Good morning! Today is Friday, September 4, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
Today’s Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by T.R. Lawing Realty:
Happy Friday, readers. Lindsey here. And happy Labor Day weekend! We realize that work and school might be the last thing on your mind as you pack for that final summer vacation of the year, but today’s newsletter is kicking off with an article about school buses. 🚌 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools families, particularly those in the Dilworth and Myers Park areas, have told The Ledger that the wheels on CMS buses could go ‘round faster — meaning, they’ve noticed some serious delays in getting kids to and from school, which potentially stem from the lack of drivers and glitches in the school district’s new bus-tracking app.
Keep reading to also learn more about the initial 2027 property revaluation findings and what the U.S. Treasury secretary said about data centers in Charlotte earlier this week.
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‘They could walk faster,’ parents say about CMS buses after first week of school; district works to fill 100 driver vacancies
CMS Transportation operates 750 buses across the district’s 184 schools. (WFAE News file photo)
by Lindsey Banks
Bus delays at the beginning of a school year are typical, and a shortage of drivers at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools isn’t new. This time last year, CMS reported about 98 driver vacancies.
But with about 100 driver positions still vacant this year, parents in the Dilworth and Myers Park areas say the delays they’re experiencing are anything but routine. More than a week into the school year, buses are arriving behind schedule, leaving children waiting at stops for 30 minutes or longer and turning trips of just a few miles into rides lasting an hour or more.
Initial assessment indicates residential property values are up a median of 15% countywide
The 2027 Mecklenburg County revaluation — the process in which the county’s tax administration office updates all property values to current market value — is well underway, and initial findings indicate most homeowners won’t see a significant spike in value as they did during the last reval four years ago.
County Assessor Ken Joyner at Tuesday’s Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners’ meeting said, after an initial assessment of about 430,000 parcels across the county, residential values appear to be up a median of 15%.
That’s a far cry from the 60% median increase Mecklenburg homeowners saw in 2023. Mecklenburg County is now doing revaluations every four years (a more compressed time period from the required eight-year cycle) to avoid significant swings in values.
Also unlike the last revaluation, the larger value increases are being observed in the upper end of the housing market, especially homes priced at $2M+. That’s because the bulk of the housing market activity since 2023 has occurred on the luxury side as mortgage rates (paired with dramatic home-price appreciation during the pandemic) have sidelined many buyers on the lower end of the price spectrum.
Notices of new values will be mailed to property owners in early 2027, with an opportunity to appeal in the first several months of the year. In addition to future Board of County Commissioners meetings, the Office of Tax Administration will present updates on the revaluation to city of Charlotte and town leaders at scheduled public meetings this fall.
Following the assessment of properties, tax rates will be set by city, county and town elected officials in the spring, which will then be applied to the property’s new assessed value. It’s important to note that an increase in assessed value does not automatically translate to a higher tax bill. —Ashley Fahey
ALSO IN WHISPERS THIS WEEK …
⛳ Specialist hired for golf course revaluation
🏫 Charter school expansion?
📏 How Charlotte apartment sizes stack up nationally
🏗️ Mixed-use development coming to Charlotte suburb
📝 A wrap-up of land deals and real estate news from us and other sources
In Charlotte, the Treasury secretary defends data centers and slams China’s economic policies
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with Charlotte Economics Club president Michael Blanco at the Charlotte City Club on Wednesday. (Photo: Tony Mecia/The Charlotte Ledger)
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave a full-throated defense of building data centers in the U.S. in a Charlotte speech on Wednesday, saying they are vital to national security and staying ahead of rival China.
And he criticized tech companies and data center developers for failing to adequately articulate what’s at stake as the U.S. and China compete for the lead in artificial intelligence.
“The industry has done a terrible job — terrible job — of explaining the framing,” he said. “… They’ve been tone deaf in these communities. … It is national security, because I can tell you, I am in charge of managing the relationship with China, and we are ahead — and the AI is in this exponential growth round — and we’re about six months ahead. But the Chinese are right behind us, and if they get ahead, everything else we do won’t matter.”
His comments on AI and data centers cut against the political winds in Charlotte and around the country, which have been shifting against the construction of data centers.
Bessent also had plenty to say about:
what AI could mean for workers
the Trump administration’s push to loosen banking regulations
new investment accounts for children
the increasingly complicated economic relationship with China
➡️ Read the full story on The Ledger’s website for his take on those issues — including his blunt advice for workers worried that AI could take their jobs
Swim Across America opens 10th cancer research lab at Atrium Health in Charlotte
Swim Across America and Atrium Health leaders, physicians and researchers gathered Tuesday to dedicate the new Swim Across America Hematology and Oncology Translational Research Laboratory at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte. Swim Across America is a national nonprofit based in Charlotte that raises money for cancer research, prevention and treatment through charity swimming events across the country. It has contributed more than $1.4M to cancer research and programs at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital since 2017. The new lab is the 10th cancer research laboratory nationwide to be named for Swim Across America. (Photo courtesy of Swim Across America)
Bojangles appears to be filming a Halloween commercial with horses and Carolina Panther Xavier Legette
A Ledger reader sent us this photo Thursday night of what appears to be a new Bojangles Halloween-themed commercial being filmed at the chicken chain’s Midtown location:
Lights, camera, Legette? A horse stands in front of a film crew at the Bojangles in Midtown on Thursday night, which was adorned with cobwebs and pumpkins. (Photo courtesy of a Ledger reader)
We’re told it involves Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, who has said he owns more than a dozen horses (like the one in the photo). Legette previously appeared in a commercial for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, in which he said they “might be better than raccoon on Thanksgiving.”
