NEWS UPDATES FOR JUNE 2024

North Carolina will receive a federal grant totaling over $1 million to further lead testing initiatives in schools and daycare centers.

The grant announced in June by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will allow for the continuation of statewide testing for lead contamination in schools and licensed childcare facilities statewide. The testing includes Head Start and pre-kindergarten programs in elementary schools. According to an EPA news release, the money will be channeled through the North Carolina Department of Human Services.

NDCHHS officials say they aim to reduce lead exposure by following what the EPA calls the “3 Ts: Training, Testing, and Taking Action.” The funding will help facilitate lead pipe identification and replacement, and mitigation recommendations. Last year, Durham was given a $1 million EPA grant to identify lead service lines in disadvantaged communities. NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley released a statement praising the initiative, calling the effort “public health in action.”

Lead is known to cause a range of serious health issues, including irreversible harm to brain development in children.

Levine Properties said the company has purchased the historic "Akers' Acres" estate on Sardis Road in South Charlotte with the aim of preserving it.

The home, built in 1937, was designed by Charlotte architect Louis Asbury Sr. and originally bought by insurance executive James Jones Akers.

The home is expected to be a candidate for landmark designation. Its future has been a source of speculation since it was put on the market.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said Friday that he’s beyond "disappointed" that a suspect charged with murder and rape less than two weeks ago has been released from jail on bond.

Raphael Wright is charged with shooting and killing a woman, as well as first degree rape.

WSOC reports Wright was freed under a $50,000 bond to await his trial. Jennings has argued for years that local magistrates set bond too low for violent offenders, allowing them to get out of jail quickly.

At the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, Thursday night, Charlotte natives Ana Cockrell and Akala Garret finished first and second in their 400-meter hurdles heat, and will advance to the semi-finals on Saturday.

Last Sunday, former Mallard Creek High Schooler Kaylen Brown finished fourth in the women's 400-meter final, just missing out on an Olympic team selection. There's a good chance she'll be selected for one of the relay teams.

Gabby Cunningham, who also went to Mallard Creek High, will run in the first round of the 100-meter hurdles Friday evening. UNC-Charlotte is also represented at the Olympic trials: Sprinter Maya Singletary was knocked out in her heat of the 400-meter last week. Field athlete Riley Felts kicks off her trials in the pole vault Friday night, as does Elizabeth Bailey in the javelin.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said Wednesday the cost of building express toll lanes on Interstate 77 in south Charlotte has now gone up to $5 billion. That’s up from an earlier estimate this year of $4 billion.

It’s been decided that drivers will pay tolls to use the new lanes.

The question is who will build and manage them.

One option is the DOT would turn to a public-private partnership, which is what the state did for I-77 in north Mecklenburg. That means a private company will decide how much motorists pay.

The other option is for the state to finance the project on its own. The DOT said it doesn’t think it has enough money to do that.

Mecklenburg Commissioner Leigh Altman said the state is not talking about the downsides to having a private company control the lanes.

“It’s not the same level of transparency if this was government-run,” she said. “I would like a graph that details the financial benefits and non-financial benefits if this were publicly funded.”

The DOT said it will keep studying the project to try and find cost savings.

As temperatures hover in the mid-90s this week, Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services has been fielding more heat-related calls.

MEDIC averaged 4 calls a day over the last week, roughly double the average a week before.

Some of the early signs of heat-related illnesses are fatigue, headache, and thirst.

Doctor Chris Branner with Atrium Health said that means you should find ways to cool down, but a throbbing head, confusion, and rapid pulse are signs of heatstroke.

If you're in an environment, you're noticing someone having those kind of exaggerated symptoms, that's a reason to call 911 and start to get some immediate help and try to help cool that person down as quickly as possible," Branner said.

Heatstroke is one of the most serious medical emergencies. In those cases, people should bypass urgent care and go straight to the emergency room.

American rapper and superstar Post Malone is headed back to Charlotte for a concert at the PNC Music Pavilion.

The venue says the singer will bring his "F-1 Trillion Tour" to Charlotte on Oct. 7. Post Malone most recently performed in Charlotte at the Lovin' Life Music Festival in uptown on May 3.

The PNC Music Pavillion also announced Wednesday that Megan Thee Stallion will perform at the pavilion next Wednesday, July 3 in a domestic finale to her "Hot Girl Summer Tour."

The announcement comes as the singer prepares to release her newest album, MEGAN, on June 28. Tickets sales opened at 12 p.m. Wednesday.

The Charlotte Sports Foundation is bringing a new tennis event to Charlotte. The Charlotte Invitational will be played at the Spectrum Center on Dec. 6.

The event will bring tennis stars Madison Keys, Solan Stephens, Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe for a doubleheader event.

The tournament will take place one day before Charlotte hosts the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium. Pre-sale tickets for the tennis tournament will go on sale next month.

Police arrested several protesters inside the North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday at a protest for more child care funding.

Video of the arrests captured on a livestream by the North Carolina Poor People's Campaign showed police leading protesters away in zip-tie handcuffs as they sang inside the legislative building.

The News and Observer of Raleigh reports at least eight protesters were arrested after someone filed a noise complaint. General Assembly Police Chief Michael Brock told reporters his officers asked protesters to lower their voices at least three times before making the arrests.

Protesters were calling for more funding for child care centers they say are at risk of closing or laying off staff at the end of this month when pandemic-era grants expire.

State lawmakers have not reached agreement on the state budget, which could provide extra funding, and are preparing to head home for the summer.

Tony Breeden appears headed to be the new York County Sheriff. In Tuesday's South Carolina runoff, the 55-year-old retired Rock Hill Police lieutenant got 52% of the vote while current Rock Hill Deputy Chief Michael Belk got 48%. Just over 600 votes separated the two candidates. Breeden, a Republican, will run unopposed in the November election with no Democratic on the ballot.

Elsewhere, state Sen. Katrina Shealy, South Carolina’s longest-serving female state senator lost her Republican primary runoff to attorney Carlisle Kennedy. Shealy and two other female state senators have now lost primaries after opposing a near total abortion ban in South Carolina.

With Republicans from both the North Carolina House and Senate currently unwilling to consider the other’s budget plans, GOP leaders have signaled they're ready to send colleagues home after this without a budget adjustment agreement. They could return later in the summer to act if the standoff eases.

WUNC reports the Senate plan would spend over $31 billion during the upcoming fiscal year. That’s $287 million less than the House proposal. One big difference is that the House wants to raise teacher and state employee pay above what the two-year budget already includes for the coming year. The Senate plan omits the additional pay increases.

Senate GOP leaders also are unhappy with the House for using more of state reserves to cover expenses, which they say is a bad move with economic uncertainty ahead.

