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A white wreath hangs on a house on ACL avenue in Cheraw, South Carolina, just up the road from the Lanely Landing on the Great Pee Dee River.There are other new floral arrangements in the front yard and a sign from a local funeral home.“We are dealing with this the best we can,” Thomas Gary said about the sudden death of his 12-year-old granddaughter Stori Gary. “She was everywhere I went.” He said about his youngest grandchild who drowned last week in the river," he said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/drowning-cheraw-sc-mourns-loss-wake-up-charlotte-wcnc/275-699ca5d8-e844-47ee-bb67-59ef85931869Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has hired Crystal Hill as the new chief of staff.Hill comes from Cabarrus County Schools. She became the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Cabarrus County after the resignation of her predecessor.Hill's hire was announced at Tuesday night's board meeting. CMS Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh says Hill's focus is on the district's Title IX office, which ensures CMS is following federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.In November 2021, the district added additional staff to its office after multiple students claimed complaints of sexual harassment were mishandled by the district. "She'll be dealing with Title IX, which is a big issue, critical issue, strategic management, and other issues," said Hattabaugh.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-board-meeting-may-10-2022-local-education/275-a3334c80-afb8-485d-97ae-23e4fa0330acWatch 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!

Passionate community members of Charlotte took the mic and weighed in on how the city should spend the proposed $3.24 billion budget. Around 100 community members showed up to the Charlotte City Council meeting on Monday, May 9. Many from the crowd were members of the Charlotte city workforce. People cheered during public comment and advocated for the adoption of the budget. In the proposal, there is an increase of pay for city employees including water, sewer and transit hourly workers. The budget would raise the minimum hourly pay for a 40-hour work week to $20 an hour. Employees on a salary would see a 4% hike in pay. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/city-of-charlotte-budget-public-feedback/275-a32a6817-d6f5-45f1-9819-95db8c9b2cb6A former Alabama jail official on the run with a murder suspect she was accused of helping escape shot and killed herself Monday as authorities caught up with the pair after more than a week of searching, officials said. The man she fled with surrendered.The death of Vicky White, 56, only deepened the mystery of why a respected jail official would leave everything to help free Casey White, 38, a hulking inmate with a violent and frightening history.The two fugitives were caught — following a manhunt through three states — in Evansville, Indiana, when U.S. Marshals chasing them crashed into their vehicle, authorities said. Casey White gave himself up and Vicky White shot herself and was taken to a hospital, authorities said. Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear said she died from her injuries.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/ex-jail-official-alabama-inmate-caught-in-indiana/507-058346a2-d557-4a15-9a23-a3cfc33e1d33

The leak of the Supreme Court's majority draft opinion in favor striking down Roe vs. Wade still has Congress scrambling.The issue is inflaming passions on both sides. There have been rallies in support of and in protest against the Supreme Court's potential decision. On Mother's Day, hundreds gathered in support of abortion rights at Freedom Park in Charlotte. “Our community is desperate for our freedoms," Reproductive Rights Coalition Charlotte leader Hope Robertson said.Freedom of choice was at the forefront Sunday. Local leaders from the Reproductive Rights Coalition, Charlotte for Choice and the Black Abortion Defense League organized the protest calling for safe and legal abortion access. Several women spoke about how they or someone they knew decided to have an abortion.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-abortion-rights-rally-roe-v-wade-supreme-court-leaked-draft-opinion/275-711de895-d2f3-4864-b509-14576c33412cDetails remain limited following a shooting that happened on May 8 in west Charlotte. Medic confirmed one person was transported with "life-threatening" injuries after a shooting in the 2500 block of Little Rock Road Sunday night. A crew from WCNC Charlotte was at the scene and located a heavy police presence, crime tape and damaged car near a shopping center in the area. The shooting allegedly happened around 8 p.m. Traffic from Tuckaseegee Road into Little Rock Road was also impacted due to the scene.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/west-charlotte-shooting-investigation-shopping-center/275-201c005a-713f-4158-8de6-6555a896425e

Friday is a Weather Aware Day for the Charlotte region as a line of storms will bring the threat of damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes to the Carolinas. Forecaster Larry Sprinkle says there will be some spotty showers Friday morning ahead of the main line but most of that morning rain will be gone by lunchtime Friday. This period of sunshine will create storm fuel that leads to favorable conditions for severe weather in the Carolinas. FULL FORECAST: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/severe-weather/severe-weather-possible-charlotte-region-friday-weather-aware-brad-panovich-tornado-hail-thunderstorms/275-54ac4078-c549-459e-98ce-5975ad68aff8Plus, COVID-19 activity is on the rise in North Carolina and Mecklenburg County. The good news, is hospitalizations are still extremely low, meaning people are getting sick but not sick enough to get hospitalized. Richard DeVayne has the latest from Dr. Raynard Washington, plus an update on what health officials are saying about another booster shot as we head into the summer. FULL STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/covid-19-booster-doctors-vaccinations-varies/275-f6bacdbc-f8ad-44e3-b4dd-db5e7a0026f8And finally, new data from NerdWallet shows a graduate degree might not be worth it. Seriously! Researchers found the average person with a master's degree earns only about $400,000 more over the course of their lifetime compared to people with bachelor's degrees. Now, there are some variables, like your major and career field, but it's something to think about if you're worried about taking on more student loans. 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!

CMS board leaders met with state officials to discuss their legislative goals for the district on Tuesday.The board of education will meet with members of the North Carolina General Assembly. The meeting comes before the State House and Senate are set to convene in Raleigh on Wednesday.CMS leaders laid out multiple requests from the state, including allowing the school board to switch to remote learning during severe weather or other emergency situations. The district also wants its board to be able to determine the school start and stop dates for all schools within the CMS system. Currently, the dates are limited to a certain window from the state.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-board-meeting-state-leaders-north-carolina/275-9a075395-1416-4a4c-b328-203388eff4c3Employers posted a record 11.5 million job openings in March and the United States now has an unprecedented two job openings for every person who is unemployed.The latest data released Tuesday further reveals an extraordinarily tight labor market that has emboldened millions of Americans to seek better paying jobs, while also contributing to the biggest inflation surge in four decades.A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in March — a sign that they are confident they can find better pay or improved working conditions elsewhere.Layoffs, which has been running around 1.8 million a month before the pandemic hit the economy in early 2020, ticked up to 1.4 million in March from 1.35 million in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday.The U.S. job market is on a hot streak. Employers have added an average of more than 540,000 jobs a month for the past year. The Labor Department is expected to report Friday that the economy generated another 400,000 new jobs in April, according to a survey by the data firm FactSet. That would mark an unprecedented 12th straight month that hiring has come in at 400,000 or more.The U.S. economy and job market roared back with unexpected strength from 2020's brief but devastating coronavirus recession, fueled by massive government spending and super-low interested rates engineered by the Federal Reserve.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/record-millions-job-openings-in-march/507-9120e0e5-4171-4c24-b8cf-cfb2b41331c7

A loaded gun was found on the campus of Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Monday morning, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed. A CMS spokesperson said the weapon was found while the student was going through one of the school's new body scanners.The 18-year-old student was arrested and charged with gun possession charges, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.CMS said the school was not put on lockdown."Please speak with your students about the serious consequences of bringing a weapon to school," school principal Tanya Branham said in a message to parents.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/loaded-gun-berry-academy-charlotte-north-carolina/275-9bbee12f-5d8d-4795-bb65-0d765c9c0162The first civilians evacuated from the bombed-out steel plant that has become the last stronghold of Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol slowly made their way toward safety Monday, as others who managed to escape the city described terrifying weeks of bombardment and deprivation.More than 100 civilians — including elderly women and mothers with small children — left the sprawling, rubble-strewn Azovstal steel mill on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/first-evacuees-from-mariupol/507-8652663e-c7b5-405f-8caa-c14055db01df

