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Tag: Jennifer Roberts

  • Pediatrician urges water safety precautions for Labor Day weekend

    Pediatrician urges water safety precautions for Labor Day weekend

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows drownings in the U.S. are on the rise. 

    According to the report, over 4,500 people died from drowning each year in 2020-22. This is 500 more drowning deaths per year than in 2019.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The number of drownings in the U.S. is on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

    •  A Novant Health pediatrician is urging families to take water safety precautions

    •  A mother shares how this advice is keeping her son safer in pool environments 


    With so many families expected to celebrate in pools during the Labor Day weekend, medical experts are offering advice that could be life-saving in an emergency. 

    Dr. Katherine Addison is a pediatrician for Novant Health. She says water safety is something families should take seriously year-round. 

    “When you’re thinking about water safety, swimming safety and drowning prevention for children, it’s going to be a multilayered approach,” Addison said. “The most important aspect of preventing drowning is direct adult supervision.”

    “There is no substitute for direct supervision, but there are other things that we also like to try to add in to just further increase that safety, because sometimes things are unpredictable and you can’t always predict how close that supervision is going to be, even with the best intentions,” she said.

    Addison says one thing parents should consider is the color of their child’s swimsuit. She says swimwear may not be as visible as you think underwater.

    This was supported by a swimsuit test conducted by ALIVE Solutions, which found darker colors like blue and teal aren’t as visible underwater. 

    The test found brighter colors like neon yellow, green and orange show up best in dark pool-bottom environments.  

    “When you’re talking about drowning, every second counts. If your direct supervision has failed and a child is submerged and you’re trying to figure out exactly where they are, a brightly colored swimsuit might buy you a few extra seconds and potentially save a child’s life,” Addison said. 

    Laura Martin’s son Silas has been one of Addison’s patients since he was a baby.

    Martin says she received the swimsuit color advice from Addison, after the worst almost happened in a pool. 

    Silas has epilepsy and experiences seizures. 

    On July 1, Silas was swimming in his favorite blue swimwear when he began to have a seizure. 

    “This was the first time in 10 years with Silas having seizures it ever happened in a pool,” Martin said. 

    Martin was close by and called for the lifeguards before jumping into the pool to help save her son.

    Silas recovered and is able to swim in the pool again.

    “This was such a gift that we received that so many don’t have the opportunity to happen,” Martin said.

    Martin says her family and the Shannon Park Swim Club community have always gone the extra mile to ensure Silas is safe in the pool. She says this additional piece of swimsuit color advice makes her feel better about her son’s safety in water.

    “She opened my eyes to what I can spread to the community,” Martin said. 

    Now Silas has traded in his blue swimwear for the brighter colors. 

    “Silas has accepted it very well,” Martin said. 

    Martin hopes more parents will take her story and swim color changes to heart.

    “Not assuming or believing that it couldn’t happen to your child. If I can save one life out there- I know some people out there may be aware [of the brighter colors recommendations] but I was not.”

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • JPMorgan Chase is opening more small-town branches in middle America

    JPMorgan Chase is opening more small-town branches in middle America

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    Three years ago, JPMorgan Chase became the first bank with a branch in all 48 contiguous states. Now, the firm is expanding, with the aim of reaching more Americans in smaller cities and towns. 

    JPMorgan recently announced a new goal within its multibillion-dollar branch expansion plan that ensures coverage is within an “accessible drive time” for half the population in the lower 48 states. That requires new locations in areas that are less densely populated — a focus for Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon as he embarks on his 14th annual bus tour Monday. 

    Dimon’s first stop is in Iowa, where the bank plans to open 25 more branches by 2030. 

    “From promoting community development to helping small businesses and teaching financial management skills and tools, we strive to extend the full force of the firm to all of the communities we serve,” Dimon said in a statement. 

    He will also travel to Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas this week. Across those six states, the bank has plans to open more than 125 new branches, according to Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking. 

    “We’re still at very low single-digit branch share, and we know that in order for us to really optimize our investment in these communities, we need to be at a higher branch share,” Roberts said in an interview with CNBC. Roberts is traveling alongside Dimon across the Midwest for the bus tour.

    Roberts said the goal is to reach “optimal branch share,” which in some newer markets amounts to “more than double” current levels.

    At the bank’s investor day in May, Roberts said that the firm was targeting 15% deposit share and that extending the reach of bank branches is a key part of that strategy. She said 80 of the firm’s 220 basis points of deposit-share gain between 2019 and 2023 were from branches less than a decade old. In other words, almost 40% of those deposit share gains can be linked to investments in new physical branches. 

    In expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint, JPMorgan is bucking the broader banking industry trend of shuttering branches. Higher-for-longer interest rates have created industrywide headwinds due to funding costs, and banks have opted to reduce their branch footprint to offset some of the macro pressures. 

