First NC monkeypox case identified + What will Hornets do during NBA Draft tonight?

Hey folks! KJ here. I’m back talking about food. This morning, we published our Central Avenue special report. In it, CharlotteFive’s Heidi Finley has a great list of the 9 can’t-miss spots to grab a meal on Central Avenue.

One of my favorite bakeries in Charlotte is featured and there’s a couple new spots I’m now planning to try this weekend. The photos alone made me hungry.

Here’s the rest of your news for this Thursday afternoon, thank you to Sydney Bergan for her help.

1. What will the Charlotte Hornets do in the 2022 NBA Draft tonight?

The NBA draft is tonight! The Charlotte Hornets have big decisions to make as they currently occupy two top-15 picks (No. 13 & No. 15).

Who will they choose? Will they trade any of the picks? Here’s everything you need to know.

• The Hornets won’t officially have a coach in time for the NBA draft. Does it matter? by Rod Boone

• Charlotte Hornets’ ideal scenario in first round of NBA draft? Don’t pick anybody by Scott Fowler

• What national experts think the Charlotte Hornets will do in the 2022 NBA draft by Varun Shankar

• ESPN’s Jay Bilas thinks Hornets can find solid starters within their range in NBA draft by Rod Boone

If you’re staying up late to watch the draft, come join our Twitter Space at 9:45 p.m. to talk Hornets draft reactions with our beat writers. I’ll see you there!

2. Monkeypox has been identified in North Carolina. This is what we know.

The first case of monkeypox virus infection has been found in a North Carolina resident, the NC Department of Health and Human Services reported.

The individual is currently isolating at home. The NCDHHS says no further information will be shared to protect their privacy.

“The number of monkeypox cases has been growing in the U.S. and globally,” Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist and Epidemiology Section Chief, said in a press release. “Though this is the first confirmed case in North Carolina, we know there are likely other cases in the state. We are encouraging doctors to consider this in people who have a rash or skin lesion that looks like monkeypox.”

This story is developing, and we’ll have more here.

Related: Should you wear a mask to prevent a monkeypox infection? Here’s what the experts say

3. Driver shortage, absences now affecting bus routes and causing delays, CATS say

Nearly 200 bus driver absences have been reported over the last two days, which could cause “intermittent delays” on routes.

Krissy Oechslin, chair of CATS’ Transit Services Advisory Committee, called the shortage and route delays a “public transit emergency.”

“We need radical transparency from CATS,” she said. “This is a real crisis for the transit riding public when there’s a two-hour wait for a bus.”

“In my over 24 years of service in public transit, I’ve never been in a position where it has been difficult to hire bus operators,” CEO John Lewis told the Metropolitan Transit Commission on Wednesday evening.

Read more from Jonathan Limehouse.

4. Paying extra for your cup of Joe? Here’s why, and where to find deals in Charlotte

If you’re having trouble finding a cheap cup of coffee, you’re not alone. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, prices have risen exponentially.

Dry weather in Brazil, the world’s biggest coffee producer, led to a reduction in 2022 coffee crop estimates, from 55.74 million to 53.43 million 60-kilogram bags of beans, financial analyst Payel Bera said. The estimate represents a 15.3% decrease from the crops produced in 2020. Bera added that inflation is also to blame for the high prices.

This week, Harris Teeter and Food Lion have deals on a few popular coffee brands like Starbucks and Folgers valid through June 28.

Learn more from Evan Moore.

5. Some more stories to read

• Editorial Board: Trump ally Ted Budd is avoiding Jan. 6 and the election lies he once helped spread

• New Charlotte art gallery exhibit inspired by Zadie Smith’s ‘White Teeth’ novel

• NC’s openly LGBTQ legislators seek to find a balance when the political becomes personal

• Want to live in Charlotte’s suburbs? Here’s the cost in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay

• Opinion: Proud Boys showed up to a Pride story time in North Carolina. Why were they allowed in?

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