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A local singer is back in the spotlight in hopes of becoming the next “American Idol.”

Only 24 aspiring stars are left in the hit singing competition, including 24-year-old Josh King from the Charlotte area.

In back-to-back episodes Sunday and Monday night, he and the other remaining contestants took the stage at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii to kick off the start of nationwide voting.

Spoiler alert: He crushed it. So much so that “Idol” judge Luke Bryan was jumping in his chair.

Following his last duet performance during Hollywood, the local singer and musician hit the stage singing an Elton John classic, “I’m Still Standing” — a song he said felt like a personal message at this point in the competition.

“The head-to-head challenge was a nightmare,” he said when reflecting on last week’s performance. “It was like a train wreck. You know, you’re running on two hours of sleep at most.”

Despite wowing the judges in his previous duet performance, he told mentors Josh Groban and Jelly Roll that he was “freaking out.” Going into Monday night, he still had a bit of nerves but his singing skills (and surprise harmonica solo) brought the whole crowd, including the judges, to their feet.

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Here’s a snippet of some of their reactions:

Luke Bryan: “You’re the type of person America falls in love with. We remember your audition and we remember every little growth to get to this point. Then you just did a whole performance, and when you brought the harmonica back, the intensity of the crowd went to another level. You’re working the stage, everything looks great and America is gonna love you for that.”

Carrie Underwood: “I’m so proud of you. I was just saying before this happened, ‘If you had told me on your first audition that you would be here right now just crushing it, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But you have come into your own. I felt like I was at the ‘Josh Show’ right now. I would’ve paid money. I will pay money to hear a whole two hours of that.”

Lionel Richie: “Did you see how you just lit up the audience? You are a showman on top of being a great singer.”

Fans can vote until 6 a.m. Tuesday to help King secure a spot in the Top 20.

Votes can be submitted at AmericanIdol.com/vote, in the American Idol app or by texting the contestant’s number you would like to vote for to “21523.” You must be at least 16 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to vote online.

Fans are allowed to submit up to 10 votes for each remaining contestant per voting method.

New episodes of “American Idol” are released every Sunday and Monday on ABC at 8 p.m. and the next day on Hulu.

The spring sky darkened over the parking lot of the Swannanoa Ingles. Closed since Hurricane Helene, the lot had few cars. At one end, a car spun donuts, leaving the burning rubber acrid in the dry air.

By the disused car wash, people waited patiently inside their vehicles until a white Subaru pulled into the first bay.

It was Tuesday, and Indian food was on the menu: chicken tikka, saag made from collard greens, fragrant dal (lentils cooked in spices) and cumin-flavored basmati rice. All gluten- and dairy-free with vegan options, as Cayte Gowan – a chef with 14 years’ experience – has cooked since four days after the storm.

And, equally important for the families who rely on her food, it’s all free.

Many of Gowan’s regulars live in hotel rooms or campers where it’s tough to cook. Others struggle to afford allergy-conscious food. Gowan regularly drops off meals to still more people who don’t have cars.

People living in Helene’s aftermath depend on her for food — it’s that simple. So although Gowan has depleted her savings, she hasn’t returned to her job at downtown Asheville’s The Market Place restaurant since it reopened after the storm. Instead, she still drives from her home in Mars Hill to Swannanoa five nights a week and unloads her tables, portable stoves and pans simmering with delicious, nourishing dishes.

“I’m doing this not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because I know that this is something that I would have wanted,” she said.

“I’m here to heal through food.”

Diagnosed with celiac disease at 3, Gowan learned to cook out of necessity as much as enjoyment. Until fairly recently, gluten-free options were both scarce and unappetizing.

“If I wanted to try something, I had to go find a recipe book at the local library and try to figure out how to make it,” she said.

Gowan’s motivation to provide free allergy-safe meals after Helene stemmed from watching television coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She saw barbecue trucks and hot dog carts serving free food and wondered, “If I was down there, what would I eat?”

