David Boraks

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's statewide stay-at-home order is now in effect. But for people deemed "essential workers" during the coronavirus outbreak, the daily commute goes on. They work at technology companies and banks, takeout restaurants and construction sites, and most say they're comfortable with the situation. 

CMPD officers are helping to clear homeless residents from camps near uptown, leaving many looking for new places to live. That's raising concern among advocates for the homeless, who say the action flies in the face of guidance from federal health officials about preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Charlotte's COVID-19 Response Fund has handed out its first $3 million in grants, to help Mecklenburg County residents affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

With many North Carolinians now under stay-at-home orders to keep the coronavirus from spreading, we're all relying on the internet for remote work and schooling. Dropped connections during meetings or classes are becoming more common, a sign that the internet is straining under the demand.

Updated 1:19 p.m.
Charlotte Area Transit System is making buses and trains free, but plans to reduce service by about one-half beginning Wednesday until further notice, as commuting slows because of the coronavirus. CATS says ridership is down 41 percent since early March on buses and the Lynx Blue Line light rail.

As Charlotte's homeless population grows, more people are sleeping outdoors. Each has a name and a story. A seven-year-old ministry called Watchmen of the Streets visits them regularly to bring supplies - and friendship.

Barbershops and hair salons have been hit hard by the coronavirus downturn and social distancing. Ron Raeford owns Raeford's Barbershop on Main Street in Davidson, where traffic really slowed down last week. On Saturday mornings, there's usually a bunch of men waiting when the doors open. This weekend, the chairs were empty. 

Many restaurants and bars in North Carolina have closed since the governor banned inside dining Tuesday amid the coronavirus pandemic. But a popular coffee shop in Davidson is doing the opposite - opening a new location.

The number of people sleeping outdoors in Charlotte appears to be rising as shelter programs adjust services because of the coronavirus. These residents are following news about the pandemic, and with a bit of help, taking precautions.

With classes canceled because of the coronavirus scare, schools around the Charlotte region began handing out free take-home meals Tuesday, hoping to plug the gap for families that rely on school food programs. 

School closings because of the coronavirus pandemic have educators scrambling to shift to online learning. But here in Mecklenburg County, as many as one in five students may lack the basic tools they need to work at home. Experts say that highlights an underlying crisis: the digital divide.

People who work with homeless residents in Mecklenburg County say the coronavirus outbreak has prompted new precautions, including health screening for shelter guests. They’re working to reduce crowding at meal time and appealing for donations of food and other supplies.

Two CMPD officers who shot and killed a man in uptown Charlotte in November will not be charged. 

Mecklenburg County officials said last month that a long-time goal of affordable housing on county-owned land in uptown Charlotte isn't financially feasible. But other property owners in the North Tryon Street area think it is, including First United Methodist Church.

County commissioners from Gaston and Mecklenburg agreed in principle Wednesday to push for restarting the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission, which was disbanded after a disagreement six years ago. And they agreed to cooperate on other shared issues, like state legislation and transportation. 

Lake Norman is a major destination for visitors north of Charlotte. Nearby downtown Cornelius isn't. But organizers say a planned $25 million regional arts center will change that — if they can raise the last $9 million this year.