NC OKs politically connected charter school + Darkness a factor in recent Charlotte pedestrian deaths?

Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Tuesday!

Next month, Huntersville will elect a new mayor to guide the town in the coming years.

You can hear candidates Dan Boone, Christy Clark and Derek Partee talk about issues facing Huntersville and answer questions at a forum discussion this Friday, Oct. 20, at 11 a.m. at Red Rocks Cafe in Birkdale Village.

Learn more about the forum here.

Let’s get right to the news.

1. Eight months after second denial, NC OKs politically connected Union County charter school

A newly empowered state board approved a new charter school to open in Union County next year.

The North Carolina Charter Schools Review Board gave the go-ahead to the American Leadership Academy-Monroe, a school where Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s wife Yolanda Hill is on the board of directors.

The State Board of Education previously rejected the charter school twice.

Anna Maria Della Costa and T. Keung Hui with more.

2. 3 pedestrians killed on Charlotte roads since Saturday. Was darkness a factor?

At least three pedestrians in the Charlotte area have been struck and killed by vehicles since Saturday.

All three incidents occurred in different areas, but they share one thing in common: each one happened at night or in the early morning hours.

Evan Moore explains why darkness is a factor in pedestrian deaths.

3. The Carolina Panthers’ new play-caller never wanted to coach. He’s now an NFL rising star.

In case you missed the news yesterday, the Panthers have a new offensive play-caller.

The 37-year-old Thomas Brown is considered a rising star in the NFL coaching ranks. He’s won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams and earned rave reviews from L.A.’s head coach Sean McVay.

However, at one point in his life, Brown doubled-down on his plan to leave football behind.

Alex Zietlow has the story.

4. FBI arrests man who emailed threat to Charlotte Jewish center

FBI agents arrested a man accused of threatening the Levine Jewish Community Center in Charlotte, center leaders said today.

The man sent the threat to the general email box of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, CEO Annie Keith and board president Lisa Strause Levinson said in an email alert.

Joe Marusak with the latest.

5. Some more stories to read

• Fort Mill’s Carolina Reaper is no longer the world’s hottest pepper. Here’s Pepper X.

• New upscale steakhouse chain opens first NC restaurant in uptown Charlotte

• Charlotte Black Restaurant Week: Participating restaurants, events and more.

• Big plans: 1,000 homes, retail in Matthews. But residents want more answers first

• Progress in this long-neglected Charlotte area comes with a catch: 22 trees chopped down

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