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Two Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers who fired shots during the deadly shooting of an armed robbery suspect last June were justified in their use of force, the district attorney announced Tuesday. CMPD responded to a reported armed robbery at a Food Lion on Tuckaseegee Road around 1 p.m. on June 26. Officers spotted a person matching Kevin Boston's description while en route to the store and attempted to contact him. When officers approached Boston, he allegedly put both bags on the ground and reached toward his pants and pulled out a gun, according to District Attorney Spencer Merriweather.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/deadly-police-shooting-officers-justified-district-attorney-says/275-1a4b32be-5037-4cac-bbec-e12d5fef6254With less than a month on the job, new Gastonia Police Chief Trent Conard has his hands full as he tries to recruit more officers to the force.This is something he acknowledged Tuesday night as he presented some incentives to Gastonia city leaders that he says will help retain and recruit officers.“Law enforcement is faced with a difficult time in history,” Conard said. “Having adequate staffing has become an issue.”Gastonia’s police department faces the same challenges that other law enforcement departments do – trying to get officers when it’s even harder to recruit.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/gastonia-police-department-recruitment-employeers-officers/275-6e610499-7fb0-4f11-b446-11e7ade47776Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Plains is sad, in the words of one of Jimmy Carter’s close friends.it is a small town with big pride for their favorite son. Residents are cherishing their years and decades with Mr. Carter, their neighbor, as they offer prayers for him and his family. And they resolve, they say, to be kinder to people, the way he's always been.“I thank him so much," said Cicele Terry on Sunday.She was fighting back tears outside Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.Terry lives in Columbus, Ga. She commutes to and from Maranatha every week -- nearly an hour each way -- all because years ago one Sunday, she was visiting the church, and Jimmy Carter walked up to her and personally asked her to join.She called that a kindness that she has always treasured, and she is thinking of him now, as he is in hospice care at home in Plains.“No sorrow, just thankfulness," she said, "just thankfulness, but tears. I’m just thankful for the example and the life that he’s led.”During Sunday morning services, the congregation said prayers for Mr. Carter.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/jimmy-carter/plains-georgia-jimmy-carter-neighbors-friends-comfort-family/85-2cb1cb34-7c43-48c8-ad7c-b3e20b0e7a15A Charlotte mom is speaking out after she said her daughter was a victim of racial abuse at a local Chick-fil-A. After the mother posted about the incident on Facebook, the post went viral. The family of the daughter held a press conference on Monday afternoon.The woman said that her daughter went through the drive thru at the Chick-fil-A near Mount Holly-Huntersville Road and Brookshire Blvd on Monday, Feb. 13.She said that when her daughter received her order, a racial slur was written on the bag and drink order. The mother posted a picture of the order on social media, and it went viral.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/local-chick-fil-a-faces-allegations-racism/275-8039e5a2-9c9f-4ce2-b65c-c5fbfef0472aWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Mooresville Fire Marshall's Office is investigating a house fire that early investigations determined was set intentionally, officials say.On Saturday, Feb. 18 around 8:30 p.m., Mooresville Fire-Rescue responded to a fire at a vacant single-story house on Brawley School Road.Moorseville Fire was able to control the fire in a few hours and the Fire Marshall's Office started an investigation. After the investigation showed that the fire was started on purpose, the Mooresville Police Department was brought in to assist.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/mooresville-intentional-house-fire/275-8e3abe52-aa41-4259-b0a4-9d289acad699The man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase across Charlotte is expected in court Monday afternoon.Tyler Harding is facing numerous felony charges in connection with the incident, including four counts of vehicle theft, three felony counts of larceny of a motor vehicle and two counts of felony hit-and-run. The incident started as a reported break-in, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/tyler-harding-police-chase-in-court-monday-news/275-91952f38-b7e6-4fef-9fa0-a9c29608ca4fWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Boone police are investigating after they say someone waved an anti-Semitic flag in front of the Temple of The High Country.Around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Boone Police Department responded to a call about an individual waving a flag with a "swastika" on it in front of the temple. Officers arrived at the temple, only to find the flag left behind after the individual fled the scene.The Chief of Police notified leaders at the Temple of the High Country of the incident Wednesday evening, officers said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/boone-nc-police-investigating-anti-semitic-flag-waved-outside-jewish-temple/275-fe8a3015-f322-4c42-a2c3-cfc3d1fa29a7An unknown number of Mecklenburg County speeding cases and tickets could be called into question due to revelations the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department did not calibrate their radar and lidar devices in accordance with state law.While CMPD equipment was tested, testing was not completed by an appropriately certified employee, the city of Charlotte announced Wednesday. CMPD said technicians were experienced and followed the manufacturer's instructions. However, technicians who were not Federal Communications Commission-certified were responsible for 170 of the department's 230 devices. The department says it is possible the problem dates back to 2008 and was prompted by a misunderstanding of state law.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-da-some-speeding-cases-questionable-after-improper-radar-lidar-calibration-charlotte-police-department-investigation/275-d0fcce3e-cff6-4888-84b1-62a4a3e543d8Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

An untold amount of Mecklenburg County speeding cases could be called into question due to revelations about Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's radar and lidar calibration practices.The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office said it learned of the concerns on Tuesday, noting that equipment used to frequently track drivers' speeds have to be tested and certified by a Federal Communications Commission-certified person, per state law.A statement from the office says, while CMPD equipment was tested, testing was not completed by an appropriately certified employee. CMPD said technicians who were experienced and followed the manufacturer's instructions -- but were not FCC-certified -- were responsible for 170 of the department's 230 devices. The department says it is possible the problem dates back to 2008 and was prompted by a misunderstanding of state law.The full implications of this discovery on drivers with pending speeding cases are still unknown, but the DA said the office will look at each case as it appears in court and determine whether the evidence from radar or lidar equipment is relevant to prosecuting.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-da-some-speeding-cases-questionable-after-improper-radar-lidar-calibration-charlotte-police-department-investigation/275-d0fcce3e-cff6-4888-84b1-62a4a3e543d8Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles tore down a home she owns in the historically-Black McCrorey Heights neighborhood, and there are some neighbors who don't like what she's done."It’s just sad," neighbor Winston Robinson told WCNC Charlotte. "It’s unfortunate, especially being that Charlotte has the reputation that it has, for not having that reverence for history."SHARE this story on NextdoorOthers, like Samantha Taylor, said she understands the mayor's position. "It’s not resurrectable," Taylor said. "It’s got a lot of deferred maintenance, and it is what it is."Permits reviewed by WCNC Charlotte confirm Lyles applied to demolish the home along Madison Avenue on Aug. 10, 2022. The filing came days before the neighborhood's homes were deemed historic on Aug. 15, which was at the time viewed as a tool to push back against gentrification.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/vi-lyles-home-mccrorey-heights-neighborhood-local/275-bdb3fe66-e4bf-471a-b26b-e2e6008d28ecWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A Charlotte high school basketball player required medical attention after collapsing during a game Tuesday night.A spokesperson for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed to WCNC Charlotte the collapse happened during the boys' game between Rocky River High School and Butler High School. While specific details about what happened weren't immediately available, CMS confirmed the student received on-site care."At this time, we do not have an update on the student's condition but are hopeful for a safe and full recovery," the spokesperson said.WCNC Charlotte is reaching out to North Carolina athletics officials to determine what's next for the game, what protocols are in place for the player and both teams, and what other actions may be taken as well.Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/cms-charlotte-basketball-game-player-collapse-sports-local/275-2cba0906-63ee-4f6d-915b-5e361a692994After years of complaints over a pervasive rotten egg smell hanging over Catawba, South Carolina, New-Indy Containerboard is facing new legal action over alleged discharge from its facility into nearby waters.According to a lawsuit filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, six plaintiffs are asking for the factory's concerning practices to be curbed, civil penalties and other "relief." The plaintiffs allege New-Indy is releasing "dangerous substances" into the Catawba River.The court document states that New-Indy "discharges millions of gallons of inadequately treated wastewater per day to the Catawba River, affecting potentially over one million citizens, residents, and workers in South Carolina and North Carolina."Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/special-reports/new-indy/new-indy-faces-new-suit-complaints-discharge-catawba-river/275-12140fb6-5642-4c5c-a315-b5fe5187f6e4Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Two people were killed in an apparent ambush outside a popular brewery and bar in Charlotte's South End late Monday night, police said. Richard DeVayne has the latest on the investigation, plus we hear from the bar manager about what he saw as customers ran away from gunfire in the street. Plus, we have the latest on the tragic shooting at Michigan State University. Three people were killed and five were critically injured, according to police. The suspect, a 43-year-old with no clear connection to Michigan State, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, investigators said. And finally, happy Valentine's Day! If you thought giving your sweetheart some flowers, chocolates and a card is a new idea ... think again. Ben Thompson connects the dots on the history of Valentine's Day as we explain how the romantic holiday earned its reputation. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Three people were killed and two others were hurt in five separate shootings in Mecklenburg County Sunday. That includes a child who was accidentally shot while playing video games at their home in east Charlotte. Detectives with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said the child was playing when they were accidentally shot by someone else in the home. This was one of several shootings in the Queen City Sunday. Richard Devayne joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go with details on the weekend's gun violence. Next, we've heard all about mass layoffs at some of the country's largest tech companies. But does it mean a recession is looming? Ben Thompson connects the dots on what economic experts believe these layoffs could mean, and the telltale sign they look for when predicting a downturn in the economy. And finally, we have all your biggest headlines after a busy weekend in the morning rush. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte and join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The Alex Murdaugh double murder resumed Thursday after being interrupted following an evacuation. Jurors returned to court just after 3 p.m. Wednesday and testimony immediately began again. Around 12:25 p.m., a witness was giving testimony when Judge Clifton Newman interrupted. He first excused the jury, then announced to the court that they were evacuating the building. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) later confirmed it was a bomb threat and after doing security checks cleared the building, allowing the trial to continue. Murdaugh is accused of killing his wife, Maggie, and adult son, Paul, at the family's large estate in Colleton County in June of 2021. Murdaugh is also facing charges of taking millions from his law firm and clients over several years.

A car that was pulled out of Lake Norman on Wednesday belongs to a woman who hasn't been seen for nearly 15 years, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Human remains were also found inside.Deputies said they were tipped off to the likelihood of a submerged vehicle on Monday, Feb. 6 in the Mountain Creek area of the lake. A fisherman reported seeing a shape consistent with a car while using a sonar device. Deputies said Sherills Ford-Terrell Fire Rescue deployed an underwater robot into the water, confirming the car was there.Crews were able to recover the car on Wednesday, further confirming that it was the 1996 Ford Thunderbird driven by Tina Martin. Martin went missing from her Catawba County home in Feb. 2008, and was 43 years old at the time.Deputies also confirmed human remains were found within, and have notified Martin's next of kin. DNA testing is now being sought; as of publication, the remains have not been positively identified.The circumstances surrounding Martin's disappearance still remain under investigation.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/catawba-county-missing-woman-tina-martin-2008-north-carolina-local/275-3c145fe3-cff8-4337-ba28-b9222e7067f4A bill increasing punishments for violent protests following the 2020 demonstrations over George Floyd's murder passed the North Carolina House on Wednesday despite harsh criticism from social justice advocates. Some bipartisan support signals a potential override of any veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who issued one that blocked similar legislation two years ago.Like the 2021 proposal, the new bill was spearheaded by Republican House Speaker Tim Moore, who has cited rioting and looting that he saw firsthand in downtown Raleigh in June 2020 amid otherwise peaceful protests as an impetus for the legislation.The bill, which has one House Democrat as a chief sponsor, cleared the chamber 75-43 with six Democrats and all Republicans present voting yes. It now heads to the Senate.Republican gains in both the House and Senate from elections this past November now give the GOP a veto-proof majority in the Senate and put it within one seat of a similar majority in the House.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/bill-raising-riot-penalties-north-carolina-house/275-d0dda4b7-e4d5-489d-8a45-5042c4288ad8Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Public school teachers in North Carolina would be required to alert parents before they call a student by a different name or pronoun, under a bill passed by the Republican-controlled state Senate on Tuesday.Senators rejected a wave of warnings that the law could endanger some LGBTQ students who have unsupportive families.While sponsors say the bill is needed to keep parents informed about what their children are being taught in public schools, critics say it would destroy the trust between teachers and their students and make schools unsafe spaces for LGBTQ and questioning children to explore their identities at their own pace.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/north-carolina-controversial-lgbtq-bill-general-assembly-parents-bill-of-rights/275-9312134d-dcd7-4b51-b321-49d8052e7192Steve Wilks won't be out of work much longer, as the Panthers' former interim coach is expected to become the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Wilks will replace the outgoing DeMeco Ryans, who took the Houston Texans' head coaching job, according to NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. The Charlotte native was 6-6 as Carolina's interim coach. He was one of three finalists who interviewed twice for the team's head coaching vacancy, along with now-Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Panthers head coach Frank Reich.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nfl/steve-wilks-san-francisco-49ers-defensive-coordinator-demeco-ryans-carolina-panthers/275-14d3bd15-3e2a-42c7-a149-5a0f585694e8Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Union County leaders will announce Tuesday their new program called Teach UCPS.The program partners with students and teaching assistants to help them find a path to an associate’s degree with the help of scholarships and low tuition. They say their goal is to develop effective teachers.Right now, North Carolina has about 5,500 hundred vacancies and they’re hoping this new program will help fill in the gaps. They’re optimistic this program will also provide opportunities for classified employees and students who are pursuing a teaching license.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/union-county-schools-teacher-shortage/275-3d54c447-7de9-41e2-b167-4d8a2aad0ca4The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is searching for suspects involved in a shooting that took place at the Northlake Mall on Sunday. On Sunday around 1:48 p.m., officers were called to the mall for a report of shots fired at the mall.Police say a single shot was fired during an altercation between two people. Nobody was injured in the shooting, according to CMPD However, Medic said two patients were treated for non-shooting-related injuries. Northlake Mall officials chose to close the mall for the rest of the day after the shooting.Meanwhile, safety and security are growing concerns for shoppers in the area.“It’s not going to deter me from going to the mall because I still do go to some of the stores in there but its scary," said Natalie Fields."Malls are like a hot spot and you never know what is going to happen," said added Kayla Williams. "You might have some people who are dumb get into an altercation and pull out a gun. You may be at a mall or boardwalk because people don’t care anymore."With this being the second shooting incident at the mall within two months, Fields said stronger safety measures need to be put in place.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/officials-responding-to-situation-at-northlake-mall/275-401c4ac9-c09a-4ed1-b58e-866522bed33ehttps://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/officials-responding-to-situation-at-northlake-mall/275-401c4ac9-c09a-4ed1-b58e-866522bed33e

