WFAE staff and wire reports

The North Carolina Office of State Human Resources says the federal government shutdown means 200 state employees will be furloughed starting today. The employees would be placed on leave without pay until the shutdown ends, though health coverage will continue through October. Federal Court in the state will continue to operate. According to the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, they’re funded through Friday, though staff will work without pay.WLOS in Asheville reports some National Parks like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park could also be impacted. An Interior Department contingency plan posted last night says. Open-air sites will remain open to the public, but buildings that require staffing, such as visitor centers will be closed.

Over 100 Solero Technologies manufacturing employees are losing their jobs in Shelby. The Charlotte Observer reports the Michigan-based company will close its Shelby plant on Airport Road with 102 layoffs, effective March 31, according to a N.C. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification report filed this week. Layoffs are set to begin Nov. 28, according to the notice. The facility produces advanced pieces for automotive, truck and off-road vehicles. Solero acquired the Shelby facility from Netherlands-based Kendrion’s for about $70 million.

After 93 years the annual Mallard Creek BBQ is ending. The event, known for its smoked pork and Brunswick Stew, has been a big fundraiser for the church, supporting local and world missions and the church’s building fund since 1929.Church officials say generational leadership of the event has stepped aside, leaving them unable to continue.

A preliminary report from North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek faults the Charlotte Area Transit System for not hiring enough armed security guards on its light rail system. The report released Tuesday says that even though CATS tripled its security budget and hired more security personnel overall in recent years, the number of armed officers fell by 40 percent. The city of Charlotte responded that it has added more CMPD officers to supplement patrols on the light rail. The audit was prompted by the killing of Iryna Zarutska on the Blue Line light rail. A final report is pending.

An unaffiliated Charlotte City Council candidate will appear on ballots in November in District 3. The Charlotte Observer reports Robin Emmons was the only unaffiliated candidate who collected enough signatures to qualify by the Sept. 19 deadline, according to the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. Candidates who are not registered with a political party must collect signatures from 1.5% of registered district voters in order to get onto the ballot. She’ll face Democrat Joi Mayo and Republican James Bowers in the general election on Nov. 4. The winner will replace ousted Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, who lost in the primary.

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are investigating after the body of a stowaway was discovered in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane Sunday morning.

Three people were killed and at least eight others wounded Saturday night after a gunman opened fire from a boat outside a Southport waterfront bar, police said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are investigating two shootings early Saturday that left two men dead and several others injured.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say a man died early Friday after being detained during a traffic stop in east Charlotte.