Partners at a Starbucks location in Boone have reportedly voted overwhelmingly in favor of unionizing, becoming the first store in the Carolinas and in the Tar Heel State to have a certified union.In a statement shared on Saturday, Starbucks United Boone announced members at the Blowing Rock Road location voted 33-2 in favor of unionizing. The union said partners formally declared intent to join the nationwide Starbucks Workers United movement on April 4, with votes in an election finalized on April 30."We first want to extend our deepest gratitude to our friends and neighbors for providing us with invaluable support throughout this process," part of the statement read. "To our Boone community- your displays of solidarity, your supportive words, your belief in us, and your willingness to stand with us has done more for our team and for this movement than we can convey. Additionally, thank you to all our partners for working to stand up for what they believe in, for exercising their right to vote, and for committing an unbelievable amount of time and dedication to this process."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/starbucks-union-store-boone-north-carolina-local-money-news/275-0eff5ba6-19af-41f4-b121-bf88384129c3A pillar of leadership in Huntersville is continuing to be remembered by the community. Jill Swain, the former mayor of Huntersville, passed away on Thursday, April 28. Swain was a civil servant in the community, starting in 1999 as a commissioner. She served in that role for eight years before being elected mayor. Swain was mayor of Huntersville from 2007 to 2015. She was most recently the executive director for the Huntersville Regional Chamber of Commerce.Her passing was felt across the state with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R - North Carolina) also paying tribute to her on social media.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/celebration-of-life-jill-swain-huntersville-scheduled/275-0b5d76d4-9a08-4d76-ae15-8490be5d4b1aWatch 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!

Leaders in Hickory are pursuing legal action following the collapse of wooden arches over the Rudy Wright pedestrian bridge from Feb. 18.Documents obtained by WCNC Charlotte showed a lawsuit was filed Wednesday, April 27, in Catawba County Superior Court. The defendants in the case have been identified as Neill Grading and Construction Company, Dane Construction and Western Wood Structures. City of Hickory is identified as the plaintiff. According to the complaint, the city is suing the companies for breach of contract and negligence for their work with the arches.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/hickory-lawsuit-collapsed-arches-rudy-wright-bridge/275-162f6863-6e0a-4883-9967-55e377d63b70A Fort Bragg family is in mourning tonight after a US Army soldier was killed in a military vehicle accident.Three other soldiers who were injured are still receiving treatment at the hospital.At the moment, it's unclear what’s responsible -- whether equipment failed, or if a mistake was made. WRAL News has been searching for answers from officials on post. Soldiers who spoke with WRAL News said military activities are risky, and the injury or death of a fellow soldier is always difficult to process.Thomas MacDougald, a medic who proudly serves in the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army, says during his four years of service, he's seen many soldiers get hurt.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/regional/fort-bragg-soldier-dies-3-injuried-military-vehicle-accident-nc/275-ed368619-ade6-4f13-a553-1233f783f1ce

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper refused to answer questions about the team's training facility in Rock Hill Wednesday, saying he stood by his previous statements and wanted to honor the city's request to avoid a public back and forth. "We released a statement already," Tepper said. "We will respect the city's request not to have a back and forth in public about it. They requested it, we're going to respect it."It was announced on April 20 that Tepper's real estate company was terminating the agreement surrounding the York County training facility. Tepper said he still wants to sit down with Rock Hill leaders and talk, but did not say if he’s committed to keeping the Carolina Panthers project in Rock Hill. Instead, the NFL team owner said he’ll support York County in other ways.“No matter what they say about me, we will be there for the people of Rock Hill, supporting the community in different fashions," Tepper said. "In charity and I think we’ll probably be in York County for Keep Pounding day."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nfl/panthers/carolina-panthers-david-tepper-news-conference-rock-hill-training-facility-nfl-draft/275-407f9154-e581-4c9f-b77e-ce789f48f81bA Mooresville man is warning others about how to protect your personal property after he says he found a credit card skimmer at a gas station pump.On Tuesday night at the Speedway in Mooresville, Erick Baxter says he performed his typical routine checking the card reader before filling up. But this time was different.“I was like, 'Look I found it!' Kind of like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory type of thing, like the golden ticket," Baxter said.He said he discovered a credit card skimmer that appeared to be attached to the pump by double sided tape. Oftentimes the skimmers aren't so obvious, but Baxter says a simple step can help you notice a difference.“If you give it a slight tug, it comes right off which is exactly what happened," Baxter said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mooresville-man-finds-credit-card-skimmer-gas-pump/275-2e386db1-7b23-4afd-9211-d194f7b537abWatch 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!

Tuesday evening, Hugh Hattabaugh assumed a familiar role of leading Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the second-largest school district in North Carolina, on an interim basis, presiding over a meeting in which board members voted to approve a budget that his predecessor Earnest Winston proposed.If approved by Mecklenburg County Commissioners, the proposal would provide a pay raise for teachers.The budget proposal includes an average state salary increase of up to 2.7% for teachers, assistant principals, and other certified staff. It also proposes a 10% increase for the local teacher supplement. A new teacher with a bachelor's degree currently gets paid more than $41,000 a year at CMS. If the proposal passes, that same teacher would get more than $43,000.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/cms-board-budget-request-voting/275-a9373cf3-c150-417d-85ec-4f80e65d2901The U.S. defense chief urged Ukraine's allies to “move at the speed of war” to get more and heavier weapons to Kyiv as Russian forces rained fire on eastern and southern Ukraine amid new fears that the fighting could spill over the country’s borders.For the second day, explosions rocked the separatist region of Trans-Dniester Tuesday in neighboring Moldova, knocking out two powerful radio antennas. And a Russian missile hit a strategic railroad bridge linking Ukraine’s Odesa port region to neighboring Romania, a NATO member, Ukrainian authorities said.Meanwhile, two other neighboring NATO members, Poland and Bulgaria, said the Kremlin is cutting off natural gas supplies starting Wednesday, the first such actions of the war. Poland has been a major gateway for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and confirmed this week that it is sending the country tanks.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/russia-ukraine-war-wednesday/507-697cc9ca-2e5a-436c-9dcf-801c96b2b838Watch 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 Epicentre, a once-thriving entertainment hub stretching the entirety of a Charlotte city block, will be auctioned off as a result of its bankruptcy, court documents obtained by WCNC Charlotte Monday confirmed.In an auction scheduled for May 12 at 10 a.m., the highest bidder will walk away as the owner of the complex.The Epicentre was built in 2008 on the site of the old Charlotte Convention Center. It grew into a popular nightlife spot. “When I was younger there was a lot of businesses a lot of people come and go but It’s been closed down for a long time now," Charlotte resident Caniyah Asbury said.Matt Ragona, the original architect for the site and current operator of Ragona Architecture & Design, said his team sought to create an urban town center utilizing the negative space as outdoor public spaces.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/epicentre-auction-bankruptcy-uptown-charlotte/275-c861f8a9-c339-4aa6-ac1e-22ec47d8b3e8Former cadet and now current firefighter Elliot Bishai pleaded guilty to his involvement in the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Bishai appeared in front of Magistrate Robin Meriweather in D.C. District Court Monday morning to enter a guilty plea to entering or remaining on restricted grounds. It carries a maximum one-year prison sentence.Bishai and another cadet, Elias Irizarry, were arrested in 2021 after the FBI received a tip from a witness who positively identified Bishai and Irizarry from video and photos of the attack.A photo showed Bishai, Irizarry with one other person inside the U.S. Capitol. The third person was later identified as Grayson Sherill. He was arrested on March 1.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/capitol-riot-fort-mill-guilty-elliot-bishai/275-20ee9e39-23a8-45e2-bba7-5e90e2d6699c

