Lisa Worf

Childbirth is far more deadly in the United States than in many other high-income countries. In North Carolina and across the nation, Black women are the most at risk of dying from complications due to pregnancy. Why that is and what can be done to improve the odds was the topic of Wednesday night’s EQUALibrium Live forum hosted by WFAE and the Novant Health Foundation.

A program that deploys people called “violence interrupters” on Charlotte’s west side showed some promise in its early results. UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute looked at the first year it was up and running.

The city of Charlotte just bought the Economy Inn for $4.2 million. The main attraction: it was a hotspot for crime in an area that sees a lot of violence. The plan is to demolish the motel, add affordable housing and begin to change an environment where crime thrives.

Janette Kinard founded Champion House of Care ten years ago to serve teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But she's expanded the group to help fill needs where she sees them.

Many of these historically overlooked thoroughfares still have higher crime rates than Mecklenburg County as a whole. Now, the city is trying some new approaches to turn things around as neighborhood groups continue their efforts to create safe, inviting communities.

Eight-year-old Olivia Velez was sleeping at her home on Burbank Drive early morning on April 24, when the shooting happened.

Violent crime is down in Charlotte for the first part of the year by 6%. Property crime rose by 10%. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police say auto thefts are driving that increase.

A national group called Operation Hope is adding Charlotte to a list of cities it’s working with. The initiative is designed to connect Black business owners with the help they need to grow including mentorship, online platforms and loan providers.

Charlotte’s North End is now the latest Corridor of Opportunity with what’s called a playbook. It’s meant to help guide growth and protect community assets in one of the city’s fastest-changing areas.

A bill that would require all local sheriffs to collaborate with federal immigration officials passed the North Carolina House. A last-minute amendment added something jail safety advocates had long sought — two additional jail inspectors.