The two chambers' agree on using $487 million in public money for programs that help K-12 students attend private schools and eliminate a large combined program waiting list after family income limits for recipients were eliminated last year.

Both chambers also include about $135 million to cover 75% of the child care center grants that will no longer be provided by the federal government starting next month.

The North Carolina Senate on Monday once again approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana with support from many Democratic and Republican senators.

The bill would not only allow the use of marijuana for people with cancer, ALS and other illnesses, but it would also place more regulations on the sale of hemp and CBD products, which are now widely available across the state.

The bill would restrict hemp and CBD products to people age 21 and up and require sellers to put their products in child-resistant packaging.

The bill now goes to the state House where it will face a much harder path to win approval from many Republican representatives opposed to medical marijuana.

A company that makes solar panels can move forward with plans to build a manufacturing plant in Fort Mill, despite protests from neighbors who say the plant shouldn’t be built near the sites of two future schools.

The Rock Hill Herald reports Silfab Solar will move forward with its plant, even after the county’s zoning board voted last month that solar panel manufacturing shouldn’t be allowed on the site.

The company says it already received a zoning verification letter in 2022, and the zoning board’s vote can’t be applied retroactively. In a statement, York County agrees with the company.

Voters in South Carolina have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to cast their ballot in a number of primary runoff elections.

They include races for the Republican nomination for South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District, where pastor Mark Burns is facing lieutenant colonel Sheri Biggs of the Air National Guard.

The district is overwhelmingly conservative, and the winner of Tuesday's runoff will be favored to win the general election in November.

Also on the ballot are the two Republican candidates for York County Sheriff: Deputy Rock Hill Police Chief Michael Belk and retired police lieutenant Tony Breeden. There are no Democrats in the race, so Tuesday's winner will likely become York County’s next sheriff.

A new health hotline for North Carolina’s Spanish-speaking population has been launched: NC Salud

For years, accessing reliable information about Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and other medical options has been a challenge for non-native English speakers, especially for those in rural parts of the state. The new hotline, established by Hispanic Federation North Carolina, provides that entry point to Spanish-speaking individuals and families, connecting callers directly with bilingual navigators. Program Manager Saraí Serrano says NC Salud is dispelling myths that have long existed in the broader Spanish-speaking community about health care access.

"Significant fear surrounding the public charge rule and its implementation for immigrants attempting to adjust their status as they apply for health insurance. Also, many people assume that they do not qualify for health insurance automatically," Serrano said.

Serrano says the best way to determine eligibility is to apply or speak with a navigator, using the hotline. Services include bilingual assistance with Medicaid applications, and directions to free and low-cost medical services available in the caller’s county of residence.

CATS riders may experience brief disruptions or delays in service along the Blue Line near East/West Boulevard Station on Tuesday as first lady Jill Biden visits the area, the Charlotte Area Transit System announced in a press release.

CATS advises riders to use the CATS-Pass app to track their rides in real-time and be aware of service disruptions.

Home sales fell almost 3% in May compared to last year, as prices keep rising and interest rates stay high.

Canopy, the Charlotte regional Realtor association, said that the average sales price last month was up almost 9% from a year ago, to just over $522,000.

The association cautioned that even though sales are dropping, demand remains high. And Realtors are warning home buyers that they likely won’t see any dramatic price drops for the foreseeable future.

Charlotte FC notched seven points over three matches in seven days and now stands alone in fourth place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference after Saturday’s 2-nil road win over Philadelphia. Coach Dean Smith said he’s seeing a change in his team.

"I think that culture is what's really  impressed me so far and the culture shift and for me, that's part of what helps you, you know, get the start that we've had so far," he said.

Charlotte travels to Houston to take on the Dynamo Saturday night, the seventh-place team in the West.

The North Carolina Senate is expected to vote Monday on its budget proposal — and it’s expected to pass before being ignored by the state House. WRAL reports the vote is likely to be another step in a standoff over how — or if — to spend a $1 billion surplus. Last week the state House passed its budget plan, which is being ignored by the Senate.

Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore each plan to have their chambers work this week before leaving for the July 4 holiday.

Unlike with the federal government, this stalemate won’t lead to a government shutdown in North Carolina. State lawmakers already approved a tentative spending plan for this coming year that will keep schools, prisons and the rest of state government open.

The Charlotte City Council will vote Monday on giving $2.5 million to a local health care group that is building what could be North Carolina’s largest behavioral health center for kids and teenagers.

The developers of the Katie Blessing Center say the 70,000-square-foot facility would be a “unicorn” among youth behavioral health centers. It would have 72 beds for youth ages 5 to 18 experiencing short- or long-term mental health crises, including mental illness, eating disorders, intellectual disabilities and anger management.

"We intend to have music therapy, art therapy, horticulture therapy, animal therapy and education as well," said Tracey Hummell, chief operating officer of Starmount Healthcare, the local management group developing the center.

The facility would also have a gym, movie theater, indoor and outdoor basketball courts and a labyrinth.

The center is named for Starmount Healthcare CEO Michael Estramonte's mother, Katie Blessing, who was a schoolteacher who worked with underprivileged kids, Hummell said.

The project is estimated to cost about $63 million in total. Starmount Healthcare has fundraised some $20 million for the project and received $17.5 million in state funding.

If the group wins additional funding from the city Monday night, plus $2 million in the next Mecklenburg County budget, Hummell said the center could begin demolition and construction of the center at 5516 Central Ave. and open as soon as early 2025.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a wide-ranging bill backed by Republicans that would change the state’s campaign finance laws, increase penalties for protesters who block traffic, and ban people from wearing masks in public — except for medical grade masks worn to limit the spread of contagious disease.

In a statement, Cooper focused in on House Bill 237's provision allowing corporations and individuals to donate unlimited amounts of money to state political parties, that could in turn funnel the money to their candidate of choice.

"This legislation creates a gaping loophole for secret, unlimited campaign money in the middle of an election year," Cooper said in the statement. "While voters are kept in the dark, this scheme allows anonymous out-of-state billionaires to flood North Carolina with campaign contributions to rescue extreme right-wing candidates that Republicans now fear will lose."

Cooper also said the bill threatens people who want to wear a mask to protect their health.

In a statement, Republican Sen. Danny Britt Jr. of Robeson County focused on the bill's provision banning people from wearing masks in public.

“Bad actors have been using masks to conceal their identity when they commit crimes and intimidate the innocent. Instead of helping put an end to this threatening behavior, the governor wants to continue encouraging these thugs by giving them more time to hide from the consequences of their actions," Britt said.

Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the state General Assembly, and are likely to override the governor's veto.

Officials with NASA say a number of strange metallic objects discovered around the North Carolina mountains over the last few weeks, may have indeed come from space.