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district will see a familiar face back on campus Monday.Hugh Hattabaugh started his career with CMS back in 2007 and served as interim superintendent for the district in the 2011-12 school year.The school board of education voted to have him step in for the role during an emergency meeting on April 19."He is a man of high integrity," board member Rhonda Cheek said during the meeting. "He is a man who understands organizational leadership and the operation of a school district.” Hattabaugh will take over for now-former superintendent Earnest Winston who was fired earlier this month for low performance.He rejoins the district at a critical time when academic performance and low tests scores are a big concern.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-interim-superintendent-hugh-hattabaugh-campus-monday/275-c0464f43-444b-4d55-9f0b-3daa79ef71ceLeslie McCrae Dowless Jr., the key player in a North Carolina absentee ballot fraud probe that led to a do-over congressional election, has died.His daughter, Andrea Dowless Heverly, wrote that her father “passed away peacefully" Sunday morning, according to a social media post. He had been diagnosed with an advanced form of lung cancer and died at his daughter's home in Bladen County, his friend Jay DeLancy told The Associated Press in a brief interview. Dowless was in his mid-60s.The political operative was set to go on trial this summer on more than a dozen state criminal counts related to absentee ballot activities for the 2016 general election and the 2018 primary and general elections. A half-dozen others were also charged.READ https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mccrae-dowless-9th-district-has-died/275-04b7b022-c49d-4c30-a7c5-847cb9c73ab3

The city of Rock Hill and the city of Tega Cay in South Carolina are both being sued by York County for reportedly failing to pay for services associated with sending inmates to the York County Detention Center, including not paying or reimbursing the county for housing its inmates.Attorneys representing York County believe this lawsuit is about the "dignity of local governments under Home Rule." In the lawsuit released Thursday, attorneys stated in June 2021 the two cities along with the city of Fort Mill, the town of Clover, and the city of York sent a joint letter to York County Council. In the letter, the municipalities said they would still send inmates to the detention center but had no plans to reimburse the county for the expenses associated with the inmates from the respected municipalities.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/rock-hill-tega-cay-sued-york-county-failing-to-pay-detention-center-housing-inmates/275-1f0c38ca-6ac3-4f65-a432-7d52339f6850Residents of a Fort Mill neighborhood are upset after several families reported receiving sewer bills for the month of March charging them $1,000 or even $2,000.Kevin Connolly has lived in Sutton Place for more than 10 years, and despite living alone with his wife and paying his bills on time, he was charged $2,139.39 in March.“They cannot convince me, they cannot show the technical data, to support that bill," Connolly said. "They can’t."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/fort-mill-neighborhood-reports-soaring-sewer-bill/275-30d95b5d-ee1f-44dd-9ddf-867f393e2bc0Watch 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 uncertainty concerning the Carolina Panthers Training Facility and Headquarters project in Rock Hill, South Carolina, got a bit clearer Tuesday when Panthers' owner David Tepper's GT Real Estate Holdings told WCNC Charlotte they would be terminating the agreement surrounding the project. Speaking Wednesday, McMaster said the state held up its end of the deal."Our part was done -- that was the interchange, which was needed in any event but it'll be getting there a little earlier than was planned, but that area of the state is growing. But the parties -- the city and the county and the Tepper organization -- seem to have differences that they could not reconcile and that's a disappointment."McMaster previously addressed the paused facility at a news conference on April 12. McMaster said he's spoken to Tepper and says he hopes both parties can come to an agreement."The state has done its part and we would encourage everyone to resolve whatever differences and let's get moving," McMaster said. "We want the Panthers to do the right thing."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nfl/panthers/panthers-terminating-rock-hill-south-carolina-project-agreements/275-be9a47a6-22f4-448b-aa84-8801a29278dbA Conover-based furniture company is expanding west, while also creating new jobs.On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper praised Vanguard Furniture Company's plans to add 100 new jobs with a $5.9 million expansion to Morganton. This will add on to the family-held company's 680 employees, who work out of seven facilities in Conover and in Hillsville, Virginia, along with showrooms in High Point and Las Vegas.“North Carolina continues to be the global leader for furniture manufacturing,” said Gov. Cooper. “Vanguard’s decision to expand in our state affirms that our quality of life and skilled workforce can provide a thriving business climate that brings success.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/vanguard-furniture-company-jobs-expansion-money-local/275-f4edbbef-aa4f-46a9-856b-e691323caaaeWatch 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!

"Effective immediately, masks are optional on Charlotte Area Transit System vehicles for customers and employees," CATS announced Tuesday.CATS cited the federal judge ruling in Florida on Monday that struck down the Biden administration's mask mandate for public transportation, including airplanes. While the ruling is still being reviewed, the Biden administration said the order would be no longer in effect.As of April 2, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 dashboard, 76% of adults in North Carolina are vaccinated and 38% of children and teens are vaccinated. Data collected during the two-week period between March 20 and April 2 showed no counties in North Carolina are in a high-level risk of illness and strain on the health care system, though six counties are in the medium-risk level. Mecklenburg County is listed in the low-level riskREAD MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/masks-cats-vehicles/275-48491c9c-09f5-432f-b61c-ce65fe3f7c34Moderna hopes to offer updated COVID-19 boosters in the fall that combine its original vaccine with protection against the omicron variant. On Tuesday, it reported a preliminary hint that such an approach might work.Today's COVID-19 vaccines all are based on the original version of the coronavirus. But the virus continues to mutate, with the super-contagious omicron variant — and its siblings — the latest threat.Before omicron came along, Moderna was studying a combination shot that added protection against an earlier variant named beta. Tuesday, the company said people given that beta-original vaccine combination produced more antibodies capable of fighting several variants — including omicron — than today’s regular booster triggers.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/moderna-covid-vaccine-omicron/507-3554be0f-a31d-4232-83da-f4d31fa7ea81Watch 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 Schools Board of Education announced an emergency meeting will be held Tuesday on "matters related to superintendent contracts and attendant personnel items."While officials would not go on the record Monday to confirm, Tuesday's meeting is expected to address reports Earnest Winston would be leaving the job after fewer than three years.Winston was named superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools back on Aug. 2, 2019, following the suspension and resignation of Clayton Wilcox that same year.Winston's current employment contract, which was extended in February 2021, currently continues until June 2025.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/earnest-winston-cms-schools/275-5a0fa9ac-2420-4864-b0ae-24bcffc4a3a0The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Garry McFadden are facing a lawsuit in connection to a juvenile who died by suicide while in the Mecklenburg County Jail.The family of the detainee, who is referred to in the press release as "D.W.", is represented by Littlejohn Law, PLLC, and Tin Fulton Walker & Owens. According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred at the Mecklenburg County Jail North facility on Nov. 21, 2020.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/lawsuit-mecklenburg-county-dw-jail-death-inmate/275-03dbdd3a-9ec0-453d-b811-d4ba0528d364Watch 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!

Millions of Americans wait until the last minute to file their taxes and this year is no exception.Monday is Tax Day — the federal deadline for individual tax filing and payments — and the IRS will receive tens of millions of last-minute filings electronically and through paper forms.As of April 8, the IRS had received more than 103 million returns for this tax season, and it had issued more than 63 million refunds worth more than $204 billion.For comparison, last year more than 169 million people completed an income tax return by the end of the year. That probably leaves nearly 40% of this year's taxpayers still unaccounted for, with many scrambling to submit their documents by Monday.Nina Tross at the National Society of Tax Professionals says if people haven’t filed their taxes by now, “they're better off filing an extension.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/tax-day-irs-extension/507-38af10ee-0df4-4d48-b83a-e907d876b913There are thousands of hemp-based products sold across the state, but it could soon all become illegal.Hemp products have been legal in the state since 2015 when lawmakers passed the Hemp Pilot Program bill. It removed the term hemp from the definition of marijuana under the state's Controlled Substance Act. However, in January, the state’s hemp farming laws expired. The state’s hemp exemption laws will also expire by June 30. State lawmakers are considering a medical marijuana bill but its narrow definition would not include hemp. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/hemp-based-products-could-become-illegal-in-north-carolina/83-e0602a87-1369-43ef-8d6d-52d8254be25eWatch 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 Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued an emergency use authorization for what it said is the first device that can detect COVID-19 in breath samples.The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage, the FDA said, and can be used in doctor’s offices, hospitals and mobile testing sites. The test, which can provide results in less than three minutes, must be carried out under the supervision of a licensed health care provider.Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, called the device “yet another example of the rapid innovation occurring with diagnostic tests for COVID-19.”The FDA said the device was 91.2% accurate at identifying positive test samples and 99.3% accurate at identifying negative test samples.“InspectIR expects to be able to produce approximately 100 instruments per week, which can each be used to evaluate approximately 160 samples per day,” the agency said. “At this level of production, testing capacity using the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is expected to increase by approximately 64,000 samples per month.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-breath-test-fda-authorization/507-bd965cb6-2142-49e1-9490-93d21970989eA Union County high school remembered its beloved football coach Thursday evening. Parkwood High School's Terrance Gittens died unexpectedly last week.The stadium lights at the Parkwood High Stadium didn't turn on Thursday night. Instead, candles were lit over the field where Coach Gittence once led his team."We're grieving, we're sad, we're angry," Terrence Gittens, Jr. said.He took over as head coach back in May 2020. His son, Terrence, and daughter, Mya, were overcome with support as for nearly two hours, his former colleagues, players and family shared stories of a head coach in his prime -- with a whole life ahead of him. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/vigil-parkwood-high-school-terrance-gittens/275-ceed215e-e755-41b4-807b-21fda8a2c948Watch 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!