Bus operators with the Charlotte-Area Transit System (CATS) voted in the majority to approve a new contract Saturday evening.A pair of sources confirmed with WCNC Charlotte that operators within the local SMART Union chapter voted 204-11 in favor of the contract. The approval of this contract comes less than a week after SMART Union and CATS managing company RATP Dev came to a tentative agreement to avoid a potential strike.One source said pay increases of up to $3 per hour are included, along with improved health insurance benefits and coverage options. Night differential pay, double-time pay for holidays, and changes to the bidding of work process are also part of the contract.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/cats-bus-operators-contract-approve-north-carolina-charlotte/275-ff86e659-4b19-4eb3-a5e0-da8d6f7b224bNational Democrats voted to move South Carolina up on the political calendar, making it the first in the nation to vote in the Democratic primary.South Carolina is replacing Iowa and, in this upcoming presidential election, the Democratic Party will be starting here. This means that all Democratic presidential candidates will begin in the Palmetto State with a primary election.There are multiple contributing factors to why Democratic leaders said they consider South Carolina the ideal state.“Since 1992, every candidate who has won the South Carolina primary has gone on to be the Democratic nominee with one exception - in 2004," Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist, said.Aside from a 31-year history of Democratic nominees, it’s also important to note that diversity was a part of the decision when choosing which state to replace Iowa.“Sixty percent of the people who cast their vote in the Democratic primary in South Carolina are African American. The demographics and the geographics of our state make us very flavorful and reflective of who the Democratic primary party is and where we’re headed," Seawright said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/democratic-national-committee-votes-south-carolina-first-democratic-primary/101-66b9d358-a5a0-4289-bed9-3bc99864626eWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has shared footage from an officer's body-worn camera and provided a timeline of a shooting suspect's death while in custody.In June 2022, officers responded to the reported shooting along Featherstone Drive in north Charlotte. Police said they found 32-year-old Jovontay Avery Williams and identified him as the suspect, but noted he was "behaving in an erratic manner". CMPD said Williams was yelling and appeared to be suffering a medical emergency.The department said Williams was taken to a hospital for treatment. However, he passed away hours later. Because he was still in CMPD custody, his death was investigated by both CMPD's internal affairs division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI).READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-body-camera-police-in-custody-death-local/275-db9734d8-7160-47a4-8c9f-65d2604172e9The city of Gastonia is preparing to prop up local infrastructure with $75 million after passing a transportation bond referendum in November. The beginning phases to fix the city's roads will use about $10 million.Repair work will start on 30 miles of roadway to repair, widen, and make any needed improvements. That's good news for the restaurant Pita Wheel, which sits at the corner of Highway 321 and 74."321 is right on the corner and it's a very busy road coming from South Carolina to North Carolina," Pita Wheel general manager Jeff Cantrell explained. "We get a lot of tractor-trailers."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/gastonia/gastonia-investing-infrastructure-growth/275-2b8cb036-d3e7-4b95-9a67-5c03523890aeWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A former Concord police officer says his civil rights were violated after he was fired by the department in a lawsuit against the city.Timothy Larson filed a lawsuit against the city of Concord and Gary Gacek, Concord police chief, on Tuesday. Larson was fired in May 2022, months after he was involved he shot a man in self-defense at a car dealership. That incident happened on Feb. 13 around 5 a.m. at the Modern Nissan Dealership in Concord. Larson was on patrol duty at the time and saw Brandon Combs attempting to steal a vehicle.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/officer-fired-after-fatal-shooting-sues-city-of-concord-police-chief-timothy-larson-brandon-combs-north-carolina-nc-lawsuit-court-case/275-536a1905-2171-4462-963a-0fe8f2bc1861Tyre Nichols’ family and friends gathered Wednesday for a funeral that blended a celebration of his life with outrage over the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis police and heated calls for police reform.The Rev. Al Sharpton and Vice President Kamala Harris both delivered impassioned speeches calling on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a broad package of police reforms that includes a national registry for police officers disciplined for misconduct, a ban on no-knock warrants and other measures.'READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/tyre-nichols-funeral/507-584f4996-113f-4237-a727-3f2dd354207cWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Day four of testimony in the Alex Murdaugh trial continues with more prosecution testimony and continued efforts by the defense to take aim at the evidence.Murdaugh is accused of killing his wife, Maggie, and adult son, Paul, at the family's 1,700 acre estate in Colleton County in June of 2021. Prosecutors say Murdaugh acted alone, while the defense says investigators rushed to judgment and didn't consider other suspects. The defense team begins its cross examination of SLED Senior Special Agent Jeff Croft. On Monday, Croft testified to the evidence SLED gathered at Moselle -- the Murdaugh family property – during searches executed in June 2021.Croft testified to the guns and ammunition gathered in June and entered into evidence Monday morning. He was also present during Alex Murdaugh’s second official interview with law enforcement, conducted by SLED lead investigator David Owen on June 10, 2021. Prosecutor John Meadors played the taped interview for the jury, starting and stopping in spots for clarification by Croft.The introduction of evidence and testimony by Croft took the State most of the late morning and all of the afternoon. It followed the defense team’s cross examination of SLED agent Melinda Worley.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/special-reports/alex-murdaugh/alex-murdaugh-trial-updates-january-31/101-ecbdb1d7-8015-4c2a-9575-9d1e84a8b216Charlotte transportation leaders gave an update on the future Silver Line light rail route and the Charlotte Transit Center during Tuesday's Charlotte Area Transit System meeting. The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) ultimately voted to refine the Silver Line's route near the Bojangles Coliseum in east Charlotte. CATS staff members said the changes will have better traffic flow than the original plan. The big debate for some time has been the Silver Line's route in Uptown.As a reminder, the Silver Line is a 29-mile train system that would connect Belmont to Union County.The original plan, called the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), was adopted by the MTC in 2019. The route runs alongside Interstate 277 on Uptown's perimeter.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-silver-line-update-transportation-center-uptown-cats-bus-light-rail-blue-line-gold-line/275-6db05def-018a-43e1-b71e-2dbf2435054dWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A cyberattack on Monday left several medical providers with unresponsive websites.Atrium Health confirmed on Monday that it was one of the medical providers that suffered an attack. The issue was resolved by Atrium's information technology team within hours of the hack.According to Atrium, the cyberattack only impacted the company's public-facing website. Hospital systems and patient portals remained fully functional during the incident, according to Atrium.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/atrium-health-website-suffers-cyber-attack-hospitals-across-the-country-also-targeted-north-carolina-charlotte-medical-centers-hack-cybersecurity/275-c586e2d8-4e47-40c1-8e15-4032c8ef77a6One person is dead after a fire truck and motorcycle collided on Monday.According to a release, the Charlotte Fire Department was called to a medical incident at the 7700 block of Little Avenue on Monday around 5:36 p.m.As a Charlotte fire truck was en route to the scene, an accident occurred between the fire truck and a motorcycle at the intersection of Pineville-Matthews Road and McMahan Drive.Charlotte Fire personnel began treating the motorcycle driver after the crash. The person was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced dead. The deceased person's name has not been identified.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/motorcycle-driver-dies-after-crash-with-charlotte-fire-truck-north-carolina-firefighter-fire-department-cmpd-police-investigation-pineville-matthews/275-6fba76d9-205f-44bb-90de-a1ae82117910Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Protests continue days after the body camera video was released showing Tyre Nichols being beaten by police in Memphis. Tradesha Woodward joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go with the latest on demonstrations in the Queen City as local leaders seek solutions to prevent another tragedy from happening. A new report shows a grim reality for the American wine industry, and if something doesn't change soon, it could spell disaster. Ben Thompson connects the dots on why winemakers and advertisers' problem reaching young people could put an end to the wine business in America. And finally, we hit the morning's biggest headlines as part of your morning rush. New Panthers coach Frank Reich is set to sign his new four-year contract Monday, testimony resumes in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial and we'll have an update on classified documents found at President Joe Biden's home. The Department of Justice says it will give the U.S. Senate a "damage assessment" about the documents found in the homes of Biden and former President Donald Trump. