Fort Mill and Tega Cay voters pick school board members. Check here for results

Fort Mill and Tega Cay voters picked all three incumbents in their school board race and a newcomer with long ties to the district, according to unofficial results on election night. Joe Helms, Michele Branning, Keith Griffin and Lipi Pratt led a seven-candidate field for four seats. Those seven candidates ran to serve the school board for the Rock Hill region’s largest district at more than 18,000 students. The Fort Mill School District serves families in Fort Mill, Tega Cay and the unincorporated areas between them. Fort Mill routinely ranks atop the list of statewide districts in student test scores , school report cards and similar education metrics. Quality schools are a main reason why Fort Mill is growing faster than any city or town in the Charlotte region . Candidates made their cases this fall on how they’d continue that level of success as much as they did new ideas for improvement. Incumbents Michele Branning, Joe Helms and Lipi Pratt all filed to retain seats. Newcomers Larry Barnett, Keith Griffin, Brandon Langford and Melissa Maynard ran to take their own. Outgoing board member Wayne Bouldin opted not to run for reelection. This is a developing story. Check back for

Charlotte Adds Hundreds More Jail Beds as Repeat-Offender Concerns Grow

Charlotte has reopened a massive jail facility as local officials try to ease overcrowding and reduce the pressure behind the city’s revolving-door criminal justice problem. Mecklenburg County’s Jail North has more than 700 beds and is now housing detainees again after years of limited use. The move gives...

Campbell takes NC-83 despite Cabarrus upset

ROWAN COUNTY — Dr. Grant Campbell retained his seat in District 83 despite a split Rowan and Cabarrus vote. The freshman Republican representative won reelection with 18,240 votes over his […]

Mecklenburg County Initiative AddressesAffordable Housing for Employees

One of Michael Bryant’s early priorities when he was appointed as the new Mecklenburg County Manager in April 2025 was to find solutions to Charlotte’s affordable housing crisis. Bryant, who served as deputy county manager for 5 years before his appointment to the county manager position, was a budget analyst for the county. In his new role, he leads 6,500 employees and oversees a budget of $2.5 billion.

School board weighs options for attendance boundary changes

After a summer of controversy, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board will take on a task that's difficult for any school board: deciding where students go to school. CMS plans to reopen Elbert Edwin Waddell High School as a comprehensive high school and open a new middle school on Stumptown Road — which will affect other schools’ attendance boundaries.

School district files counterclaim against Silfab, York County

The Fort Mill Schools District has officially filed a counterclaim lawsuit against Silfab and York County, according to The Charlotte Observer.

‘Cloud of confusion.’ State Health Plan changes leave participants dazed during open enrollment

For the past year, Buncombe County teacher Shanna Peele has driven two hours each way for her appointments at Atrium Health Rheumatology in Charlotte. The commute isn’t convenient, but the care she’s received from Atrium has been well worth it, Peele told Carolina Public Press. However, a public feud between Atrium and the State Treasurer has made it difficult for Peele to know whether she can keep her care at Atrium at the same rates going forward under the State Health Plan.

Lake area towns to honor servicemen and women

LAKE NORMAN – Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, commemorates the end of World War I in 1918. The armistice that ended the fighting took effect on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 a.m. Armistice Day later evolved into Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Charlotte Is Weighing a Ban on Towing Cars With People Inside, but North Carolina Law Won’t Let It Touch What Towers Charge

Charlotte City Council’s Safety Committee is looking at changes to the city’s private-property towing rules, a topic it took up at its October and November meetings. Two proposals stand out: banning the towing of vehicles with people inside them, and requiring a property owner’s written authorization for every tow, at any hour. Both are reasonable. Neither touches the bill, though, because North Carolina law doesn’t let cities set tow prices.

Peninsula Social District Hosting First Event

By Dave Vieser — The Peninsula Village Social District will host its first special event Saturday, Nov. 7, when it hosts “Mimosas and Motors” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place in the parking lot between Peninsula Prime and H2 restaurants and feature a display of automobiles from AutoBarn Classic Cars of Charlotte.