Several state and local leaders in South Carolina continue to search for answers following the Carolina Panthers decision to pause construction on a practice facility and team headquarters in Rock Hill. South Carolina State Representative JA Moore (D - District 15) condemned the recent actions taken by Carolina Panthers team owner David Tepper in a statement provided Wednesday, April 13. No public comments have been issued by the Carolina Panthers organization, or Tepper, following the announcement that construction was halted on March 7.Moore spoke with WCNC Charlotte by Zoom on Wednesday and said he was concerned something like this would happen back years ago. Gov. Henry McMaster signed the so-called "Panthers Bill" into law back in June 2019. The bill gave the Panthers roughly $115 million in tax breaks to relocate across the state line.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/south-carolina-state-representative-carolina-panthers-rock-hill-construction-paused/275-b179ddfb-23ec-44b4-8fa1-9d9ca3d69ccfThe man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect himself called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the carnage on a rush-hour train, which left five victims in critical condition and people around the city on edge.“My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.James was awaiting arraignment on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.In recent months, James railed in online videos about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his experiences with mental health care in New York City, and he had criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there is no indication that James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/hunt-for-nyc-subway-gunman/507-9d392b57-06e3-441f-b3b0-80a95ee25c2eWatch 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!

U.S. Representative Ralph Norman is the latest leader to speak regarding the Carolina Panthers training facility project in Rock Hill.The project has now been on hold for more than a month, and despite receiving a new funding offer from both the City of Rock Hill and York County, Panthers owner David Tepper has not responded.In a public letter released Sunday night, Norman called on Tepper to “break the silence and be transparent about what’s happening from his perspective.”The major construction site on 240 acres has sat idle for weeks, and hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake.“The longer it goes, people will assume that it’s just dead,” Norman said. “The taxpayers deserve a lot better than what they’re getting. To go this far for something this big… something’s not right.”The project was first paused in early March. WCNC Charlotte later learned Rock Hill failed to secure $225 million in bonds to pay for roads, sidewalks and other public infrastructure on the site.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/rock-hill/panthers-david-tepper-new-offer-training-facility-rock-hill/275-552fe774-2fc1-4344-9398-9a51488d9fe6U.S. Marshals arrested a man who had been wanted on multiple charges in northeast Charlotte Tuesday afternoon. Daniel Black was wanted for a parole violation in 2020 and had warrants for robbery and felony conspiracy with the U.S. Marshals. Investigators said Black had an extensive criminal history that includes resisting arrest, narcotics, firearm by a felon and larceny with firearms. A WCNC Charlotte viewer was at a shopping center in University City Tuesday when federal agents surrounded an SUV outside the Ross department store on JW Clay Boulevard. Black, identified as the driver of the SUV, attempted to back out but was blocked by a light pole and other vehicles. Investigators said Black was located after his vehicle was pinged in the area.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/us-marshals-arrest-ross-shopping-center-university-city-charlotte-north-carolina/275-8d161c78-ffd4-4529-a963-67bca3af28d3Watch 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!

City of Charlotte leaders are looking to ease the affordable housing crisis and are eyeing several new projects that could bring hundreds of affordable homes to the region.“The ability for people to afford housing and be able to live in the city is of the utmost importance because cities are made up of people,” Charlotte City Councilman Braxton Winston said.Funding for a handful of projects was approved during Monday's Charlotte City Council meeting. It means funding is now available for the development of more than 600 affordable homes. According to information provided to WCNC Charlotte, about 140 units would be geared toward households that make less than 30% of the average median income.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/affordable-housing-crisis/affordable-housing-projects-eyed-by-city-of-charlotte-leaders/275-50f17024-cf45-4edf-85d5-371d36025a69U.S. Representative Ralph Norman is the latest leader to speak regarding the Carolina Panthers training facility project in Rock Hill.The project has now been on hold for more than a month, and despite receiving a new funding offer from both the City of Rock Hill and York County, Panthers owner David Tepper has not responded.In a public letter released Sunday night, Norman called on Tepper to “break the silence and be transparent about what’s happening from his perspective.”The major construction site on 240 acres has sat idle for weeks, and hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake.“The longer it goes, people will assume that it’s just dead,” Norman said. “The taxpayers deserve a lot better than what they’re getting. To go this far for something this big… something’s not right.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/rock-hill/panthers-david-tepper-new-offer-training-facility-rock-hill/275-552fe774-2fc1-4344-9398-9a51488d9fe6Watch 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!

Weddington officials are giving residents more time to voice their concerns after an overwhelming response to a proposed development project Monday night. The 80-acre mixed-use project would allow new homes, retail, restaurants and green space in a town center-style development between Providence Road and Weddington Road. Many people say the development would make an already crowded area too busy. Diana Iannacone has lived in the same house for 30 years. She raised her family in Weddington because of the quiet rural feel.“When we first moved here, people would ride their horses,” Iannacone said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/weddington-nc-rezoning-proposal-concerns-raised/275-eaa9cb54-d060-488f-b18a-f8af890b68b9City of Charlotte leaders are looking to ease the affordable housing crisis and will consider several new projects this week that could bring hundreds of affordable homes to the region.“The ability for people to afford housing and be able to live in the city is of the utmost importance because cities are made up of people,” Charlotte City Councilman Braxton Winston said.If the projects are approved, it could mean the development of more than 600 affordable homes. According to information provided to WCNC Charlotte, about 140 units would be geared toward households that make less than 30% of the average median income.City Council Member Dimple Ajmera said it's a step in the right direction, but added that the need far outweighs what is being proposed.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/affordable-housing-crisis/affordable-housing-projects-eyed-by-city-of-charlotte-leaders/275-50f17024-cf45-4edf-85d5-371d36025a69Watch 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 well-known brewing company based in Charlotte is suing another company because it "ripped off" a trademark. According to court documents obtained by WCNC Charlotte, Sycamore Brewing is suing Stone Brewing, based out of California, for using the "Keep It Juicy" phrase on merchandise and in advertising. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/sycamore-brewing-charlotte-keep-it-juicy-copyright-lawsuit/275-8914e085-7398-4c4c-b7e9-9abb7e793bac The Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Thursday, shattering a historic barrier by securing her place as the first Black female justice and giving President Joe Biden a bipartisan endorsement for his effort to diversify the court.Jackson, a 51 year-old appeals court judge with nine years experience on the federal bench, was confirmed 53-47, mostly along party lines but with three Republican votes. Presiding was Vice President Kamala Harris, also the first Black woman to reach that high office.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court-senate-confirmation-vote/507-114300dc-82a4-4af5-b88b-f7220848ed80

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools still plans to eventually distribute clear backpacks to high school students, according to superintendent Earnest Winston.Last week, when schools were giving out the bags, they stopped due to due to a warning tag issue related to possibly harmful materials.The district spent close to half a million dollars on the backpacks as part of a larger effort to reduce weapons in schools."We are talking to the vendor and the manufacturer to make sure that we erase all doubts with regard to the safety of the backpacks," said Winston. "The issue that has come up recently is specifically related to California.”Winston said CMS wants to do its own investigation into proposition 65 tags on some of the bags. He didn't expand on what exactly an investigation consists of.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/clear-backpacks-cms-charlotte-nc-crime-education-local/275-2b974449-80f1-4ced-9577-1dac43075a82South Carolina State Senator Wes Climer (R-York County) is not holding back on his thoughts on David Tepper and the Carolina Panthers. It has been a month since the organization pressed pause on an $800 million construction project that included a practice facility and team headquarters in Rock Hill.York County Council voted on March 21 to bring a new financing offer for infrastructure at the site. On March 29, Rock Hill City Council adopted a resolution supporting the financing plan. But for the project to get the OK, Tepper Sports and Entertainment also has to sign off on the deal. WCNC Charlotte has reportedly reached out to the organization for a statement with the last attempt on April 5 with no response. Climer told WCNC Charlotte on Wednesday everyone from the city, county and state arenas has worked over the years in good faith to bring the project to fruition. He added it is time for a resolution.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/sc-state-senator-york-county-carolina-panthersconstruction-project/275-8694e91f-2237-4ee2-8a68-5c305af750faWatch 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!

