Dave Chappelle nearly canceled Charlotte show + NC schools get millions in grant money for teachers

Andrew Nantais
·2 min read
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Hey, everyone! Drew here. TGIF!

Let’s get straight to the news.

1. Review: Dave Chappelle surprises Charlotte crowd by saying he almost canceled himself

Dave Chappelle, pictured here in a promotional photo for one of his 2017 Netflix comedy specials, performed at Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Thursday night. A Charlotte Observer request to photograph his show here was denied.
Dave Chappelle, pictured here in a promotional photo for one of his 2017 Netflix comedy specials, performed at Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Thursday night. A Charlotte Observer request to photograph his show here was denied.

Last night, comedian Dave Chappelle told the crowd at the Spectrum Center he came close to getting canceled — by himself.

It had nothing to do with Israel, or Palestine, or the controversial comments he made about the intensifying Middle Eastern conflict a week ago in Boston.

Read Théoden Janes’ review of Chappelle’s show from last night for the full story.

2. Once in a prime uptown spot, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry opens $460M plant in Stanly County

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry property near the intersection of S. Clarkson Street and W. Morehead St. near Bank of America Stadium. The company was offered $35 million by local governments in Stanly County to move its plant there from uptown Charlotte.
Charlotte Pipe and Foundry property near the intersection of S. Clarkson Street and W. Morehead St. near Bank of America Stadium. The company was offered $35 million by local governments in Stanly County to move its plant there from uptown Charlotte.

In case you missed this story from yesterday, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry opened a new plant just east of Mecklenburg County.

One of Charlotte’s oldest businesses celebrated the opening of a $460M facility yesterday in Oakboro. The company’s former 55-acre plant in uptown near Bank of America Stadium has long been considered a potential site for a new stadium for the Carolina Panthers.

Chase Jordan with more.

3. NC schools win $24M in federal grants to recruit and retain teachers

Kristin Cubbage, a teacher at Ashley Park K-8 School in Charlotte, was one of the teachers taking part in the Opportunity Culture program in this 2015 file photo. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has won a federal grant to expand the Opportunity Culture program into more schools.
Kristin Cubbage, a teacher at Ashley Park K-8 School in Charlotte, was one of the teachers taking part in the Opportunity Culture program in this 2015 file photo. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has won a federal grant to expand the Opportunity Culture program into more schools.

North Carolina schools, including those in Mecklenburg County, have won $24 million in federal grant money.

The funds will be used in strategies such as performance pay to address teacher shortages. Performance pay is controversial because some teachers say it leads to competition instead of collaboration. But supporters say it rewards effective teachers.

T. Keung Hui reports.

4. Some more stories to read

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Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.