Gwendolyn Glenn

The Carolina Hurricanes are battling it out in Toronto. The NBA is back with one North Carolina native making a big splash and another one, so-so. Plus there are changes with the Carolina Panthers, including the kicker position. Longtime Charlotte Observer sportswriter Langston Wertz Jr. joins us to talk about those developments for our segment Time Out For Sports.

North Carolina health officials reported more than 1,900 new coronavirus cases Friday, and 21 additional deaths were attributed to COVID-19 as hospitalizations were down slightly. In June, Mandy Cohen, the state’s health secretary, said she was concerned the numbers were going in the wrong direction. But in an interview Friday, she was more optimistic.

The public is paying respects to long-time Georgia congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, as his body lies in state at the U. S. Capitol Rotunda for a second day. The 80-year-old Lewis died last week from pancreatic cancer. His funeral is Thursday in Atlanta.

Known as the moral conscience of Congress during his 33 years in office, Lewis’ work as a Civil Rights activist not only touched the nation but the North and South Carolina region as well. WBTV reporter Steve Crump details that work in a documentary, "John Lewis—Reflections of a Sit-In Pioneer." Crump says Lewis gives the sit-ins in 1960 in Greensboro a lot of credit for the successful sit-in movement he was a major part of that year in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Carolina Hurricanes are heading to Toronto. Former Charlotte Christian baseball star Daniel Bard is attempting a comeback in the major leagues, and the battle between Zion Williamson and his former marketing agent escalates.

Mourners said goodbye Thursday to civil rights activist and minister, the Rev. Dr. C T Vivian, a top aide to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vivian died at the age of 95 last week. His casket laid in state in the rotunda of Georgia’s state capitol building Wednesday and his funeral was held Thursday in Atlanta.

Charlotte's Major League Soccer team has a name. The NFL says no to preseason games. Private schools in North Carolina are moving ahead with sports while public school students are not sure if they will be able to play. With WFAE's "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn to talk sports is Langston Wertz Jr., a longtime sportswriter for The Charlotte Observer.

It's time now for sports. President Trump is calling on NASCAR's only full-time top-level African American driver to apologize. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is still in the news about his salary and future with the New England Patriots. And the Hornets season may not be over after all. With "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn to talk about these issues is Langston Wertz, a longtime sportswriter for the Charlotte Observer.

It's time to check in on what's up for the weekend in the Queen City. The coronavirus pandemic still has most venues closed, but virtual events are filling the void with events such as a game night and live music online. This is also the Fourth of July weekend. And although many events have been canceled, there are a few places with fireworks celebrations.

There's no shortage of big sports news this week.

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has a one-year signed deal. NASCAR’s only full-time, top-level African American driver, Bubba Wallace, is becoming the face of the sport as another racial incident occurs involving him, and ACC Commissioner John Swofford is retiring. Langston Wertz Jr., a veteran sportswriter for the Charlotte Observer, joins us to talk about these topics and more for Time Out For Sports.

In five days, Charlotte Deputy Police Chief Johnny Jennings will be sworn in as the new chief of the department. He was supposed to take over in September, but Chief Kerr Putney is retiring earlier than expected since the majority of the Republican National Convention moved from Charlotte to Jacksonville, Florida.

Gov. Roy Cooper says North Carolina will stay in its current phase of COVID-19 restrictions for three more weeks and that most residents will be required to wear face masks in public when social distancing isn't possible. 

There's still a lot of uncertainty in professional sports and sports at all levels due to the coronavirus. Numerous players and staff have tested positive as comebacks are being planned and carried out. And in other sports news, a noose was found in the garage of NASCAR's only current Black driver, Bubba Wallace, who was given a lot of credit for NASCAR officials banning the Confederate flag at race events.

Three people are dead and six others wounded by gunfire after an impromptu block party near the intersection of Beatties Ford Road and LaSalle Street turned violent around 12:30 a.m today.

It’s time to see what’s happening in the Queen City for the weekend. A lot of entertainment venues are still closed due to the pandemic, but there are creative virtual and other events going on. We’re going to talk a lot about events for Juneteenth, which is Friday.

This week marks five years since a white supremacist killed eight African American parishioners and their pastor at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Wednesday's anniversary was commemorated with marches calling for an end to not only racism but police brutality against people of color. 