NASA tells WLOS-TV the metal objects were likely part of a SpaceX spacecraft that broke apart as it returned to earth from the International Space Station in March.

The pieces were supposed to burn up in the atmosphere, but didn’t. If you find any more pieces littered around the mountains, NASA says call the SpaceX Debris Hotline at 1-866-623-0234 or email recovery@spacex.com to let SpaceX know.

The start of summer means higher temperatures and the associated health and power concerns. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the mid-90s through Wednesday, with higher humidity expected to make it feel like triple digits. Duke Energy has some recommendations to help lower bills. Setting thermostats seven to 10 degrees higher can save as much as 10% a year.

Dirty air filters make cooling systems work harder and changing them regularly can save five to 15 percent. Operating ceiling fans counterclockwise in the summer pushes cooler air down allowing customers to set thermostats higher. Duke also advises checking windows, doors and vents for air leaks.

Proper sealing can save 10 to 20 percent on cooling costs. Roof Above is offering its Day Services Center as a cooling station for anyone experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Mecklenburg County. It’s located at 945 North College Street. The Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. County Senior Centers are offering heat relief, and several county parks have spray stations as well.

Nourish Up, formerly Loaves & Fishes, will officially open its new “Hunger Hub” at a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony Friday afternoon. Nourish Up now operates out of the 90,000 square foot Hunger Hub providing groceries and meals through a network of more than 40 food pantries, grocery home delivery, and as the primary Meals on Wheels program for Mecklenburg County.

Located in the Thomasboro-Hoskins neighborhood near I-85 and Brookshire Blvd, the new Hub is more accessible and central to people in the community experiencing food insecurity. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 2 pm.

Plans are changing again at Kannapolis-based Stewart Haas Racing. The organization said two weeks ago it was closing its doors at the end of the current NASCAR season, but on Thursday co-owner Gene Haas said he’s keeping one of the organizations charters, which are similar to franchises in other sports, and plans to run one Cup Series car in 2025. In a statement, Haas said, “My commitment to motorsports hasn’t changed, just the scope of my involvement.”

The new Haas Factory Team will operate out of its current 200,000 square-foot facility off Highway 73 in Kannapolis and will also field two Xfinity Series teams next year. There’s no word yet on how many of the organization’s approximately 300 employees will remain, but driver Chase Briscoe said it’s a difficult time for everyone at the company.

"You know, we've never really been in a situation where there's this many drivers that are already in the Cup Series looking for a job... You know, I don't have anything to fall back on," he said.

NASCAR visits New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend. Briscoe is currently 17th in the standings, one spot out of the playoffs, with nine races left in the regular season.

Thursday is the first day of summer, and if you are feeling the heat, there's a North Carolina program that could help.

Low income households can receive new air conditioning units, windows, and even heating units through North Carolina’s weatherization assistance program.

Program manager Helen Hossley says the state hopes to help people like one woman who recently applied.

"She was living in a camper in her backyard because her house was too hot, and once we did the weatherization on her home and gave her a new heater, a new air conditioner, it was like unrecognizable to see the quality impact that we had on her life," Hossley said.

Low income renters can also qualify with a letter of support from their landlords.

Police have captured a man who shot at officers in Lincoln County from a stolen vehicle and led them on a chase into Cleveland County Wednesday afternoon. Police say the driver, 29-year-old Jeremy Huffman, shot at them out of the window of the car and they returned fire. It happened at about 4 pm near Vale, when the Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies spotted a car that was reported stolen and followed it along Highway 18.

Police say the driver, 29-year-old Jeremy Huffman, shot at them out of the window of the car and they returned fire. They say he also hit a Cleveland County school bus with three children on board. No one was injured. Stop sticks were deployed and the car crashed on Highway 74 near Polkville Road where the suspect ran away. A woman in the car was also arrested.

Despite playing with 10 men instead of 11 for most of the match, Charlotte FC fought for a 2-2 draw with Orlando City Wednesday night, earning a point that moved them into a tie for fourth place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. Charlotte was shorthanded after a red card on Scott Arfield. Team captain Ashley Westwood the players showed grit ahead of Saturday’s road trip to Philadelphia.

"We know what we are. We've got a real identity now in this team and like I said, we know what we need to do. The hard work will start tomorrow...we'll watch Philly. We've played them here so we know what they're about. And like I said, I thought I thought here we matched the physicality. So it's about going there and matching them again," he said.

Charlotte had a scoreless draw against Philadelphia last month.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police are investigating a homicide near North Graham Street and I-85. On Thursday at around 4 am, officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call at Old Interstate Road. They found a person with gunshot wounds. Paramedics transported the person to the hospital where they were later pronounced dead. CMPD did not release the name of the victim or say what led to the shooting.

Gaston County’s sole homeless shelter says it is closing. In a statement, the Salvation Army of Gaston and Lincoln Counties says the last day it will accept new people into its emergency shelter will be July 15. All those remaining will have to leave by Aug. 31.

The organization says the closure is part of its plan to transition toward homeless prevention.

“The decision to transition The Salvation Army’s emergency shelter program to a homelessness prevention program was a collective effort driven by the organization’s volunteer-led Advisory Board," the organization said in a press release.

"This decision was informed by a Mission Planning Study conducted in 2023, which involved over 70 community members. The study revealed that the emergency shelter program, while a tremendous community asset throughout its 20 years of service, is not the most cost-effective, transformative way to serve those experiencing temporary homelessness."

The facility at 107 South Broad Street will continue to provide a drive-through food pantry, case management, emergency financial assistance and a clothing program.

Six years ago, Mecklenburg County partnered with a developer to build Brooklyn Village — a mixed-use mega-project in Second Ward with apartments, office towers, shops and a hotel where a predominantly Black neighborhood stood prior to urban renewal.

Nothing has been built so far. And the developer recently told the county he’s decided to delay building the apartments again.

In April, Mecklenburg County staff told commissioners that vertical construction would begin in summer 2025 and be finished three years later.

A month later, however, the developer, Don Peebles, wrote the county and said it has “made the decision not to commence with construction at this time.” He blamed market conditions, such as high interest rates for the delay.

Peebles’ letter did not say whether he would meet the summer 2025 deadline to start actual construction and gave no updated timeline.

Some Mecklenburg Commissioners are frustrated with the slow pace of work and are likely to discuss the 17-acre project this summer.

Mecklenburg County commissioners voted 6-3 Tuesday night to approve a new agreement between the city of Charlotte, the county and the towns in Mecklenburg on how to run the Charlotte Area Transit System.

The new agreement will give Mecklenburg County and the towns more of a say in how CATS is run and who leads the transit agency, though CATS remains a city department.

County Commission Chair George Dunlap said even though plans for the Silver Line light-rail out to Matthews have fallen through, the new transit governance agreement is still an improvement.

