Hough principal Terri Cockherham addressed a crowd of parents and students in the school gym. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Several hundred parents and students filled the gymnasium at W.A. Hough High School Wednesday night, looking for information and reassurance about safety at the school after a series of security scares over the past week. Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools leaders did their best, but at times there seemed a huge gap in expectations and even in some audience members’ perceptions of the incidents. Read the full story

Hough High School’s girls’ soccer team went into last May’s N.C. Division 4A championship game as underdogs, yet produced an impressive 2-1 victory over Green Hope to win the title. Their success didn’t end there, as ESPN ranked the Huskies No. 1 in the country. And they’re back in winning form this year, without a loss six games into the season.

Barry Pulver has a report today, along with an audio interview with Coach David Smith. IN SPORTS»

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has been in the headlines over the past couple weeks week for two different reasons. The district posted school progress reports that included incorrect information about students on track to graduate. Then, on Monday police found the principal of Northwest School of the Arts dead in his garage. Police have confirmed he committed suicide. Psychologists and social workers flooded the school to help students deal with their grief. CMS held a press conference Wednesday to talk about these events.  Lisa Miller of our news partner WFAE was there, and talked with local “All Things Considered” host Mark Rumsey about the district’s responses. Read more or listen to their conversation below: Read the full story

The Iredell County Commission’s vote Tuesday withholding support for the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project came after nearly an hour of questions and discussion among commissioners. We offer audio replays of main comments from commissioners, as well as a reaction to the vote by John Woods, Davidson’s mayor and chair of the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s Red Line Task Force. Read the full story

Lake Norman-area leaders were scheduled to meet in Mooresville Tuesday to hear a new proposal to fund construction of the Red Line Regional Rail Project, which would run from Charlotte to Mooresville. The 25-mile Red Line has been discussed for years, but lately it hasn’t had much momentum. Supporters are trying to change that. Scott Graf, the morning host at our news partner WFAE-FM, talked to David Boraks of DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net, in advance of Tuesday’s meeting.

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Electric violinist Mark Wood played with Bailey Middle School students Rachel Laminack (left) and Kelsey Tyo Tuesday night. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

String music on a high school stage rarely sounds like what concert-goers heard at W.A. Hough High School Tuesday night. Award-winning electric violinist Mark Wood led a student orchestra in string versions of songs ranging from “We Will Rock You” by Queen to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” to “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. Read the full story

House Speaker and 98th district Rep. Thom Tillis spoke to reporters Tuesday. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis patted himself on the back Wednesday for slashing the state budget and cutting taxes during the last session in Raleigh. In a meeting with reporters in Cornelius, he also said Republicans will be back in Raleigh in September to work on constitutional reforms that could include an anti-gay marriage amendment, state Board of Education restructuring, term limits for the House and Senate speakers, and restrictions on local governments’ use of eminent domain to acquire property.

Listen to a full audio replay of the interview with Speaker Tillis below.

Read the full story