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School year begins with almost 400 teaching vacancies in major North Carolina district

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — Almost 400 teaching positions remain open as students return to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina on Monday.

In addition to the 390 teaching positions that remain unfilled, there are an additional 38 vacancies for bus drivers, according to a spokesperson for the district.

The shortage affects the second-largest school district in the state, with over 140,000 enrolled students from kindergarten to 12th grade, according to the district.

To make up for the shortage, 427 “guest teachers” will step in starting Monday across the district’s 181 campuses, a CMS spokesperson told ABC News.

While all guest teachers need to be licensed, they are not required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, CMS officials said.

Guest teachers will make between $150 and $180 per day, depending on their certification level, according to Christine Pejot, director of human resources at the district.

According to Pejot, guest teachers differ from substitute teachers because they are assigned to a specific school and are on a full-time contract with benefits included.

Guest teachers do not need to have teaching certification, Pejot said. Instead, the role requires a licensure that is granted by the state through passing certain tests to become licensed in that area of teaching.

Pejot said COVID-19 relief funds issued to the district are funding the new positions and that funding is available until 2024.

Not one school in particular has been affected by the teacher shortage, Pejot said, as all campuses are experiencing vacancies. However, Pejot said the district is experiencing the most vacancies for special education teachers and teachers in elementary grades K-6.

Pejot told ABC News the changes in available teachers this year has been alarming. While the district was already experiencing a shortage, an additional 77 teachers resigned when they returned to the district in mid-August, Pejot said.

According to Pejot, there are fewer college students pursuing education as a major, and more existing teachers are choosing a different career and leaving the field. The combination of these factors is significant, Pejot said.

It is unclear how long into the school year the district will rely on the guest teachers.

Mississippi flooding will soon recede, minimal damage reported: Officials

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(JACKSON, Miss.) — Flood waters in central Mississippi have peaked and will soon recede, officials said on Monday.

Officials projected on Saturday that water levels would reach 36 feet on Monday, but were measured at a peak of 35.37 as of Monday morning, a spokesperson from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency told ABC News.

Only one home had water actually breach the structure and no injuries or deaths have been reported due to the floods, Jackson, Mississippi, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said at a press conference on Monday.

Officials at the Ross R Barnett Reservoir, connected to Pearl River, said they increased the discharge of water from 55,000 cubic feet of water per second to 60,000. This continued for Sunday and Monday morning, ABC News Jackson affiliate WAPT said.

Officials said at Monday’s press conference that they were able to reduce the flows out of the reservoir by another 10,000 cubic feet per second and are working to reduce even more.

Marty Pope, service hydrologist at the National Weather Service, said it will take several days for the water to continue falling downstream. However, Pope predicts the water level will crest at 33 feet on Wednesday and could be as low as 28 feet on Thursday.

Pope said at a press conference Monday that while there will be scattered rains throughout the rest of the week, the lowering levels are a “very positive thing.”

Officials said residents should wait to get clearance in their areas before moving back into their homes. Once they return, residents should report any damage.

Two shelters remain open in the area, one in Jackson and one in Madison. According to officials, one person stayed in each of the shelters on Sunday night.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued a State of Emergency for parts of central Mississippi on Saturday, to “allow our state agencies to better assist in our response efforts and carry out their emergency responsibilities.”

According to Reeves, the state has deployed 126,000 sandbags to help residents block water from entering their homes. Reeves also reported that search and rescue teams are on standby and prepared to respond to local authorities’ needs.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency had drones in the air to assess water levels along the Pearl River, Reeves said.

Last week, evacuations drew residents from their homes in the area, including dozens of elderly people evacuated from a senior living facility.

The Pearl River area experienced severe flooding in 2020, when water levels crested at 36.67 feet.

Music notes: Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, DNCE, Taylor Swift and Camila Cabello

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Harry Styles‘ “As It Was” is back to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — making history as the first song to hit the top spot five different times. The song’s placement has yo-yoed on the chart since its release — peaking at #1 on April 16, April 30, June 4, July 9 and for this latest ranking.

Miley Cyrus is heading to NBC to be part of Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas, a modern-day movie musical about the magic of Christmas. Miley will guest star in the video, as will Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson and more. A release date is forthcoming.

DNCE covered Hilary Duff‘s “Come Clean” and shared the video to TikTok. Joe Jonas also shared to his Instagram that this is his band’s “formal campaign to get the Lizzie McGuire Show back on air.” Hilary approved and wrote back, “Ooo yes. Tell them k.”

Fans think Taylor Swift is shading Kim Kardashian with her forthcoming album, Midnights. Why? The album drops October 21, which is also Kim’s birthday. It should also be noted it’s officially been 13 years since Kanye West stormed the VMAs stage and stole the microphone from Taylor after she won Best Female Video.