"While there are those of us who would have wanted the eastern leg of this project to move forward, I think we've got the best deal that we could get out of this. And I think at least five of the six towns are happy," Dunlap said.

Mecklenburg County and the six county towns have been pushing for more power on the Metropolitan Transit Commission, which has mostly served as an advisory board up until now.

An effort Tuesday night to pass a proclamation recognizing Pride Month wasn’t approved by Mecklenburg County commissioners.

Commission chair George Dunlap said he supports Pride Month, but he voted against placing the item on the agenda because he said Commissioner Pat Cotham didn’t ask the clerk to put it there in time.

"As has been stated there is not one person on this dais who does not support the LGBT community. This is not about whether we support it or not. It’s about following rules," Dunlap said.

Commissioner Elaine Powell voted with Dunlap and said he was being unfairly criticized for following procedure. The other seven commissioners voted to place the proclamation on the agenda.

But since it requires a unanimous vote to consider an item that’s not already on the agenda, the Pride Month proclamation didn’t move forward.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings says he is disappointed that Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a partial rollback of North Carolina's “Raise the Age” law.

House Bill 834 would have sent 16- and 17-year-olds accused of serious felonies straight to adult court, rather than starting their cases in juvenile court and then transferring them.

In a statement, Jennings says the legislation was “a crucial step” in protecting citizen safety, but he’s also confident a solution can be found that “addresses the governor’s concerns while still upholding the core principles outlined in the legislation.”

Jennings has been pushing for a tougher approach to rising juvenile crime.

In his statement vetoing the bill, Cooper said that while he believed most violent crime, even when committed by teenagers, should be handled in adult court, "there are cases where sentences would be more effective and appropriate to the severity of the crime for teenagers if they were handled in juvenile court, making communities safer."

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper made a stop in Charlotte on Tuesday, where he visited a preschool on South Tryon Street in lower South End.

The visit to the Early Learning Center Preschool was part of the governor’s campaign to get more funding for early education and child care in the upcoming state budget.

Nearly a third of child care centers in the state are at risk of closing when pandemic-era stabilization grants run out in June, according to a recent survey.

Cooper is calling for $200 million to help child care centers stay open as those grants expire as part of a $745 million request for child care and early education for working families, according to a statement from the governor's press office.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating after someone broke into 18 cars in a hospital parking deck early Saturday morning.

Police say the car break-ins at the Atrium Health Main hospital took place around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Purses, sunglasses, cash and computers were stolen from cars parked in a Blythe Boulevard parking deck.

In a statement, Atrium Health says it’s “disappointing that individuals would take advantage of patients and their visitors by breaking into their vehicle during some of the most vulnerable moments of life.”

Police have not reported any arrests.

It will cost a little more to go fishing in North Carolina public waters this summer.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is raising the price of fishing licenses for people hoping to cast off in public lakes, ponds or coastal waters and take their catch home with them.

Starting July 1, the price of an annual adult fishing license for inland lakes or ponds will increase to $56 — up from $41.

The price of an annual license for adult residents fishing in coastal waters will increase to $19 — up from $16.

Prices will also increase for lifetime fishing licenses, which are available to infants, youth, adults and seniors. A full breakdown of the price increases is available on the NCDEQ website.

South Carolina civil rights legend John Alexander Gaines, who spent a month in the York County jail in 1961 after protesting segregation in his hometown of Rock Hill, has died in Florence. He was 83.

The Rock Hill Herald reports that Gaines, a retired lawyer, lived in Florence for most of his adult life. In 1961, Gaines and others affiliated with Friendship Junior College were arrested at a Rock Hill lunch counter that was “whites only.” They were convicted of trespassing the next day and spent a month in jail rather than pay the $100 fine. Their “Jail, No Bail” strategy, adopted after months of citywide sit-in protests that began February 1960 in Rock Hill, was crucial in bringing attention to segregated conditions in the South.

Funeral services for Gaines are pending.

The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to approve its new budget, which takes effect on July 1.

The plan sets the tax rate at 57.6 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Owners of the median $356,000 house would pay just over $2,000 a year in County property tax.

After more than a year of wrangling, a development proposed for the wooded area near Piper Glen was approved by City Council on Monday night. WJZY reports the 53-acre property that fronts Rea Road and Elm Lane in south Charlotte will now eventually be home to more than 560 homes, including age-restricted housing, and most of which will be apartments. That number was down from the 640 previously proposed.

Earlier public hearings included concerns over bald eagles fishing from a pond on the land.

John Carmichael of developer RK Investments said yesterday that talks with state wildlife officials revealed the eagles were not in a protected zone.

Last month, Charlotte City Council voted 9-1 to approve a new power-sharing agreement between Mecklenburg County, the county's six towns and the city on the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

On Tuesday, the Mecklenburg County Commission will vote on the new agreement.

According to the county commissioners' agenda, the body will vote on a revised transit agreement at its 5 p.m. meeting.

Last month, the county said it planned to oppose the new transit governing agreement.

That came after the city refused to provide money from the potential one-cent sales tax to fund maintenance and repairs on so-called orphan roads in the county’s jurisdiction.

But the city quickly reversed course and agreed to the funding, and the county now appears to be on board.

The new agreement would give the county and neighboring towns a greater say in choosing the next leader of the Charlotte Area Transit System, which is currently led by Brent Cagle. It would also give the MTC $500,000 a year to spend on evaluations and research for the agency.

The county and towns will have a bigger role in setting the budget for CATS, which is a city authority, and the new agreement could help pave the way for a new transit expansion if the state legislature approves a referendum for the new sales tax.

The meeting starts at 5 p.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. You can livestream it at mecknc.gov.

The owners of a historic queer nightclub in Charlotte that closed in 2023 have announced plans to reopen in a new space in South End.

The Scorpio Charlotte says it has acquired the multi-level nightclub and event space known as RSVP South End on Fairwood Avenue. The 15,000-square-foot space includes three bars and two rooftops, according to the announcement. No official reopening date has been announced.

The Scorpio originally opened in 1968 on Freedom Drive, where it operated until closing last October due to new development plans.

For decades, the club was a popular spot for local LGBTQ people, especially during Charlotte's annual Pride celebrations.

The nightclub says it will operate seven nights a week at the new location, and continue to operate RSVP South End's private event business during the day and off-hours.

"This move is not just a change of address," the nightclub said in a statement. "It's an evolution that ensures the Scorpio legacy continues to thrive and serve the LGBTQ+ community in Charlotte and surrounding area."

Bryson DeChambeau saw his three-shot lead evaporate in the final round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst as Rory McIlroy charged into the lead, but he rallied with a stellar bunker shot and a par putt on the 18th hole for his second U.S. Open victory.