[AFTER HELENE: Free meals for Helene survivors have been a lifeline — but not everyone can eat them.]

As soon as Helene’s waters receded, she turned on her gas stove and started cooking. (Because Mars Hill is on a different watershed, she had access to fresh water.)

She first set up at the Family Dollar in Swannanoa on U.S. 70 and later moved to the Ingles lot. In those first weeks, she was one of dozens of volunteers – from church groups and local restaurants to World Central Kitchen – serving hot meals.

Six months on, she said, few remain: a couple of churches, Blunt Pretzels and her. But she’s the only one serving food in the evenings to accommodate those who cannot leave work to get food during the daytime.

“I consistently have 15 families that I see every single day,” Gowan said, as well as “around 20 different individuals that rotate through.”

One of her regulars is Amelia Ray, who lives in Swannanoa and needs both gluten- and dairy-free food.

“I’ve been coming to see Cayte since October,” she said. “There weren’t many other people bringing food that could accommodate that,” she said, adding that “Cayte’s food never made me sick.”

Gowan has even made her medicinal broths with ingredients that target her specific health issues.

Asha Wild wished she had discovered Gowan in the chef’s first days at the Family Dollar. As a vegetarian with celiac disease, finding safe food was nearly impossible.

“We cooked out of our freezer for longer than they said we should,” Wild said. And that was on a portable stove by headlamp in her mother’s apartment, where she and her family had gone after 9 feet of water flooded her home on the Swannanoa River.

As someone who enjoys cooking, Wild appreciates the quality of Gowan’s food: “It’s not just food that I can eat, but it’s food that I want to eat.”

For many of Gowan’s regulars, it’s their first exposure to heavily-spiced international cuisines. She’s served Middle Eastern shawarma, Thai-style curry, Korean braised tofu and kimchi, and East African – now a community favorite.

For Chris Hendricks, that Tuesday’s Indian night was his first taste of Indian food. He’s a relatively late arrival to Gowan’s meals, having discovered them two months ago. But he comes every night to feed his wife and two children in Black Mountain.

He’s soon to complete his associate’s degree from AB-Tech, and his wife will soon get her bachelor’s from UNC Asheville. For now, they are living off his military Basic Housing Allowance and disability.

“We’ve given up on FEMA, because we didn’t have a permanent address at the time,” he said.

When I first visited Gowan on a Saturday night, she was at the Owen Pool Comfort Station, the only remaining facility offering free hot showers, restrooms and laundry services.

She had switched to that location in mid-December after a few dicey experiences at the Ingles parking lot. (It was also warmer.) Even though traffic on I-26 usually delayed her arrival to after the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekend hours and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekday hours, the staff who supervise the Owen station 24/7 let her serve — even though she sometimes cut it close or got there after shutdown. They often ate the food, too.

The following week, however, she returned to the Ingles lot after being told that she would have to stick to the closing times. She’s less worried for her own safety than the fate of the station.

“I know that me being there was a draw,“ she said.

Ideally, Gowan would have a working food truck. She could arrive earlier and finish preparing food in the truck. She recently purchased a 1979 Chevy food truck from a smoothie and coffee business that had shut after Helene, but it needs work that she currently can’t afford.

“I have officially run out of my own savings,” Gowan said. And after an impromptu visit from Environmental Health staff, she cannot even have a donation jar or display donation links without a permit. That’s a chief reason why her GoFundMe to raise funds for her food truck has stalled.

“While we know the availability of food is still not back to pre-Helene levels in this area, it is incumbent upon the County to make sure everyone who would like to offer their services is aware of statutory guidelines for food preparation, handling, and distribution, especially on County-owned property,” said Buncombe County spokeswoman Kassi L. Day.

Despite these challenges, Gowan has no intention of quitting. She plans to register as a nonprofit organization.

“This isn’t just about aiding people after a disaster,” she said. The goal is far greater: “to provide nutrient-dense, allergy-considerate free, hot meals to people forever.”