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Frank Reich was named the sixth head coach in Carolina Panthers history Thursday, finally filling the vacancy opened by the firing of Matt Rhule midseason. Reich was chosen over interim Steve Wilks and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Reich's hiring is a homecoming of sorts, as he was the team's first quarterback in 1995, and his brother is a longtime football coach at Wingate. We discuss what Panthers fans can expect and hear from you about what folks think about Wilks not getting the job after an impressive tenure as interim coach. The Union County Board of Education is holding a special meeting Friday to discuss a controversial calendar change for next school year. Jesse Pierre joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go to discuss the details and explains why the proposed change is causing an uproar among some parents. And finally, former President Donald Trump will be in South Carolina Saturday for the first official stop on his 2024 White House campaign. But you might've noticed Trump is the only candidate who's officially in the race. What's up with that? Ben Thompson connects the dots on the legal restrictions on presidential campaigns and tells us why the list of 2024 candidates is still so short. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Birkdale Village, a mixed-use property in Huntersville, has modified its redevelopment and expansion plans to eliminate the construction of a new hotel and apartments. The plan preserves the proposal for new offices and a parking deck.Brian Richards, the Huntersville assistant planning director, credits the developers for listening to opposition from some neighbors."This is not atypical for folks to speak for or against projects," Richards explained Wednesday. "And often times the developers do listen. Sometimes they get a bad rap for not listening, but in this case, they are listening to their neighbors."As WCNC Charlotte reported last year, some in the community were against the plans. Those opposed feared the area could become even more overcrowded with increased traffic."We do know folks who have grown up here who's seen things change. Traffic is an inconvenience," Richards said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/birkdale-village-scraps-development-plans-apartments-hotel/275-c58eb74c-b8a8-43bb-8b17-aa59c71e3772Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has approved dozens of legislative items the district will lobby the North Carolina General Assembly to change.On the list are issues like the controversial school calendar law, reinstating higher pay for teachers with advanced degrees -- commonly known as master pay, and allowing retired teachers to return to the workforce full-time.Lawmakers in Raleigh have one of the largest impacts on how schools in the state are run."90% of the rules and regulations that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and all the schools across the state have to follow are made in Raleigh, what time we have to start school, how many hours of school we have to have," Charles Jeter, CMS's Government Affairs, Policy, and Board Services Executive Director, said. CMS Board members will have meetings, send emails, and even visit Raleigh to advocate for changes to laws impacting schools.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-votes-lobby-changes-school-calendar-law-pay-legislative-session/275-5e284c10-45df-4a42-a8ef-86bd14264b9eWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released body camera footage Tuesday from a deadly police shooting last August in south Charlotte. The video from officer Brandon Graham was released, showing the moments that led up to the shooting of Brenda Donahue. Multiple officers were attempting to serve an involuntary commitment order for Donahue when she fired shots, striking officer Lauren Ehlke. Ehlke was not injured during the incident, but the bullet was lodged in her camera. Because of the damage, none of the footage from Ehlke's camera was recovered. CMPD was called to a home on St. Croix Lane around 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2022, to serve an involuntary commitment order to take Donahue to a mental health facility.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/cmpd-bodycam-footage-released-deadly-shooting-brenda-donahue/275-87391726-8ea4-43ff-8a52-be91d0d4c00dOn Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers completed an interview with their ninth candidate for their head coaching position, and a team source tells WCNC Charlotte that the organization will now conduct a second round of interviews.Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore interviewed with the team in person on Tuesday, two days after losing to the 49ers in the NFC Divisional round.That rounded out a candidate pool nearing double digits with Moore joining Sean Payton, Mike Kafka, Ken Dorsey, Ejiro Evero, Shane Steichen, Frank Reich, Jim Caldwell, and interim coach Steve Wilks.Carolina has satisfied the NFL's Rooney Rule by interviewing two external, minority candidates, so can make a hire at any time.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/panthers-will-hold-second-round-of-interviews-with-candidates/275-35d8fefd-ed8d-4c67-992c-a16d9c35765cWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A local church community is seeking solutions in addressing the affordable housing crisis in the Queen City.First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte hosted a faith-in-housing summit Sunday afternoon. It brought together several affordable housing experts from the area.As the Charlotte population continues to grow so does the need for affordable housing.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/low-cost-rental-housing-in-charlotte-is-fast-disappearing-church-community-addressing-affordable-housing-queen-city/275-671939fd-7e2e-4638-868b-486a1364eff0The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting in northeast Charlotte Saturday afternoon that sent two people to the hospital.Officers responded to a home along Billings Park Drive, not far from Back Creek Church Road, around 1 p.m. Saturday. According to CMPD, officers were en route to serve involuntary commitment papers for someone at the home. Involuntary commitment papers can be used to authorize the transport of a person who may be experiencing a mental health crisis, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/cmpd-officer-involved-shooting-under-investigation-northeast-charlotte/275-d932fcd4-1fbe-4319-9aa1-2e63ade5010fWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Charlotte Football Club defender Anton Walkes died early Thursday morning following a boating accident in South Florida, the club announced.Walkes was 25.Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Walkes was operating a vessel on Wednesday around 3 p.m. near the Miami Marine Stadium basin before it made contact with another vessel on the water. Officials said Walkes was found unconscious and transported to shore by Miami Fire Rescue where he received CPR. Walkes died Thursday morning, officials said. It is unclear at this time what type of watercraft Walkes was operating at the time of the crash. “Everyone at Tepper Sports & Entertainment is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met,” Owner David Tepper, said. “Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch. He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton’s family during this heartbreaking time. The Club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning.” READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc/charlotte-fc-south-florida-death-anton-walkes/275-83a0fc7a-6108-4523-b3b0-67be7e9f3de6The third day of a trial involving a former Myers Park High School student's alleged sexual assault wrapped up Thursday in which a judge granted a motion from the City of Charlotte to drop claims against the city in the lawsuit.The motion was granted on the basis that Doe's lawyer could not prove the City of Charlotte or the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was made aware or had notice that a student resource officer wasn't taking cases or reports of sexual misconduct seriously so this behavior could not be corrected.The trial's third day also saw Jane Doe take the stand to testify. She accuses Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools of not properly investigating her claims of sexual assault. The judge said there was enough evidence for a jury to decide if this is true.This all comes after a full day of testimony from Jane Doe, herself. For hours Thursday morning, Doe’s lawyers had her detail her alleged sexual assault, and CMS‘s response, or lack thereof.