"I turned the corner and saw I was a couple back and I said, no, I'm not gonna let that happen. I need to focus on figuring out how to make this, make this happen. And, I was a little lucky. Rory didn't make a couple putts that he could have coming in, and I had an amazing up and down in the last — I don't know what else to say," he said.

Scottie Scheffler still leads the overall standings. McIlroy is third. The next North Carolina stop for the PGA Tour is The Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro on Aug. 8-11.

Charlotte FC has a two-match winning streak after Saturday night’s 1-nil win over DC United. Kerwin Vargas scored the lone goal on a header.

Charlotte remains in fifth place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. They’ll get right back on the pitch Wednesday night at home when they host Orlando City, who’s next-to-last in the East.

Hendrick Automotive Group and local business leader Rick Hendrick have given Central Piedmont Community College about 23 acres of land adjacent to the college’s Levine Campus in Matthews. The college plans to use the donated property to build a new first-responder training facility.

Plans for the first-responder training center include law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, forensics, detention and telecommunicator facilities. Outdoor training spaces will include a scenario training village and emergency driving range. Indoor facilities will provide a firing range and a fire-and-rescue area with specialized equipment for comprehensive training.

The center will be constructed in phases, with the first phase opening in 2027, and phase two opening in 2028.

It’s the latest milestone in a longtime relationship between Central Piedmont, the Hendrick family and Charlotte-based Hendrick Automotive Group. The college opened the Joe Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology in 2006, at the Levine Campus.

Lawyers representing state legislative leaders were in court Thursday in Raleigh, arguing to throw out an anti-gerrymandering lawsuit that targets the state's new political districts.

WRAL reports the lawsuit argues that the state constitution guarantees the right to fair elections, and that the new districts violate that promise. The Republican-led legislature argues that no such right exists, since it's impossible to define what "fair" means.

Republican lawmakers drew the maps and approved them in October. Political reviews conducted by outside analysts, as well as by the legislature itself, show that the new maps are expected to give Republicans large majorities in the state legislature and the state's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives — even if Democratic candidates win a majority of the statewide vote.

The maps will be used in this year's elections, and every election through 2030, unless struck down as unconstitutional before then.

The lawsuit under debate yesterday was brought by a group represented by former Republican Supreme Court justice Bob Orr. It's one of several lawsuits targeting the new maps in state or federal court.

One of NASCAR’s top drivers will hang up his helmet after the season. The Athletic reports former champion Martin Truex Jr. of Huntersville-based Joe Gibbs Racing is expected to make the official announcement Friday. He’s been asked repeatedly in recent weeks about his plans but said last weekend he hadn’t yet made up his mind.

"It's a tough situation to be in, you know, where I'm at right now trying to figure it out months ahead of time, whatever, but it is what it is. You know, there's a lot of people that have to make plans and, and you don't want to mess them up. So you kind of got to be looking out for everybody else in these situations," he said.

Truex won the Cup Series title in 2017. He’s fifth in the overall standings this year but hasn’t won a race so far in 2024.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner George Dunlap said Thursday that he won’t be serving another term as chairman. WJZY reports that word came at a Focusing on the Future event with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and CLT Alliance Advocacy.

"I am just delighted to say that this will be my last time for a while. So I'll make that announcement up front that I am not seeking the chairmanship for another term. This is, it's been six years and I'm beginning to feel that it's actually wearing on me," he said.

Dunlap said he’ll continue to serve on the board as a commissioner after his term as chairman ends in December.

Thousands of delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention rejected a proposal to finalize a ban on women serving in pastoral roles Wednesday. The SBC’s non-binding statement of faith declares only men are qualified for the role of pastor. But, it’s interpreted differently across the denomination, with some believing it doesn’t apply to associate pastors so long as the senior pastor is male.

Reverend Kristen Muse is the executive pastor of Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh — an affiliate of the SBC. She told NPR that her gender has been a barrier.

"There are certain churches that and people that would discredit my calling. And so I think that limits the opportunity to share the love of Christ and to really go boldly, into many places," she said.

Meanwhile, Southern Baptists have elected Charlotte Pastor Clint Pressley to be the next president of their convention.

A state House committee signed off on one of two bills that would protect consumers from aggressive towing companies.

WRAL reports House Bill 1024 would establish a statewide towing commission to enforce the rules for non-consensual tows.

It would also be able to set standard towing storage fees, as well as limit the amount towing companies can charge drivers for using a credit card to get back their vehicles. The bill passed one of the Senate’s judiciary committees yesterday. During the hearing, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle relayed horror stories from constituents who said they were forced to pay thousands of dollars after their vehicles were towed.

The measure must clear at least two more committees before moving on to a full house vote. It appears to have bipartisan support, with two Republicans and two Democrats as primary sponsors.

The Charlotte City Council’s economic development committee voted unanimously Wednesday to advance a plan to spend $650 million renovating Bank of America Stadium, which is owned by Tepper Sports and Entertainment.

Under the plan, the Tepper Sports would be contractually obligated to also spend $150 million. The organization has said it would spend more than $400 million on maintenance and improvements over the next decade after that.

The city has decided to hold a special public hearing on the proposal Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. The full council is set to vote on the deal June 24.

One person was killed and two others injured in a wreck Wednesday morning that has shut down the inner loop of I-485 in northwest Charlotte. It’s near the exit for Highway 16/Brookshire Boulevard. NCDOT says it could be midday before the road reopens.

Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Charlotte on Wednesday. It’s part of her Economic Opportunity Tour, highlighting how the Biden administration has supported local communities across the country. Governor Roy Cooper is also expected to attend the event.

Few details about the visit are available but it’s the fifth trip to North Carolina this year and the thirteenth since Harris became Vice President.

The Charlotte Area Transit System says Gold Line service between French Street and Charlotte Transportation Center stations will be suspended from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a bus bridge will be in place.

The race for York County Sheriff is headed for a runoff. Five candidates ran for the office in the Republican primary Tuesday. Michael Belk, deputy chief of the Rock Hill Police Department, got 26% of the vote with Tony Breeden netting 25%. He’s a retired Rock Hill Police Department lieutenant. Since no candidate got 50%, the top two will compete in a runoff on June 25.

The city of Charlotte is launching a Spanish-language version of its app, CLT Plus.

Via the CLT Plus Español app, Spanish-speaking residents can access municipal services such as scheduling bulk trash pickup, paying their water bill, reporting broken traffic lights and more.

About 1 in 6 Charlotte residents were born outside the U.S., and Spanish-speaking countries account for the largest share.

NC State punched its ticket to the College World Series in Omaha this weekend with an 8-5 win over Georgia on Monday night. The Wolfpack will join North Carolina at college baseball’s double-elimination championship battle later this week. The Tar Heels will meet Virginia Friday at 2 pm. NC State will take on Kentucky, Saturday at 2 pm.

