Charlotte Considering City-Wide 9 PM Curfew for All Minors

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Charlotte Considering City-Wide 9 PM Curfew for All Minors

Charlotte leaders are considering a sweeping expansion of the city’s youth curfew after a string of violent “teen takeovers” led to shootings, assaults on police officers and businesses shutting down across the city.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson presented the proposal to the Charlotte City Council on Monday, citing multiple incidents over the past two months involving large groups of teenagers gathering through social media.

CMPD officials say the events have escalated into fights, shootings and other disturbances that have strained public safety resources.

One of the most serious incidents occurred on June 14 at Romare Bearden Park, where two teenagers, ages 15 and 18, were shot during a teen takeover. Police arrested three suspects, including two 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old.

Just days earlier, another gathering in University City drew an estimated 200 to 300 teenagers. Officers responding to break up fights were assaulted, 12 juveniles were arrested, and police recovered a firearm from a 16-year-old.

Under the proposal, Charlotte’s nightly curfew would begin at 9 pm for anyone under the age of 18. The city currently prohibits children under 13 from being in public between 10 pm and 6 am, while juveniles under 15 face an 11 pm to 6 am curfew.

The proposed ordinance includes exceptions for young people attending school, church, sporting events and other approved activities.

Iconic Piece of Charlotte History About To Be Demolished For A New Data Center

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Iconic Piece of Charlotte History About To Be Demolished For A New Data Center

Another piece of Charlotte’s history could soon disappear as a century-old Uptown landmark faces demolition to make way for a new data center, reigniting concerns about the city’s rapidly vanishing historic buildings.

The Court Arcade, located on Trade Street, has stood since the 1920s. It once housed attorneys’ offices above ground-floor retail, making it one of Charlotte’s earliest mixed-use developments.

Digital Realty, a major player in the data infrastructure space, purchased the property at 725 E. Trade Street—home to the historic Court Arcade Building—and an adjacent parcel for $16 million. The project will expand their existing data center footprint at 113 North Myers Street.

After nearly a year of fighting, preservation advocates are now hoping that at least part of the building can still be saved. According to Mecklenburg County’s Historic Landmarks Department, Digital Realty has committed to preserving the building’s front façade as part of the redevelopment.

The project highlights the ongoing tension between preserving Charlotte’s historic landmarks and meeting the growing demand for modern infrastructure. If demolition proceeds, another piece of Uptown’s architectural history will be lost to redevelopment.

Tonight’s Perseid Meteor Shower Could Be the Best Sky Show Charlotte’s Seen in Years

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Tonight’s Perseid Meteor Shower Could Be the Best Sky Show Charlotte’s Seen in Years

If you only make time for one meteor shower this year, make it tonight. The annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak over the Charlotte night sky tonight, and this year’s display could be the best in years thanks to perfectly dark, moonless skies.

While many meteor showers receive plenty of hype, astronomers generally consider only two must-see events each year: the Geminids in December and the Perseids in August. This year’s Perseids are especially promising because the peak coincides with a new moon, eliminating bright moonlight that often washes out fainter meteors.

According to NASA, the Perseids shower peaks Wednesday and Thursday nights (Aug. 12-13), with the best viewing expected from 11 p.m. until sunrise. Activity typically increases after midnight and is highest just before dawn.

Under ideal dark-sky conditions, observers could see 30 or more meteors per hour, while truly remote locations may experience even higher rates. Although the Perseids are capable of producing up to 100 meteors per hour, light pollution around Charlotte will reduce the number visible to most residents.

For the best experience, head to the darkest location you can find, lie back and look straight up. Allow your eyes at least 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and avoid checking your phone, since bright screens can quickly ruin your night vision. If you want to take pictures, you’ll need a long-exposure camera for the best chances at getting that poster-worthy shot.

The Perseids occur each year as Earth passes through a trail of dust and rocky debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As those tiny particles, many no larger than grains of sand, slam into Earth’s atmosphere at roughly 133,000 mph, they burn up and create the brilliant streaks of light visible across the night sky.