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/myers-park-sexual-assault-lawsuit-news-charlotte/275-8231b017-8c6b-419b-97e8-a3913c356278Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A jury of eight people was seated in the trial of a former Myers Park High School student against the city of Charlotte and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education.'The trial's second day saw Jane Doe's mother, identified in court as Mrs. Doe, take the stand to testify. The defense counsel for CMS questioned Mrs. Doe about the timeline of events after the November 2015 incident and what the family did. Mrs. Doe testified said her daughter was hospitalized for three days following the incident and never got a call from Myers Park in the days after to receive a formal statement from her daughter. CMS's attorney followed up on this allegation by asking Mrs. Doe about an alleged phone call the Myers Park school resource officer, Bradley Leak, gave to her following her daughter's initial hospital visit for a sexual assault examination. According to court records Leak, claims he called Mrs. Doe to go to the hospital and Mrs. Doe refused his offer. Mrs. Doe said in her testimony in the hours after the incident she was solely focused on her daughter's mental and physical well-being. CMS's attorney's continued to try and establish a pattern of Mrs. Doe barring the school from contacting or speaking with Jane Doe.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/myers-park-sexual-assault-lawsuit-news-charlotte/275-8231b017-8c6b-419b-97e8-a3913c356278The revelation that classified materials were discovered at think tank offices formerly used by President Joe Biden, as well as at his Delaware home, has prompted questions on how the circumstances compare with the seizure last year of hundreds of documents marked as classified from Mar-a-Lago, the Florida residence of former President Donald Trump.Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to investigate the matter.A side-by-side look at the similarities and differences between the two situations:READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/trump-biden-classified-documents-comparison/507-12d7c3fb-9fed-421b-84a9-6efd0acb7ef7Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The investigation into a Charlotte woman's death in Mexico is ongoing, and prosecutors say they are aiming to extradite a suspect to the country.During a media conference held by the Baja California Sur Attorney General's Office, Daniel de la Rosa Anaya, the state's attorney general, was asked to comment on the investigation surrounding Shanquella Robinson's death in October 2022 in the state.de la Rosa Anaya said they are investigating this as femicide and that they are focused on locating an unnamed suspect. The attorney general says they have worked with Interpol to put out a red notice, which is an advisory to law enforcement across the globe to be on the lookout for a suspect.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mexican-prosecutor-speaks-on-shanquella-robinson-investigation-death-charlotte-woman-killed-in-mexico-update-baja-california-sur/275-72553282-4708-4330-88c1-22aa864f03b8Cabarrus County Schools said its students are seeing major mental health problems. They’re ranging from a lack of healthy coping skills to mental health hospitalizations.At a school board meeting Tuesday, staff talked about the resources they have and the resources they still need to help students' well-being."Mental health is real, and our students are vastly affected by it," Keshia Sandidge, Cabarrus County School Board Member, said. "And I don't think we pay enough attention. I'm not saying the district, I'm just talking about as a whole people."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cabarrus-county-schools-students-mental-health-issues/275-92f1916e-e266-418c-b864-420fdb8d2b8fWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Police took two teens into custody on Monday after they say the teens stole a car with a four-year-old inside.The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a kidnapping call around 6:15 p.m. on Monday in east Charlotte. A caller told officials that her car was stolen with a 4-year-old inside.Officers located the vehicle and attempted to stop the driver, but they refused to stop. The driver crashed the vehicle near the intersection of North Graham Street and Rumple Road around 7 p.m.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/cmpd-2-teens-arrested-after-stealing-car-with-4-year-old-in-backseat-charlotte-north-carolina/275-baca48a9-42a2-4699-8024-1def1bb09325 Lawyers for President Joe Biden found more classified documents at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, than previously known, the White House acknowledged Saturday.White House lawyer Richard Sauber said in a statement that a total of six pages of classified documents were found during a search of Biden's private library. The White House had said previously that only a single page was found there.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/biden-classified-documents-found-at-home/507-4dee8cb6-0b59-4767-9559-0dc3f58365ddWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A plane making a 27-minute flight to a Nepal tourist town crashed into a gorge Sunday while attempting to land at a newly opened airport, killing at least 68 of the 72 people aboard. At least one witness reported hearing cries for help from within the fiery wreck, the country’s deadliest airplane accident in three decades.Hours after dark, scores of onlookers crowded around the crash site near the airport in the resort town of Pokhara as rescue workers combed the wreckage on the edge of the cliff and in the ravine below. Officials suspended the search for the four missing people overnight and planned to resume looking Monday.Local resident Bishnu Tiwari, who rushed to the crash site near the Seti River to help search for bodies, said the rescue efforts were hampered by thick smoke and a raging fire.“The flames were so hot that we couldn’t go near the wreckage. I heard a man crying for help, but because of the flames and smoke we couldn’t help him,” Tiwari said.It was not immediately clear what caused the accident, Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/nepal-plane-crashes-during-landing/507-01a14296-c6d3-4b78-887a-2a45b96bea39A man was pronounced dead after a shooting in east Charlotte on Sunday.According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, a shooting happened on Barrington Drive near Montego Drive on Sunday.A male victim was found at the scene and transported to a local hospital. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital.CMPD is further investigating this shooting. No further details are available at this time.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/1-dies-in-shooting-in-east-charlotte-homicide-cmpd-charlotte-north-carolina-barrington-drive/275-2226944a-fee3-4893-8fac-514c019bc8a3Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Charlotte's crime statistics for 2022 have been shared, showing that while the overall crime rate was up last year, violent crime has trended downward.The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released its 2022 End-of-Year Report on Thursday, showing that overall crimes were up by 3%, with property crime also up 6%. However, an encouraging note from Chief Johnny Jennings highlighted a 5% decrease in violent crime last year. Still, Jennings promised CMPD would still fight to keep it down."A 5% decrease in violent crime is encouraging, but we will continue to remain laser-focused on deterring these serious offenses in 2023," said Jennings. "There will always be violent crime to fight. Recruiting will continue to be a challenge as it is across the country. But I am incredibly proud and grateful for the men and women of CMPD who answer the call to serve each and every day."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-cmpd-crime-2022-trends/275-c6deea9c-1a43-49d5-b556-c57cb9bbdb04Delays and cancellations among flights across the United States were minimal on Thursday, a day after a system that offers safety information to pilots failed, grounding U.S. air traffic and leading to thousands of stranded travelers.There were 636 delays into, within or out of the U.S. as of Thursday morning, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. There were 82 cancellations.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/airline-delays-cancellations-after-outage/507-ae802c00-73b1-45c7-8e27-dd02944bba75Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

About 85 senior residents were displaced on Christmas Day after their apartment building flooded. Now, many of them worry they're on the brink of being on the street.The living facility, Magnolia Senior Apartments, and the city of Charlotte are paying for them to stay in hotels through the end of January, but they don’t know what will happen next.Wednesday night was the first time many of the residents got any sort of answers from management when they had an in-person meeting at the hotel. However, residents are still feeling confused and left out in the cold. “I had to cry to the maintenance man last week, 'Please get my oxygen tank, I need my oxygen,'” displaced resident Denise Watson told WCNC Charlotte's Julia Kauffman.Most residents are staying at a hotel nearby with the few things they were able to grab while being evacuated.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/residents-homes-christmas-flood-charlotte-magnolia-senior-apartments/275-d1a6de74-f1e9-4480-977c-59c36273d187Officials are preparing to dedicate Charlotte's new aviation museum to a heroic pilot.Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger is credited with saving more than 150 lives after safely landing a US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in New York City in 2009, a feat deemed the "Miracle on the Hudson". In fact, that same plane is among the more than 45 historic aircraft that will be featured on the campus. The new aviation museum facility was built on the grounds of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Initially founded in 1992, the museum is dedicated to aviation in the Carolinas.