Stanley Black & Decker will close its distribution center in Concord next year, resulting in the loss of 224 jobs, according to paperwork filed with the state.

The Independent Tribune reports the move is part of the changes the New Britain, Connecticut-based company started making in 2023 involving its manufacturing and distribution network. The closure is an “effort to optimize its footprint,” according to the company.

Layoffs will take place in five phases, beginning with 19 employees in August, and another 35 in December of 2024. Some employees will be offered transfers to other areas. In March, Stanley Black & Decker announced it would close a manufacturing site in Fort Mill, resulting in the loss of 192 jobs. That plant, within about a mile of the North Carolina line, manufactured DeWalt cordless power tools and other equipment.

South Carolina voters head to the polls Tuesday for the state’s primary election. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m.

One of the most competitive races to watch will be in York County, where five candidates are competing for the Republican nomination to be York County Sheriff.

Michael Belk, Chris Blevins, Tony Breeden, Heath Clevenger and Beth Bryant Tolson are all seeking the nomination. If none gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will go to a June 25 runoff.

There are no Democrats running for the job, so whoever wins the Republican nomination will likely become the next sheriff.

Also on the ballot are candidates for the York and Lancaster County council, and seats in the state House and Senate.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are searching for the driver who fatally hit a 62-year-old man riding an electric scooter Sunday night.

Police said it happened around 10 p.m. on North Tryon Street near Eastway Drive.

When officers arrived, they found Curtis Bing, 62, dead in the roadway. He was not wearing a helmet.

Police say the driver had fled the scene and did not return.

An initial investigation suggests the man was riding the scooter eastbound on North Tryon when he was hit by the driver traveling in the same direction.

A toxicology report for the man who was killed is pending.

Health care premiums for thousands of state employees and retirees in North Carolina are expected to increase as the State Health Plan looks for ways to manage a massive funding gap.

WRAL reports the health plan’s trustees voted last week to increase premiums for 26,000 people on its Medicare Advantage plan — a move impacting 4,200 retirees who weren’t fully vested in the health plan and, separately, 22,000 employee dependents for the 2025 benefit year. Members signed up for the Medicare Advantage Base Plan would see their premiums increase by $33 per month starting Jan. 1. About 150,000 retiree members of the state health plan, which has 750,000 members, will see no increase at all.

The health plan faced a $1.5 billion budget gap over the next three years if the plan took no action, according to State Treasurer Dale Folwell, the chairman of the health plan’s board.

Expect heavier traffic around Bojangles Coliseum along Independence Boulevard and surrounding roads in east Charlotte on Monday as local high school graduations at the facility continue. West Charlotte is up Monday morning, with Olympic scheduled for noon. Butler High is at 3:30 p.m. and Mallard Creek wraps up ceremonies tonight at 7 p.m.

Four more graduation ceremonies are scheduled Tuesday at the same site, as well as three more at Ovens Auditorium.

Sports bettors in North Carolina wagered more than $525 million in May, the lowest amount bet in the first three months of legalized mobile sports betting in the state

WRAL reports operators collected $63 million in gross wagering revenue, according to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. That figure is taxed at 18% in the state, meaning the state will receive more than $11 million in taxes.

In all, operators have collected more than $234 million in gross wagering revenue — and will pay more than $42 million in taxes since the March 11 launch date in the state.

Friday is the last day to vote early ahead of next week’s South Carolina primaries. Early voting centers are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The primary is Tuesday, and 170 seats in the South Carolina General Assembly are up for grabs as well as Congressional, school board and Sheriff’s races. Five candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for York County Sheriff . More information is at scvotes.gov.

The Taste of Charlotte festival opens Friday in uptown Charlotte along Tryon Street. The three-day event features samples from area restaurants, performances and activities for foodies. Admission is free but visitors purchase festival coins for food sampling. The event runs from 11 am to 11 pm Friday and Saturday, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday.

The Catawba Nation is holding a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday to mark the beginning of construction of a $700 million permanent casino resort in Kings Mountain. It’s just off I-85 at Dixon School Road.

WCCB reports the resort, which will employ an estimated 2,200 people, will be about 2 million square feet at full buildout. It’s scheduled for completion in early 2026. During construction of the first phase, the Catawba Nation will continue to operate its temporary casino, which opened in 2021.

Friday is the last day of school for some 141,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg school students, and it comes with mixed emotions for many students.

During the morning drop off at Villa Heights Elementary School early Friday, students arrived with bags of candy, cupcakes and cards for their teachers and classmates.

Some, like 10-year-old Ellie Holmgren, said they were excited to take off for the summer break.

"I'm looking forward to two weeks of sleepaway camp, because there are all sorts of fun activities and cool foods, and even if you don't finish all of your dinner, you still get dessert," she said.

Others, like friends Gray Perry, 10, and Khyrell Banks, 10, said they felt a little sad the school year was coming to an end.

"I'm probably going to miss the teachers and my friends, just like seeing everybody every single day," Perry said.

Even though Banks said he'll see his friends during the summer break, "it's just something that hits better, seeing your friends inside of school than outside."

Roman Ghale, 9, said he was especially excited to gradate the third grade because just a few weeks ago, he wasn't sure if he would pass his end of grade (EOG) exams.

"I didn't think I was going to be successful during the EOG's, but when it came, when my teacher gave me back my test scores, I got to level four — on both of them! I was like, 'How did I get that?' Like I was so confused, but I'm proud of myself at the same time," he said.

Ghale said was looking forward to visiting some theme parks this summer, and then returning as a fourth grader in the fall.

A federal judge has approved a $103 million settlement in a lawsuit against a South Carolina paper mill accused of polluting the air around York County with harmful chemicals that smelled like rotten eggs.

The Rock Hill Herald reports plaintiffs will split up $18 million of the money. The rest will go toward remedial actions at the New-Indy containerboard mill.

The paper mill previously said it “let the community down” in when it produced elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide in 2021 and 2022 that sickened many nearby residents.

The plant says it has since worked with federal and state regulators to reduce and monitor emissions. The plant was fined $1.1 million by the Environmental Protection Agency in connection with the improper emissions.

The co-publisher and general manager of one of Charlotte’s oldest Black newspapers has died.

Robert Johnson was 84 years old. In a statement on X, The Charlotte Post said Johnson served many roles at the paper over the years, including columnist, circulation manager and ad sales representative.

Johnson's family purchased the paper in 1974. The paper itself was founded in 1878.

Briolf USA, a subsidiary of the Spanish company, plans to bring its first American manufacturing center in Monroe. Governor Roy Cooper made the announcement this morning saying the company will spend more than $30 million on the project and create 100 jobs.