Two reigning N.C. state high school football champions and two regional powerhouses will meet at the annual Carolina Panthers Keep Pounding High School Classic this fall.

Hough High School, from Cornelius, will play Rock Hill’s South Pointe High, and West Charlotte, the reigning N.C. 3A state champion, will meet reigning N.C. 4A champion Grimsley High, from Greensboro.

The doubleheader will kick off Friday, Aug. 22, at Bank of America Stadium with Hough vs. South Pointe at 4 p.m., followed by West Charlotte-Grimsley at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $8 and are available now via Ticketmaster.

“Belk takes great pride in celebrating the communities we serve and the moments that bring us together,” said Don Hendricks, CEO of Belk, presenting sponsor of the football doubleheader. “This incredible event put on by the Carolina Panthers highlights the talent, determination and spirit of young athletes across our region and we are honored to be a part of it.”

West Charlotte coach Sam Greiner said his team is excited about the opportunity — both to play in the same stadium as the NFL’s Panthers, but also to face Grimsley.

“Man, it’s playing against the state champions, recognizably the best team in the state last year,” Greiner said. “Grimsley is well-coached and has unbelievable talent, and they beat three (powerhouse) teams from the Charlotte-area (in the playoffs) last year, so it’s unbelievable opportunity to try to take down such a team that’s been so dominant.”

The early game will feature a pair of teams expected to compete for state championships.

Hough was 12-2 last season and lost, 35-28, to Grimsley in the state quarterfinals. South Pointe was 11-3 last season and reached the S.C. 4A semifinals. The Stallions have won seven state championships. Hough cornerback Samari Matthews is a top 75 national recruit and No. 7 in North Carolina.

Hough will move up to the 8A class this year, as North Carolina will change from a four-classification system to eight, based on enrollment last fall. Grimsley will be in the 7A class. West Charlotte will be 8A.

“We’re recognized as the bigger school now,” Greiner said of playing Grimsley. “But the talent isn’t changing.”

Grimsley is ranked No. 16 nationally by Sports Illustrated in its “Way Too Early” preseason poll. Whirlies’ QB Faizon Brandon is the No. 1 recruit in North Carolina and No. 6 overall nationally. He has committed to Tennessee.

Greiner’s team at West Charlotte returns 19 of 22 starters from a 13-2 team that won West Charlotte’s second NCHSAA state championship in December and it’s first since 1995.

Greiner said he and his team are excited for a chance to play a team like Grimsley on such a big stage.

“How often do you get the opportunity to start this way,” he said. “The first game we play could be the hardest game we play the entire year. Preparation starts now. Weight room starts now, and spring practice is right around the corner. It’s almost like a carrot game. You’ve got the prize in front of you and you chase it. They have the best QB in the nation, and we really like our guy (rising junior QB Jamouri Nichols), and it’s a great opportunity for him to showcase how good he is, and we plan on protecting the city. This game isn’t at West Charlotte, but we’re going to treat this as a home game.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM.

The NCAA Tournament ended this week, but basketball junkies can get a look at a bevy of potential college stars this weekend in the Charlotte-area.

Phenom Hoops is hosting two events at multiple locations in Rock Hill, S.C., and Indian Trail, NC. There’s a girls’ event called “The Lady Rumble” and then a boys’ tournament called “The Grassroots Tournament of Champions.”

Division I coaches can’t attend, but tournament organizers are expecting dozens of lower level schools’ coaches, and there will be plenty of talent to watch. At least 25 Power 4 recruits on the boys’ side and a handful in the girls’ event are scheduled to play.

Among the boys players are reigning Gatorade national athlete of the year Kendre Harrison of Reidsville, an Oregon football recruit, as well as his teammate, Dionte Neal, who was just named N.C. Gatorade basketball player of the year. That pair plays on Chris Paul’s Nike-sponsored CP3 team.