Thousands more Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school students will start going through body scanners in the coming weeks. CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston said at a Tuesday night school board meeting the district will put body scanners in 14 more high schools to try and curb weapons entering campuses.It’s been a little under a week since seven initial CMS high schools started using body scanners.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-body-scanners-high-schools-next-phase/275-4ebe3914-672d-4726-9cf7-af22140f4d40Criminal charges have been filed against a now-former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus driver accused of swabbing students' cheeks, the District Attorney's Office confirmed to WCNC Charlotte.CMS parents previously said they were concerned their child's bus driver pressed kids into giving up a swab from inside their mouth. According to the parents, the students said the driver offered money for the supposed COVID-19 test.“It was a red flag, and it happened on the bus, on the school grounds," CMS parent Dawn Thompson previously told WCNC Charlotte.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/cms-former-bus-driver-facing-charges-swab-cheek/275-a557de85-d05f-4560-b2fa-7c682fea8c2d

Charlotte city leaders are seeking solutions to the city's affordable housing crisis. Monday night, Charlotte City Council discussed several new projects that would bring hundreds of affordable apartments and some homes to the Queen City. The city of Charlotte is looking to add 602 new and affordable units throughout the city. "There is a real crisis," District 4 councilwoman Renee Perkins Johnson said. "People cannot afford to live here."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/affordable-housing-crisis/charlotte-city-council-affordable-housing-plans/275-338486e9-9b03-4709-be6a-df681f4cfc3dTeachers in Cabarrus County could get some extra cash heading into summertime.The school board heard a presentation Monday about a $475 bonus for all certified staff including teachers and certified instructional support staff. That's an estimated 2,500 employees.The payment would be made on May 31 and be funded with state allotment.This initiative is separate from the $1,000 bonus that Cabarrus County teachers received earlier this year.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cabarrus-county-teachers-bonus-pay/275-96006771-75dd-4924-b7f2-45e078bc2876

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide are at an all-time low falling 32% over the last two weeks.We are also seeing similar trends here in the Carolinas with South Carolina and most of North Carolina having low community levels.Health officials say hospitalizations are continuing to decrease week after week, and even though the BA.2 subvariant of omicron is becoming more prominent they’re not expecting a surge in cases.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-hospitalizations-all-time-low-nc-charlotte/275-2b5e61a8-a321-435e-8e3d-cdffc52b22f2A Fort Mill restaurant was forced to close on April 3 after a car drove into the building causing major damage. In a Facebook post, Flipside Cafe stated the driver passed out and drove into the restaurant. Employees and guests were injured."I don't think people realize how crazy this could've been," Jonathan Fortes, owner told WCNC Charlotte.Fortes also said one guest was transported to a local hospital and three employees suffered minor injuries.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/fort-mill-restaurant-closed-flipside-cafe-car-into-building/275-56bd9fd8-8ecc-4010-822a-2d96f4256962Watch 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 tornado likely touched down near the border of Anson and Stanly counties in North Carolina Thursday.Photos shared by the Anson County Emergency Management show severe weather storm damage from the possible tornado in the Burnsville community near Polkton.Emergency officials said chicken houses were destroyed, and damage occurred to homes and trees.The National Weather Service in Raleigh, which has jurisdiction issuing warnings for this area, will visit the site Friday to confirm the strength of the storm responsible for the damage.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/suspected-tornado-polkton-stanly-county-severe-weather/275-bd757562-96c9-43af-b239-050be6bbba61A 12-year-old boy has died after deputies in the upstate of South Carolina say he was shot inside a middle school by another boy Thursday afternoon.More than 200 law enforcement officers, including deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office in the upstate of South Carolina, responded to the shooting at Tanglewood Middle School, on Greenville's western side. NBC affiliate WYFF-TV said deputies confirmed the school's resource officer requested emergency backup around 12:30 p.m. after the student was wounded.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/school-shooting-south-carolina-middle-school-greenville-county-crime-regional/275-fc2aad43-554e-421b-8b0a-d0237ebc2386Watch 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!

Students at Hopewell High School in Huntersville spent their first day going through newly installed body scanners Wednesday morning, as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools seeks solutions for violence on its campuses. Hopewell is one of seven schools piloting the scanners to test how CMS handles them before they're rolled out at every high school in the district. The decision to install the scanners came after a record number of guns were found on CMS campuses this year.CMS took a hit earlier this week when it had to half the rollout of clear backpacks after they discovered at the last minute that multiple bags that sat in a warehouse had a Proposition 65 label about possible cancer-causing materials in them. The body scanners now join the anonymous reporting app that was introduced earlier this year as new tools to make schools safer. According to a CMS purchase order, $1.6 million was spent on equipment needed for the body scanners in all seven schools. Students said the scanners caused a significant slowdown at the start of the day Wednesday. CMS did not respond to a WCNC Charlotte request to see the scanners installed at Hopewell High School.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-mecklenburg-schools-hopewell-high-school-body-scanners-school-security/275-709005f1-b9ba-4f2d-a7cf-8543e06e8890Beloved actor Bruce Willis is stepping away from his decades-long acting career following a series of recent health issues, his family announced.Willis has recently been diagnosed with aphasia and it is impacting his cognitive abilities, according to a statement posted Wednesday by the 67-year-old's family. "As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him," read the statement signed by Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five children, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn. "This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.""As Bruce always says, 'live it up,' and together we plan to do just that," the family statement continued.According to the Mayo Clinic: "Aphasia is a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate. It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/bruce-willis-ends-career-following-health-issues/507-37d981ce-d027-45d4-bd71-36421296d0ba

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein visited Charlotte on Tuesday to discuss the state's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.Stein was joined by the Center for Prevention Services, Queen City Harm Reduction, the Mecklenburg County Health Department, and other local officials. The discussion focused on the area's allocation of opioid settlement funds, the syringe program, and the negative impact opioid addiction has had on individuals, families, and communities.Stein's visit to Charlotte comes more than six months after four drug companies agreed to pay for their role in fueling the opioid crisis; 48 states, including North Carolina, were set to receive nearly $26 billion total as part of the agreement from pharmaceutical companies Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Johnson & Johnson. North Carolina's share was $750 million.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/josh-stein-opioid-discussion-charlotte-north-carolina-local-state-politics-drugs-health/275-36a7f481-3b3c-4d1c-ab22-f44bf9e9aecaMyers Park High School's football program is forfeiting its 2021-22 season after the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) found fraudulent documents were used for school enrollment and athlete eligibility for the varsity team.In a letter sent to parents, principal Robert Folk said the school was made aware of the fake documents in January 2022 and investigated. The school then self-reported its findings to the NCHSAA.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/myers-park-hs-football-student-ineligibility-education-athletics-sports-local/275-f2dccc79-eb73-4577-a736-b68ebb652d1c