With clear skies and no moonlight competing for attention, tonight could offer one of the best opportunities in years for Charlotte-area residents to enjoy one of nature’s most spectacular celestial shows.

Clear the Shelters Events Returning to Charlotte w/ Hundreds of Pets Ready for Adoption

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Clear the Shelters Events Returning to Charlotte w/ Hundreds of Pets Ready for Adoption

Thousands of homeless dogs and cats across the Charlotte area are looking for forever homes as the popular Clear the Shelters campaign returns this August, bringing special adoption events to local shelters.

NBCUniversal Local has partnered with more than 1,700 animal shelters and rescues nationwide for the annual Clear the Shelters campaign, which promotes pet adoption, donations and volunteer support.

Since launching in 2015, the campaign has helped more than 1.3 million pets find loving homes and raised over $5.6 million for shelters and rescues. Last year’s effort alone resulted in more than 160,000 adoptions nationwide.

The adoption campaign runs through Aug. 31, with fundraising continuing through Sept. 15.

Charlotte-area residents can attend two local adoption events:

  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control – 8315 Byrum Drive, Charlotte
    Saturday, Aug. 22 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement – 1491 Business Park Court, Gastonia
    Saturday, Aug. 22 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Organizers say adopting isn’t the only way to help. Residents can also donate, foster pets, volunteer or share adoption opportunities to support local shelters caring for animals in need.

3 North Carolina Beach Towns Rank Among America’s Top 10 for Dolphin Sightings

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3 North Carolina Beach Towns Rank Among America’s Top 10 for Dolphin Sightings

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing dolphins in the wild, North Carolina may be the best place in America to make it happen. A new nationwide study found the Tar Heel State is home to the country’s top dolphin-watching destination and placed three NC beach towns among the nation’s top 10.

The rankings come from a new BoatBooker study that analyzed 243,809 documented bottlenose dolphin sightings across 356 coastal communities using scientific data from OBIS-SEAMAP, a peer-reviewed marine wildlife database maintained by Duke University’s Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab in partnership with NOAA.

North Carolina dominated the rankings with Buxton claiming the No. 1 spot after recording 20,128 documented bottlenose dolphins across 1,761 sighting events.

The state also placed Nags Head at No. 5 with 13,292 dolphins and Harkers Island at No. 9 with 8,340 dolphins, giving North Carolina more top-10 destinations than any other state.

South Carolina also performed well, with Isle of Palms ranking No. 2 after documenting 16,588 dolphins, while Folly Beach finished No. 4 with 14,443 dolphins. Together, the Charleston area claimed two of the nation’s five best dolphin-watching destinations.

Researchers said Buxton’s location near Cape Hatteras, where the warm Gulf Stream meets cooler coastal waters, creates ideal feeding conditions that attract large dolphin pods throughout the year.

Overall, the East Coast dominated the rankings, claiming nine of the nation’s top 10 dolphin-watching destinations. The highest-ranked Gulf Coast location was Holmes Beach, Florida, at No. 6, while Avalon, California, was the West Coast’s highest-ranked destination at No. 17.

The Full Rankings – Top 20 US Dolphin Sighting Destinations

Rank Location Coast Dolphins Seen Sighting Events
1 Buxton, NC East Coast 20,128 1,761
2 Isle of Palms, SC East Coast 16,588 2,446
3 Virginia Beach, VA East Coast 15,429 1,747
4 Folly Beach, SC East Coast 14,443 3,161
5 Nags Head, NC East Coast 13,292 961
6 Holmes Beach, FL Gulf Coast 9,902 2,210
7 Montauk, NY East Coast 9,120 449
8 Chincoteague, VA East Coast 8,972 682
9 Harkers Island, NC East Coast 8,340 782
10 Nantucket, MA East Coast 6,624 485
11 Norfolk, VA East Coast 6,066 216
12 Mount Pleasant, SC East Coast 5,778 1,313
13 Ocean City, MD East Coast 5,530 756
14 Anna Maria, FL Gulf Coast 5,417 834
15 Wanchese, NC East Coast 3,703 273
16 Siesta Key, FL Gulf Coast 3,505 964
17 Avalon, CA West Coast 3,364 166
18 Bethany Beach, DE East Coast 3,268 490
19 Port Saint Joe, FL Gulf Coast 3,072 340
20 Saint Augustine Beach, FL East Coast 2,626 345

Unlike rankings based on tourist reviews, the study relied entirely on documented scientific observations collected through boat surveys, aerial surveys, satellite tracking, acoustic monitoring and other research programs.