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/charlotte-aviation-museum-captain-sully-hero-pilot/275-8f5b5649-8f36-4904-884a-75c6c24640ecWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The Justice Department is reviewing a batch of potentially classified documents found in the Washington office space of President Joe Biden's former institute, the White House said Monday.Special counsel to the president Richard Sauber said “a small number of documents with classified markings” were discovered as Biden's personal attorneys were clearing out the offices of the Penn Biden Center, where the president kept an office after he left the vice presidency in 2017 until shortly before he launched his 2020 presidential campaign in 2019. The documents were found on Nov. 2, 2022, in a “locked closet” in the office, Sauber said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/doj-reviewing-possible-classified-documents-biden-center/507-ea9b02e6-04e3-4b07-a599-e39bb0759040Nearly a dozen shots were fired when two groups got into an argument at Frankie's Fun Park in Huntersville on Jan. 6, police said. Huntersville police responded to Frankie's a little after 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6 for a reported shooting in the parking lot. Responding officers were told two groups got into an argument when one of the groups left the park. As the vehicle the suspects got into left the parking lot, the suspect(s) fired at least 11 gunshots toward the entrance, hitting two vehicles and the building.Multiple adults and children in nearby cars were "narrowly missed" by the shots, according to police. One person inside a car that was shot was injured by shattered glass. None of the vehicles that were hit by gunfire were connected to the argument, police said. Huntersville police released a surveillance video Monday that showed four suspects leaving Frankie's Fun Park at the time of the shooting. They also released photos of a dark-colored sedan with a tarp or some other covering on the rear driver's side window.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/frankies-fun-park-huntersville-north-carolina-shooting-investigation/275-db80ad85-b9e9-4f21-90ca-8e099d85cae5Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Five people are dead after a murder-suicide in High Point.High Point police responded to the 2700 block of Mossy Meadow Drive to find a man and a woman screaming for help around 7:00 a.m. Saturday. "Officers did force entry into the home and went through the home in what we call a protective sweep, to check for victims and anyone in the home. They ended up locating three juveniles that were deceased and two adults that were deceased," said Captain Matt Truitt with the High Point Police Department.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/5-dead-after-murder-suicide-on-mossy-meadow-dr-in-high-point/83-e3643e9d-a98b-4956-a9cf-4e55482224d6The Iredell County Sheriff's Office reports 22 people were arrested in both the later part 2022 and the start of 2023 for drug charges, characterizing those arrested as drug dealers.The sheriff's office shared a post on Facebook on Friday, which included the mugshots of the people deputies had arrested. The post noted most of those arrested had criminal histories, with 10 suspects on probation when they were arrested and another two identified as gang members.Deputies said all suspects were caught after selling drugs to an undercover investigator.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/drug-arrests-iredell-county-nc/275-51c78a8a-676d-48c0-9b52-6a5b6f7d7d76Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The South Carolina ban on abortions after cardiac activity is no more after the latest legal challenge to the state's 2021 law proved successful.The state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the restrictions violate the state constitution’s right to privacy. The measure banned abortions after cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks into a pregnancy, with exceptions for those caused by rape and incest or endangering the patient’s life.Plus, Carolyn Bruck connects the dots on how a deadly plane crash in Charlotte 20 years ago forever changed air travel in the United States. It's the story of Air Midwest Flight 5481, which resulted in safety changes that are implemented for every flight across the country. And finally, Friday is National Take Down Your Christmas Tree Day. It sounds silly, but it's a thing, we promise. And while most folks who bought a real tree will throw it out or recycle theirs ... a viral article has another suggestion: Eating it! But can you actually do that? Meghan Bragg sets the record straight in this morning's VERIFY fact check. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

An off-duty Ranlo police officer who shot and killed a suspect who stabbed him multiple times during a dispute in Gaston County has been charged with first-degree murder, according to a press release from the town of Ranlo.Ranlo police responded to a reported stabbing and shooting at a home on Burlington Avenue a little after 2 a.m. on New Year's Day, the town of Ranlo said in a press release. When officers arrived, they determined an off-duty Ranlo police officer, now identified as Kwaku Riley Agyapon, shot and killed a person after being stabbed multiple times.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/gaston-county-ranlo-officer-kills-stabbing-suspect-domestic-dispute/275-04dcf163-4993-47b9-8fe0-c91ca1d4c08aThe Charlotte Zoning Committee voted Wednesday to recommend approval of the Cotswold Chick-fil-A’s plans to expand its drive-thru. The vote brings the proposal a step closer to becoming reality. The petition for a larger drive-thru has gotten a lot of attention from the community – some hoping it’ll help with traffic backups around the restaurant, while others worry it'll only attract more cars. After hearing concerns from residents, the Cotswold Chick-fil-A has adjusted its plans to include a walk-up order window and outdoor patio. City staff are calling the new plans more pedestrian and driver-friendly. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/cotswold-chick-fil-a-closer-expanding-drive-thru/275-c7256039-c48a-42ff-8271-96fe7125ae64Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Three people are dead after scaffolding collapsed at a construction site just outside of Uptown Charlotte Monday morning, the Charlotte Fire Department reports. Fire officials said the incident happened in the 700 block of E. Morehead Street, which is near the intersection of Morehead Street and Euclid Avenue on the south side of Interstate 277.Officials said two other men -- ages 36 and 49 -- were transported to Atrium CMC hospital with minor injuries.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/construction-accident-charlotte-nc/275-5b9aed5c-901a-4801-906e-b72dbec61a3bA sexual assault survivor is pushing for North Carolina to address its backlogs in evidence collection kits so she can hopefully get justice after she says she was raped.Sexual assault evidence collection kits are used to recover DNA from a victim after an assault in hopes of leading to an arrest. Witlee Ethan said she can’t bring her abuser to justice because her kit is held up in the state’s crime lab. Witlee went to the Cornelius Town Hall to urge the town council and police to help her. She shared that she was held hostage and raped multiple times in Cornelius in January 2020 but her abuser is walking free partly due to the backlog in test kits.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/sexual-assault-survivor-calling-on-north-carolina-to-address-its-backlog-in-evidence-collection-kits-witlee-ethan-cornelius/275-05150597-119d-4a05-abce-d56ab32cff67Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The new Congress opens with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy grasping for his political survival, with the potential to become the first nominee for speaker in 100 years to fail to win initial support from his own colleagues in a high-stakes vote for the gavel.Lawmakers convene Tuesday to a new era of divided government as Democrats relinquish control of the House after midterm election losses. While the Senate remains in Democratic hands, barely, House Republicans are eager to confront President Joe Biden’s agenda after two years of a Democratic Party monopoly on power in Washington.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/congress-house-speaker/507-f60d0de6-7c4b-4348-9814-0a243e2644d6Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) got the green light for the planned LYNX Silver Line in April 2021 but after taking a closer look, engineers are going back to the drawing board. The agency is looking at changing two major parts of the Silver Line after running into technical problems with planning. The first change would be where the train stops near Bojangles Coliseum. The second is where the line will go through Uptown. The new train system will be 29-miles long from Belmont to Union County.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/cats-proposing-changes-lynx-silver-line/275-51a71612-e5c6-426b-9e06-68cbf97ec57bWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The search for Madalina Cojocari, the missing 11-year-old girl from Cornelius, North Carolina, continues. Her mother, Diana Cojocari, and stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, have been in custody for nearly two weeks now. They’re both facing felony charges of failure to report a missing child.Cornelius Police said they’ve chased 250 leads in their worldwide investigation but otherwise, few details have been released.