    In the first quarter, the U.S. banking industry recorded 229 net branch closings, compared with just 59 in the previous quarter, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data. Wells Fargo and Bank of America closed the highest net number of branches, while JPMorgan was the most active net opener. 

    According to FDIC research collated by KBW, growth in bank branches peaked right before the financial crisis, in 2007. KBW said this was due, in part, to banks assessing their own efficiencies and shuttering underperforming locations, as well as technological advances that allowed for online banking and remote deposit capture. This secular reckoning was exacerbated during the pandemic, when banks reported little change to operating capacity even when physical branches were closed temporarily, the report said. 

    But JPMorgan, the nation’s largest lender, raked in a record $50 billion in profit in 2023 – the most ever for a U.S. bank. As a result, the firm is in a unique position to spend on brick-and-mortar, while others are opting to be more prudent. 

    When it comes to prioritizing locations for new branches, Roberts said it’s a “balance of art and science.” She said the bank looks at factors such as population growth, the number of small businesses in the community, whether there is a new corporate headquarters, a new suburb being built, or new roadways.

    And even in smaller cities, foot traffic is a critical ingredient. 

    “I always joke and say, if there’s a Chick-fil-A there, we want to be there, too,” Roberts said. “Because Chick-fil-A’s, no matter where they go, are always successful and busy.” 

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  • Study examines extreme heat impact on electric vehicles

    Study examines extreme heat impact on electric vehicles

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Electric vehicles, and the batteries that power them, generally perform well in hot weather, but extreme heat can cut their range by up to 30%, according to a new study. 

    According to ENERGY STAR, EV sales in the United States are continuing to grow, with nearly 1.4 million vehicles sold in 2023.

    What You Need To Know

    •  More Americans are investing in electric vehicles 

    •  Questions are being raised about whether the vehicles hold up in extreme weather conditions 

    •  A car expert shares ways EV drivers can mitigate issues during hot weather


    Although more people are investing in EVs, there are questions about their efficiency during extreme weather conditions. 

    A recent study from Recurrent found electric cars work normally in hot conditions. But the findings also revealed EVs can lose up to 30% of total range in extremely hot weather.

    Sal Mendoza-Santos is a parts and production manager at Speed Street Collison Center, an auto body shop in Lowell, North Carolina. 

    Mendoza-Santos said depending on geographic location and climate, extreme weather like heat can impact EVs. 

    He said there are things drivers can do to mitigate any possible issues during the hotter weather conditions. 

    “With summer and heat coming, you don’t want to start charging your vehicle in extreme high heat, “Mendoza-Santos said. “It will put wear and tear on your main battery. If you’ve got to charge it, do it at a place with shade, or if you can [wait and do it] at the end of the day at night to charge at home.”

    Spectrum News 1 talked with many EV drivers, both on and off camera, about whether the hotter temperatures are impacting their vehicles.

    Many drivers said as long as there are convenient and working charging stations, they’re not concerned about heat impact.

    Reginald Bratton recently purchased an electric car. 

    “Testing it out right now to see if I like it,” Bratton said. 

    Bratton said so far, he’s not experiencing any major issues with his commute due to the heat.

    But he is concerned about what could happen in the future during extreme weather conditions.

    “I would have concerns more so with the cold rather than heat. But I do feel sometimes the battery might go a little bit faster if you driving and it’s really hot,” Bratton said. 

    Walter Schulze uses one word to describe his EV: reliable. 

    “The reliability factor is just off the scale with electric cars,” Schulze said.

    Schulze said the EV is the right fit for his family. He’s not concerned about a possible heat impact to his vehicles.

    “Something with cold weather makes batteries not last as long. But hot weather, no problem whatsoever,” Schulze said.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • North Carolina college raising funds to build new monastery

    North Carolina college raising funds to build new monastery

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina college has been raising funds to enrich the campuses higher education experience.

    A new campaign goal will help leaders eventually build a new monastery to further support its Benedictine monks community. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Belmont Abbey College reached its original Made True capital campaign goal two years early
    • The dollars are helping enrich the higher education experience
    • The college has increased its capital campaign goal so they can also build a new monastery for the monastic community

    In February, Belmont Abbey College announced it reached the $100 million Made True capital campaign goal, two years ahead of the college’s original timeline.

    According to a press release, the campaign focuses on strengthening the college’s offerings, which includes academic enhancements, growth of the college’s endowment to reduce student’s reliance on federal aid and programs geared to help students graduate debt-free.

    Belmont Abbey says the success of the capital campaign resulted in the college increasing its goal to $150 million.

    The additional $50 million raised will establish endowed chairs, scholarships for the Honors College and a build a new home for the monastic community. 

    The current monastery is on campus. It’s home to the monks, men with educational backgrounds that are embracing the Benedictine vows of stability and fidelity to the monastic way of life and obedience.

