Good morning! Summer vacation is officially over for students of Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Today is the first day of class. Be sure to share your first-day-of-school experiences with us in the comment section below or on our Facebook page.

The weatherman says today will be sunny to partly cloudy with a possible stray thunderstorm this afternoon. Highs will be in the low 90s.

Here’s what’s brewing in the news:

Competitors turn the heat up on Turner

In the past, Democrat Warren Turner has not had to fight too hard to keep his seat on city council. Turner, who represents Westside District 3, has not had a general election opponent in eight years. For six years, he hasn’t even had a primary opponent.

This year, he has some competition.

Turner, 47, will face newcomers LaWana Mayfield and Svend Deal in the Sept. 13 Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican Ed Toney in November.

His Democratic opponents say Turner hasn't done enough for his district. In addition, scandalous accusations made against Turner last year aren’t helping his bid for re-election either.

Five female staff members of the city accused Turner of making sexually inappropriate comments towards them. Turner denied any wrongdoing. In a divided vote, his colleagues on city council decided not to censure him.

In July 2010, Turner lost his job as a state probation officer. He was fired for missing meetings or drug screening with at least 14 probationers, according to a termination letter released by the N.C. Department of Correction.

Turner is appealing the firing. But has his reputation been too tarnished to win voters over?

Turner told The Charlotte Observer, “I'm not going to discuss those issues. All I'm doing is running for re-election and running on my record and what I've done for this city."
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Minority babies approaching majority status

Minority babies are on the brink of replacing white babies as the majority. According to Brookings Institution demographer William Frey, the nation may have actually passed the mark since the Census was taken in April 2010. According to Census statistics, only 50.2 percent of babies under age 1 are white - a sharp decline from 57.6 percent just a decade ago. Since 2000, the number of states where minority babies dominate has doubled to 14 - including New York, Florida, New Jersey and Georgia. Not only have minority babies been the majority in both Texas and California for more than two decades, but in Texas the majority of people under age 47 are minorities. In California, the majority under 52 are minorities. (Read more)
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BET paying tribute to Aaliyah

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of singer Aaliyah’s death. BET is broadcasting a special one hour tribute in her honor featuring special commentary from celebrities who were close to her - including Timbaland, Missy Elliot, and ex-boyfriend Damon Dash. Celebrities who loved her work - including Patti LaBelle, Kelly Rowland, Swizz Beats, Ledisi, and Omarion - are also participating in the tribute.

Here’s a sneak peek from BET’s “Aaliyah: One In A Million Tribute.” In this clip Damon Dash talks about his relationship with Aaliyah and her dedication to her work.

Tune in tonight when the special airs at 8 p.m.

QUESTION: What is your favorite Aaliyah song?

*** What's brewing on your mind? Speak out in our comment section below.

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