Charlotte is About To Witness a ‘Smiley Face’ in The Night Sky

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Charlotte is About To Witness a ‘Smiley Face’ in The Night Sky

Charlotte is about to witness a rare celestial event on April 25 as Venus, Saturn, and the moon align to form what skywatchers call a “smiley face” in the sky.

Venus, the brightest of the three, will appear low on the eastern horizon around magnitude -4.43. Saturn will follow about 20 minutes later, rising to the lower right of Venus. A thin waning crescent moon will emerge to Saturn’s left, completing the smiling formation tilted approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizon, according to the BBC.

Venus and Saturn will serve as the “eyes,” while the crescent moon will form the “mouth” of this rare planetary arrangement. While Venus and the moon will be visible without aid, Saturn may be harder to spot due to its lower brightness and proximity to the sun’s glare.

Viewers are urged to take caution and never look directly toward the sun. Observers should find an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon for the best chance of seeing the alignment.

In addition to the planetary smile, Mercury may become visible near the horizon shortly after the moon rises. Though Neptune will also be nearby—about one degree to the right of the moon—it will be far too faint to see without a telescope.

Those with telescopes or binoculars may also catch a glimpse of Earthshine, a phenomenon where sunlight reflected from Earth faintly illuminates the moon’s dark side, revealing surface features not lit directly by the sun.

The cosmic smile is a visual event unique to Earth’s vantage point and cannot be observed from anywhere else in the solar system. Weather permitting, this will be a memorable sight for astronomy enthusiasts across the Carolinas.

Major Gas Leak Shuts Down Rea Road in Charlotte

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Major Gas Leak Shuts Down Rea Road in Charlotte

A gas leak forced a partial closure of Rea Road in south Charlotte after a third-party contractor struck an underground gas line near Olde Providence Park around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Piedmont Natural Gas crews responded to the scene and turned off the gas flow early Thursday morning. While the leak did not impact service for any customers, officials said the road is expected to remain partially blocked for several hours as repairs continue.

The company confirmed that the contractor responsible was not affiliated with Piedmont Natural Gas. Repair work is expected to be completed by Thursday afternoon.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area near Rea Road and Olde Providence Park until the roadway fully reopens.

Charlotte Ranks Among The Top Large Cities in America to Start a Business

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Charlotte Ranks Among The Top Large Cities in America to Start a Business

With May 4th kicking off National Small Business Week but many small-business owners still struggling to hire new employees, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Best Large Cities to Start a Business, as well as expert commentary.

In order to help aspiring entrepreneurs maximize their chances for long-term prosperity, WalletHub compared 100 U.S. cities across 19 key indicators of startup viability. The data set ranges from the five-year business-survival rate to labor costs to office-space affordability.

Starting a Business in Charlotte (1=Best; 50=Avg.):

  • Overall Rank: 13th
  • 13th – Growth in Number of Small Businesses
  • 36th – Cost of Living
  • 13th – Length of Average Workweek (in Hours)
  • 22nd – Share of College-Educated Population
  • 4th – Industry Variety
  • 35th – Growth of Average Business Revenues

Charlotte ranks just behind Fort Worth and Durham, and just ahead of Arlington and Scottsdale.