The Carolina Panthers training facility project is still in limbo, and a Rock Hill, South Carolina, business owner spoke out about his concerns by writing a letter and sending it to city and county leaders.Ryan Sanderson is the co-founder of the Knowledge Perk coffee shop. In his letter, he asked leaders to work together so the Panthers training facility project doesn’t leave Rock Hill. “I’m not just trying to look out for my business and my employees, but I’m trying to look out for my kid’s businesses down the road and my grandkid’s businesses down the road,” Sanderson explained. “And I don’t want us to set a precedent of not being able to communicate with the public and [not] collaborate with each other, and lose something as significant as this deal.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/business/small-business/carolina-panthers-training-facility-deal-issues-rock-hill-south-carolina-small-businesses/275-e8625fc7-b755-4ac3-b039-5241321d96f7 The day after slapping Chris Rock on the stage of the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith issued an apology to the comedian, the academy and viewers at home, saying he was “out of line” and that his actions are “not indicative of the man I want to be.”The fallout of Sunday's show continued Monday as the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences condemned Smith's onstage assault and said it would launch an inquiry into it. Later in the day, Smith gave a stronger apology than he did in his best actor acceptance speech, which notably didn't include apologizing to Rock.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/entertainment/events/oscars/academy-condemns-will-smith-actions-launches-review/507-c1f8411a-d49a-416f-95e6-789f30767dbc

A plan years in the making could pick up some traction on Monday, March 28, from Charlotte City Council. According to Monday's agenda, in 2016, members of SouthPark's business community began discussions to create a municipal service district to "enhance the economic vitality of the area." READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/southpark-municipal-service-district-charlotte-city-council/275-d37dd484-2468-4ab8-ab3f-db927e8e34e5Larry Sprinkle has a look at your Monday forecast, which calls for sunny skies and cool temperatures in the Carolinas, plus we have the latest update on the war in Ukraine, as military leaders fear Russia will try to split the country in half with a goal of controlling the eastern side.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!

Two former Charlotte teachers filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission after claiming their attempts to buy the historic Torrence-Lytle School in Huntersville were denied while white buyers were offered lower prices. Tyson and Regina Bates attempted to buy the historic school, which was among the first for Black students in Charlotte, as part of an expansion of their summer camp program. The couple said they wanted to make Torrence-Lytle an affordable private school for underserved students from around the Charlotte area. According to the lawsuit, the Commission required them to submit multiple proposals and provide extensive financial statements, architectural plans and modified the terms of the deal to raise the price. The couple says the Commission offered lower prices to white-owned groups and didn't require significant down payments or extensive financial documents.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/racial-discrimination-lawsuit-torrence-lytle-school-huntersville-north-carolina/275-65b11077-8be4-4ba2-8b69-aeccae81b4eeBased on pictures and videos sent to WCNC Charlotte Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich and data he gathered, it looks very likely that a tornado touched down in Alexander County Wednesday night.The damage occurred along Mount Olive Church Road around 11 p.m., just north of Ellendale. There seems to be a clear damage path as well as a few mobile homes damaged, too. Tiles were also missing from a few roofs with multiple tree limbs and branches down.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/severe-weather/national-weather-service-survey-damage-alexander-county/275-cf6ea910-cb58-4b05-b22c-b885eec4b96bWatch 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-Mecklenburg Schools third-graders continue to fall behind in English Language Arts despite returning to the classroom.This was revealed at Wednesday night's school board meeting in a mid-year progress report on college and career readiness in schools in the district.Preliminary reports show Black and Hispanic third-graders at CMS are still off track to be college and career ready based on English Language Arts scores. Some board members were visibly disappointed that in-person learning didn’t increase scores.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-third-graders-falling-behind-despite-in-person-learning/275-8e6270db-c870-486b-8194-945af9af2456Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers the company announced Wednesday -- and if regulators agree it could mean a chance to finally start vaccinating the littlest kids by summer.Moderna said in the coming weeks it would ask regulators in the U.S. and Europe to authorize two small-dose shots for youngsters under 6. The company also is seeking to have larger-dose shots cleared for older children and teens in the U.S.The nation’s 18 million children under 5 are the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination. Competitor Pfizer currently offers kid-sized doses for school-age children and full-strength shots for those 12 and older.But parents have anxiously awaited protection for younger tots, disappointed by setbacks and confusion over which shots might work and when. Pfizer is testing even smaller doses for children under 5 but had to add a third shot to its study when two didn't prove strong enough. Those results are expected by early April.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/moderna-says-low-dose-covid-shots-work-for-kids-under-6/507-b29f704a-455e-4639-8733-f29151b5a7aeWatch 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!

House Democrats have introduced multiple proposals aimed at sending direct payments to Americans to help cover high gas prices. The plans have some similarities to the one that sent $1,400 stimulus checks to millions last year during COVID-19.The national daily average has been more than $4 per gallon for two weeks. It was $4.25 on Monday, down seven cents from a week ago, but still 72 cents higher than a month ago and $1.37 more expensive than the same date last year. AAA cited lower crude oil prices as one reason for the slight price drop at the pump since last week. It also said demand for gas is down, which is atypical for this time of year and may be a sign of people changing their driving habits.One proposal by Reps. Mike Thompson of California, John Larson of Connecticut and Lauren Underwood of Illinois would send what they call an energy rebate of $100 per month for individuals or $200 to couples, plus $100 for each dependent, for each month the national gas price exceeds $4 per gallon. The rebate would be in effect though the end of 2022.The payments would go to people based on their income and would follow the same guidelines as the 2021 Economic Impact Payments: Single filers earning up to $75,000 or married couples filing jointly earning up to $150,000 would be eligible.A statement on Thompson's website did not explain how it would be paid for.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/gas-price-stimulus-checks/507-a450d9c6-1e5e-4f66-b43a-420f62ebb7dbLivingstone College will hold a town hall meeting Wednesday about changing the look of the criminal justice system with the group Reform Alliance.The meeting, titled “Criminal Justice Reform: A Critical Conversation,” will begin at 3 p.m. at Varick Auditorium and is open to the public.The nonprofit organization was founded by recording artist Meek Mill and Michael Rubin, a co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers. Grammy award-winner Jay Z; and Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, are also part of the organization's high-powered philanthropists.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/livingstone-college-national-leaders-criminal-justice-reform/275-aea9014e-44b1-4932-a102-0b1b81b9f1c4Watch 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!

York County leaders voted Monday night on a potential plan to save the Carolina Panthers training facility. In a last-minute vote, members of the York County Council agreed to bring a new financing offer for the infrastructure on the Rock Hill site. Earlier this month, the Panthers said construction on the new practice facility was put on pause after the city didn't pay an installment on the project.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/york-county-council-panthers-training-facility-rock-hill-site/275-7194d096-bf60-4d7f-849d-52997ece8aee No survivors have been found as the search continued Tuesday of the scattered wreckage of a China Eastern plane carrying 132 people that crashed a day earlier in a forested mountainous area in China's worst air disaster in a decade.“Wreckage of the plane was found at the scene, but up until now, none of those aboard the plane with whom contact was lost have been found," state broadcaster CCTV said Tuesday morning, more than 18 hours after the crash.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/chinese-airliner-crashes/507-218ff028-d169-4814-82f9-b20adfb4fd69Watch 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 Senate Judiciary Committee said Wednesday that confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson will begin March 21, keeping the Senate on track for a possible final vote next month.Sen. Dick Durbin, the committee chairman, announced the hearing schedule on Wednesday as Jackson was holding her first meetings with senators on Capitol Hill. Jackson met in the morning with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. She planned to see Durbin and the committee’s top Republican, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, in the afternoon.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/ketanji-brown-jackson-heading-to-capitol-hill/507-b7874891-f762-4470-8869-c5eec1dd5655The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is continuing to investigate after a call caused a store to evacuate on Sunday, March 20. According to the CMPD Twitter account, Freedom Division officers responded to the 3200 block of Wilkinson Boulevard for an assault with a deadly weapon call. No one was hit by gunfire and a store in that block was evacuated, according to officers. Officials also said a person of interest was detained and they're not looking for anyone else. While officers did not identify which store was evacuated, the area does host a busy shopping center. Medic confirmed no patients were transported from the scene. Walmart's corporate office later confirmed it was the store.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/west-charlotte-store-evacuated-cmpd-call-investigation/275-337a6fb4-df2a-4c6e-9ec4-0b50f271d7a9Watch 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!

