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Good morning! It’s Tony. I’m writing this from Durham, where most of our small team is at a conference for local news businesses. We’re learning from people from all over the country who are taking innovative approaches to delivering trusted local information to their communities. But the news doesn’t stop even when we’re away, and today’s newsletter keeps you up to date, from healthcare to a CMPD scandal to the upcoming election. We’re starting with a touching piece from writer Carroll Walton about Carol Hardison, the CEO of Crisis Assistance Ministry, who is retiring after 25 years on the job.
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Carol Hardison's parents taught her to see humanity in everyone. She made it her life's work.
Retiring Crisis Assistance Ministry CEO Carol Hardison speaking at an Electrolux event. (Photo courtesy of Crisis Assistance.)
by Carroll Walton
For 25 years, Carol Hardison has stood in the ever-widening gap between Charlotte’s haves and have-nots.
As CEO of Charlotte’s Crisis Assistance Ministry, she has helped ease economic hardship for people who line up out the door every morning at their headquarters on the outskirts of uptown. With an annual budget of nearly $19M, the nonprofit provides emergency assistance for rent, utilities and material goods.
Day after day, Hardison has modeled for her employees how to show grace toward those struggling to pay bills while raising the funds to help them do it.
Hardison is retiring as the second CEO of the organization, after following in the footsteps of founder Caroline Myers. Hardison’s last day is Jan. 31. The search for her successor has closed, and the top three finalists will be tabbed by the end of November. Her replacement is expected to be announced in December.
In corporate terms, Hardison leaves a legacy of helping the city’s marginalized residents through the recession of 2007, the pandemic, Border Patrol arrests and a skyrocketing cost of living. In human terms, she has mastered the skill of bridging what divides and doing it without judgment.
That’s exactly what her parents taught her. When other children were vacationing on spring break and over the holidays, Hardison, her two siblings and their parents were serving. Never was it more impactful than the Christmas parties they hosted on Florida’s death row.
CMPD chief: Racist texts don't define department
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson at a news conference on Thursday. (Screen shot from CMPD YouTube)
In her first public comments about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers accused of sending racist text messages, Chief Estella Patterson said Thursday that the six officers recommended for dismissal don’t represent the whole department.
“The overwhelming majority of our employees do exceptional work every single day,” Patterson said at a news conference on Thursday. “They come to work to serve this community, and they demonstrate that in their actions. We will not allow the misconduct of a few to define the whole.”
🇺🇸 From The Election Hub: Voters turn out in force, scenes from the polls, Black Political Caucus endorsements
In-person early voting continues through Oct. 31. Early voting sites can be found online here. There are 25 early voting sites across Mecklenburg County. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
You can check your voter status and your sample ballot here.
The latest articles on local elections from reporter Rachel Black:
First-day turnout jumps 61%: We visited polling places across the county to talk with voters and get a feel for the mood, motivations and issues driving them to the polls.
Black Political Caucus announces election endorsements: Influential Mecklenburg group backs Democrats, Charlotte bonds and opposes constitutional amendments.
⚕️ Charlotte healthcare news this week: New hospitals announced, Atrium and state treasurer tangle
It’s been a busy week for healthcare news in Charlotte, with three major storylines:
Atrium plans $340M expansion of mental health services
◼️ On Thursday, Atrium Health announced that it will invest $340M over five years to expand mental health services in the Charlotte region, including a new behavioral health hospital near Mallard Creek in University City. Expected to open in 2028, the facility will have 168 inpatient beds for children and adults, a net increase of 102 beds. The investment also includes expanded emergency, crisis and outpatient services.
The expansion comes amid growing demand for mental health treatment. Atrium said its behavioral health-related emergency department visits have increased 13% over six years, with children accounting for 26% of visits last year.
Duke, CaroMont propose 2 Charlotte hospitals
◼️ On Wednesday, Duke Health said it is teaming up with Gastonia-based CaroMont Health to seek state approval to build two hospitals in Mecklenburg County — a 120-bed facility in University City and an 80-bed hospital in the River District near Charlotte’s airport. The companies did not disclose costs, but estimates suggest a combined investment of $420M to $1.7B, according to Ledger partner North Carolina Health News.
The proposal marks another expansion into Charlotte by Duke, which acquired a Mooresville hospital last year. It also represents a potential challenge to Atrium Health and Novant Health, which have long dominated the market. The state has identified a need for 389 additional hospital beds in Mecklenburg County, and a decision on the proposals is expected in March.
