Good day Kannapolis! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: One Mic Stand Open Mic Poetry & Music! and 2 more events.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Kannapolis? Post it to Kannapolis photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. MLK Day in Cabarrus County: Parade, Dream Day, Wreath Laying (charlotteonthecheap.com) — Several major Martin Luther King Jr. Day events are coming to Kannapolis this January, centered at the Laureate Center on Laureate Way. You can attend the Keeper of the Dream Awards Banquet, a free Dream Day Parade, and a community-focused Dream Day with health, business, and college fairs, plus other celebrations nearby in Concord and across the Charlotte region.
![]()
2. A culminating moment: Morgan's award represents life of hard work, persistence (salisburypost.com) — Kannapolis readers may be interested to know that the longtime leader of the Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA system, which includes the Cannon YMCA – Kannapolis branch, has earned a major regional Legacy Award. The story traces Jamie Morgan’s journey from teen scorekeeper to president and CEO, highlighting how local branches, donors, and staff shaped his career and expanded YMCA services across Rowan and Cabarrus counties.
![]()
3. Only 1 Charlotte-area NC school district didn't see an enrollment decline this year (charlotteobserver.com) — Kannapolis City Schools just saw one of the steepest local enrollment drops, losing about 3.7% of its students this year. The decline mirrors a broader trend across Charlotte-area districts and North Carolina, where traditional public school numbers are falling while charter school enrollment grows and funding formulas tied to student counts face new pressure.
![]()
4. House oversight committee discusses ‘Parents' Bill of Rights,' achievement gaps (ednc.org) — If you live in Kannapolis, new state data show a troubling 21-point achievement gap between white and Black students in Kannapolis City Schools, with fewer than half of white students on grade level. Lawmakers highlighted these numbers while grilling Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools, underscoring that similar racial and overall performance gaps are a serious concern across Cabarrus and Columbus counties.
![]()
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
Ok Kannapolis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.