Good morning, Concord.

A study from the Public School Forum shows nearly one in two Cabarrus County students were economically disadvantaged during the 2022-23 school year—while community events bring cheer today with the Plant & Herb Festival at Cabarrus Arena from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Concord’s Art Walk on Union from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a Spring Litter Sweep running until April 26; in addition, Pinnacle Financial Partners will open a new branch at 871 Church St. N on May 19 with a grand opening in June.

Today, local residents can visit the Piedmont Farmers Market at 518 Winecoff School Road from 9 a.m. to noon and get hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kannapolis residents may shred documents free at Village Park from 9 a.m. to noon and view a free WWII-era cooking and polio epidemic display at the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum in Mount Pleasant from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.—each event offers a different way to enjoy the day.

Cabarrus GOP chose Chris Measmer, the County Commission Chair, to replace retiring Senator Paul Newton as the new state senator—he was picked during a closed session on April 5.

Gov. Josh Stein has up to seven days to appoint Measmer, and county officials held a special meeting on April 10 to fill his commission seat—further changes are now underway.

Concord Electric Systems earned a Platinum Level RP3 designation from the American Public Power Association at the April 8 City Council meeting for providing safe and reliable power—showing its 120+ years of service and placing it among just 52 honored utilities in 2025.

On January 28, Concord Police Department welcomed 23 new officers at City Hall—15 new officers who completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and eight transfers including U.S. veterans.

The recruits took their oath in a badge pinning ceremony attended by Chief Jimmy Hughes, Mayor Bill Dusch and other city officials.