BBC released a snippet of the new song Camila Cabello created for Frozen Planet II with Hans Zimmer. The trailer is soundtracked to the new single “Take Me Back Home.” The trailer shows the coldest regions losing their ice and snow — forcing its animal inhabitants to quickly adapt in an effort to survive.

Music notes: Harry Styles, DNCE, Taylor Swift, Rod Stewart and Camila Cabello

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Harry Styles’ “As It Was” is back to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — making history as the first song to hit the top spot five different times. The song’s placement has yo-yoed on the chart since its release, peaking at #1 on April 16, April 30, June 4, July 9 and for this latest ranking.

DNCE covered Hilary Duff‘s “Come Clean” and shared the video to TikTok. Joe Jonas also shared to his Instagram that this is his band’s “formal campaign to get the Lizzie McGuire Show back on air.” Hilary approved and wrote back, “Ooo yes. Tell them k.”

Fans think Taylor Swift is shading Kim Kardashian with her forthcoming album Midnights. Why? The album drops October 21, which is also Kim’s birthday. It should also be noted it’s officially been 13 years since Kanye West stormed the VMAs stage and stole the microphone from Taylor after she won Best Female Video.

Speaking of the Kardashians … Rod Stewart‘s daughter Kimberly is reportedly dating Kourtney Kardashian‘s ex-partner Scott Disick. Page Six reports the pair have been snapped hanging out in Los Angeles. Disick is 39 and Kimberly is 43.

BBC released a snippet of the new song Camila Cabello created for Frozen Planet II with Hans Zimmer. The trailer is soundtracked to the new single “Take Me Back Home.” The trailer shows the coldest regions losing their ice and snow, forcing its animal inhabitants to quickly adapt in an effort to survive.

Young Thug facing new $6 million lawsuit

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

As Young Thug remains in prison facing murder charges, he was hit was a new $6 million lawsuit for allegedly failing to fulfill a concert contract he signed five years ago.

The Atlanta rapper, born Jeffery William, is being sued for $6 million by concert promoters AEG, who claim he failed to honor an agreement made in 2017, according to The Source.

AEG alleges that Williams accepted a $5 million advance for exclusive rights to his shows and breached the contract. A trial is scheduled to start on October 24, 2023.

Young Thug has been in custody since May on a 56-count RICO indictment that includes charges of murder, robbery, witness intimidation and racketeering. That trial is slated to begin on January 9, 2023.

As previously reported, Young Thug was hit with a separate lawsuit earlier this month for failing to perform a June 18 concert due to his current incarceration.

A-1 Concert Entertainment claims he accepted $150,000 upfront, and the company is suing him for that amount. A rep from Thug’s YSL Touring company says the money will be reimbursed.

Serena Williams readies for 1st round US Open match ahead of retirement

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — All eyes are on Serena Williams as the tennis superstar prepares to make her final U.S. Open appearance before retirement.

Williams, 40, has been the talk of the tournament after she announced earlier this month in a personal essay for Vogue that her time as a pro was coming to a close.

She will open her final tournament Monday night against 80th-ranked Danka Kovinic of Montenegro on center court.

Williams defeated Martina Hingis in the U.S. Open final to win her first major title in 1999 at the age of 17. Williams defeated five future Hall of Famers, including Hingis, to win that title.

In her 27 years, Williams has notched 23 major singles titles — the most in the Open Era for men or women — as well as 14 in doubles, two more in mixed doubles and four Olympic gold medals. Her 73 singles titles overall is fifth all time among women. Margaret Court holds the all-time majors record with 24. Her career began in 1960, and professional players were not allowed to compete until 1968, though she also won 11 majors in the Open Era.

Rennae Stubbs, her latest coach, longtime competitor, friend and six-time grand slam doubles winner, told “Good Morning America” on Monday that her goal was “to just keep her happy.”

“She looks great. She’s been practicing really, really hard, ” Stubbs said leading up to the opening match. “One of the things I emphasized with her when I did start working with her was, ‘You got to play more sets against other players.’ She hasn’t played many matches in the last two years and had the injury at Wimbledon last year, therefore wasn’t sure if she was going to come back. And I think she got the bug to finish the way she wanted to finish, which was on her terms. And she’s done that now.”

Ticket sales skyrocketed in the days after Williams announced she would be stepping away from tennis following the U.S. Open — even before fans knew which night she would be playing.

Williams has been beset by injuries in recent years and hasn’t played 10 tournaments in a year since 2015. In the last two years, she has lost to an opponent ranked No. 100 or worse three times. She sat out the 2021 U.S. Open as well as the first two majors in 2022. She hasn’t played in a major final since 2019.

Williams is currently ranked 410th in the world and lost in the first round of Wimbledon in July.

She won her 23rd grand slam title — besting Steffi Graf’s 22 titles — in January 2017 when she was pregnant with daughter, Alexis Olympia.

Stubbs said she “didn’t have the success that we’re used to her having” in 2022 and noted that a lack of matches “really hurts” her play.