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/investigations/search-warrant-madalina-cojocari-home-not-available-public/275-f97288c4-0a7f-4171-92e3-c02f1f38503aAn off-duty Ranlo police officer who shot and killed a suspect who stabbed him multiple times during a dispute in Gaston County has been charged with first-degree murder, according to a press release from the town of Ranlo.Ranlo police responded to a reported stabbing and shooting at a home on Burlington Avenue a little after 2 a.m. on New Year's Day, the town of Ranlo said in a press release. When officers arrived, they determined an off-duty Ranlo police officer, now identified as Kwaku Riley Agyapon, shot and killed a person after being stabbed multiple times.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/gaston-county-ranlo-officer-kills-stabbing-suspect-domestic-dispute/275-04dcf163-4993-47b9-8fe0-c91ca1d4c08aWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Clinics and hospitals have been slammed with flu patients for the last several months, and now doctors are starting to see some more COVID-19 circulating. The full impact holiday gatherings had on viral spread won’t be obvious for a few more weeks but Thanksgiving did lead to an increase in flu and COVID-19 cases.There are at least two dozen different variants of COVID-19 spreading in Mecklenburg County. The latest data shows Omicron subvariant BQ.1.1 is the most dominant.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/holidays-impacting-viral-spread-health/275-06b318c8-d619-4622-a2c9-d3cde63af0a3Southwest Airlines said it expects to return to normal operations Friday after more than a week of widespread flight cancellations that started with a winter storm and spiraled out of control because of a breakdown with staffing technology.If Thursday turns out to be the last day of the Southwest crisis, it will be marked by about 2,350 canceled flights, nearly 60% of the airline's schedule.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/southwest-flight-chaos-continues/507-3a4befa3-7465-4f95-87df-a2ecc195ca67Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A growing number of government entities continue to ban TikTok from work devices as concerns grow over the app's security issues.The city of Charlotte has joined the list of these entities and is planning to completely remove TikTok from all city devices by Jan. 6, 2023. According to a city of Charlotte spokesperson, the move is due to a warning from the FBI about potential national security concerns associated with the app. City of Charlotte officials blocked TikTok on the city's network on Dec. 21 and notified employees that the app would be removed from city devices in the near future. In an audit on Wednesday, officials found that many users still had TikTok downloaded on their city devices. TikTok will be remotely removed from these devices if the app is not removed by Jan. 6. Employees can submit an exception to this rule if they believe they have a valid business reason for using TikTok.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/tiktok-banned-on-charlotte-city-employee-work-phones-nc-lawmakers-call-on-gov-cooper-to-do-the-same-jason-saine-jon-hardister-north-carolina-security/275-ebaf3729-6a17-48fd-8bac-468dfd0df8e8An assault that was reported to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department earlier in December appears to have been recorded and uploaded to social media.CMPD's incident report said the victim was hit in the face by a suspect on Dec. 16, 2022, just outside of Seoul Food in the South End neighborhood of Charlotte. The report said the victim did not know the suspect.A surveillance camera caught footage of the incident. An Instagram post from a woman claiming to be the victim's fiancé said two men who appeared to be drunk started shouting at the victim before one of the men punched the victim in the face.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/south-end-seoul-food-assault-charlotte-nc-crime-local/275-52e31285-d3a1-4f7a-9d90-567fed630fceWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A Rowan County college is mourning the loss of a basketball player who died in a car crash on Monday.Eric Henderson, 21, a Livingstone College sophomore who played on the team's basketball team, died in a crash on Monday in Cumberland County, N.C. Investigators told WRAL that Henderson's car crossed the center line and hit a pickup truck driven by an off-duty Cumberland County deputy on U.S. Highway 13 just north of Fayetteville. Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash. The involved deputy was injured but is expected to recover.Family members said Henderson was on his way back to college after a Christmas visit, according to WRAL.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/he-was-the-ultimate-student-athlete-livingstone-college-basketball-player-dies-in-car-crash-eric-henderson-rowan-county-fayetteville-crash-fatal/275-d9d03159-9917-4063-9a41-4c0e2ea5ba3eThe Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $565 million for Tuesday night's drawing. Will somebody go into the new year half a billion dollars richer, or will the latest huge lottery prize keep growing? The winning numbers for the Tuesday, Dec. 27 Mega Millions drawing were 9-13-36-59-61 and Mega Ball 11.The jackpot was last won on Oct. 14, with 20 drawings going by since then without a big winner. The $565 million prize is for the annuity option, which is paid out annually over 29 years. The cash option would pay $293.6 million. It's been a record-setting year for lottery games — even Tuesday's full prize pales in comparison to the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in November by someone in Southern California. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/mega-millions-winning-numbers-tuesday-dec-27-2022/507-da322794-3029-4bf2-8663-95d7419fa303Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A Gastonia community is heartbroken after a devastating fire destroyed a local church on Christmas day. Throughout the day several people stopped by The Place Church, some of who are church members and community members to see the ruins. Many say they are just shocked to see the church building just gone.Pastor Ronald Duncan said their church family is trying to wrap their heads around this loss but he is confident they will get through this.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/gastonia-church-suffers-fire-on-christmas-investigation-underway-north-carolina-the-place-church-fire-department-marshal/275-985252b4-2ae4-456b-99ab-1ed62022c138As the Carolina Panthers are making a late-season push for their first playoff appearance since 2017, they've decided to sign a player who has helped them get there in the past.On Monday, the Panthers signed cornerback Josh Norman to the team's practice squad. Norman was recruited to work out with the team on Monday after starting cornerback Jaycee Horn suffered a wrist injury in Saturday's win over the Detroit Lions.Panthers fans should be familiar with Norman. He spent the first four seasons of his career (2012-2015) with Carolina and was a big part of the defense that pushed the team to Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nfl/panthers/panthers-reunite-with-josh-norman-former-all-pro-cb-signs-to-practice-squad-jaycee-horn-carolina-north-carolina-cornerback-defense-steve-wilks/275-150da4bd-9743-472b-97f2-44eda910945dWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The holiday travel rush is at peak chaos with a winter storm causing travel nightmares across the country. Tradesha Woodard joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where dozens of flights have been impacted by the wintry weather. Plus, you shouldn't have. No really, you SHOULDN'T have. We've all gotten a bad or unwanted Christmas gift during the holidays. But how should we respond? Chloe Leshner connects the dots on what experts say is the right approach to giving polite feedback to a friend or loved one who gives you something that wasn't on your wish list. And finally, we have a recap of all the biggest news in the Carolinas in our Morning Rush. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Investigators returned to the home of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari Wednesday afternoon, with officers seen taking items from the home and placing them in a crime scene van. Detectives at the scene didn't share any details on what they found. Ben Thompson has the latest on the case, including new details we learned from Diana Cojocari's interview with detectives following her arrest, including her contacting family in Moldova before she reported her daughter as missing. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department honored the life of fallen officer Mia Goodwin early Thursday with a procession from Uptown Charlotte to the location on Interstate 85 where she was killed. Goodwin died when she was hit by a truck driver on I-85 last December. Tradesha Woodard joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go from north Charlotte, where Chief Johnny Jennings explained why the procession and memorial was necessary to show support for Goodwin's family one year after her death in the line of duty. And finally, new research shows wildfires in the North Carolina mountains were actually beneficial to the state. Ben Thompson connects the dots on how nature is healing after the wildfires of 2016, including more diversity among birds statewide. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