Researchers noted the rankings reflect where dolphins have been scientifically documented rather than estimating total dolphin populations, meaning areas with more research activity may record more sightings.

For Charlotte-area residents planning a beach vacation, the study suggests some of the nation’s best opportunities to spot wild bottlenose dolphins are just a few hours away along the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina.

North Carolina Was Just Ranked #1 Economy in America

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North Carolina Was Just Ranked #1 Economy in America

North Carolina has once again cemented its reputation as one of the nation’s top places to do business, earning the No. 1 economy in the United States and finishing second overall in CNBC’s annual Top States for Business rankings.

The 2026 rankings placed Ohio first overall, followed closely by North Carolina, with Virginia, Texas, and Minnesota rounding out the top five. CNBC evaluated all 50 states using 138 different metrics across 10 categories that companies consider when deciding where to expand or relocate. South Carolina ranked 23rd overall with the No. 6 economy and the No. 8 workforce in the country.

North Carolina’s biggest strength was its economy, which ranked No. 1 nationwide. The state also earned top-five finishes in workforce (No. 3) and access to capital (No. 5), while placing eighth in both technology and innovation and business friendliness.

America’s Top States for Business 2026

Overall State Infra- structure Economy Workforce Quality of Life Cost of Doing Business Technolgy & Innovation Business Friendliness Access to Capital Education Cost of Living
1 Ohio 1 9 35 18 1 10 16 9 23 9
2 North Carolina 13 1 3 34 20 8 8 5 12 35
3 Virginia 2 23 10 7 26 6 11 10 5 15
4 Texas 12 2 1 49 5 3 23 2 32 30
5 Minnesota 7 8 27 4 31 14 16 21 10 22
6 Michigan 9 24 21 15 4 17 27 13 29 11
7 Georgia 5 17 9 46 11 15 21 8 13 35
8 Florida 32 11 2 30 15 10 33 4 29 48
9 Tennessee 6 11 7 50 9 20 7 15 45 15
10 Indiana 4 27 32 48 2 16 10 20 25 6
11 Washington 16 5 6 12 47 4 40 11 37 41
12 Illinois 3 29 31 22 23 12 44 12 7 41
13 Pennsylvania 11 21 39 17 17 5 42 7 17 11
14 Arizona 8 22 4 36 35 25 13 18 43 33
15 Massachusetts 24 16 26 10 49 8 27 6 1 39
16 Utah 28 13 5 45 25 26 5 22 45 26
17 California 26 3 17 29 46 1 47 1 20 50
18 New York 13 4 50 19 41 2 49 3 7 41
19 Iowa 15 37 38 20 8 23 14 39 23 6
20 Wyoming 37 14 36 24 29 36 2 35 2 5
21 Alabama 10 31 14 43 20 22 24 27 41 3
22 Wisconsin 24 10 29 40 11 30 26 26 13 15
23 Connecticut 29 34 25 5 40 19 21 23 4 44
23 South Carolina 27 6 8 36 31 28 38 31 19 37
25 Colorado 32 28 10 14 38 6 29 17 37 49
26 Nebraska 36 26 18 10 17 45 9 37 20 29
27 Kentucky 17 37 22 30 10 29 32 31 25 14
28 Arkansas 23 20 13 41 17 36 31 27 36 19
29 North Dakota 34 42 46 9 22 42 1 45 11 2
30 Idaho 45 14 16 28 28 34 12 40 47 22
31 New Jersey 41 31 19 3 38 20 50 13 2 39
32 Delaware 41 7 12 21 41 27 46 25 43 15
33 Nevada 20 19 22 39 34 38 15 23 49 37
34 New Hampshire 43 43 15 7 36 45 6 41 9 26
35 Maine 47 39 33 2 23 38 24 43 5 28
36 Maryland 17 49 30 12 44 13 33 15 16 30
37 Kansas 31 46 39 36 15 32 3 34 13 6
38 Missouri 21 29 49 44 5 24 38 19 37 10
39 Oklahoma 21 41 42 41 3 30 18 33 48 19
40 Vermont 37 35 33 1 37 48 18 42 22 21
41 New Mexico 29 33 20 32 29 40 35 37 32 33
42 Oregon 17 39 24 22 43 18 43 27 34 45
43 Mississippi 34 36 48 26 13 43 36 35 41 11
44 South Dakota 44 45 47 33 14 50 3 46 28 3
45 Montana 48 18 36 35 33 35 40 46 18 30
46 West Virginia 40 48 44 24 27 44 30 49 25 1
47 Louisiana 39 47 45 46 7 32 48 27 29 22
48 Rhode Island 46 50 28 16 44 40 37 48 40 45
49 Alaska 49 44 41 26 47 47 20 50 50 22
50 Hawaii 50 24 43 6 50 49 45