The facility will produce coatings and adhesives for automotive and industrial use. Positions will include engineers, managers, as well as operations and support staff, with the potential to create an annual payroll impact in the community of more than $5 million per year.

A performance-based grant of $150,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Briolf’s expansion.

Police in Charlotte say someone forgot to put their car in park in an uptown parking garage Thursday morning, leading the car to roll into a wall, knock out two metal grates, and then dangle six stories over a sidewalk.

Police closed off the intersection of Sixth and Church Streets while firefighters worked to stabilize the car and tow it back to safety as a crowd of onlookers watched.

The car was unoccupied. Police say no charges are expected, and no one was injured.

A federal judge rejected a lawsuit on Wednesday and granted Novant Health permission to acquire two hospitals in Iredell County.

WJZY reports the health care provider first tried early last year to add Mooresville’s Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Statesville’s Davis Regional Medical Center under its management. Both are currently part of Tennessee-based Community Health Systems.

The $320 million deal also would include physician clinic operations and outpatient services from the group’s subsidiaries.

Kings Mountain Mayor Rob Wagman is asking for meetings with Cleveland County officials to discuss the original intergovernmental agreement between the Catawba Nation and the county, in hopes of amending allocation of “payments-in-lieu-of-taxes” that can benefit the tribe, county and city. He says the agreement provides for no consideration for the city of Kings Mountain.

In a statement, Wagman says Kings Mountain can and will provide various utility services to the planned, new tribal resort-casino, but wants it to be consistent with established ordinances and policies, equal to that of other non-City users, consistent with what might be extended to a typical new business within the city’s jurisdiction

The Catawba Nation’s Two Kings Casino is holding official groundbreaking ceremonies for the resort Friday at 10 am.

State senators held their first hearing Wednesday on new regulations for hemp and CBD products. The bill would require manufacturers and retailers of the products to get licensed and have their products tested. There's currently no age requirement to buy the products, but the bill calls for a ban on sales to people under age 21. Senator Danny Britt of Lumberton is the bill's sponsor. He says teenagers are buying products with dangerously high levels of THC and other drugs.

"We've had numerous students sent home, sent to the hospital in catatonic states, as a result of consuming something that was not what it was marketed as," he said.

A committee vote on the bill is expected next week.

A Charlotte driver has been charged in the death of a 75-year-old pedestrian in south Charlotte near Matthews.

In a news release, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police identified the driver as 41-year-old Olga Dadalko. Police said she failed to heed a stop sign while turning left onto McKee Road from Hampstead Pond Lane when she hit the pedestrian about 8:15 a.m. on Monday.

The pedestrian, identified as Mehmet Bagci, was taken to the Atrium Health Main hospital, where he died.

Police said Dadolko was driving a 2012 BMX 328, and she and a passenger were uninjured. The car was damaged on its left front end when police arrived.

Dadolko is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

The North Carolina House has approved a bill that would automatically send 16- and 17-year-olds accused of serious crimes to adult court.

The legislation, House Bill 834, is a partial reversal of North Carolina’s 2019 “Raise the Age” law which allows most juveniles under 18 to have their cases start in juvenile court, with exceptions for some serious and violent crimes.

The vote in the North Carolina House on Wednesday was 70-34. It previously passed the Senate in May by a vote of 41-4.

The bill was supported by Republicans in the state House and Senate. It now goes to Democratic Gov/ Roy Cooper, who hasn’t said if he will sign it into law.

A former Greensboro and Charlotte top official has been named the interim town manager for the town of Zebulon.

Taiwo Jaiyeoba abruptly resigned from his position as Greensboro’s city manager in March. Previously, he was Charlotte's planning director. Two senior-level city employees later told WFDD he had violated the city’s sexual harassment policy. That wasn’t discussed on Tuesday at the emergency meeting of the Zebulon Board of Commissioners. But one board member, Beverly Clark, expressed concerns about the process of the appointment.

“Some of us didn't know about it, and how they, how they went about identifying the person. How, have they met him before? When did they first meet him? And why they didn't share it with the entire board?” she said.

According to Commissioner Shannon Baxter, Jaiyeoba was selected by the North Carolina League of Municipalities as the town’s interim applicant. The board voted to approve Jaiyeoba’s contract, which allows him to serve in the interim role until a permanent manager is found, or until July 1, whichever is earlier. Zebulon’s previous town manager, Joe Moore, resigned Monday, after nearly nine years in the role.

Belmont Police are investigating an apparent murder/suicide that happened Tuesday afternoon. In a press release, police say they responded to a call for a possible cardiac arrest at an apartment on East Catawba Street just before 4 pm. where they found a man and woman unresponsive who were both pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation led them to conclude the incident was an apparent domestic related murder suicide. Identities have not yet been released. Belmont police say there’s no threat to the community.

About 4,000 customers in the Charlotte area were still without power Wednesday morning after storms swept through the region yesterday. About 2,000 of those were west of the center city with about 700 more east of Ballantyne.

Another 1,000 were out south of Gastonia. Duke Energy estimates it could be late this afternoon before power is restored in parts of Mecklenburg and Gaston counties. Mecklenburg County says the Valerie C. Woodard Center on Freedom Drive will be closed Wednesday due to the power outage. Those with appointments will be rescheduled.

Officials say those who need services today from the Department of Community Resources should visit the Ella B. Scarborough Center on Stitt Road off Eastway Drive.

Physician assistants could practice across state lines under a bill moving in the North Carolina House. The legislation would make North Carolina the latest state to join a compact agreement. The agreement means that physician assistants will be able to practice here with licenses from other states.

Representative Erin Pare from the 37th District south of Raleigh is the bill's sponsor. She says it could help North Carolina attract more medical providers.

"And this really helps people who relocate frequently like military spouses. The benefit of licensure to the state, of course, is workforce development, collaboration with other states and consumer access to physicians assistant practitioners," she said.

The bill passed its first committee hearing Tuesday.

The family of an African American man fatally shot by a Pineville police officer outside a Charlotte Food Lion last month is calling for the release of officers' body-worn camera footage.

Cleopatra Bodden, mother of Dennis Bodden, said she also believes officers were aware her son suffered from mental illness. She spoke to reporters at a news conference outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Monday with members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP.

Pineville police say Bodden had stolen $83 worth of wine and produce from the grocery store on Johnston Road when an officer followed him across the street and used a Taser on him.

A second officer used a Taser on him again. Police said Bodden then lunged at an officer’s gun, prompting police to fatally shoot him.

The Charlotte Observer also obtained police radio recordings of the encounter, in which an officer says Bodden bit him after being shot with a stun gun.

In a news release, Pineville police say they were not aware of Bodden’s history of mental illness, and the department does not have a mental health unit to respond to people in crisis.