Best Places to Start a Business

Overall Rank  City Total Score  Business Environment Rank  Access to Resources Rank  Business Costs Rank 
1 Orlando, FL 65.03 1 36 35
2 Tampa, FL 63.51 4 10 37
3 Austin, TX 60.51 2 4 81
4 Jacksonville, FL 60.50 5 76 18
5 Miami, FL 60.24 3 57 51
6 St. Petersburg, FL 60.19 6 56 29
7 Boise, ID 59.31 10 44 45
8 Atlanta, GA 59.16 14 16 48
9 Raleigh, NC 59.01 24 7 38
10 Hialeah, FL 58.93 8 81 22
11 Fort Worth, TX 58.61 11 14 67
12 Durham, NC 58.37 32 12 25
13 Charlotte, NC 58.04 7 77 33
14 Scottsdale, AZ 57.56 12 5 78
15 Arlington, TX 56.91 9 49 63
16 Dallas, TX 56.64 13 50 60
17 Chandler, AZ 56.27 16 17 71
18 Glendale, AZ 56.15 27 63 26
19 Aurora, CO 56.10 29 35 42
20 Mesa, AZ 55.84 30 47 36
21 Phoenix, AZ 55.71 25 52 40
22 Irving, TX 55.34 15 21 74
23 Tulsa, OK 54.84 54 74 2
24 Gilbert, AZ 54.77 17 11 79
25 Oklahoma City, OK 54.35 56 61 8
26 Indianapolis, IN 54.19 58 51 9
27 Madison, WI 54.09 71 2 49
28 San Bernardino, CA 53.92 18 91 46
29 Garland, TX 53.87 20 38 69
30 North Las Vegas, NV 53.55 28 53 59
31 Winston-Salem, NC 53.20 49 97 4
32 Nashville, TN 53.16 21 29 73
33 Lubbock, TX 53.16 38 66 39
34 Houston, TX 52.78 33 65 50
35 Colorado Springs, CO 52.36 37 84 31
36 Birmingham, AL 52.29 82 33 3
37 Greensboro, NC 52.14 73 55 5
38 Reno, NV 51.93 47 24 66
39 Henderson, NV 51.92 36 43 70
40 Denver, CO 51.72 42 39 68
41 Columbus, OH 51.67 63 15 44
42 Fresno, CA 51.66 41 71 56
43 Plano, TX 51.45 19 3 90
44 Laredo, TX 51.29 52 64 41
45 Kansas City, MO 51.20 79 27 13
46 Detroit, MI 51.01 80 70 1
47 Albuquerque, NM 50.91 64 60 21
48 Sacramento, CA 50.57 40 31 77
49 Las Vegas, NV 50.19 48 78 54
50 Tucson, AZ 50.08 66 80 10
51 Omaha, NE 49.89 76 23 23
52 Chicago, IL 49.23 59 9 75
53 Irvine, CA 49.03 43 1 98
54 Fort Wayne, IN 48.95 70 92 6
55 Los Angeles, CA 48.83 31 22 88
56 Milwaukee, WI 48.63 81 62 16
57 Long Beach, CA 48.48 35 34 84
58 Louisville, KY 48.20 69 79 19
59 Lincoln, NE 47.76 92 37 20
60 Stockton, CA 47.68 51 86 64
61 Santa Ana, CA 47.53 22 72 85
62 Riverside, CA 47.50 23 88 80
63 Cincinnati, OH 47.42 87 45 24
64 San Antonio, TX 47.35 46 98 55
65 Minneapolis, MN 46.69 90 8 61
66 Baton Rouge, LA 46.59 84 85 12
67 El Paso, TX 46.56 53 99 34
68 St. Paul, MN 46.27 86 30 52
69 Buffalo, NY 46.12 99 59 11
70 Corpus Christi, TX 46.02 74 67 47
71 Pittsburgh, PA 45.96 93 20 53
72 Cleveland, OH 45.89 89 82 15
73 Newark, NJ 45.71 85 32 58
74 Anaheim, CA 45.29 50 58 87
75 Wichita, KS 45.25 95 73 17
76 San Diego, CA 45.12 34 46 93
77 Bakersfield, CA 44.93 57 89 72
78 Baltimore, MD 44.93 83 68 43
79 St. Louis, MO 44.90 100 19 7
80 Toledo, OH 44.80 91 90 14
81 Philadelphia, PA 44.68 67 83 57
82 Portland, OR 44.64 62 26 83
83 Boston, MA 44.28 72 13 82
84 Chula Vista, CA 44.21 44 48 92
85 Oakland, CA 44.10 45 28 94
86 New Orleans, LA 43.68 97 69 27
87 Anchorage, AK 43.44 39 94 86
88 Memphis, TN 42.52 88 93 32
89 Norfolk, VA 42.27 75 100 28
90 Chesapeake, VA 42.24 68 96 65
91 San Francisco, CA 41.77 26 41 100
92 Lexington-Fayette, KY 41.33 96 87 30
93 Jersey City, NJ 41.25 65 18 91
94 Seattle, WA 41.23 60 6 99
95 Virginia Beach, VA 40.93 77 95 62
96 New York, NY 39.86 78 42 89
97 Fremont, CA 39.70 61 40 96
98 Honolulu, HI 38.70 94 75 76
99 San Jose, CA 38.23 55 54 97
100 Washington, DC 33.85 98 25 95

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of each city, and a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for each category.