Another player to watch is Auburn commit Kaden Magwood of Lincolnton’s Combine Academy. He’ll play for Drifty Elite, which includes N.C. Mr. Basketball Zymicah Wilkins (N.C. State) and UNC commit Isaiah Denis. Social media influencer Jordan Lewis, who has more than 230,000 Instagram followers, will coach the team which will also have Jake Wilkins, the son of former NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins, who has committed to Georgia, on the roster.

Three highly-ranked players in the class of 2027 are also in the field: CJ Rosser and King Gibson (Team United) and Josh Leonard (Upward Stars). Rosser, a 6-9 sophomore wing from Rocky Mount High School, is ranked No. 2 nationally by 247 Sports. Leonard, who attends Wilson (SC) High, is ranked No. 9 nationally. He’s a 6-6 wing. And Gibson, a 6-4 guard from Montverde (Fla) Academy, is ranked 15th.

Also in the field are Chris Paul’s son, Chris Paul IV (CP3), a sophomore from California; Clemson commit Trent Steinour from Lake Norman High (Cap City Charlotte); and ACC recruit Cole Cloer (CP3), a 6-8 forward from Caldwell Academy. He’s a major target for Duke, N.C. State and North Carolina.

WANT TO GO:

Most high-profile games will be held at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center, 326 Technology Center, Rock Hill. Games will also be played at Rock Hill High (SC), South Pointe High (SC), Indian Land High (SC) and at Carolina Courts in Indian Trail.

There are 310 teams registered. Parking is free. Tickets are $40 for a three-day pass or $25 for single-day. Full schedule, info at phenomhoopreport.com

After six seasons as head coach at Lake Norman High, Wildcats boys’ basketball coach Grant Hodges has resigned.

Hodges replaced Brandon Jolly before the 2019-20 season. He had a record of 103-51. Hodges’ 2023-24 team finished 28-3 and reached the N.C. 4A state semifinals.

His 2024-25 team lost just one game on the floor and didn’t lose to any N.C. teams, but the Wildcats’ season ended prematurely in the playoffs after the school self-reported an ineligible player.

Lake Norman finished the year 21-8 after forfeiting seven games.

Five CMS baseball and four softball teams will play in a three-day event, April 14-16, at the Richard “Stick” Williams” Dream Fields and Education Center in west Charlotte next week.

The “Westside Story” event also includes one non-CMS school, Jackson Day Charter, and is sponsored by the Knothole Foundation, co-founded by former Major League Baseball players Morris Madden and Jeff Schaefer. Knothole seeks to help underserved kids play baseball and softball in addition to educational programming at schools in west Charlotte.

On Monday, there will be camps, clinics and games played among the teams beginning at 9 a.m.

On Tuesday — which is Jackie Robinson Day throughout MLB — the Knothole Foundation will host former Negro League player Wali Cathcart, and the championship softball game will start at 5:30. The baseball final starts at 6.

There will also be a special dedication to Robinson with an outfield wall banner that will be permanently displayed.

Finally on Wednesday, April 16, there will be a free youth baseball clinic for kids 5-12 beginning at 10 a.m.

Longtime Myers Park girls’ basketball coach Barbara Nelson announced her retirement this week.

She says the Mustangs will be in good hands.

Myers Park’s new head coach is former assistant Jaylaan Dillard, who has been with the team for five years. Dillard was a two-time state champion in high school at Raleigh’s Millbrook High School, where she also ran track. Dillard played in college at Johnson C. Smith.

Dillard will follow Nelson, who led the Mustangs to two state championships, 10 conference titles and 266 wins in her 13 seasons.

“She’s going to do a good job,” Nelson said. “She’s a PE teacher here at the school. The kids like her and she comes out of some highly competitive programs and loves where she is. It’s very comforting to know that the Myers Park job is settled. It feels good to know that the person they’re giving it to loves it and really wants it and will do her best job at it.”

Lincolnton’s Combine Academy launched The School of Business & Entrepreneurship this week, calling it “a groundbreaking academic program designed to shape the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators.”

