OVERVIEW
The trials and tribulations of 2020 have exposed our community's strengths and weaknesses. Over the next year, we'll examine it all through our new series Rebuilding Charlotte. WFAE will look at both challenges and opportunities as families, businesses and institutions struggle to recover from the pandemic. In our first installment, reporter David Boraks talks to Charlotteans about the challenges ahead.
IN THIS SERIES
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The hotel industry took a beating last year when shutdowns brought travel plans to a halt. Travel is rebounding this summer as cooped-up Americans get vaccinated and out of the house.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic abates, public bodies across the Charlotte region are resuming in-person meetings. But that raises questions about whether there’s still a role for remote participation by elected officials or members of the public who want to speak. Despite rough spots, some see this as an opportunity to update public participation rules.
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A review of court records shows judges are continuing to order evictions for Mecklenburg County — renters who fail to pay rent and for other reasons. WFAE reporter David Boraks talks with WFAE's "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn to break down a story he wrote with the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative.
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People behind on their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic got another reprieve last week: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended its moratorium on evictions for one more month. Evictions haven't come to a standstill during the moratorium, but legal and social service agencies are preparing for a wave of evictions when it ends.
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If you're a first-time homebuyer or looking for a small, single-family house in Charlotte, it's probably especially tough for you. That's partly because corporate landlords have significantly increased their share of the market. Ely Portillo of UNC Charlotte's Urban Institute looked into it and talked with WFAE's "Morning Edition" co-host Marshall Terry for the latest Rebuilding Charlotte.
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Ridership on Charlotte Area Transit System trains and buses increased by 21% in April 2021 compared to April 2020. But ridership is still down 60% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The city of Charlotte is considering spending $8 billion to $12 billion on the Charlotte MOVES transportation plan.
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Lots of people decided to get serious about playing an instrument during the pandemic, and many signed up for virtual music lessons — an uncommon offering before the pandemic that's turned out to have real benefits for some students in the Charlotte area.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium expires at the end of the month. After that, tenants behind on the rent will be faced with evictions. WFAE spoke with a Mecklenburg County small claims court magistrate about what to expect in small claims court.
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During the pandemic, millions of dollars in aid have flowed to programs that fight homelessness and housing insecurity. In Charlotte, the transitional housing program Gracious Hands didn't take a penny, yet it's continuing to grow and help women and children in need.
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North Carolina has had an eviction moratorium since last fall. Gov. Roy Cooper issued it by executive order and it runs through the end of June. The moratorium protects some tenants who cannot afford to pay the rent because of the pandemic. On the other end of those postponed rent payments are landlords. WFAE's "Morning Edition" co-host Marshall Terry talks to experts from both sides in the latest Rebuilding Charlotte.
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As the pandemic deepens the academic challenges that face many students of color, a consensus is building that more effective reading instruction is a key to long-term recovery. We take a look at a CMS curriculum that combines the mechanics of literacy with lessons on race and power.
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In some ways, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' latest push to help all kids read is just getting started. The EL Education curriculum is based on what’s called the science of reading. That’s also the focus of North Carolina’s latest version of Read To Achieve, which mandates a training program called LETRS for all public school teachers from pre-K to third grade.
RELATED PODCAST: STILL HERE
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RELATED CHARLOTTE TALKS EPISODES
- The Pandemic Hit Charlotte Restaurants Hard. How Are They Doing Now?
- A Look At Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Housing And Homelessness Plan
- The Future Of Traveling After COVID-19
- Road For NC's Post-COVID Economic Recovery Bright But Bumpy
- With Vaccines In Arms And Popcorn In Hand, Summer Movie Season Is Here