    The monks, often seen on campus, are helping to enrich the student experience, supporting them throughout their educational and spiritual journey.  

    Brother Leo is one monk at Belmont Abbey College, and he said he knows from experience how important the monastery is for students during their higher education years. 

    As a student, Brother Leo connected with Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk and chancellor of Belmont Abbey. 

    “I met him when I was a child through my parents because I grew up in this area,” Brother Leo said. “He became the person I wanted to go to, if I needed someone to talk to or if I needed life advice.”

    He said the monastery has been around for over 100 years.

    “Most college campuses don’t have monks on campus. Young students are pulled in different directions. It can cause a lot of anxiety. I think the monastery is an oasis of peace, where they can talk to someone, pray with someone who has devoted their life to God,” he said.

    But like any historic building, Brother Leo says the structure needs some upgrades. 

    He says a new monastery will help the monks continue their good works, for decades to come. 

    “I think it symbolically communicates to the community that we’re here to stay,” Brother Leo said. “We’re continuing to live in this community [and] we’re not going anywhere.”

    Belmont Abbey says the existing historic monastery will eventually be refurbished and put to use by the college.

    Belmont Abbey aims to reach the $150 million goal in 2026, which commemorates Belmont Abbey’s 150th anniversary.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Holocaust survivor urging residents to experience ‘Seeing Auschwitz’ exhibit

    Holocaust survivor urging residents to experience ‘Seeing Auschwitz’ exhibit

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A worldwide exhibit providing photographic images of the Holocaust recently made its North American debut in Charlotte, North Carolina.

    What You Need To Know

    • A worldwide exhibit showing truths about the Holocaust just made its North American debut in Charlotte, North Carolina 
    • The exhibit takes people on a photographic journey, showing hard realities of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp
    • One Holocaust survivor is encouraging people to see the displays so that this dark part of world history isn’t forgotten

    The ‘Seeing Auschwitz’ exhibit is currently on display at the Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery in the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Center in Charlotte. 

    It’s being hosted by the Stan Greenspon Holocaust and Social Justice Education Center at Queens University of Charlotte. 

    The exhibit takes people on an eye-opening journey, immersing them in the grim realities of what transpired at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp.

    The exhibition will showcase a collection of 100 photographs, sketches and testimonies, allowing attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the German Nazi camp Auschwitz and the Holocaust.

    Associate Director for The Greenspon Center Judy LaPietra first saw this exhibit in London. She said it was important to bring this experience to the United States. 

    “To bring an exhibit like this to Charlotte, that has such an impact, it really speaks to the fact we are ensuring this legacy, the story of the Holocaust continues,” LaPietra said. “I want our survivors and witnesses to know that we take that responsibility on, and I think this exhibit moves that idea forward.” 

    She added over 13,000 people have seen the exhibit so far, hopefully each of them learning about the victims’ stories.

    “What this exhibit does so well is really underscore, even in a photo, the story of the victim,” LaPietra said.

    The ‘Seeing Auschwitz’ exhibit evokes strong emotions for Holocaust survivors and their families, such as Frieda Schwartz, bringing back painful memories.

    “We have to make the most of having [the exhibit] here,” Schwartz said. 

    Schwartz’s parents were living in Poland when they escaped the Nazi invasion. Her parents were taken in and concealed by an elderly couple in Siberia.

    However, Schwartz’s father was eventually apprehended and sent to a work camp.

    Schwartz’s mother would soon give birth to her in a dirt cellar.  

    The family was reunited after the war ended, but faced many hardships before coming to the United States. 

    “My family ran from Poland, so our history is totally different,” Schwartz said. “But some of my parent’s families stayed. [At this exhibit], I could be looking at the back of an uncle or cousin and I would never know it.” 

    Schwartz added she’s grateful to the Stan Greenspon Holocaust and Social Justice Education Center for bringing this exhibit to North Carolina. She’s encouraging people and younger generations to see all these images, so this part of history is neither repeated nor erased. 

    “Let it all touch us however it does to make us better and to make the world understand we can’t go back. We have to learn from history,” Schwartz said. 

    The ‘Seeing Auschwitz‘ exhibit will be on display at the VAPA Center through April 15. 

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Nutritionist helping people live healthier lives

    Nutritionist helping people live healthier lives

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman is channeling her passion into teaching people how to live healthier lives. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of women across the globe 

    •  A North Carolina resident is being recognized for her efforts to keep people healthier 

    •  She hopes her story inspires others to live their life to the fullest 


    Ini Isangedighi, known as the Naija Goddess, is a board-certified holistic nutritionist and chef. Every Sunday, she leads a two-hour nutrition and cooking class for residents. 

    The event is sponsored by the Arts & Science Council Culture Blocks of Mecklenburg County, which allows people to attend the classes for free. 