Gov. Roy Cooper said North Carolina is now entering the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, as hospitalizations and daily cases continue to drop statewide. "We can look forward with the belief that the worst is behind us," Cooper said. "As we look ahead, it's important to take stock of how far we've come."Cooper praised North Carolina's response during the pandemic, all the way back to the first cases of COVID-19 in early 2020. Cooper said state leaders took action to keep the economy going and get children back in schools. "We came together, took strong action, protected people's health and worked to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed," Cooper said. "We focused not only on saving lives, but livelihoods."READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/roy-cooper-north-carolina-covid-response-next-phase-pandemic-omicron/275-be441f09-b9e1-4338-a694-c3d1266534baDrugmaker Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.The request is broader than rival pharmaceutical company Pfizer's request earlier this week for the regulator to approve a booster shot for all seniors.In a press release, the company said its request for approval for all adults was made “to provide flexibility” to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical providers to determine the “appropriate use” of a second booster dose of the mRNA vaccine, “including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities."U.S. officials have been laying the groundwork to deliver additional booster doses to shore up the vaccines' protection against serious disease and death from COVID-19. The White House has been sounding the alarm that it needs Congress to “urgently” approve more funding for the federal government to secure more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, either for additional booster shots or variant-specific immunizations.U.S. health officials currently recommend a primary series of two doses of the Moderna vaccine and a booster dose months later.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/moderna-4th-dose-covid-shot-seeks-fda-authorization/507-5440ba0b-9136-4f09-bed3-a4357e04d74eWatch 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 average price for a gallon of gas in North Carolina hit a record high of $4.19 last week, and although prices are dropping penny by penny, drivers are paying a lot more than they were just a few weeks ago. At what point do the rising prices change people's behavior and driving habits?Experts say a lot of it depends on someone’s personal situation, but some have already changed where they’re going because of the high price of gas.Whether it's work, school or grocery shopping, it's difficult for most people to avoid getting in the car every day. With gas prices slowly coming down from a record high, when will Americans say enough is enough?READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/gas-prices/when-will-record-gas-prices-change-driver-behavior-north-carolina-south-carolina/275-8a7acdbe-03cb-4d00-a2c9-ade7cf012849A Russian airstrike ripped apart a theater where hundreds of people have been living in the besieged city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials said, as Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a “self-purification” to rid his country of anyone who questions his invasion.The bombardment Wednesday of the theater, which had become a makeshift shelter as combat tore across the port city over the past three weeks and made thousands homeless, left many people buried in the burning rubble, Ukraine’s foreign ministry said in a statement. There was no immediate word on how many people were killed or injured.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/russia-ukraine-war-thursday/507-c81bf261-f253-4192-bb6d-712537f7cdce

The owners of Brooks' Sandwich House and Myers Park Presbyterian Church are teaming up to build more than a dozen townhomes in east Charlotte to help address the city's affordable housing crisis.In 2018, one year before Scott Brooks was shot and killed at the beloved NoDa restaurant during an armed robbery, he and his brother David donated a 2-acre tract of land on East Lane Drive, just off W.T. Harris Boulevard, to Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. Habitat drew plans to maximize the use of the property to build 17 affordable townhomes on a lot that would accommodate eight or fewer freestanding single-family homes. “It’s going to be such a boost for people-- hardworking people-- like ourselves and I think it’s going to be something that’s appreciated and I can sleep well at night knowing I’ve done my part," David Brooks said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/brooks-sandwich-house-habitat-humanity-townhomes-myers-park-presbyterian-donation/275-01b4cfdb-ff77-4acd-a385-8e6fe28574c9The Iredell County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to find a missing woman. According to a post from the Iredell County Sheriff Facebook page, Niecy Rose Moore was last seen in the area of Shinnville Road in Mooresville on Monday, March 14. Deputies say she is reported to have schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Authorities believe she is in the Gastonia area with an unknown male. Moore also reportedly took at Uber to the 1400 block of E. Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia on Monday.https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/iredell-county-missing-woman-investigation/275-72924064-353b-497c-a530-74ba6d5fe24bWatch 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 Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners will vote for Wilhelmenia Rembert to temporarily fill the empty at-Large County Commissioner seat.The seat is currently open due to the Board approving a Commissioner At-Large Ella Scarborough’s request for medical leave back in February.Rembert was up against three other candidates for the empty at large county commission seat left open by Ella Scarborough.Commissioners said she led the pack of finalistsREAD MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/who-is-wilhelmenia-rembert-mecklenburg-county-bocc-county-commissioners-politics/275-eaeeab08-ee9a-47c6-b376-7ab809f4bfeeAfter posting on Facebook a call for letters of support before he is set to be sentenced for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot, an acquaintance from James Little's past submitted a letter to a federal judge, asking for a harsher sentence for the Catawba County resident.Little reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in November 2021. He pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. It carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/north-carolina-man-jan-6-riot-letters-judge/275-08d9e892-1652-4da4-8f33-2329f0733697Watch 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!

Just six weeks after announcing his career was finished, Tom Brady pulled a stunner on Twitter by saying he will return for his 23rd NFL season. Needless to say this wasn't well received by the Panthers or Carolina fans. Our panel reacts to Brady's announcement, and we joke about what it will look like when we finally retire. For weeks, you've heard reports about the Russian economy collapsing under sanctions following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. But who are these Russian oligarchs that are being targeted by the sanctions and how did they acquire so much wealth? We connect the dots on that, plus Sarah French has a look at the top headlines from across the Carolinas. Charlotte City Council will hear concerns from CATS operators Monday, one month after driver Ethan Rivera was shot and killed in Uptown during a road rage attack. Drivers say their concerns have gone unheard, but officials say they want to make a difference for those simply trying to do their jobs. 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 with #WakeUpCLT!

Happy Friday! March 11 will be a mild day in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area with afternoon highs around 60 degrees. Larry Sprinkle has your complete forecast as we get ready for the weekend, plus we're moving our clocks forward. Do you like the change, or do you wish we'd have one standard time all year? Let us know -- Text the show at 704-329-3600!Gas prices are at record highs across North Carolina and experts say it's only going to get worse. A new survey from AAA found the majority of Americans say $4 is just too much to pay, but will it have a major impact on summer vacations? Tradesha Woodard joins #WakeUpCLT to discuss what she found talking to folks filling up.COVID-19 cases are on the decrease in the Carolinas but with new variants lurking, will another COVID-19 booster be needed this fall? Ben Thompson connects the dots on what experts are saying about the next phase of the pandemic.Plus, Sarah French has the morning's biggest headlines, including an update on the ACC Tournament, a water main break causing problems in Plaza Midwood and more.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.