Mother Emanuel is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in the deep South with roots in protest movements such as the Denmark Vesey rebellion against slavery in 1822. Herb Frazier, who co-authored "We Are Charleston," a book about the church’s history and the Emanuel 9, says he spent the day reflecting on the tragedy and what has and has not changed.

A lot of sports news over the past week coincides with the demonstrations being held nationwide against police brutality and racism. NASCAR banned the Confederate flag at race events and the statue of former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was taken down. Also in sports news, Gastonia native Harold Varner had a good showing at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth this weekend. 

There has been a lot going on the past few days. The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Knights have severed a longtime relationship with CPI Security over what many are calling a racist remark by the company's CEO.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell takes a softer stance on players protesting. Michael Jordan gives $100 million for social justice efforts. And what does the end of the 2019-2020 season for the Charlotte Hornets mean for fans with tickets? With "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn to talk about these topics and a few others is Langston Wertz Jr., a longtime sportswriter with the Charlotte Observer.

A live stream video by the publisher of Queen City Nerve captured a confrontation between police and protesters on the fifth night of demonstrations over the police killing in Minneapolis of George Floyd. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officials say they are conducting an internal review on whether officers followed department policy when they used chemical agents on protesters.

Races took place this weekend in Alamance County in defiance of the governor's executive order against large crowd gatherings. Some professional sports have proposed pay cuts for players. Some colleges are cutting back on some sports. And the NBA looks to be on track for a comeback. With "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn to talk about these topics is Langston Wertz Jr., a veteran sportswriter for the Charlotte Observer. 

It's time to take a look at the weekend's entertainment lineup. There’s African drumming by Drums4Life, one of many groups hosting virtual events this weekend -- along with art workshops, theater performances, and a Latin dance class. Joining WFAE's "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn for this edition of Weekend In Entertainment to discuss these virtual events is Ryan Pitkin, editor of Queen City Nerve. 

NASCAR came back to the Queen City with its longest race, the Coca-Cola 600, at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the Memorial Day weekend. Meanwhile, in the NBA, there’s chatter about the league returning to play at a magical place. And locally, state officials have made some rulings on youth and high school sports. Will they or will they not return in the fall? Joining WFAE's "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn to discuss these headlines and more is Langston Wertz Jr. a longtime sportswriter for the Charlotte Observer. 

NASCAR had a comeback this weekend with races in South Carolina. Drivers returned to the tracks with no fans. Speaking of returning, professional leagues like the NFL and NBA are making plans to restart games amid the coronavirus pandemic. There's also some exciting news for local golf fans. Langston Wertz Jr., a longtime sportswriter for the Charlotte Observer, joins us to discuss these headlines and more. 

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, musicians, artists and entertainment business owners are finding new and inventive ways to keep going and stay connected to their fans and clientele. For instance, Dawn Anthony and Sean Higgins are performing some of their favorite jazz cuts in a livestream concert Friday. And they’re not the only ones.

For the past eight years, high school theater students have showed off their talent to sold-out audiences during the Blumey Awards at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year's production can't be held.

There’s still plenty about sports to discuss amid a pandemic that has halted sports on all levels.

NASCAR is returning with the first of three days of racing in Darlington, South Carolina on May 17. Four other races this month will be held in Charlotte. The governors of both states gave green lights to the events as they began to reopen the states from stay-at-home orders.

No fans will be allowed and numerous safety precautions will be in place due to COVID 19. Doug Rice, president of Performance Racing Network, says the pandemic has had a major effect on the industry.

There has not been a lot of entertainment going on in the Queen City these past couple of months due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a lot of artists and musicians are getting creative with virtual events -- like one coming up this weekend, featuring Charlotte’s own Anthony Hamilton.

Family court is moving a lot slower in North Carolina because of the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly all divorce and child custody hearings are on hold until at least June 1. In Mecklenburg County, that amounts to about 700 cases. District Court Judge Rex Marvel says exceptions include someone’s life being in danger or if there is an allegation of sexual abuse. He spoke to WFAE about how court services are continuing to proceed.

It’s the NFL’s draft week, when an elite group of college football players will be selected by one of the league’s 32 teams. Locally, folks will be looking to see how if the Carolina Panthers can beef up the team’s defense as they have said they want to do. People are also wondering about the fate of three UNC Charlotte 49ers who are among the prospects, and how this year’s draft will be different in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Langston Wertz Jr., a longtime sportswriter for the Charlotte Observer, joins us to talk about these and other sports questions.