Sports betting is legal + new Sports Legend of the Carolinas

Hey, everyone! Zach here. Did you know that the term “Hump Day” dates back to the 1950s? But it wasn’t until GEICO flooded our television sets for years with their famous, camel-starring commercial that the term became an easy short hand for feigning interest in what your coworkers have to say on a Wednesday. Real “the more you know moment” there.

We’re almost a week out!

Growth vs. Gentrification: Stop it or embrace it? The Charlotte Observer presents a community conversation illuminating this key topic of concern to residents.

Join us Thursday, June 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library for an in-person conversation with a panel of community leaders, experts and those affected by the change. You can learn more about the event and register here.

1. Online, mobile sports betting in NC becomes legal with Gov. Cooper bill signing

Place your bets North Carolina: With the stroke of a pen Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper legalized long-sought plans for sports gambling in the state. Cooper signed the Sports Wagering Bill into law at the Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte, home of the Charlotte Hornets.

“Let’s face it, sports wagering is already happening in our state,” Cooper said. The legislation will allow for regulations and safe guards on betting, he said. It will also open channels for more funding to help people with gambling problems.

Julia Coin has the full scoop while Joe Marusak breaks down when you can expect to play bets during games.

2. American Airlines expands Charlotte winter flights to these warmer destinations

American Airlines will expand its winter flights from Charlotte to top Caribbean and Latin American destinations, airline officials said Wednesday. The airline will increase service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport on 11 routes and expand seat capacity by 40% compared with last winter, officials said.

Joe Marusak helps you map out your winter flight plans.

3. Charlotte middle school teacher fired over Critical Race Theory, lawsuit claims

A middle school English teacher is the “latest casualty of book-banning hysteria,” according to a federal lawsuit filed this week against a Charlotte charter school.

Markayle Gray claims Charlotte Secondary School fired him in February because of racially-inspired backlash over his teaching of “Dear Martin”, according to the civil rights lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of western North Carolina.

Anna Maria Della Costa takes a look at the lawsuit.

4. ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli on pursuing a career, raising a child with Down syndrome

Debbie Antonelli, our next interview subject for “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” has broadcast college and pro basketball games for the past 35 years. She was inducted into the women’s basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.

She is deeply rooted in the Carolinas, having grown up in Cary and played college basketball under the legendary Kay Yow at N.C. State in the 1980s. She now lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C., with her family.

Scott Fowler with the latest Sports Legend of the Carolinas.

5. Some more stories to read

• Who will be the Charlotte 49ers’ next men’s basketball coach? Here are some possibilities

• How a jam at the Suez Canal delayed a Charlotte restaurant opening — and other tales

• Detectives solve mystery of man found dead in Charlotte elevator shaft 35 years ago

• Can you leave a child home alone in NC now that school is out? What the law and experts say

• NC nursing home murder: Roommate beat and killed man, police say

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Contact Zach at zdennis@charlotteobserver.com