CMS superintendent confirms clear backpacks are still moving forward: Thursday, April 7

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools still plans to eventually distribute clear backpacks to high school students, according to superintendent Earnest Winston.Last week, when schools were giving out the bags, they stopped due to due to a warning tag issue related to possibly harmful materials.The district spent close to half a million dollars on the backpacks as part of a larger effort to reduce weapons in schools."We are talking to the vendor and the manufacturer to make sure that we erase all doubts with regard to the safety of the backpacks," said Winston. "The issue that has come up recently is specifically related to California.”Winston said CMS wants to do its own investigation into proposition 65 tags on some of the bags. He didn't expand on what exactly an investigation consists of.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/clear-backpacks-cms-charlotte-nc-crime-education-local/275-2b974449-80f1-4ced-9577-1dac43075a82South Carolina State Senator Wes Climer (R-York County) is not holding back on his thoughts on David Tepper and the Carolina Panthers. It has been a month since the organization pressed pause on an $800 million construction project that included a practice facility and team headquarters in Rock Hill.York County Council voted on March 21 to bring a new financing offer for infrastructure at the site. On March 29, Rock Hill City Council adopted a resolution supporting the financing plan. But for the project to get the OK, Tepper Sports and Entertainment also has to sign off on the deal. WCNC Charlotte has reportedly reached out to the organization for a statement with the last attempt on April 5 with no response. Climer told WCNC Charlotte on Wednesday everyone from the city, county and state arenas has worked over the years in good faith to bring the project to fruition. He added it is time for a resolution.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/sc-state-senator-york-county-carolina-panthersconstruction-project/275-8694e91f-2237-4ee2-8a68-5c305af750faWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!