Fort Mill’s ASCG to Serve as a Host Site for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census

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Fort Mill’s ASCG to Serve as a Host Site for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census

Anne Springs Close Greenway invites community members of all  ages to take part in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on Friday, August 21. This regional  community science initiative offers an opportunity to get outdoors, learn more about local pollinators  and contribute valuable observations to a growing body of research. 

Led by the University of Georgia, the Great Southeast Pollinator Census brings communities together  to observe and document pollinator activity. What began as the Great Georgia Pollinator Census has grown into a regional effort spanning South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and  Mississippi.  

Participants of all ages and experience levels are invited to register for a 45-minute time observation  period at either the Lake Haigler Entrance or Dairy Barn Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. During their scheduled time, participants will observe a designated pollinator-friendly area  and record visits from bees, butterflies, beetles, flies and other insects. Observations collected at the  Greenway will be incorporated into the larger regional census, helping researchers better understand  pollinator populations and activity over time. 

The census provides an accessible, hands-on way for community members to contribute to pollinator  research while developing a deeper appreciation for the insects and habitats that support healthy  ecosystems. Pollinators play an essential role in both natural and agricultural ecosystems, helping  flowering plants reproduce and supporting biodiversity.  

At the Anne Springs Close Greenway, opportunities like the Great Southeast Pollinator Census reflect  the organization’s commitment to connecting people with the natural world through education,  exploration and conservation. By participating, community members can experience firsthand the  important role pollinators play in the health and resilience of the ecosystems around us. 

Details: 

Date: August 21, 2026 | 9:00-11:00am 

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive | Dairy Barn Entrance: 250 Dairy Barn Lane

Registration: https://www.ascgreenway.org/event/great-southeast-pollinator-census/

SC Voters Head to Polls Today in Historic Race to Replace Lindsey Graham

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SC Voters Head to Polls Today in Historic Race to Replace Lindsey Graham

South Carolina Republicans are heading to the polls today for one of the state’s most unusual Senate elections in decades. Ten candidates are battling to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham after a campaign lasting only weeks.

The statewide special Republican primary follows Graham’s death in July, which triggered an extraordinarily compressed election schedule.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. today, Aug. 11. Anyone waiting in line at 7 p.m. can still vote.

If nobody receives more than 50% of the vote, the two leading candidates will advance to an Aug. 25 runoff.

The eventual Republican nominee will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Who is running?

The unusually crowded field includes several of South Carolina’s most recognizable Republican politicians.

Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, currently holds the Senate seat after Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her following her brother’s death.

A political newcomer, Graham enters Election Day with perhaps the race’s most consequential endorsement: President Donald Trump. Trump encouraged Graham to run and endorsed her campaign.

