Record number of inmates died in NC jails + Panthers make decisions on two key players

Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Monday and happy May!

We asked you to nominate people who work in Charlotte-area K-12 schools who make a big impact in the lives of students.

It’s down to the top 8! Voting in this round will continue until May 3 at 5 p.m.

Here’s your news.

1. Record number of inmates died in North Carolina jails. Supervision failures persist.

The dramatic rise in the number of deaths and the violations show a broken detention system that needs reform.

77 inmates in North Carolina died in 2022. That’s more than double the total when compared to 2017 when 36 inmates died.

Deaths inside jails have accelerated since 2020 while the average number of people locked inside jails dipped due to the pandemic.

Dan Kane breaks down the numbers behind the alarming death rates in NC jails.

2. Panthers pick up Derrick Brown’s fifth-year option, decline CJ Henderson’s extra year

A busy weekend for the Panthers has already turned into a busy week.

The team made a pair of decisions today, announcing it picked up defensive tackle Derrick Brown’s fifth-year option and declined the same option on cornerback CJ Henderson.

Brown, the seventh overall pick in 2020, is considered a cornerstone player for the Panthers. Henderson was acquired via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.

Mike Kaye analyzes the latest moves by Carolina.

3. Beyoncé’s Black Parade Route will give 100 Charlotte businesses a seat at luncheon

Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour won’t be her only tour stop in Charlotte.

The Grammy-winning recording artist is making the Queen City one of the luncheon stops along the Black Parade Route that helps small businesses affected by the pandemic.

Beyoncé has committed $1 million to support businesses through her nonprofit BeyGOOD Foundation, and in partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

Catherine Muccigrosso shares more on the local philanthropic efforts by Beyoncé.

4. She learned how to bake from ‘The Great British Baking Show.’ Now, she’s a contestant.

Karis Stucker loved watching “The Great British Baking Show” the last few years.

She even credits it for teaching her how to bake. So she decided to take a chance.

A couple of interviews, a casting audition and a monthlong trip to London later, she’s one of the nine contestants on the latest season of “The Great American Baking Show.”

Jodie Valade spoke with Stucker about her experience.

5. Some more stories to read

• Charlotte-based SPX Technologies expanding HVAC business with $418M acquisition

• Opinion: A harsh new anti-LGBTQ bill may be coming to the NC legislature

• Grading all five selections in the Carolina Panthers’ 2023 NFL Draft class

• We asked, you decided. Check out the results of our Popeyes vs. Bojangles biscuit poll

• This is the most expensive neighborhood in NC and what it costs to own a home there

---

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading! If you don’t already, subscribe to the Charlotte Observer here. If you’re already a subscriber (thanks!), download our iOS or Android app to stay connected.

Find more updates at charlotteobserver.com, and follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok to see more from us. Enjoy your day!

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can sign up here.