New documents raised major questions about what happened in the final hours leading up to the disappearance of 11-year-old Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari. The girl's mother and stepfather told investigators conflicting stories about where they were and when they last saw her. Meanwhile, the search continues as Cornelius police and the FBI leave no stone unturned in their effort to find Madalina. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced it has hired a new interim superintendent. Crystal Hill, who has worked alongside current interim superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh, was named the new CMS leader by district officials Tuesday. Tradesha Woodard joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go with the latest on the district's superintendent turnover and what happens next for CMS as it continues to find a permanent replacement. Finally, Ben Thompson connects the dots on why nearly half of American workers say they'll quit their jobs in the first six months of 2023. With high inflation and a possible recession looming, the decision to leave your job could be risky, but many folks say it's a gamble worth taking. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The mother of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. Diana Cojocari was arrested over the weekend by Cornelius police and charged with failure to report the girl's disappearance to authorities. The parents reported her missing on Dec. 15, but told a resource officer at Bailey Middle School she was last seen alive on Nov. 23. The FBI has joined the search for Madalina and investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward. Retail curbside pickup became the go-to option during the pandemic, but it might be going away entirely very soon. Ben Thompson connects the dots on why economic experts believe it makes good business sense for major retailers, like Kohl's, Target and Walmart, to eliminate the option entirely. Simply put, businesses rely on in-store transactions for impulse buying and better customer service on major purchases. The Jan. 6 House committee urged the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol after the 2020 election. Trump is now the first president in American history to be referred for criminal charges by Congress, although the measure only symbolic in nature. We have the latest from Washington as lawmakers react and Republicans prepare for the fallout of the investigation. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The House committee investigating the Capitol riot will make its final public presentation Monday about the unprecedented effort by Donald Trump to overturn the results of the presidential election he lost in 2020. The committee has called it an “attempted coup" that warrants criminal prosecution from the Justice Department. Brie Jackson joins #WakeUpCLT To Go from Washington, where NBC has learned the committee is expected to make three criminal referrals against Trump and several of his allies for their actions on the infamous day. The FBI has joined the search for a missing 11-year-old girl in Cornelius, North Carolina. Madalina Cojocari's parents were arrested in connection with the girl's disappearance Saturday. Tradesha Woodard has the latest on the case, including an interview with a former FBI agent who says the timeline of events doesn't add up, considering Madalina was reported missing 22 days after her parents claimed to have last seen her. Argentina won a thrilling World Cup final Sunday, defeating France 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout. Despite a hat trick from France's star forward, Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory with two goals of his own, capping his once-in-a-generation career with an elusive World Cup title. Is he the greatest ever? Plus, the Carolina Panthers are still alive in the NFC South race despite a dismal 24-16 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. We hear from interim coach Steve Wilks about the loss and how his team can regroup as it prepares for the home stretch. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A suspect is in custody after two people were seriously injured in a shooting at Northlake Mall Thursday afternoon, police confirmed.The incident happened just before 3 p.m. An on-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer at the mall heard the gunshots and responded immediately, according to CMPD officials. As the officer was responding to the shooting, CMPD said the officer encountered the suspected shooter. The suspect reportedly dropped a weapon as they tried to flee. CMPD said the officer chased the suspect before successfully taking the individual into custody.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/northlake-mall-shooting-charlotte-suspect-arrested-two-hurt/275-de917a56-c943-4cd8-a0ce-673c0cdaa0af

Now-former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Phillip Barker was convicted for killing a man while he was crossing Morehead Street near Uptown Charlotte in 2017. After about four hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Barker of misdemeanor death by vehicle, that type of conviction can result in a sentencing of up to 150 days in jail. But the outcome for Barker was different. Barker was instead sentenced to 12 months of unsupervised probation. He will have to perform 50 hours of community service and will have a 12-month suspension of his driver's license.In court Wednesday, after the verdict was read, defense attorneys tried to prove their client was remorseful.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/former-charlotte-mecklenburg-police-officer-phillip-barker-convicted-death-by-motor-vehicle-deadly-crash-2017/275-3d04dad0-82d1-439f-a98f-918d11f56fdcWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Medic) is making changes to how they respond to emergency calls. The hope is they can prioritize high-risk calls but also make the roadways safer.Medic officials, along with first responders and hospital representatives, presented their changes to Mecklenburg County Commissioners Tuesday and why they are needed.“I want to make a mention that this is not about staffing but about responses and how we respond as first responders within Mecklenburg County,” John Peterson, executive director for Medic, said.Now when you call 911, it goes to CMPD’s call center and the call taker asks if you need fire, police or Medic.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/medic-cutting-down-lights-sirens/275-8a998acd-356c-4fec-824e-ed5ffef58c15More jobs are coming to the Charlotte area.Governor Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that Albemarle Corporation is adding 200 jobs in Mecklenburg County. The company will establish an advanced materials research and development facility with a minimum project investment of $180 million."North Carolina’s innovation economy continues to surge thanks to Albemarle Corporation building its research and development operations in Mecklenburg County,” Governor Cooper said. “Albemarle’s cutting-edge work will help bring the next generation of clean energy technology to life and create great jobs in North Carolina’s clean energy economy.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/gov-cooper-jobs-money-charlotte/275-e94da97f-1288-49c3-ae8e-549cc3dcea9dWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A decade ago, then-Vice President Joe Biden shocked the political world and preempted his boss by suddenly declaring his support for gay marriage on national television. But not everyone was surprised.A small group had attended a private fundraiser with Biden weeks earlier in Los Angeles, where he disclosed not only his approval but his firm conclusion about a positive future for same-sex marriage. He predicted, “Things are changing so rapidly, it’s going to become a political liability in the near term for someone to say, ‘I oppose gay marriage.'"READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/biden-gay-marriage-history/507-971d70fa-5b25-4c64-90fc-e1c043bf59fcIn a historic school board race, 5 new people will sit on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools school board, the second-largest school district in North Carolina.The five new board members join the one incumbent who narrowly kept her seat as well as the three at-large members. In the November elections, three board members lost their bid for reelection and two decided not to run again.Melissa Easley, Gregory "Dee" Rankin, Stephanie Sneed, Lisa Cline, and Summer Nunn are all new faces representing CMS districts.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/cms-school-board-takes-on-a-new-landscape-with-the-fresh-five-board-members-charlotte-north-carolina/275-66615789-0d62-479d-a9ad-7b1fa1309fd1Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

The community in Gaston County is keeping the memory alive of a fallen officer who was killed in the line of duty two years ago. Tyler Herndon, a Mount Holly Police Officer, was killed after he was shot during a break-in at the Mount Holly Car Wash on Dec. 11, 2020. The community gathered to remember him on Sunday, the two-year anniversary of the shooting. A statue was unveiled in his honor as members of the community came together to celebrate the fallen officer."We built this memorial together. People came together, we sold bricks, people bought bricks, they made contributions, they made donations, the state of North Carolina gave money as well," said Bryan Hough, Mount Holly Mayor. "I think this is a place where they can come and reflect and pray and really spend time reflecting on how important it is that we have those police officers everyday in our lives."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/fallen-mount-holly-officer-memorialized-with-statue-north-carolina-police/275-b146a1fd-aaa1-4631-93c9-daceac781e20Basketball taught Paul Silas how to be patient.As a player, he waited 10 years before winning his first championship. As a coach, he waited 15 years for a second chance at running a team. As a father, he waited 20 years before seeing his son get a chance to lead a franchise.“I always tried to remain positive," Silas said in 2013, “and I think it usually worked out."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/paul-silas-dead-at-79/507-887bd913-8162-4ab8-be95-701140ac0151Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!