Niner Times

Niner Times is UNC Charlotte's student-run weekly newspaper. Print editions are available on campus; online content is available at http://ninertimes.com.
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NEWSROOM CONTACT: 704.687.7150

07/29/2024

Oz Perkins’ newest film, Longlegs, has been one of the most highly anticipated horror and psychological thrillers of the year. The movie follows Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), a young FBI agent who is tasked with solving a series of murder-suicides conducted by a Satanist who refers to himself as “Longlegs” (Nicolas Cage).

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Jordyn Phillips/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of NEON

07/27/2024

The Charlotte women’s basketball team has a fresh look for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.

Following Head Coach Tomekia Reed’s hiring on April 25, an incoming class of 10 players from the transfer portal was announced on July 9.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Kelli Blackburn/Niner Times
📸: Justyn Ramseur/Niner Times

07/26/2024

49er football enthusiasts can now bring college football to their living rooms with the release of “EA College Football 25” on July 19.

Charlotte was not featured in the 2014 installment of the game but is now featured as one of the game’s 134 playable teams.

EA Sports officially released “College Football 25” (CFB 25) to Deluxe and MVP Edition owners on July 16, whereas regular owners gained full access to the game on July 19.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Kelli Blackburn/Niner Times
📸: Charlotte Football/Instagram

07/17/2024

The Niner Times is introducing its new anonymous tip line.

Using the tip line, we strive to uncover the truth while spreading awareness on issues and holding individuals accountable. The tip line is also open to story suggestions and media considerations, along with community feedback.

The Niner Times Editor-in-Chief, Davis Cuffe, oversees the tip line with a small team of editors. Further questions and inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

06/28/2024

Editor’s Note: Claims and remarks given by debaters have not been fact-checked by the Niner Times and may be false.

On June 27, 2024, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump met at CNN’s studios in Atlanta for the first presidential debate of 2024.

The two debated matters of policy, both national and foreign, including immigration and conflict resolution, among other topics. A discussion of who had a better golf swing also occurred.

It was the first meeting between the two presidential candidates who still have not yet been officially nominated by their respective parties and one that was historically early

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Davis Cuffe and Brendan Mullen/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr & Wikimedia Commons

06/26/2024

Charlotte softball has officially named Courtney Breault as its next head coach, becoming the 10th in program history. Charlotte Director of Athletics Mike Hill announced the news on Monday, June 24.

Breault takes over following the departure of former Head Coach Ashley Chastain to the University of South Carolina, which was announced on June 11. Chastain concluded her coaching tenure at Charlotte with an overall 154-96 record, a 65-32 conference record and two NCAA postseason berths over five seasons.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Kelli Blackburn/Niner Times
📸: Dan Rice/Niner Times

06/14/2024

The Charlotte men’s basketball team has recently added six new players to its roster for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.

After the departures of seven players from the 2023-2024 roster, multiple moves were made to fill the gaps through the transfer portal.

Charlotte has added junior guard Kylan Blackmon, redshirt senior forward Giancarlo Rosado, senior forwards Jeremiah Oden and Nika Metskhvarishvili and junior guard Jaehshon Thomas to the squad.

Charlotte most recently signed redshirt sophomore forward Aleks Szymczyk from the University of Florida on May 20.

The 6’10”, 250-lb Szymczyk is originally from Frankfurt, Germany. He made 14 appearances for the Gators in the 2022-2023 season but missed last season with a foot injury from preseason practice.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Kelli Blackburn/Niner Times
📸: Megan Bentley/Niner Times

06/11/2024

Charlotte softball Head Coach Ashley Chastain will depart from Charlotte after being hired as the new head coach of the University of South Carolina’s (USC) softball team.

Chastain played for USC in her college career and will now return as their head coach.

While playing at USC from 2009-2011, Chastain established herself as a standout pitcher in the SEC and is currently No. 11 all-time in career relief appearances. During her junior season in 2010, she led the team in starts, innings pitched and ERA.

Since Chastain took over at Charlotte, the team has a 154-96 overall record. With Chastain as head coach, the 49ers have a .608 winning percentage overall and a .670 winning percentage in conference play. The 49ers have won 35 or more games in the past three seasons and took home the program’s first-ever outright regular-season conference championship in 2023.

Looking forward, Charlotte Athletic Director Mike Hill commended Chastain for her work as head coach at Charlotte in a statement regarding her departure.

“Our program enjoyed tremendous success under Ashley Chastain’s leadership, and we are grateful for the historic impact that she made. She transformed Charlotte 49er softball into a championship program that competes on the national stage,” said Hill.

