ski Areas Association. She says it’s been a good winter for the resorts, thanks in part to sustained cold weather and more than 75 inches of natural snow this season. Jochl says the fact that the season opened on time, despite significant infrastructure damage caused by Helene, speaks volumes about Mountain resiliency.

In college basketball, two local men’s teams were knocked out of their conference tournaments on Thursday. The Charlotte 49ers fell to Florida Atlantic 64-59 despite four players in double figures. The Niners season ends with a record of 11 and 22. Davidson lost to St Louis 83-75, ending their season at 17-16 overall.

Have you received an odd text from a tolling agency saying you have unpaid bills? North Carolina Turnpike Authority officials and the state attorney general are warning about an ongoing — and widespread — text message scam.

The Carolina Panthers continued to make moves in free agency on Tuesday. The team released running back Miles Sanders and signed offensive lineman Brady Christensen to a new one-year deal. The Panthers also replaced punter Johnny Hekker, who’s headed to the Tennessee Titans, by signing Buffalo Bills punter Sam Martin. He played in college at Appalachian State.

If you have tickets to the Billy Joel and Sting concert at Bank of America Stadium in May, you’ll have to wait over a year longer for the show. Joel’s website says upcoming tour dates have been postponed due to an unspecified medical condition that will require surgery and rehabilitation.

FEMA has extended the deadline to receive federal disaster aid for Helene-related damage to April 7. These funds can pay for temporary lodging, some home repairs, personal property loss and other Helene-related expenses.

Russ Ferguson was sworn in today as the US Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Ferguson was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi to replace Biden appointee Dena King, who resigned after the new administration took over, as is customary.

George Battle, a longtime member of the CMS School Board, died this week.