5 Things to Know: Judge Denies Petition to Remove McFadden

Judge Denies Petition to Remove McFadden

A judge on Thursday threw away a petition to remove Sheriff Garry McFadden from office that was recently filed by NC Rep. Carla Cunningham and four former staff members who worked under McFadden. 

The judge informed those in the courtroom that the petition needed the support of either the district attorney or county attorney and had neither. 

While DA Spencer Merriweather denied supporting the McFadden removal petition during Thursday’s hearing, he has already forwarded the document to the NC State Bureau of Investigations to investigate the allegations made therein — an investigation that remains active despite Thursday’s dismissal.

If the NC SBI returns findings that Merriweather believe warrant McFadden’s removal, Merriweather can resubmit the petition at his own behest. 

Durag Fest Put on Pause for 2026

Organizers of Durag Fest, an annual celebration of Black culture hosted by local creatives and held around Juneteenth each year in Charlotte, announced this week that the festival will be put on hold in 2026 as they work to properly scale the festival and cater to the growth the event has seen since its launch in 2018. 

“Thank you for the love and support you’ve poured into Durag Fest over the years,” read a statement sent out by co-founder and CEO Lisa Michelle on Tuesday. “Because of you, Durag Fest has grown into more than an event—it’s a cultural platform celebrating creativity, community, and Black excellence.

“As the festival has grown, so have the considerations required to deliver the experience our community deserves,” the statement continued. “Due to circumstances outside of our control, Durag Fest will be taking a temporary pause this year.” 

Originally founded by local artist Dammit Wesley and DJ Fannie Mae alongside Michelle, last year saw the festival move from its original home in Camp North End where Dammit Wesley helps run BlkMrktCLT to The Pass in NoDa. 

While Michelle is still involved in hosting the event, it does not appear that Dammit Wesley is still involved as creative director nor that DJ Fannie Mae still acts as music director.  

“This decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of the experience we’re committed to delivering,” read Michelle’s statement. “We’re using this time to work toward the conditions needed to support festivals like ours at scale.”

Raynard Washington Resigns as County Health Director

Mecklenburg County Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington will resign from his current position effective Jan. 20, according to a release from the county on Thursday. New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has nominated Washington to be the next Department of Health Commissioner in that state. 

Washington joined the county’s health department in March 2020 as deputy health director and was promoted to director in 2021. 

“Serving as Mecklenburg County Health Director has been an absolute honor,” Washington stated in Thursday’s release. “I am so proud of our public health team and all that we have accomplished during some of the most challenging times for public health. While I’ll miss Mecklenburg County and my colleagues, I know the team here will continue the work to make health possible for everyone.”

Dr. Kimberly Scott, the current assistant health director of the Population Health Division, has been appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve as interim health director.

“Dr. Washington’s unique leadership style, expertise, and contributions to Mecklenburg County transcended his role as public health director,” stated County Manager Mike Bryant. “An incredibly skilled and resourceful public servant, he played a vital role in helping our community navigate a series of health challenges and transitions.”

Red@28th Announces Closure of Dilworth Location

Management at Red@28th, a hookah bar and lounge in the heart of historic Dilworth, announced the location’s abrupt closure this week in a statement implying that a business like theirs that caters to a diverse clientele was not wanted in the overwhelmingly white neighborhood. 

“Red@28th has always been a business that has run off passion for diversity and inclusion,” a statement on Red@28th’s Instagram page read. “Our doors have always been open and welcoming to all with zero discrimination to race, sexual orientation, religion, or beliefs. 

“Red@28th is and will always be just that; diverse. But, not everyone agrees with our mission and values,” it continued. 

The statement, released on Wednesday, said the business would close the next day. 

“Due to being the minority in Dilworth, Red@28th has been forced to close due to a group of people who choose not to support a business that has operated for 20 years,” the statement read. “Our efforts were heavy to bridge a segregated gap, but there was to be an honest effort from the other side.” 

The population in Dilworth is estimated to be about 80% white and a little over 6% Black. 

Red@28th had previously closed its original location in the NoDa@28th shopping center, once a bustling hub that was home to businesses like Amelie’s that now sits abandoned, and another location in the McCullough Commons shopping center in University City. 

The statement promises that a new location with “a beautiful vision” is on the way, stating, “We look forward to announcing in the next few weeks our new endeavors!” 

Elon Announces Launch of Law School in 2027

Elon University on Tuesday announced its plans to launch its full-time law program in Charlotte beginning fall 2027. 

The university has applied to the American Bar Association for approval to launch the program, which will offer three NC-based options for law students: a full-time, 2.5-year Juris Doctor program in Charlotte; a part-time, four-year Elon Law Flex Program in Charlotte; and a full-time, 2.5-year Juris Doctor program in Greensboro. 

“The need for graduate and professional programs in one of our nation’s fastest-growing cities makes the launch of a full-time law program a natural next step for Elon Law,” said Elon President Connie Ledoux Book. 

“Elon University is deeply committed to serving the Charlotte community by introducing new and innovative programs that enhance educational offerings for professionals and address the expressed needs of the region.”

With its main campus located in the town of Elon about 90 miles northeast of Charlotte near Greensboro, Elon University announced a “strategic merger” with Queens University of Charlotte in September 2025.