In the statement, Hill said the search for Charlotte’s next head softball coach is currently in progress.

“The opportunity to lead Charlotte softball is an attractive one and a national search is already underway to secure the next leader of the Niners.”

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Davis Cuffe/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of Charlotte Athletics

06/04/2024

Following a 2023 season in which the UNC Charlotte football team went 3-9 and did not make a bowl game, Head Coach Biff Poggi and the 49ers are ready to make big improvements in 2024.

In the 2023 offseason, Poggi could not be fully involved with recruiting as the University of Michigan, where Poggi last coached as associate head coach, was in the College Football Playoff. This extended Michigan’s season and cut Poggi’s time to recruit for Charlotte.

Heading into next season, Charlotte has an almost completely revamped roster with new key additions in each position group. One of them is redshirt sophomore quarterback Max Brown, a transfer from the University of Florida. Brown is projected to be Charlotte’s quarterback starter in 2024.

Poggi sat down with the Niner Times to discuss the upcoming season and his experience coaching at Charlotte.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Davis Cuffe/Niner Times
📸: Chris Crews/Niner Times

04/30/2024

On the seventh day of the pro-Palestine protests in CHHS/COED Plaza, University administration instructed protestors to remove the tent structures from their encampment zone.

The encampment group kept the tents up throughout the night but took them down the morning of April 30 following a warning from the University. According to the protestors, University administration emailed some of the protestors saying that the flags and tents must be removed, or they could face suspension or arrest.

yeah whatever’s easier for you. here’s some options tho!

“The University has told us that if we keep the tents and flags up, we are at risk of suspension and arrest; they have not spoken to us about the encampment itself,” said the protestors. “We assume they are trying to intimidate us out of this encampment by telling us to take down tents and flags. Either way, it doesn’t matter, tents or no tents; we will stay for as long as possible.”

The University said that the protestors were violating university policy with the encampment structures.

“Students and others gathered have been made aware they are in violation of multiple policies several times. This includes Policy 601.9, which governs erecting structures on campus, including tents,” said the University. “Students are bound by the Code of Student Responsibility, which requires them to follow all University policies. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.”

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: AJ Siegel & Clare Grealey/Niner Times
📸: Jordyn Phillips/Niner Times

04/26/2024

Tomekia Reed, a four-time Southwestern Conference (SWAC) Coach of the Year, was named the ninth head women’s basketball coach for the Charlotte 49ers on Thursday, April 25. Reed replaces former Head Coach Cara Consuegra, who accepted a position as head coach for the women’s basketball team at Marquette University.

Reed, the former coach at Jackson State University, spent six seasons in Jackson, Mississippi, posting a 125-54 record and securing three NCAA tournament appearances.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Bryson Foster/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of Charlotte Athletics

04/24/2024

On April 20, Charlotte hosted its annual spring football game at 7 pm giving students an opportunity to experience 49er football before the semester ends.

📸:Chris Crews/Niner Times

04/17/2024

Carolina Ascent, a new professional women’s soccer team, is coming to Charlotte as part of the newly created United Soccer League (USL) Super League. The inaugural season will begin in August of this year, composed of eight teams across the country with plans for future expansion.

The Super League was formed to be a new league for the highest professional women’s soccer tier in the United States, Division One, joining the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) at the top of the pyramid.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞: Clare Grealey/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of Carolina Ascent FC

04/13/2024

Charlotte baseball has made their selection of a hype or relaxing song to accompany them as they step up to the plate and battle it out. Looking at these song choices a bit closer, here are the full 39-man roster walk-up songs ranked by the Niner Times.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞: Kelli Blackburn/Niner Times
📸: Dan Rice/Niner Times

04/13/2024

Although former Charlotte women’s basketball player Kameron Roach has concluded her playing career, her involvement in athletics has continued with a new role. Roach played college basketball for six seasons and is an executive team intern with Charlotte Athletics.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞: Bryson Foster/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of Kameron Roach

04/10/2024

After four years, senior guard Jackson Threadgill is leaving behind a legacy with Charlotte men’s basketball. As he enters the transfer portal, he carries his experiences and relationships built on and off the court.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞: Itza Ochoa/Niner Times
📸: Megan Bentley/Niner Times

04/06/2024

UNC Charlotte administration denounces student government senate resolution to divest from Israel, citing commitment to maintain neutrality.