State Health Plan, Atrium clash over costs
◼️ North Carolina’s State Health Plan moved most Atrium Health facilities out of network this week, escalating a dispute over healthcare costs for teachers and state employees. The move followed Atrium’s announcement that it would offer members lower copays and waive deductibles and coinsurance, offsetting higher costs imposed when the state placed Atrium in a less-preferred provider tier.
State Treasurer Brad Briner said Atrium’s approach could cost the health plan $250M next year because it reduces what patients pay without lowering the plan’s costs. The move comes after a judge rejected the state’s request to block Atrium’s program. The dispute affects about 80,000 plan members who use Atrium and raises questions about healthcare affordability and the plan’s finances. (more from WUNC)
REAL ESTATE WHISPERS
Real Estate Whispers is our weekly look at commercial real estate development, debates and debacles — with plenty of scoops and information you won’t find anywhere else.
🚘 Scout Motors CEO loves ‘the vibes’ of Plaza Midwood
🏢 A quick look at how Charlotte’s office market fared in Q3 and whether economic challenges are impacting leasing activity
🏫 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission hears from two developers on vision for Huntersville site
🏗️ Active apartment developer files plans for Park Road office site
📝 A wrap-up of land deals and real estate news from us and other sources
PBS Charlotte’s general manager departs after 13 years
PBS Charlotte/WTVI will be looking for a new permanent leader, as general manager Amy Burkett has departed after 13 years at the station.
WAYS OF LIFE
Ways of Life is our obituaries newsletter honoring friends, neighbors and family members who made an impact on Charlotte through the ways they lived their lives.
Gina Navarrete is remembered as a tireless advocate for the causes she cared about. (Photo courtesy of the family)
Remembering Gina Navarrete
Recycling was often the gateway into what Gina Navarrete’s close friend of 10 years Dana Hurka fondly describes as the “Gina orbit.” It was one of the many causes championed by the petite woman described as a “justice warrior” by family, friends and colleagues seated in Queen University’s Belk Chapel on Oct. 4 to honor her enormous life, which shockingly ended at just 59 years old in mid-August from a hiking accident in her native Chile.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17: “‘Faust’ - 100th Anniversary Screening,” 7-9 p.m., at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. In honor of its 100th anniversary, join the Independent Picture House for a special event screening of F.W. Murnau’s masterpiece, ‘FAUST,’ on the big screen, accompanied by an original score performed live by Ten Thousand Lakes. $20/ticket.
OCTOBER 22: “My Breast Friend’s Wedding, Benefitting Go Jen Go,” 5:30-9 p.m., at Hyatt Centric SouthPark, 3100 Apex Dr. Make unforgettable memories for an incredible cause during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Dress up in wedding attire (any type), grab your girls and join in for friendship, fun and women showing up for women all while supporting the Go Jen Go Foundation and local families facing breast cancer. Be a part of the magic: say "I do" to Go Jen Go. $75.
NOVEMBER 7: “NAMIWalks Charlotte,” 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd. Walk with NAMI to raise awareness, break stigma and support free mental health programs, resources and support for our community. Family and pet friendly, live DJ, vendors, food trucks and fun! Free.
NOVEMBER 14: “‘Sunday in the Park with George,’” 7:30-9:30 p.m., at The Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement at Queens University, 2319 Wellesley Ave. Step into a painting and the lives behind it in “Sunday in the Park with George,” Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize–winning musical. This production is presented to the community by Queens University of Charlotte and features student performers, set designers and creative teams. Support the arts at Queens! $12-$17/ticket.
In brief
In memoriam: Hattie “Chatty Hatty” Leeper, North Carolina’s first Black female radio announcer, passed away Tuesday at 98 after a career that helped promote major R&B and gospel artists. The Charlotte broadcasting trailblazer was inducted into the Black Radio Hall of Fame and, most recently, the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2025. (WCNC)
Bank of America hit with $1.2B in federal penalties: Regulators fined Bank of America more than $1.2B after finding the bank failed to timely report more than $5B in suspicious transactions and address longstanding anti-money-laundering deficiencies. The penalties include a record $750M fine from the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, while the bank says it has invested billions in compliance and is working through required fixes. (CNBC)
Charlotte airport workers stage 24-hour strike: Dozens of unionized workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport walked off the job Wednesday, calling for higher pay, better working conditions and clearer paid-time-off policies. Their action comes as city leaders weigh a proposed $2.1B airport expansion and follows the recent death of a contract worker on the job. (WBTV)
Loves me some internet: Charlotte bank fines
From the satirical Charlotte social media account The Charlotten, after this week’s news that Bank of America faces $1.2B in fines connected the failure to report suspicious transactions:
