The end is near. 1,382 days after Donald Trump filed for reelection — on the same day as his inauguration — the finish line of the 2020 election is within reach, and the results in the Carolinas will have national consequences.

When Charlotte’s Major League Soccer team chose the old Eastland Mall site for its headquarters and practice fields, it was hailed as manna from heaven. Scratch that. Change of plans. We’ll fill you in on that and on new safety reforms at CMPD, CMS plans for returning students to the classroom even as COVID-19 cases rise, and the record turnout for early voting and mail in ballots. What does that portend? Those stories and more on the local news roundup.

For many Americans, the first time we understood the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic was when the NBA indefinitely suspended its season in March. Since then, navigating how to play, watch, and operate the sports industry has been an unprecedented challenge on both a national and local level.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. Sorting out fake news, trolls, and foreign interference – all working to misinform you. How do we fix this and who gets to be the gatekeeper of online information? We look for answers.

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. Early voting is surging, and a record-setting number of absentee ballots have been cast. With Election Day just around the corner, we get info on everything you need to know to vote in this election from officials across the state.

The 2020 election could go down as the most-litigated presidential contest this country has seen.

On the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: We’re staying in Phase 3 because our COVID-19 numbers are rising, leaving music venues and other businesses reeling. Two major candidates come a-calling and the courts rule on absentee ballots.

Mayor Vi Lyles talks about her ideas to take a comprehensive approach to violent crime as Charlotte's homicide count climbs. We also talk about affordable housing and the election and Charlotte’s response to the pandemic.

As America’s politics become ever more divisive, an unexpected side effect is the rise in extremist hate groups. They’ve garnered national attention from the last presidential debate and have been active in recent protests nationwide. What’s driving this surge and will they last beyond the election?

While the presidential race is drawing long lines of early voters and record numbers of mail-in votes, there’s a lot on the line for North Carolina government.