Under North Carolina law, police body-camera and dash-cam footage can only be released under a court order.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are investigating a fatal crash early Tuesday morning that shut down the I-277 inner loop in uptown Charlotte during the morning rush.

The single-car crash was reported around 2:30 a.m. near the freeway's northbound ramp to I-77.

Paramedics said one person was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. Another person was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The freeway was reopened around 9 a.m. Police did not identify the person who was killed.

North Carolina, NC State and Clemson have all advanced to the NCAA Baseball Super Regionals.

The Tar Heels rallied to beat Louisiana State and will face West Virginia this week.

NC State downed James Madison to advance and will meet Georgia.

Clemson beat Coastal Carolina to move to the next round and will take on Florida. All three matchups will be best-of-three series.

Exact dates and times are expected to be announced soon by the NCAA.

The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles says it will resume Saturday hours at 16 drivers’ license offices across the state this weekend. Two of those are in Charlotte – David Taylor Drive in north Charlotte and West Arrowood Road in South Charlotte. Walk-in services will be provided on Saturdays from June 8 through August 24 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Other DMV offices in the area with the weekend hours are on US 74 in Monroe, Mt Holly Huntersville Road in Huntersville, and South Main Street in Salisbury.

Services offered during the Saturday hours include driver license or ID cards, renewals or duplicate orders, address changes, REAL ID, and road tests for customers that have already completed the knowledge and written tests.

Tuesday morning at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, service workers protested near Josh Birmingham Parkway and Wilkinson Boulevard. It’s part of protests being held at every American Airlines hub in a call to increase pay. Local cabin cleaner Priscilla Hoyle said the current wages make things difficult for her family.

"I have to make so many sacrifices just to really scrape paycheck to paycheck and keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. I don't even know what a vacation would be. My kids don't know what a vacation is," she said.

Last week, some airport workers also went on strike during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

Residents and small businesses affected by strong storms that moved through the greater Charlotte region in April can now apply for low-interest loans to help them rebuild.

The Small Business Administration on Monday approved South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster's request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the April 20 storms.

According to the governor's office, the storms destroyed 16 homes and badly damaged 12 in South Carolina.

The declaration covers York County and the adjacent counties of Cherokee, Chester, Lancaster and Union, along with Cleveland, Mecklenburg and Gaston County in North Carolina.

Those affected can apply for loans up to $500,000 dollars or more depending on damage.

The Small Business Administration will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Pathways Community Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina to help residents affected by the severe weather.

The outreach center will open on Wednesday, June 5, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. It will remain open from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on weekdays, and from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays, through June 20.

Campaign season is well underway across the county, and officials are making stops in various locations in North Carolina. The Biden-Harris campaign and the Coordinated Campaign of North Carolina hosted Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in uptown Charlotte on Monday afternoon.

North Carolina could be a major battleground state in the 2024 election just as Michigan was during the 2020 election. While many view the upcoming election as one of the biggest elections in history, Whitmer said this time around it isn’t an exaggeration.

"The stakes keep getting higher. And that's why this work matters and that's why this office matters.

"That's why showing up and signing up for a shift, bringing friends in to take on a shift, hosting events, making sure people know who these phenomenal leaders are that you have on your statewide ballot and in your local offices, as well as the very top of the ticket with the president," Whitmer said.

During the 2020 election, Michigan flipped to a blue state and the same could happen to North Carolina in this year’s election.

Good news for drive-in movie fans: The Belmont Drive-In, just west of Charlotte, will reopen this weekend after storms and a tornado ripped through its screen last month.

In a Facebook post, the outdoor movie theater said it will reopen this Friday and Saturday for showings of 1994’s “The Lion King” and the 1999 adventure flick “The Mummy.”

The Belmont Drive-In had to shut down after the May 9 storms swept through the Charlotte region, spawning two tornadoes that touched down in Gaston County. Emergency officials said one person died as a result of the storms.

A pedestrian was fatally hit by a car Monday morning in south Charlotte, not far from Matthews.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the collision happened at about 8:15 a.m. in the 1600 block of McKee Road.

The victim was brought to the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center where they died.

Police have not identified the pedestrian or said whether the driver will face charges.

The Charlotte Area Transit System said Monday that six light-rail vehicles are back in service and carrying passengers after undergoing extensive maintenance.

A year ago, the North Carolina Department of Transportation criticized CATS for missing routine maintenance on its light-rail vehicles. The state said that led to a 2022 derailment. No one was hurt, but the whole light rail fleet was found to need serious work.

Interim CATS Chief Executive Brent Cagle said two other vehicles have been overhauled by the manufacturer, Siemens, but aren’t yet ready to carry passengers.

"Once the vehicles come back from service they need to be tested along the alignment, but not in revenue service. And so that testing is ongoing," Cagle said.

Cagle said two other light-rail vehicles are being repaired in Florida.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte transit system said all Blue and Gold Line service will be suspended on Saturday and Sunday for annual maintenance. The city will run buses along the light-rail routes instead.

Service will resume as normal on Monday, June 10, at 5 p.m.

Four people were shot — two fatally — in Rock Hill late Saturday night, according to the Rock Hill Police Department.

WJZY reports at about 10 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to Southland Drive after officers heard gunshots in the area of a neighborhood block party. That’s in the southern part of Rock Hill near where Mount Holly Road and Saluda Road cross.

When they arrived, they saw a 44-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man with gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third victim, a 25-year-old woman, was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound. She was treated at the scene by EMS. A short time later, a 24-year-old man arrived at a local medical center with a minor gunshot graze that he said happened while at Southland Drive. No arrests have been made.

York County Councilman William “Bump” Roddey said the organizers let Rock Hill Police know about the event ahead of time as a precaution because of the size of the crowd. He said more preventative measures could still have been taken.

The Charlotte Fire Department is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for its first all-electric firehouse Monday morning. The facility is being built on Beam Road, just south of Charlotte Douglas Airport, near the Police and Fire Training Academy. City officials say the two-story, three bay Firehouse 30 will be the first all-electric firehouse in the southeast, equipped with the first all-electric North American style fire truck. It will replace the current facility on Belle Oaks drive, built in 1955. The groundbreaking starts at 9:45 am.

Charlotte FC rallied for a 3-2 win on the road Sunday over Atlanta United. Liel Abada scored two goals for Charlotte. Team Captain Ashley Westwood said after the match it was a good bounce-back for Charlotte after losing last Wednesday.

"It was massive and I said it before, I said in football you always get an opportunity to put things right and they come around quickly. Today we were excellent. We were unlucky to concede the first goal but the character we showed to come back get, we got ourselves back in it at half time and then second half we were, we looked like a real threat going forward and Liel's come up with two moments of magic and won us the game," he said.

Charlotte moves up from seventh to fifth in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. They now get a break until a home match June 15 against DC United.