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Drought is worsening in North Carolina and municipalities across the Charlotte region are asking residents to voluntarily conserve water. As the region grapples with the worst drought since 2008, the state’s agricultural economy is also under stress. We’ll discuss why this drought has progressed the way it has, how it's affecting the region and we look at how an already fractured farming industry is dealing with the conditions.

A Charlotte City Council member calls for a temporary pause on new data centers near Charlotte neighborhoods. State regulators tell Duke Energy to slow down new solar power generation. CMS cancels school on May 1st ahead of a large protest scheduled in Raleigh. The Charlotte Checkers tumble out of the Calder Cup playoffs.

Cathy Bessant steps down as CEO of the Foundation for the Carolinas. Two top editors are leaving the Charlotte Observer. CMS will host an emergency meeting to consider modifying the academic calendar ahead of a planned May 1st rally in Raleigh and anticipated teacher absences. The Carolina Panthers select Monroe Freeling with the 19th pick in the NFL Draft.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles says the City Council will discuss the I-77 toll lanes and data centers at its May 11th meeting. S.C. says its measles outbreak is over. A second Mecklenburg state house member is leaving the Democratic Party. Despite recent rainfall, drought conditions have now extended across eight months.

Despite a rising demand for services, slower revenue growth and uncertainty in support from the state and federal government, County Manager Mike Bryant's proposed budget for FY 2026-2027 calls for no reduction to services, no property tax increases and strategic new investments. He joins us to discuss how he came up with it.

South Carolina lawmakers race to redraw congressional maps before a May 26th deadline. CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill says she's not going anywhere, despite rampant speculation about her job. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden responds to reports of overcrowding inside the county jail.

NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson warns Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles of consequences if local leaders pull support for I-77 toll lanes. New designs for the I-77 project were unveiled Monday. Charlotte City Council is pushing for a 10% raise for firefighters. This year's Blumey Awards have been handed out to the area's top high school musical theatre students.

Americans are more digitally connected than ever, yet more often isolated from the people living closest to them. A national survey last year showed only about a quarter of adults know all or most of their neighbors. What happens when neighborhood bonds disappear? Can rebuilding them improve our health, trust and resilience?

Mallard Creek High School appeals after a runner was disqualified in the state championship race. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office will reopen its second detention center due to overcrowding. Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney says he may step down. Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick among those selected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame

CMS struggles to adjust its budget for the upcoming school year by Friday's looming deadline. The N.C. Forest Service lifts the statewide burn ban. The cities of Charlotte, Concord, and Kannapolis impose mandatory water restrictions beginning Friday. The Charlotte Hornets land the 14th pick in the NBA Draft. Kristoffer Reitan wins the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow.

The Charlotte City Council passes a resolution to oppose the I-77 toll lane project. Red light cameras may be returning to Charlotte. Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts makes a pitch to serve as interim mayor when Vi Lyles steps down. Union County Public Schools will eliminate 11 positions.

Ahead of the start of this year’s hurricane season, we hear predictions for the number of likely storms and how to brace for whatever may come our way, plus an update on drought conditions and continued Helene recovery efforts.

The CMS Board of Education unanimously approves the district's 2026-27 budget. N.C. lawmakers say they may finally be close to a new state budget agreement. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles addresses her decision to step down next month. Mecklenburg County says Ramsey Creek Beach will not open for Memorial Day weekend due to low water levels.

The S.C. Supreme Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction. Charlotte City Council calls a special meeting today to further discuss the I-77 toll lane project. CMS schedules an emergency closed meeting to discuss personnel matters Wednesday; speculation swirls around Superintendent Crystal Hill's job. A major gas explosion and fire breaks out in Matthews.

American medicine is changing, transformed by breakthroughs in gene therapies, innovative approaches to behavioral health, the advent of retail medicine and artificial intelligence. Dr. Marschall Runge calls this “the great health care disruption,” but says that understanding what is happening is a way to make these changes work for everyone while lowering costs and barriers to care.

The I-77 toll lane project is dead after the transportation planning board votes to rescind support. After approving a new congressional map, the S.C. Senate Judiciary Committee sends a districting bill to the floor. N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is accused of sending inappropriate texts to a former staffer. Campers arrive for this weekend's Coca-Cola 600.

Charlotte City Council member James Mitchell makes a bid to be named interim mayor. A no-swim advisory is issued for Island Cove on lake Wylie. Concord and Kannapolis ease some water restrictions. S.C. GOP candidates square off tonight for a third debate.

The South Carolina Senate abandons a last-minute redistricting plan. Charlotte City Council approves a timeline for replacing Mayor Vi Lyles. The CMS Board takes another step toward the creation of an educator community of affordable housing units. Concord Police identify a suspect in a nearly 18-year old murder case.

Federal officers and CMPD arrest 10 and move to seize the Garden Inn near the Sugar Creek/I-85 interchange, describing it as a crime hotspot. Vi Lyles could remain Charlotte's mayor past her June 30th retirement date. Charlotte City Council and York County are both considering data center moratoriums.

Proposed plans to reduce toxic chemicals in North Carolina’s waterways face pushback from the public because some argue they don’t do enough to stop pollution or hold polluters accountable. Meanwhile, the EPA is in the process of weakening federal chemical regulations.