Magnitude 2.3 Earthquake Just Struck Between Charlotte and Columbia

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Magnitude 2.3 Earthquake Just Struck Between Charlotte and Columbia

This morning at 12:16 AM, a 2.3 magnitude earthquake struck the small town of Elgin in Kershaw County between Charlotte and Columbia.

The new quake brings the total to 91 earthquakes and aftershocks around the small South Carolina town over the past 2 years.

The earthquakes around Elgin have been increasing in number and magnitude since they first started in late 2021, with the largest being a magnitude 3.6, which knocked out the power for hundreds in the area.

Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years. Last year, we experienced the largest earthquake in over 100 years when a 5.1 magnitude quake hit Sparta, NC, and since then, dozens of aftershocks have continued to rattle our state.

According to USGS.gov, “Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”

Have you felt any of the quakes?

NC’s Iconic ‘District 12 Village’ from The Hunger Games Now On Sale For $800,000

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NC’s Iconic ‘District 12 Village’ from The Hunger Games Now On Sale For $800,000

The historic Henry River Mill Village in Burke County is now on sale for $800,000, offering buyers a rare opportunity to own one of the most iconic pieces of North Carolina.

The 43-acre listing, posted on the commercial property site Crexi, includes over a dozen structures on two parcels on the north side of the Henry Fork River, split by Henry River Road.

Known for its role as the setting of District 12 in the 2012 blockbuster film The Hunger Games, the early 1900s textile mill village has gained nationwide recognition.

The 2-parcel property listing highlights opportunities for a kayak outfitter, campsites, a gift shop, a residential retreat, or investment development. Numerous abandoned homes are on-site which could be restored to be rental properties or AirBNB cabins.

According to listing website, it’s the “only commercial retail property currently on the projected path of the North Carolina Wilderness Gateway Trail system“.

Originally built in the early 1900s as a textile mill village, Henry River Mill Village has also been featured on Science Channel’s Mysteries of the Abandoned and Magnolia Network’s In With The Old. The village website currently promotes daily tours, overnight accommodations, and special events.

Prospective buyers must submit a $25,000 minimum earnest deposit. The listing agent is related to the current owners.

Charlotte City Council Approves New 52-Acre Mixed-Use University City Development

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Charlotte City Council Approves New 52-Acre Mixed-Use University City Development
via City of Charlotte

The Charlotte City Council has just unanimously approved a rezoning request from Atlanta-based Flournoy Development Group to build a massive new 52-acre site mixed-use development in University City.

The new project is located at 2200 One Electrolux Way and 10200 Claude Freeman Drive, was rezoned from office institutional and single-family residential use to a community activity center district exception (CAC-1 EX). The change allows for the construction of up to 580 residential units and 7,500 square feet of commercial space.

The multi-phased project will include 320 apartments and 3,000 square feet of retail in its first phase. A second phase will add 240 apartments, 20 townhomes, and 4,500 square feet of commercial space. The development prohibits drive-throughs and incorporates several sustainability and public benefit measures, including two acres of open space, $10,000 toward park improvements, and construction to National Green Building Standards.

via City of Charlotte

Flournoy plans to acquire the property from Centene Corp., which purchased it in 2020 for $9 million. Centene later abandoned a corporate campus plan on the adjacent 80-acre property.

The project includes transportation improvements on David Taylor Drive and Claude Freeman Drive, new multi-use paths, sidewalks, and two ADA-compliant bus stops. Trip generation for the new zoning is expected to be lower than previous entitlements, dropping from 4,366 to 3,368 daily trips.

This will be Flournoy’s fourth Charlotte project, joining developments in Ballantyne, Mallard Creek, and NoDa.

A construction timeline for the University City project has not been announced.

$25,000 Reward Offered in Davidson County Murder Case

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$25,000 Reward Offered in Davidson County Murder Case

Governor Josh Stein announced Tuesday that the state is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the 2013 murder of Nancy Grubert-Harvey.

Grubert-Harvey, 52, was found dead on January 25, 2013, at her used auto dealership, the Atlanta Car Company, located at 1896 Old U.S. Highway 52 in Lexington. More than a decade later, the case remains unsolved.