“Student Government Association (SGA) leadership has been counseled several times on the University’s commitment to maintain institutional neutrality and encouraged to consider that in their requests of administrators. This SGA resolution does not align with that commitment and will not be acted upon by the administration,” said the University in a statement to the Niner Times.

The University separates itself from the Student Senate, emphasizing that while SGA supports students, it does not represent the administration’s policies.

SJSWANA and RSF said that the University’s position of neutrality is inappropriate considering the current circumstances.

“The University has two exceptions as to when it can overstep any bounds of neutrality: when an external force threatens the values and interests of the University, and when UNC Charlotte must act like a corporation to protect the partnerships, funds, organizations, etc. which it is involved with. Whether UNC Charlotte is violating the terms of its neutrality based on its own terms or against jurisdiction, we are confident in the statements of our original resolution,” said SJSWANA and RSF.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Davis Cuffe, Sofia DiStefano & Sunnya Hadavi/Niner Times
📸: Niner Times File

04/01/2024

According to sources, a giant rat has taken over Sanford Hall at UNC Charlotte. The giant rat haunts residents and their guests at all times, especially night.

Read more on our website (ninertimes.com).

📸: Jordyn Phillips/Niner Times

03/26/2024

For the third time in the past decade, the Spectrum Center was selected to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament for the 2023-24 season. With eight teams traveling from across the country, the city of Charlotte was filled with passionate fans in celebration of March Madness.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞: Itza Ochoa & Kelli Blackburn/Niner Times
📸: Megan Bentley/Niner Times

03/21/2024

This week, Niner Times stands feature the Mental Health Collaborative special publication around campus.

Niner Times has worked with eight other college newspapers across North Carolina to create this edition to highlight the aspects of mental health that are shared and unique across the state and its different campuses. This initiative is the culmination of rigorous reporting, research, writing, editing and designing. From the stories to the data visualizations, this content aims to do more than just present a problem — it also explores solutions to this crisis.

With more than 40 reported stories and seven opinion pieces, this edition touches on many issues related to mental health. While the print edition only features a handful of this content, all these stories can be found on the Mental Health Collaborative webpage on the ninertimes.com homepage.

Along with the Niner Times, the content featured edition comes from the following newsrooms:

Pick up the Niner Times’s special publication of the Mental Health Collaborative across stands on campus and view the entire project on ninertimes.com. Copies may also be picked up at the Student Niner Media office in the Student Union.

03/18/2024

UNC Charlotte held a student body presidential debate between DJ Green and Isaiah Grayson on March 11. The candidates discussed their leadership initiatives and goals and answered questions ahead of the Student Government Association (SGA) March 19-20 election.

Throughout the March 11 debate, the candidates, Isaiah Grayson and DJ Green, detailed their plans for Charlotte’s campus before answering questions during a Q&A portion.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Jacob Pentecost/Niner Times
📸: Megan Bentley/Niner Times

03/13/2024

On the cover this week: Meet the candidates for student body president and vice president

Grab a copy of our latest print issue to catch up on the latest news and updates! They can be found at stands around campus or at ninertimes.com.

03/13/2024

Senior infielder Brandon Stahlman has been a pivotal leader for the Charlotte baseball team, becoming a vital contributor to the 49ers’ success. As he transferred to Charlotte in 2023, he began a new path, transitioning to Division 1 baseball.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞: Kalen Milton/Niner Times
📸: Megan Bentley/Niner Times

03/12/2024

DJ Green and Dede Effon are running for student body president and vice president for the 2024-2025 academic year. Elections will be held on March 19-20 at vote.charlotte.edu.

Green and Effon’s “A New Way of Leading” platform includes inflation-based pay, creating a multicultural center, improving campus accessibility, increasing student involvement in academics and creating equity in the classroom.

More information about their campaign can be found on their Instagram, .

The Niner Times interviewed Green and Effon about their campaign ahead of the election. The Q&A can be found online.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Madison Hasley/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of Green-Effon

03/12/2024

Isaiah Grayson and James Citrin are running for student body president and vice president for the 2024-2025 academic year. Elections will be held on March 19-20 at vote.charlotte.edu.

Grayson and Citrin’s “Charlotte Over Everything” platform focuses on three key pillars: build, unite and grow. They hope to create a more robust and supportive academic and professional infrastructure by expanding student career opportunities, promoting accessibility and collaboration and ensuring academic flexibility for mental health.

More information about their campaign can be found on their Instagram, .citrin.