In the next few weeks, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s superintendent is expected to ask the school board to consider millions of dollars in new funding for teachers and staff.The district has seen more than 10% of its staff resign or retire since the beginning of the school year. CMS central staff presented a working budget document that asks the school board to consider allocating $72.1 million in increased and new funds for teachers and staff that work with students. This proposal would need to get buy-in from the state and local government who fund the majority of the school’s budget.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-teacher-supplements-mecklenburg-county/275-6daac9ba-f667-4de0-99ec-7773a7e3f50aThe Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating after an officer fired a weapon at a driver accused of trying to run over an officer. The driver is not in custody at this time.Police do not believe the driver nor anyone else was injured in the shooting.Officers along Nations Ford Road near the intersection with Farmhurst Drive were looking for a vehicle they say was being driven unauthorized when they found a car matching the description at an extended stay motel.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/cmpd-nations-ford-road-officers-shooting-investigation/275-bae12ed5-5ec8-456f-a794-33e5d9eff03bWatch 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 final four applicants have been selected for the open Mecklenburg County Commissioners seat.The seat is currently open due to the Board approving a request for medical leave from Commissioner At-Large Ella Scarborough. North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) § 128-40 permits the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a temporary replacement for the period of the official's leave of absence.A total of 22 applications were received for the temporary At-Large County Commissioner seat. Of the 22 applications, three did not meet the eligibility requirements set by the Board of County Commissioners and one chose to withdraw from consideration.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-commissioners-seat/275-bbee2c1b-f16a-40e4-aac0-46b20fb8f2a0Sheriff Garry McFadden presented the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners with his plan to address staffing issues Tuesday following a state inspection that found the jail had severe shortages and failed to adequately supervise inmates. Staffing has been a concern at the jail central in Uptown Charlotte for some time. Last month, WCNC Charlotte learned the sheriff's office entered into a contract with a New York-based private security company to provide guards through at least the end of June. The state gave McFadden until March 11 to fix the issues identified in their report. A WCNC Charlotte investigation discovered an increase in violent attacks against guards and staffing shortage issues that resulted in a lack of inmate supervision on a consistent basis. An inspection by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found the Mecklenburg County Detention Center failed to meet minimum supervision requirements. The inspection was completed following a formal complaint that was filed by the Fraternal Order of Police in December.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-jail-staffing-shortages-charlotte-north-carolina-garry-mcfadden/275-ec6b943c-5893-4897-b0ff-ebc3eada0167Watch 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!

People in the United States can now order four more free, at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government as part of the Biden administration's effort to increase testing after the omicron surge. The tests can be ordered from COVIDtests.gov in a program that's being run in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service. Just like the first round of at-home test ordering, entering a U.S. home address will create a free order for four tests. Households that already received a package of tests are eligible to order a second set. President Joe Biden announced the additional tests during his State of the Union speech last week. A reporter with NBC News successfully ordered a second batch of tests Monday, though a message on the website still advises those who ordered tests before to "check back later" to place a second order.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/at-home-covid-tests-available-biden-administration-omicron-surge/275-4c6ae913-fcf8-479f-a4ce-30dd7e4008ecAverage gas prices across the U.S. rose 46.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.06 a day, according to GasBuddy.Gas prices are on the minds of millions of drivers as they prepare for spring break vacation and make summer travel plans. Experts told WCNC Charlotte the weekly uptick in prices will likely continue for some time, given the fluctuation of the market and the impending summer travel season.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/verify/last-week-highest-one-week-uptick-national-gas-prices/275-88f59c16-926f-4649-92b7-4c0c517def8cWatch 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!

Face masks will be optional on UNC Charlotte's campus effective Monday, March 7. The university provided the update on Monday, Feb. 28, just days after the UNC System issued guidance that makes face masks optional in all indoor settings on campuses within the system effective on that day. Masks will be optional in all indoor settings at UNC Charlotte, including classrooms and other academic spaces. The university encourages people who are unvaccinated or at a high risk for complications to still wear a mask.The university is reminding people that face masks will still be required on NinerTransit and in the Student Health Center due to state and federal regulations for health care settings and transportation.Even with the guidance, the school is encouraging people to wear a mask on campus to help reduce the risk of infection to yourself and others. Employees can also make their own choice about asking visitors in their personal office space to wear a mask.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/unc-charlotte-masks-optional-mecklenburg-schools-universities/275-a5fcd2de-407b-4c58-91ef-9f7577c3de6bCharlotte FC took the field at Bank of America Stadium for the first time in franchise history, facing off against the LA Galaxy Saturday evening. However, the black and blue weren't able to defend their home turf, falling to the Galaxy 1-0 after full time.The match was Charlotte FC's second overall in Major League Soccer play, coming off a 3-0 loss against DC United last week. LA Galaxy's visit to Charlotte comes after shutting out New York City FC 1-0.“We play football because we want to win. But I believe I am the happiest coach in the world. The energy, it was amazing," said coach Miguel Ramirez during a postgame news briefing. "Thank you North Carolina, South Carolina, and everyone that came. One request I would like for them to come back the next game.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc/charlotte-fc-facing-la-galaxy-inaugural-home-match-saturday-bank-of-america-stadium/275-7e3cb653-d9d0-45dc-9f8a-099d0715e3cfWatch 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!

Baptist churches across North Carolina are continuing to offer aid with more than 1 million people being displaced due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Baptists on Mission, a Cary-based agency under the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina umbrella, is sending teams of volunteers to eastern Europe to support refugees escaping the war. A six-person team is scheduled to leave for Poland on Friday, March 4, and a 12-person team is scheduled to depart for Hungary on March 7, according to the agency.Tom Beam, disaster relief coordinator for Baptists on Mission, told WCNC Charlotte the team will assess the situation over a 10-day span along with the Polish Baptist Union to see how future teams can help refugees.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/nc-baptists-churches-support-ukraine-refugees/275-9a5bed37-e67c-45a9-a18e-04879c523fc9Hickory city leaders are considering hiring outside attorneys for guidance following the collapse of two wooden arches on the City Walk pedestrian bridge last month. Hickory City Attorney John Crone told the Hickory Daily Record last week that "in all likelihood" the city would bring in outside counsel and that he was unaware of any lawsuits related to the incident, which was caught on camera. The arches, which were recently completed, collapsed during a thunderstorm in mid-February. Hickory Mayor Hank Guess said there's still no word on what caused the arches to collapse. The city announced Thursday that the arches will be removed this weekend. As a result, Highway 127, which runs under the Rudy Wright bridge, will be closed.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/hickory-bridge-collapse-update/275-34edae58-5633-4d03-b2d6-3865a9834144Watch 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 House on Wednesday unanimously approved allowing two weeks of early voting and other smaller changes to state election laws, uniting Democrats and Republicans on issues that have been contentious in other states.The 114-0 vote sends the bill to the state Senate.Democrats praised Republicans for listening to them and crafting a bill they could support, even if there were a few partisan votes on alterations like making voter fraud a felony and requiring audits of at least 5% of all votes in a county in the days after an election.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/south-carolina-house-passes-early-voting-bill/101-adfd8810-b08a-4c11-a561-32a5c328e80bNorth Carolina voters and advocacy groups urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to reject an effort by state Republicans to block a congressional district map drawn by state judges that would likely give Democrats an additional House seat in 2023.GOP legislative leaders filed an emergency request last Friday with Chief Justice John Roberts asking that the court set aside the new map while they seek to challenge the ability of the state's judiciary to adjust the lines in light of the U.S. Constitution. They say the delay should be granted because the Constitution directs state lawmakers to determine how U.S. House elections are held.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/nc-redistricting-supreme-court-voting-maps/275-a8b187f4-f4c6-4425-8a0d-1f89357c5e96Watch 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!

President Joe Biden vowed in his address to check Russian aggression in Ukraine, tame soaring U.S. inflation and deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus.Biden declared that he and all members of Congress, whatever political differences there may be, were joined “with an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny.” He asked the lawmakers crowding the House chamber to stand and salute the Ukrainians as he began his speech. They stood and cheered.Biden highlighted the bravery of Ukrainian defenders and the commitment of a newly reinvigorated Western alliance that has worked to rearm the Ukrainian military and cripple Russia’s economy through sanctions. He warned of costs to the American economy, as well, but warned ominously that without consequences, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression wouldn’t be contained to Ukraine.“Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,” Biden said. “They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.”READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/biden-state-of-the-union/507-29458548-5905-4dc3-8f34-8b10d775fb3aThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 guidance last week, putting a greater emphasis on hospitalizations and health care impacts over daily case counts while relaxing mask recommendations for most Americans. Under the new CDC system, more than 70% of the U.S. population lives in counties where COVID-19 is posing a low or medium threat to hospitals. Those people can stop wearing masks, according to the CDC. However, officials are still advising people, including schoolchildren, wear masks where the risk of COVID-19 is high. That's the situation for about 37% of U.S. counties, including several in the Charlotte area.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/cdc-covid-19-new-guidance-mask-recommendations-omicron-vaccine-community-spread/275-d8eaac71-2364-4602-a710-5cc934f6583e