Our astute reader said he has high hopes for Legette’s starring role with Bojangles: “Can’t be as good as the ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ one with Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme, but I can hope.” —Tony Mecia
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6: “‘Fight Club’ — Movie and Talkback,” 5:45-7:30 p.m., at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. A ticking-time-bomb insomniac and a slippery soap salesman channel primal male aggression into a shocking new form of therapy. Their concept catches on, with underground “fight clubs” forming in every town, until an eccentric gets in the way and ignites an out-of-control spiral toward oblivion. $9.75/ticket.
SEPTEMBER 12: “6th Annual Upcycled Fashion Show & Fundraiser,” 6-9 p.m., at Blume Studios, 904 Post St. Join ArtPop Street Gallery for an extraordinary evening where art, sustainability and high fashion converge! From multiple pieces of locally-crafted upcycled fashion, premier guest speakers, live art auctions and more, this one-of-a-kind event boasts an unforgettable experience for all involved! Registration required. $150 general admission. $200 VIP.
OCTOBER 3: “Pink Cupcake Walk Presented By Audi Charlotte,” 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St. Join Taste of Charlotte for the 6th Annual Pink Cupcake Walk. Grab your pink, green and teal attire, and take steps at the Pink Cupcake Walk! Enjoy four sweet laps around the field with a mini cupcake at each stop, and help honor and celebrate survivors, fighters and thrivers during the special Breast Cancer Lap. $40.
In brief
Sex, drug allegations in UNC football probe: UNC Chapel Hill football general manager Michael Lombardi resigned as a university investigation widened to include allegations that defensive coordinator Steve Belichick used drugs on the job or provided drugs to a player, WRAL reported, as well as allegations of possible improper sexual relationships involving players, coaches and recruiting staff. UNC says the investigation is continuing.
CMS tops pre-pandemic test performance: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reached a 61.1% proficiency rate in 2025-26, surpassing its pre-pandemic level for the first time and beating the state average. Graduation rates also hit a district record, while fewer schools received D or F performance grades. (Observer)
Grand jury indicts man who assaulted woman in Dilworth: A Mecklenburg County grand jury indicted Di-Quan Shafar Hunt, 32, on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury after authorities say he filmed himself randomly punching a woman in Dilworth on Aug. 6. The woman suffered a concussion, brain bleed and a cut requiring staples, and Hunt was denied bond at his first court appearance. (Observer)
Millions in grants but no grocery store: The Carolina Farm Trust grocery store promised for west Charlotte has yet to materialize despite $8.2M in federal Covid-relief funding from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Founder Zack Wyatt acknowledged mistakes, saying, “The responsibility ends with me.” (WFAE)
The Pearl delivers big first-year impact: Charlotte’s innovation district generated $224M in economic activity, attracted $1B in private investment and supported 2,270 jobs during its first full year. Development is continuing with a 20-story apartment tower planned as part of the district’s second phase. (Charlotte Business Journal, subscriber-only)
Berger won’t seek another Supreme Court term: North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr. says he will not run for reelection in 2028, though he left open the possibility of seeking another public office. His decision could reshape the race for the state’s highest court, where Republicans currently hold a 5-2 majority. (WFAE)
New CEO for Albemarle: Charlotte-based lithium producer Albemarle named longtime BHP executive Ragnar Udd its next CEO, succeeding Kent Masters on Feb. 1 as the company rebounds from losses caused by falling lithium prices and weaker-than-expected EV demand. (Business North Carolina)
Two convicted in ICE office protest: A federal jury convicted William Stanley and Heather Morrow of misdemeanor charges tied to a protest that blocked access to Charlotte’s ICE office during Operation Charlotte’s Web. Morrow was also found guilty of interfering with a federal officer, and both remained out on bond awaiting sentencing. (WFAE)
TB, whooping cough cases reported at CMS schools: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools notified families about a tuberculosis case at Alexander Graham Middle School and a whooping cough case at Carmel Middle School. Mecklenburg County health officials are contacting people who may have been exposed as the school district follows local and state health guidance. (Observer, subscriber-only)
DaBaby’s latest venture is waffles: Charlotte rapper DaBaby is opening No Knife Chicken & Waffles on Atando Avenue near Camp North End on Sunday, with a menu featuring 10 waffle varieties including red velvet, banana pudding, peach cobbler, sweet potato and blueberry lemon, along with fried chicken and other soul-food dishes. (QCity Metro)