“Through the years she’s always played so many matches, she hadn’t had to play a lot of practice sets or play with any other players, so the emphasis on her over the last couple weeks is, ‘Let’s play some sets against great players.’ At least you get that match practice, in practice, and she’s done that and embraced it. So she’s been really, really good.”

Ultimately, Stubbs said “this is going to be a human moment for her tonight.”

“To know the enormity of this match, her last ever match possibly — or if she wins how excited everyone’s going to be to see her play another match at the U.S. Open. The crowd is going to be amazing. You’re not human if you don’t feel the emotions,” Stubbs said. “There’s no doubt she will be very nervous going on the court — anxiety level will be high because she always has [high] expectations.”

While it will be her final singles match if Williams loses Monday night, it won’t be her final pro match. Serena and her sister Venus were granted a wild card entry into the women’s doubles tournament in Queens, New York — a doubles title she’s won twice with her sister. The women’s doubles tournament opens up on Aug. 31 with the Williams sisters playing Czech players Linda Noskova and Lucie Hradecka in the first round.

Michael Fishman not returning for season 5 of ‘The Conners’

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Another original Roseanne star is leaving the ABC spin-off The Conners.

Although the network is remaining mum, TVLine reports Michael Fishman, who played DJ, the youngest child of Dan and Roseanne since the original show’s creation, won’t be back for the series’ fifth season.

With his exit comes the news that Jayden Rey, who played DJ’s daughter, Mary, won’t be back either.

The parting of the ways appears to be amicable, according to the publication, which pointed out DJ was missing from more than half of the spin-off’s 71 episodes, as the actor started working behind the camera as a director.

TVLine reports that the door is open for both stars to periodically return as guest stars.

Of course the original show’s main star, Roseanne Barr, was fired from the hit reboot in 2017 after sending a racially insensitive tweet; the series was rebranded and her character was killed off off-screen.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson shot in leg during attempted carjacking, police say

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — A Washington Commanders rookie running back was shot in the leg during the apparent carjacking, according to the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington. D.C.

Brian Robinson Jr. was in Washington around 5:30 p.m. Sunday when he apparently was approached by two juveniles who tried to steal his car and a struggle ensued, according to police.

Robinson said on Instagram that he was out of surgery and it went “well,” and his coach Ron Rivera said on Monday the doctors are optimistic about Robinson’s recovery.

“The doctors were very positive with him and he was very positive as well,” Rivera told reporters on Monday. “He’s very fortunate. He’s doing well. It will be a matter of time before he’s back out here. There’s no timeline, but everything was very positive.”

The Washington Commanders said a statement Sunday night that the gunshot wound was not life-threatening.

“We have been made aware that Brian Robinson, Jr. was the victim of an attempted armed robbery or carjacking in Washington, D.C. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is currently being treated at the hospital, where Team officials are on-site with him. We ask that you please respect Brian’s privacy at this time,” the team said.

Robinson was selected from Alabama in the third round of the 2022 draft in April.

Quavo and Takeoff perform without Offset at National Battle of the Bands

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

As the Migos breakup rumors heat up, Quavo and Takeoff are continuing their new duo career: they performed without fellow group member Offset Saturday at the National Battle of the Bands in Houston. The event is an annual competition showcasing historically Black college and university marching bands.

“Quavo and Takeoff in the building!” reads the Instagram caption for three photos of them onstage at NRG Stadium. On Friday, the Atlanta rappers dropped their new track with Birdman, “Big Stunna.” They also appear on DJ Khaled’s new album, God Did, which was released the same day.

On Saturday, Khaled debuted the video of their track, “Party,” which samples Eddie Murphy’s 1995 hit “Party All The Time,” written and produced by the late Rick James.

As previously reported, Quavo is also starring in the upcoming film Takeover about an international heist ring that relies on “street takeovers” to pull off daring robberies. The 31-year-old MC will appear as Guy Miller, a former criminal who is lured back into Atlanta’s illegal street racing scene.

Ava Max says “Who’s Laughing Now” is the song that means the most to her

August 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Ava Max was forced to choose which of her songs is her favorite — and although she said it was a “tough question,” she settled on her 2020 hit “Who’s Laughing Now.”

“Every time I perform it, I remember why I’m doing this,” she told MTV. “It just reminds me of the struggles of trying to make it into the music industry.”

The song is about Ava becoming stronger and more sure of herself after leaving a nasty ex and delighting in the fact she’s riding the wave of success.

She also opened up about her debut album, Heaven and Hell, noting that the most fun part of making it was adding in the “last-minute” track “Heaven” as the album’s intro song.

“I finished that album in quarantine,” the hitmaker explained, noting how happy she was to make that decision.

On a more relatable note, Ava also revealed her guilty pleasure. “Crackers and cheese,” she declared. “I eat it all the time. My friends are like, ‘Girl. Enough.’ All day long!”

She also confessed to looking herself up online and quipped that people who claim they haven’t are lying.

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