In local news:
Here's a little tidbit to start off a long, sunny holiday weekend: Charlotte's VBGB Beer Hall and Garden has been named by Thrillist as one of "The 21 Best Beer Gardens in America." Noting the venue's location at the AvidXchange Music Factory near uptown, the travel and entertainment website calls VBGB an "essential stop" for those headed to a concert. "But even if it was located next to a ferret-breeding center (good lord, no!), this sprawling beer garden would be a must-visit," the write-up continues. "Beers flow from 30+ local-centric taps into 12-, 18-, and 34-ounce glasses, the latter of which could seriously hinder or help your abilities to play giant Jenga, Connect Four, and chess. But if you really want to channel your inner Maverick, there's also a five-court volleyball sandbox where you'll be too busy executing wayward spikes to lament the fact that there's no Goose (Island) around to help you out." VBGB is the only establishment in the Carolinas to make the list, which is not ranked.
In other news, Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) has fired or suspended more than a dozen employees, including some in Charlotte, over alleged violations of the bank's expense policy involving doctored meal receipts, according to The Wall Street Journal. The investigation is ongoing, according to that report.
And the fall of "Silent Sam," a Confederate statue that had been on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill until it was toppled during a protest last week, continues to be a rallying point for both sides of the debate about the fate of such monuments. WBTV reports protesters and counter-protesters clashed again yesterday at the university campus.
In the national news:
- At McCain's memorial, tears, laughs and allusions to the man not invited — The New York Times
- Trump approach to NAFTA relieves automakers' worst fears — NYT
- Coca-Cola takes a plunge into coffee with a $5.1 billion Costa deal — Reuters
- Activist investor seeks to tap Campbell Soup challengers, sources say — Reuters
- Family Dollar's problems still haunt Dollar Tree — Barron's
- Walmart will have 30% more toys in stores this holiday season, in a bid to win sales Toys R Us left behind — CNBC
- Calif. man charged with threatening to kill Globe employees he called ‘enemy of the people’ — The Boston Globe
Weather:
Mostly sunny skies remain in the forecast for the long holiday weekend ahead, though chances for thunderstorms each day will range from 20% to 40%. Expect temperatures today to climb into the lower 90s, but they'll top out in the high 80s in the days ahead. Find the latest Charlotte weather forecast here.
Traffic:
With President Donald Trump due in the Queen City today, locals could see adjustments to flights and snarled traffic as Air Force One arrives at and departs from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and as the motorcade moves about town. Some school-bus routes could be affected, too. Trump is expected to sign an executive order on retirement security at Central Piedmont Community College before heading to a fundraiser for two local Republican candidates at Carmel Country Club.
Get real-time updates on traffic conditions here.
Traveling for business today? You'll want to check the status of your flight before heading to the airport — you can do that here, at FlightStats.com.
Sports:
The Carolina Panthers lost 24-39 to the Pittsburgh Steelers last night, bringing their preseason record to 3-1. The game was a homecoming of sorts for David Tepper, a Pittsburgh native who owned a small stake in the Steelers prior to purchasing the Panthers for nearly $2.3 billion this summer. The Panthers' regular season kicks off Sept. 9 with a home game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Earlier in the week, Tepper headlined an event at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' Thomasboro Academy on Tuesday, launching a distribution effort to provide backpacks and school supplies to some 12,000 students.
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper launches distribution of backpacks and school supplies for 12,000 students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at a kickoff at Thomasboro Elementary on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018.
Elsewhere in the NFL, an arbitrator is sending Colin Kaepernick's grievance with the league to trial, according to ESPN. Kaepernick, a free agent quarterback who has been unsigned since the spring of 2017, claims that team owners across the NFL colluded to keep him off the field. He was the first to protest police brutality and racial inequities by kneeling during the national anthem, sparking a movement that is still the subject of contentious debate.
The SEC Network will host its traveling pregame show in Charlotte for the first time for the Belk College Kickoff on Saturday. As previously noted by CBJ, local organizers have been expecting a sellout for the game featuring West Virginia and Tennessee.
Sydel Curry, sister of NBA superstar Steph Curry, is getting married this weekend in Charlotte, and her brothers surprised her yesterday with an announcement — a women's locker room at Elon University, where she was a standout player, will be named in her honor.
This week and beyond:
The Matthews Alive festival is happening all weekend, with live music, carnival rides and a parade among the activities planned.
On Monday, the Charlotte Labor Day Parade will march through uptown.
The Yiasou Greek Festival kicks off next week.
A Builder's Bash benefiting Our Towns Habitat for Humanity in the Lake Norman area will be held Sept. 8 at Sweet Magnolia Estate in Cornelius.
And upcoming CBJ events include the International Business Awards and a #NextGenCLT session on diversity and inclusion. Find details and register at bizjournals.com/charlotte/event.