Combine, a day and boarding school for high school-age students, has sent more than 500 athletes to college and has produced more than 25 professionals, including NBA players Robert Dillingham (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jalen Hood-Schifino (Philadelphia 76ers) and MLB pitcher Isaiah Lowe (San Diego Padres).

Combine officials say the new curriculum will focus on real-world learning and life skills. Classes will teach students how to start businesses, invest and teach leadership skills. Successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders will be invited to speak to students about things like how to build companies and manage capital.

“This is the next evolution of what Combine stands for,” said Jonah Baize, President & CEO of Combine. “We’ve developed world-class athletes — but we know the ball stops bouncing. What happens next matters even more. Our students won’t just sign contracts — they’ll write them. They won’t just endorse brands — they’ll build them.”

Enrollment for the School of Business & Entrepreneurship opened this week for the fall semester. To learn more, visit www.CombineAcademy.com or follow Combine Academy on social media @CombineAcademy.

This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

Experience a spring weekend in the Queen City with art walks, food and wine festival and more.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Conditions stay cool and dry this weekend as you head our to fun activities in Charlotte. See what's happening!

Friday, April 11

Enjoy fun drinks, science shows and breathtaking exhibits all under one roof. You don't want to miss this unique experience. Happening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Find tickets here.

The Arts & Science Council will host its inaugural Midnight Marathon at the Mint Museum Randolph, featuring nearly 50 local artists—including poets, comedians, singers, dancers, filmmakers, improv artists, and musicians—in an electrifying, eight-hour celebration of Charlotte's vibrant arts scene. The festivities begin at 4 p.m.

R&B Nights brings a star-studded lineup to Charlotte, featuring Donell Jones, Ginuwine, Adina Howard, and Kut Klose. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7p.m. Find tickets here.

Saturday, April 12

Get your run on Saturday morning with Mad Miles Run Club at Elizabeth Park. The run begins at 10 a.m. Find more information here.

The Union County Sheriff's Office Foundation is hosting its annual Car Show on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon at the UCSO main office. This community event supports local initiatives and offers a fun-filled day for all ages. Find more information here.

Embark on a culinary journey at the Charlotte StrEATs Tasting Tour from noon to 3 p.m. at Gateway Village. Enjoy bites from locally owned restaurants, cooking and cocktail demonstrations, and live music.

The VTGCLT Spring Market returns on Saturday, featuring over 100 vintage and handmade vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early bird admission is $8, while general admission is $3.

The Cabarrus Arts Council will host the free Art Walk on Union, celebrating local creativity with gallery exhibitions, unique handcrafted items from local vendors. Happening from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, April 13

Black Girls in Media presents "CLT: Mics, Cameras, Action," an empowering event offers networking opportunities, panel discussions, and insights from industry professionals, aiming to inspire and connect Black women in media. Happening from noon to 4 p.m. Find more information here.

Celebrate Earth Day with The Comunidad CLT at Resident Culture Brewing in Plaza Midwood from noon to 5p.m. Enjoy a variety of tacos, craft items, plants, desserts, and more from local vendors in a vibrant community atmosphere.

Experience an exciting Art Crawl, featuring local artists, makers, and interactive stations. Explore unique artwork, handcrafted treasures, and even try karaoke while immersing yourself in Charlotte's creative atmosphere during Charlotte SHOUT! Happening from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Happening all weekend

Sip and stroll by the boardwalk University City Wine Fest, kicking off Friday, April 11 with Wine on the Water starting at 6 p.m., and continuing Saturday with the main festival beginning at 1 p.m. at the Shoppes at University Place. Find more information here.

The Charlotte Fair returns from April 10–20, offering thrilling rides, live entertainment a petting zoo, classic fair food and more. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5–11, and free for kids 4 and under; tickets are valid for any day of the fair.

Experience the vibrant kickoff of Charlotte SHOUT! in Uptown this weekend, a 17-day festival celebrating art, music, food, and ideas. Find more information here.

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