THE REGIONAL INSIDE ▼ TV weatherman writes children's book PAGE 2A
A SPECIAL EDITION COVERING MATTHEWS, MINT HILL, WAXHAW, INDIAN TRAIL AND SOUTH CHARLOTTE
Friday, December 26, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 52
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Property taxes: We feel like we’re being taxed to death By David Beasley Contributor
attracts new residents with its availability of jobs and the low cost of living.” Between 2020 and 2022, there were supply chain issues and high material costs due to inflation which limited the supply of new housing. Also, low mortgage rates during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that many homeowners who had refinanced were reluctant to sell their homes, Knight said. Between early 2020 and early 2021, active home listings in North Carolina dropped by about 60%, driving up prices. “The growth of home prices has outpaced the growth of income,” Knight said. One factor that may have contributed to income not keeping up with home prices could be North Carolina’s changing
demographics, Knight explained. “A majority of the growth is concentrated among seniors,” she said. The increase in the number of senior citizens has been caused by the aging of the existing population as well as in-migration of retirees, Knight said. In addition to taxes, increased regulations on builders over the years have also raised the cost of housing, said Rep. Jeff Zenger, a Republican representing Forsyth County who is also a contractor. “We put more regulation on, that raises the cost and then that raises the assessment and that raises the tax and then we put more regulation on,” he said. “It just keeps going around and around. It’s absolutely insane.”
Museum highlights MLK’s legacy
BofA names Neighborhood Builders recipients
(The Center Square) – North Carolina legislators called for solutions to rising property taxes, describing them as a threat to both homeowners and renters during Cunningham a legislative hearing on Dec. 17.
The elderly in particular often struggle to pay their property taxes, State Rep. Carla Cunningham, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County, told fellow members of the House Select Committee of Property Tax
Reduction and Reform. If they lose their homes, the alternative for many seniors is often even more expensive assisted living homes, Cunningham said. “We feel like we’re being taxed to death,” Cunningham said. “I think it’s good that we are having the conversation and that we find the best way to move forward.” Senior citizens are a growing segment of North Carolina’s population, Allahna Knight, an economist with the legislature’s fiscal research division, told lawmakers Dec. 17. Between 2015 and 2024, North Carolina’s population increased by 10%, Knight said. “This population growth is largely driven by in-migration,” she said. “North Carolina
CHARLOTTE – Bank of America has named Prospera and Supportive Housing Communities as its 2025 Neighborhood Builders for their work to advance economic opportunity and address the region’s unhoused population.
with teamwork and quick thinking. The longtime Charlotte entrepreneurs have now claimed their prizes and set their out-of-office messages, as they kick off a year-long adventure around the world. Follow along on their journey at instagram.com/joey. and.scott/. “Over the next year, we plan to pursue our 'robe life' goals, traveling
Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development. Both Charlotte nonprofits are each awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, leadership training for the organization’s executive director and an emerging leader, and access to a national network of nonprofit peers. Since the program’s inception, 36 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Charlotte, with the bank investing nearly $9 million in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits. “Our local nonprofits are crucial to addressing local challenges in Charlotte,” said Kieth Cockrell, president, Bank of America Charlotte. “Through flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training, the Neighborhood Builders program helps nonprofits address critical needs and promote economic opportunity for the individuals and families in our communities.” Prospera works to achieve community prosperity and create positive impacts on North Carolina’s economy through support for small businesses and entrepreneurship. This new grant funding will be used by Prospera to offer bilingual services free of charge to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, including training, individual business consulting services, and guidance related to capital and procurement readiness. “We are honored and grateful to be recognized as a 2025 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder, not just for the generous financial contribution but also the capacity building, leadership training and visibility that come with the award,” said Augusto Sanabria, Prospera president and CEO. “There are many nonprofit organizations doing great work in the region, and we are humbled to be one of two recipients this year. As we approach our 10th anniversary in Charlotte, we will leverage this incredible gift from Bank of America to enhance our organization, sustain our mission and increase our economic impact in North Carolina.” Supportive Housing Communities provides permanent, affordable housing
Story continues, see NETFLIX page 3A
Story continues, see BOFA page 3A
Levine Museum of the New South creates a space where people can learn and honor the past while connecting and building a stronger future. This year’s MLK Day programming reflects its mission. Photos courtesy of the museum
CHARLOTTE – Levine Museum of the New South highlights stories and conversations each January that help people connect Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy to the world we live in today.
This year, the museum will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a month-long series of programs designed to bring people together through film, family experiences, conversation and, of course, history. At each event, the community is invited to reflect on the stories and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and those he inspired. “We approach MLK Day as a moment to slow down and really look at the threads
between past and present,” said Dr. Richard Cooper, president and CEO of the museum. “Dr. King’s work continues to shape the issues our communities face today, and we hope these programs help guests understand how those stories still inform and inspire our future.” Upcoming January events include: LEARNING FROM SELMA
6 p.m., Jan. 15 / Carolina Theatre, 230 N. Tryon St. Levine Museum will host a special screening and community discussion of “Selma,” Story continues, see MLK page 3A
Levine Museum of the New South tells the stories of the diverse people who have shaped and been shaped by this region through exhibits, dialogues, digital programs and celebrations.
Residents win Netflix game show, ‘What's in the Box?’ CHARLOTTE – Charlotte has another Netflix win to celebrate as Joey and Scott Linwell won the network’s latest game show, “What’s in the Box?.”
Joey and Scott Linwell met in Charlotte in 2003, and very quickly, their connection grew into a life partnership driven by creativity. They have designed and opened multiple businesses, renovated residential and commercial properties and developed two wellknown Charlotte gathering spaces. Photo courtesy of Netflix
Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, the series puts contestants through fastpaced trivia and challenges to win life-changing prizes hidden inside mystery boxes. They ultimately secured the win by combining their life experiences
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