Things To Do in Charlotte This Weekend: Nov. 6-8

Charlotte's first full weekend of November brings candlelit music, a holiday camp, and big laughs. Candlelight: Tribute to Dolly Parton reimagines the country legend's classics for strings at Triple C Brewing, while drag stars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme kick off their tour with The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show at Blumenthal Arts Center. Comedian Luenell brings her bold stand-up act to The Comedy Zone. Jazz, Checkers hockey, and Little Big Town round out the weekend, and the Hornets, Sleeping With Sirens, and more keep the momentum going into next week.

How Ken McCool spent Election Day, when he defeated N.C. Rep. Tricia Cotham

The Carolinas Just Redrew The Political Map: Biggest Surprises From Yesterday’s Midterm Elections

Both North Carolina and South Carolina flipped Republican-held Senate seats to Democrats. North Carolina Democrats also broke 15 years of Republican control in the state House, while several supposedly safe GOP congressional districts collapsed. Around Charlotte, the changes were just as dramatic. Former N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore lost his...

York County Council plan could bring $25M investment, 215 jobs to vacant Fort Mill warehouse

YORK COUNTY — It's been two years since nearly 200 jobs in the Fort Mill area were eliminated and Stanley Black & Decker left an empty manufacturing center near the Carowinds theme park. Now, a European retailer has eyes on the building to make it its headquarters and a...

Kannapolis, Landis join other municipalities in voluntary water conservation

In coordination with regional partners, the City of Kannapolis and Town of Landis are moving to Level 1, voluntary water conservation, along with the City of Concord, Town of Harrisburg. […]

WFAE recognizes retired attorney Jon Buchan with the Ed Williams First Amendment Award

WFAE will honor Jon Buchan with this year’s Ed Williams First Amendment Award on Thursday, November 19. As an attorney, Buchan spent more than four decades in service to First Amendment rights, journalism and open government. The Ed Williams First Amendment Award recognizes individuals who advance truth, transparency and...

Charlotte ranks No. 1 for pet-friendly rentals in the U.S.

When it comes to pet-friendly rentals, Charlotte is top dog. Why it matters: From parks and the rail trail to dog-friendly bars and cat cafes, Charlotte has plenty of places to take — and find — four-legged friends. And the city's rental market reflects that pet-loving culture. Driving the news: Charlotte ranks No. 1 among the nation's 50 largest metros for pet-friendly rentals, according to a new Zillow report . 91.6% of Charlotte rental listings on Zillow allow pets, compared to 77.3% nationwide. That's up from 75% in 2024, when Charlotte ranked fourth in a separate Zillow and BARK analysis. By the numbers: Nationwide, 59% of renter households have at least one pet, compared to 37% with children, per the report. Plus, 65% of renters say pet-friendliness is essential when choosing a rental. Zoom out: Austin trails Charlotte by just 0.1 percentage points, followed by Denver, Dallas and Nashville. Raleigh also lands in the top 10 at No. 6. On the flip side, Providence, Rhode Island and New York City have the fewest pet-friendly rentals among major metros. Graphic: Courtesy of Zillow. Between the lines: While Charlotte has plenty of pet-friendly housing, many animals are still waiting for homes. North

The merriest Christmas pop-up bar is coming to Charlotte this December—and you can join the waitlist now

Ever dreamed of stepping directly into the picturesque Christmas scenes from your favorite holiday films? This December, Foo Bar is getting a complete seasonal takeover to turn those holiday wishes into reality. The Jingle Bar is officially landing in Charlotte for a limited run from December 3rd through December 23rd....

OpenAI Sued Over Chatbot’s Alleged Role in Charlotte Case

James Gates, a Charlotte resident, is suing OpenAI in San Francisco Superior Court. His complaint alleges that ChatGPT assisted his wife, Cheryl Gates, in planning and concealing an attempt to poison him. He seeks unspecified damages, alleging physical, emotional and financial harm, according to USA TODAY, which first reported the suit.

Private donors, businesses to help Discovery Place pay nature center’s funding gap to Mecklenburg County

Details are also being worked out on a 35-year lease with the museum organization to manage the nature center.