The announcement renews attention on the cold case as law enforcement continues to search for leads. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and State Bureau of Investigation are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Grubert-Harvey was remembered by loved ones as kind, fair, and selfless. She was also described as a business owner who broke the mold of the typical used car salesperson. At the time of her death, she was looking forward to the birth of her second grandchild.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office at (336) 242-2105, Lexington Area Crime Stoppers at (336) 243-2400, or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.

Coinbase to Hire 130 in Charlotte as Part of Major Expansion

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Coinbase to Hire 130 in Charlotte as Part of Major Expansion

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase plans to hire over 130 employees in Charlotte, expanding its presence in a city increasingly known for its fintech sector.

A Coinbase spokesperson confirmed the move, citing Charlotte’s growing reputation as a banking and technology hub. The company aims to meet rising customer and regulatory demands by tapping into the region’s skilled workforce and expanding its operational footprint.

The hiring push in Charlotte is part of Coinbase’s broader effort to add 1,000 new employees nationwide in 2025. CEO Brian Armstrong attributed the expansion to recent favorable regulatory developments under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has signaled support for the crypto industry.

Coinbase currently employs 3,772 people, according to Stockanalysis. The new hiring plan would increase its workforce by approximately 27%.

The company has operated as a remote-first organization since 2020, with physical offices in San Francisco and New York. The Charlotte expansion marks a significant investment in a decentralized but connected staffing model.

In addition to growing its workforce, Coinbase is also considering applying for a U.S. federal bank charter, a move that could further position the company as a central player in the evolving financial services landscape.

Charlotte to Offer Free Public Transit on Earth Day as Part of Weeklong Environmental Events

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Charlotte to Offer Free Public Transit on Earth Day as Part of Weeklong Environmental Events

In recognition of Earth Day, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will waive fares across its entire network on Tuesday, April 22. The fare-free day aims to promote sustainable transportation and encourage residents to reduce their environmental impact by using public transit.

All CATS services — including buses, light rail, streetcars, vanpools, microtransit, and paratransit — will be free for passengers on Earth Day. The move is part of a broader effort to support environmental responsibility throughout the Charlotte region.

In addition to free transit, Mecklenburg County is hosting a variety of educational and volunteer events to mark Earth Day and encourage community participation in environmental stewardship:

  • April 21-22: Community clean-ups at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, Enderly Park, Cordelia Park, and Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

  • April 22: A guided Earth Day Hike at Reedy Creek Park. Registration is required.

  • April 22-27: “Love Your Local” events presented by the N.C. Cooperative Extension include gardening demos, brewery trivia, a farmers market tour, and a youth cookoff.

  • April 23: Family Nature Bingo Walk at University City Regional Library from 2–3 p.m., for children ages 5–11 and their caregivers.

  • April 24: Senior Gardening at the Northern Regional Recreation Center, where adults 55+ can help grow community vegetables. Registration is required.

  • April 25: Earth Day-themed Kids Night Out at the same recreation center from 5:30 p.m., featuring games and dinner for ages 7–13. Registration is required.

  • April 26: An Earth Day Take-Back recycling event at Compost Central (140 Valleydale Road) from 9 a.m. to noon. Residents can drop off electronics, textiles, and medical supplies, and pre-register for paper shredding.

You can register for all of the above events and find out more info on Mecklenburg County’s Earth Day site here.

Severe Weather Pattern Could Bring Hail and Damaging Winds To Charlotte Today

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Severe Weather Pattern Could Bring Hail and Damaging Winds To Charlotte Today

A stretch of unsettled weather is moving into the Charlotte area, bringing the potential for isolated severe storms, hail, and damaging winds over the next several days.

Storm activity will begin increasing this afternoon after 1:30 pm, as isolated thunderstorms could develop and merge into larger clusters. The primary concern is strong wind gusts, though forecasters also warn of possible hail ranging from pea to nickel size.

Lightning and downpours are also expected as part of the storm system, which has already brought steady rainfall to parts of the North Carolina mountains earlier this morning.

Rain chances remain elevated through Saturday, with most activity likely during afternoon and evening hours.

Rainfall totals by the end of the weekend could reach 1 to 2 inches across the region.

via Weather Underground

Make sure to stay weather aware today and to carry rain gear throughout the week as the active pattern continues into the weekend.

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