    Isangedighi says it’s important to give back in ways that will help others live life to the fullest.

    “I just know I suffered for 25 years,” she said. “I’m spreading education [about] nutrition, giving tasty plant-based recipes people will actually enjoy and want to prepare.”

    Isangedighi says for years, she struggled with being sick.

    “It was almost like a normal part of my life,” she said. 

    She says her health worsened when she started her undergraduate education. 

    “I gained about 80 pounds in the span of about three months with no change to my diet or physical activity level, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on,” Isangedighi said. “I went to a host of doctors; they didn’t know what was going on.”

    Isangedighi says she was later told she had several serious health conditions, including high cholesterol and pre-diabetes. 

    “They said all these things were not reversible and could be managed with medications,” Isangedighi said. “I didn’t want to live that life anymore. It never sat well with me.”

    Things changed for her when she reached her mid-30s. 

    “I watched a documentary wth my father that changed my life,” she said. “I changed my diet to a whole food plant-based diet and 80 pounds melted off of me with no effort. All my illnesses went away. No doctor [I visited] ever told me food is medicine.” 

    Isangedighi made the decision to go to school and become a certified holistic nutritionist. 

    She now runs her own company, The Naija Goddess. Her brand is dedicated to teaching people how to live healthier lives. 

    “Naija means Nigerian,” Isangedighi said. “I was always called Nigerian Barbie Doll growing up. I changed it to goddess to represent the God in me, so that’s why the Naija Goddess is my company name.” 

    She says her father and husband played pivotal roles with motivating her to become the leader she is today. 

    “I started this journey with my father,” she said. “Unfortunately, he was taken from us. My dad, his last years were his best years, I’m grateful for the time we did share. Since he’s been gone, my husband has been my rock, my inspiration. He’s my muscle, he carries all the stuff [I need] in. I always say I couldn’t do this without him.” 

    Ini Isangedighi with her husband, Demond Carter, left, and her father, Kpoto Okon Isangedighi. (Courtesy Ini Isangedighi)

    Deborah Carson lives in Charlotte. She recently made the decision to stop eating meat. 

    Carson and her mother started attending Isangedighi’s classes to learn more about plant-based meals. 

    “It’s going to help me to live longer and to be here,” Carson said. “I can’t be of service to anybody if I’m all broke down with diseases. It helps us think about cutting down on disease, the prevention of cancer. I don’t have them, but I think about all those things because those things have been in my family. This is going to be beneficial all around. [Plus] the food is good.” 

    Carson says she’s grateful for the work Isangedighi is doing to enrich so many people’s lives. 

    “She gives us homework, and she tests you the next time, but she makes it fun,” Carson said. “She’s very knowledgeable, very supportive.”

    “At 41, I feel like I’m 21 because at 21 I felt 91,” Isangedighi said. “It was my loving obligation to share [what I learned] with the community. I’m not saying it’s the only way, but this is a way you can live a healthier and happier way where you’re fulfilled. It’s an honor to see the impact it’s had on our community.” 

    Isangedighi’s nutrition and cooking demonstration class takes places 3-5 p.m. Sundays at Love in Action Cafe. The classes wrap up on June 30. 

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  • Daycare director charged with child abuse

    Daycare director charged with child abuse

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina community is reeling after a daycare director was charged with child abuse. 

    What You Need To Know

    • A daycare facility director faces several offenses of misdemeanor child abuse 

    • The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) arrest warrant states the director created a substantial risk for the children 

    • Community members say they’re in shock after learning about the child abuse charge 

    According to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department arrest warrants, Midwood Learning Academy facility director Leslye Denise Torrence faces several offenses of misdemeanor child abuse. 

    The documents state in February, Torrence created a substantial risk transporting the children in a vehicle without a car seat or seat belt, with the rear driver’s side door left open while the vehicle was in motion. 

    The Division of Child Development and Early Education at the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) suspended the license for one of the daycare facility buildings. 

    The DHHS order states they received information related to the health and safety of children at the daycare. Based on that information, the Division of Child Development and Early Education determined emergency action is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of children. 

    Midwood Learning Academy is located on Central Avenue, close to many businesses and residential homes. 

    Spectrum News 1 spoke with several people on and off camera about the incident. Many expressed shock about a daycare worker being charged with child abuse charges. 

    One woman, Cristie, did not want to share her last name, but lives near the daycare facility.

    Cristie said it’s concerning to learn someone who has the responsibility to keep kids safe is accused of putting the children in harm’s way. 

     “It’s sad,” Cristie said. “I work in the children’s hospital, so I’m around kids. We as adults are supposed to protect these babies. You would think they’re in a daycare. They’re supposed to be safe.”

    Spectrum News 1 attempted to speak with employees at the daycare about the incident. However, our news reporter was told to leave the property. 

    Additional updates on this story will be covered by Spectrum News 1.

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