Hello, Wednesday. It's Ashley, who ran 5.5 miles with some of my Axios Local friends in Georgia this week. More on that below.

☀️ Weather: Sunny. High 86. Low 61.

🍰 Happy birthday to our members Joyce Robinson, Kellie Lavender and Sage Kohler!

Today's newsletter is 993 words — a 3.5-minute read.

For a transparent look at how taxpayer dollars are spent, Axios keeps a list of the highest-paid government employees.

Why it matters: Local government must pay leaders enough to retain talent while still being responsible stewards of tax dollars.

The intrigue: The CMS superintendent would be on this list, but Crystal Hill was recently fired. Per her contract, the school district still owes her a year's salary in severance: $340,770.

• That means someone who doesn't work for the system is getting nearly $100,000 more than the top-paid exec currently.
• Several executives on this list recently announced their exits from the district as it faces multiple investigations and scrutiny over its finances and management.

See the list below. We included only base salaries, not benefits or bonuses.

1. Melissa Balknight, deputy superintendent

Salary: $248,499.95

Balknight is acting superintendent following Hill's termination. She also held the position while Hill was on paid leave during her investigation this past summer.

• Balknight is retiring, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

2. Kelly Kluttz, CMS chief financial officer

Salary: $248,499.95

Kluttz is also retiring from CMS, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

3. Anna Hehenberger, CMS deputy general counsel

Salary: $231,750

Eight executives tie for the fourth-highest salary. See the full list

📆 See what's going on around the city.

• Thursdays At The Turf: Justin Vreeland at The Turf at Commonwealth Oct 1: Enjoy live music at Thursdays At The Turf this fall, running September through November. Grab your shades, bring a blanket, and settle in for a rotating lineup of featured artists each week.
• Back to the Future in Concert at Belk Theater Oct 2 - 3: Great Scott! Watch Marty and Doc fire up the DeLorean and race against time while the CSO performs the score live with the film.
• South End Fitness in the Park at Wilmore Centennial Park Oct 3: Head to Wilmore Centennial Park on Saturday for a day of free fitness classes! The fitness-focused event features free 30-to-45 minute classes hosted by South End fitness studios, gyms, and wellness retailers.
• FabFest Daytime at Parr Center at Central Piedmont Community College Oct 3: Experience Beatles magic! This daytime festival features live music on 2 stages, an art exhibition, vendors, contests & family fun for all ages. An unforgettable day that's FREE!
• Pink Cupcake Walk at Truist Field Oct 3: Grab your pink, green, and teal attire, and take steps at the 6th Annual Pink Cupcake Walk. Enjoy sweet laps, mini cupcakes, and a celebration honoring breast cancer survivors, fighters, and thrivers. $40.
• Public Square: Civic Conversation Series at Carolina Theatre at Belk Place Oct 29: Americans have always debated. From Hamilton and Jefferson to today, disagreement is central to democracy. Public Square brings that tradition to Charlotte, creating space for thoughtful debate.

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Charlotte leaders voted 9-2 late Monday night on a new under-18 curfew from 10pm to 6am. It takes effect Nov. 1 through Aug. 31, 2027. (WBTV)

Diego Sarabia, one of the Cornell students accused of sexual assault, has been removed from his position at Wells Fargo in Charlotte. (TMZ)

• Wells Fargo did not respond to Axios' request for comment.

Former Charlotte City Council members Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston are nominated for the 2026 Signal Awards for Best Video Podcast Co-Host Team, along with finalists Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson.

Former CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill sent a warning to Mecklenburg County manager Mike Bryant before she was fired, calling attention to agreements former chair Stephanie Sneed entered with Poyner Spruill and former CMS employee Raki McGregor. (WSOC)

Two women were hurt with thrown traffic cones in a seemingly random assault at a gas station on East Boulevard on Sunday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said. (WBTV)

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn is out "indefinitely" with a quad injury. (WBTV)

Plot Twist, a coffee and cocktail bar in Plaza Midwood, has rebranded to The Lost Plot after receiving a cease-and-desist letter over a naming conflict. (Instagram)

Seventy-five Axios Local reporters gathered at the Cox Enterprises headquarters in Georgia this week.

Why it matters: With local newsrooms shrinking across the country, our mission is more vital than ever.

By the numbers: What started with the Charlotte Agenda model more than five years ago has spread to 43 cities.

• We learn together during community conversations, covering everything from business to development. We break bread with our neighbors during Axios Social Club dinners.

The bottom line: None of this happens without you. We exist for you and because of you. Thank you for supporting local journalism.

The goldendoodle is Charlotte's favorite dog breed.

Why it matters: Goldendoodles are a familiar sight along the city's many greenways, breweries and patios.

State of play: A new Rover report ranks the most popular and fastest-trending dog breeds in cities across the U.S.

Yes, but: The Norwich terrier is Charlotte's top trending breed. Rover calls the breed "extremely friendly, affectionate and outgoing," which pairs well with all of our city's dog-friendly places.

Our thought bubble: Learning about our area's favorite breeds can be fun, but don't forget about the shelter dogs that need homes, too.

• If you're not ready to adopt a pet that needs a home, you can always take a shelter dog for a Sunday run.

Flashback: In 2025, U.S. News & World Report named the Labrador retriever Charlotte's most popular dog breed.

By the numbers: Charlotte comes in as No. 102 on the list of top 107 U.S. cities for dog walking, based on Redfin walkability data.

My 12-year-old soul dog, X, recently graduated from 25 weeks of chemo at CARE in Charlotte, nearly six months after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

Why it matters: X has been in remission since his second week of treatment. While remission isn't a cure, chemo has given me more quality time with my best boy.

Catch up quick: I woke up one night in February with X standing over me. When I reached up to pet him, I felt golf ball-sized lymph nodes under his neck.

• Was he trying to tell me he needed my attention? I like to think so.
• At the vet the next morning, we learned I'd caught the cancer extremely early.

Zoom in: X mostly sailed through treatment. He kept his hair! He also loved his vet tech Aimee, whom he recognized and happily followed to the back each visit.

I was in Durham with the Axios Raleigh team during his final treatment, so my friend Stacia took him and sent me his graduation photos in real time. I cried happy tears, of course.

What's next: I'll continue to fatten up my too-skinny dog, celebrate the happy things and appreciate every snuggle.

🐕 Speaking of dogs, I hope you take a shelter dog for a run at Zoomie Toomey Run Club.

🪕 McKenzie's ready to play some "stomp clap" music with this crispy weather.

🌃 Alex likes to hear the spicy debate on our skyline signs.

🐶 Alexis really wants to adopt a dog so her pitbull can have a playmate.

🛌 Melissa had weird sleep in a hotel bed without her 75-pound dogs snoozing on her this week.