Enrollment at colleges and universities in Mecklenburg County has been uneven in the years since the pandemic.

State of play: Undergraduate enrollment this fall rose nationally for the first time since the pandemic, per preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Why it matters: Institutions of higher education are still navigating the effects of the pandemic.

• Undergraduate enrollment overall increased 2.1% nationally this fall compared to 2022, as Axios' April Rubin reported.
• Community colleges accounted for 59% of the increase.

Zoom in: Central Piedmont Community College's total enrollment was 47,420 for the 2019-20 school year.

• It dropped to 37,768 for 2021-22. Enrollment has since rebounded, and the community college is projecting it will surpass 47,500 for the current school year.
• "We have recovered from the pandemic decline and surpassed our prepandemic numbers," Jeff Lowrance, a spokesperson for the college, tells Axios.

By the numbers: Charlotte's four-year institutions have seen mixed results in recent years, according to numbers from the schools.

• Davidson College saw a slight downward trend, dropping from 1,927 students in 2022-23 to 1,904 for the current school year.
• Johnson C. Smith University has also seen a decline. Undergraduate enrollment has dropped by a few hundred students since before the pandemic and is currently 1,009.
• Queens University of Charlotte hasn't rebounded to its prepandemic numbers, but enrollment increased from 1,317 last fall to 1,373 as of the current semester. The school had its largest enrollment class ever this fall, which was 36% higher than last year.

Yes, but: UNC Charlotte continues to produce strong numbers. Its current undergrad enrollment is 30,298, which isn't as high as 2021 (30,448), but it is higher than four of the last five years.

Go deeper

The Pass, a mixed-use development near NoDa, has signed two more tenants and completed its first phase of construction.

What's happening: The Pass' new tenants are PINE, an event venue from 828 Venue Management Company, and Borderline Bar & Billiards. Both will open in 2024.

• Pass 41 is the first of three phases of construction on the project, which is led by Atlanta-based developer Third & Urban.

Why it matters: Neighborhoods just north of Uptown are transitioning from industrial pockets into areas ripe for new development.

Details: Borderline Bar & Billiards is owned by Greg Guillorn, a co-owner of Villa Heights gastropub The Degenerate. It will include a 1,800-square-foot patio and 4,000-square-foot interior space with regulation-size pool tables, darts, cornhole and a fire pit.

PINE is an event space in a 12,000-square-foot restored warehouse. The venue includes:

• Seating for 320 people.
• Two client suites.
• A built-in bar.
• A catering kitchenette.

Take a look at Borderline and PINE

💼 See who's looking for talented Charlotteans.

1. Physical Therapist Aide at Performance Rehab Associates.
2. VP, Impact for Nonprofits at Next Stage.
3. Associate Director of Development at UNC Charlotte.
4. Food and Beverage Supervisor at Blumenthal Performing Arts.
5. Sales Executive at Coles of London.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

We're kicking off a series here that several of our Axios Local colleagues have done — a look at how influential folks in our community start their mornings.

Axios' Katie Peralta Soloff recently sat down with Tom Murray, outgoing CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, and snuck in a few questions about his routine.

Of note: Murray's retiring at the end of this year after 11 years at the helm of Charlotte's main tourism organization. Look for a separate story about Murray in the coming weeks.

⏰ Wake up: Around 6.

💭 First thing he does: Makes coffee and reads.

📚 What he's reading: Several papers, including the Charlotte Observer, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. He likes to sit outside in the backyard most mornings, unless it's too cold.

• "I get up earlier than I need to. But I want that time to be calm, and to think and put things into perspective," Murray says.

🍳 Breakfast: Only sometimes.

⏭️ On his next move once he retires: "The priority is the (21-month-old) grandchild. We'll be part of the caregiving system. My son and I also bought a 'retirement project' — a '65 Mustang. We're in the process of rebuilding it," Murray tells Axios.

New at Criswell & Criswell's medspa: Ellacor is a revolutionary device that removes sagging skin without surgery.

The results: It removes excess skin, minimizes wrinkles, improves skin's texture and tone, and stimulates collagen production.

Learn more.

Rally is more than pickleball courts, according to Axios' McKenzie Rankin.

Details: The new food-meets-sport spot in LoSo is a place to grab coffee, work remotely, enjoy any meal of the day or a cocktail.

• It opens on weekdays at 7am and serves Night Swim coffee.

💭 McKenzie's thought bubble: Don't sleep on the pumpkin cold foam cold brew! Plus, they've been serving up all-day cafe vibes recently, and I'm loving it.

Go deeper

📅 Start planning your days ahead.

• Charlotte Checkers Military Appreciation Night at Bojangles Coliseum on Friday: Don't miss their Military Appreciation Night. Get a game ticket and a themed crewneck sweater for just $49 total while supplies last.
• COOKIN' at Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts Friday-Sunday: What's COOKIN'? Don't miss this explosive percussion show that sliced, diced and banged its way across the globe. $25+.
• Pawsitively Matthews 2023 at Stumptown Park, Downtown Matthews on Saturday: Over 40 pet-friendly vendors, food trucks, frisbee shows, MPD demonstrations, and more. Live music on stage at Noon and 2 p.m. this year, enjoy the Shelley Ruffin trio. Presented by Jamison Realty. Free.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

🏀 The Charlotte Hornets will use a new court design during their NBA In-Season Tournament home games. (Axios)

🚴 USA Cycling's 18 National Championships for 2024 include two in Rock Hill: Elite BMX on March 17 and Masters Track Aug. 6-11. (Axios)

🎃 Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital's NICU babies are celebrating their first Halloween. (WBTV)

👀 State House Speaker Tim Moore named a longtime friend to the Disciplinary Hearing Commission of the State Bar last week. (The Assembly)

• But just a few months ago that same friend, Kenneth Robert Davis, was disciplined by that same commission.

Did you guess "community" as the word for this year's Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall?

State of play: After days of sunshine and warmth, the weather turns gloomy and cold today.

• While we may see showers throughout the day, hopefully it'll just be cloudy tonight for trick-or-treaters. It will be a little chilly, so bundle up.

Details: The pumpkin wall will be up through tonight at 2023 Greenway Ave.

There are a few times throughout the year when we can let our sweet tooth shine. Halloween is one of those days.

What's happening: I recently asked our readers to share their favorite Halloween candy, and y'all didn't leave me hanging. Here are the most popular responses:

🍫 Snickers

🥜 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

😋 Mr. Goodbar

🔵 Regular M&Ms

What they're saying: "Is there any other Halloween candy besides candy corn?" —Deborah H.

Pro tip: Never trade a full-size candy bar for any amount of bite size candies.

• "It was the principle!" —Sinead P.