The Niner Times interviewed Grayson and Citrin about their campaign ahead of the election. The Q&A can be found online.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Madison Hasley/Niner Times
📸: Courtesy of Grayson-Citrin

03/10/2024

The 2024 Academy Awards (Oscars) will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10. Centered around awarding cinematic excellence, this ceremony is a movie watcher’s favorite and will surely be a grand success.

Here are this year’s nominees in the main eight categories, along with who is predicted to win an Oscar and why.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Ronnie Taylor/Niner Times
📸: Maya Hutagalung/Niner Times (File)

03/10/2024

UNC Charlotte students gathered at the CHHS/COED Plaza on March 1 to hold a vigil for Aaron Bushnell and Palestinian martyrs.

The vigil, hosted by the Revolutionary Student Front (RSF) of UNC Charlotte, allowed students to show solidarity for those affected by the genocide of Palestinians and Bushnell specifically.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Sunnya Hadavi/Niner Times
📸: Megan Bentley/Niner Times (File)

02/27/2024

Since Oct. 7, 2023, UNC Charlotte student organizations have become avenues for support, discussions and advocacy, both for those directly impacted by the ongoing genocide of Palestinian civilians and those with no personal connection to the region. The organizations host and attend events such as vigils, protests, fundraisers and walkouts to recognize and remember those killed and affected by the attacks.

These student organizations include the Arab Culture Club (ACC), Arab Student Organization (A*O), Hillel at UNC Charlotte, Muslim Students Association (MSA), Lebanese Student Association (LSA) and Palestinian American Cultural Organization (PCO). The newly formed Social Justice 4 Southwest Asia & North Africa (SJSWANA) has been behind the organization of demonstrations and protests. Additional non-culture-based organizations have also been vocal about the genocide.

Editors’ Note: The Niner Times acknowledges that its coverage of the genocide in Palestine is overdue. The editor-in-chief explains gaps in policies and new plans for improvement in coverage in a separate letter. Additionally, the Niner Times has left the UNC Charlotte students quoted in this anonymous for their safety.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Niner Times Editorial Board
📸: Niner Times

02/27/2024

The Social Justice for Southwest Asia and North Africa (SJSWANA) organized a die-in on the steps of the Popp Martin Student Union on Wednesday, Feb. 21, to draw attention to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.

A die-in is a form of protest where participants simulate being dead to represent lives lost, in this case, victims of the genocide of Palestinians. The protestors had handprints of red paint on their clothes and bodies to symbolize the Palestinian blood that had been shed.

The participants displayed signs with statements: “Solidarity with Palestine,” “End the massacre,” “POV: You’re Israel. We’re Palestine. We’re dead, and you’re complicit,” “Israel is killing innocent children” and others.

Editors’ Note: The Niner Times acknowledges that its coverage of the genocide in Palestine is overdue. The editor-in-chief explains gaps in policies and new plans for improvement in coverage. Additionally, the Niner Times has left the UNC Charlotte students quoted in this anonymous for their safety.

Read the full story at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Niner Times Editorial Board
📸: Niner Times

02/27/2024

Letter from the Editor: The Niner Times must and will do better with our coverage of the genocide in Palestine

On Feb. 26, the Niner Times published an article covering the annual Slut Walk and created a post about the article on Instagram. The post on Instagram has since received criticism regarding the lack of coverage of a die-in held by Social Justice 4 Southwest Asia & North Africa on the same day. We hear and understand the criticism from the members of our community.

The Niner Times prioritizes fairness, honesty and integrity over objectivity in our news coverage. While certain aspects of objectivity still hold true in our standards for reporting (primarily the role of a journalist in acting as a witness to current events and avoiding opinionated statements), we recognize that the language used to describe current events objectively can cause harm to marginalized groups. The United Nations and other world leaders have called the shedding of blood in Palestine a genocide, and thus, the Niner Times will do the same.

The Niner Times Editorial Board learned about the die-in around one hour prior to its start. The coverage of the Slut Walk was organized 2-3 weeks in advance. Upon hearing about the die-in, we sent editors to gather statements from onlookers and organizers. Where our coverage got delayed was in reaching out to organizers after the die-in for more detailed statements.

This is not meant as an excuse but rather as transparency into our procedures as a publication for coverage. There is definite room for improvement regarding our procedures and ways we reach out to other organizations, which we are actively looking to improve.

Read the full letter at ninertimes.com (link in bio).

🗞️: Sunnya Hadavi/Niner Times
📸: Niner Times

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Today we remember those affected by the campus shooting that occurred on April 30, 2019. Here is footage from the wreath-laying ceremony on the third annual Day of Remembrance held on April 29 Video by María Solano #ninertimes #charlottestrong