Russell Fry, who represents South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, is campaigning as a Trump-aligned conservative focused on affordability, energy and economic issues.

Fry is also seeking reelection to his House seat, creating the possibility of appearing on November’s ballot for two federal offices.

Ralph Norman, the 73-year-old congressman representing the Rock Hill area, is also seeking the nomination.

Norman has been in politics most of his working life and has become widely known in the Charlotte area as the main proponent of the unlawful Silfab factory in Fort Mill.

Norman is the co-founder of the congressional solar caucus and has publicly admitted he pressured the York County Council to approve the project and has lied about Silfab’s chemicals and processes on multiple occasions.

Mark Sanford is attempting another political comeback after previously serving as South Carolina governor and a U.S. representative.

Sanford has centered his campaign largely around federal spending, deficits and the growing national debt.

Mark Lynch, a Greenville businessman, is making another Senate run after challenging Lindsey Graham earlier this year.

The remaining field includes Duke Buckner, Danny Lee Ford II, Mark McBride, Glenda Gail Parker and Samuel “Sam” Shepard.

Trump endorsement looms over race

Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham has become one of the primary’s biggest storylines.

However, several opponents are also competing heavily for Trump-aligned Republican voters.

Fry has emphasized his relationship with the president, while Norman has pledged support for much of Trump’s agenda.

That dynamic leaves voters choosing among several candidates claiming conservative credentials rather than a traditional Trump-versus-establishment matchup.

The compressed campaign has also given candidates little time to introduce themselves statewide.

Graham’s family name and Trump endorsement provide immediate recognition. Meanwhile, Norman, Fry and Sanford enter with established political organizations and voting records.

With 10 candidates dividing the Republican electorate, today may only represent the first round.

If nobody crosses 50%, South Carolina Republicans will return to the polls Aug. 25 to decide which of the top two candidates advances to November.

Voters can verify their registration, sample ballot and polling location through the South Carolina Election Commission’s MySCVotes system.

Over $12 Million in Meth Seized in One of Charlotte Region’s Largest Drug Busts

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Over $12 Million in Meth Seized in One of Charlotte Region’s Largest Drug Busts

One of the Charlotte region’s largest recent drug investigations has now uncovered 161 kilograms of meth in Union County, worth over $12 million in street value. Authorities say several suspects have possible ties to a Mexican drug trafficking organization.

The investigation began after the Union County Sheriff’s Office and federal agents received information about a large methamphetamine shipment entering the county.

Narcotics investigators worked alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to identify vehicles allegedly involved in transporting the drugs.

Authorities then launched a coordinated enforcement operation on July 29.

The initial operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 101 kilograms of methamphetamine and the arrests of multiple people. Detectives continued investigating after the initial bust and soon uncovered considerably more drugs.

The Sheriff’s Office announced that investigators seized an additional 60 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately $150,000 in cash.

That brings the investigation’s total seizure to approximately 161 kilograms, worth up to $12,880,000 if broken down into individual street grams (161,000 grams) at a standard street price of roughly $80 per gram baggie.

Sheriff Eddie Cathey credited narcotics investigators and participating agencies for the seizures. He said their work helped prevent a substantial quantity of dangerous drugs from reaching communities.

Authorities have not disclosed where the drugs originated or their intended destination.

At Least 10 More Charlotte-Area Police Officers Under Investigation for Abusing AI Flock Cameras

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At Least 10 More Charlotte-Area Police Officers Under Investigation for Abusing AI Flock Cameras

At least 10 additional Mooresville police officers are now under investigation for potentially misusing the controversial AI Flock surveillance system, Police Chief Ron Campurciani revealed Wednesday. The announcement came during a news conference about Officer Elizabeth Anne Snowman’s arrest for allegedly abusing the same database.

Campurciani disclosed the broader investigation while explaining allegations against Snowman, significantly expanding the scope of the controversy.

Snowman allegedly accessed the Flock database 31 times to track her boyfriend’s ex-wife. The chief said 29 of those searches occurred while Snowman was on duty.

Police have not disclosed what the other officers allegedly searched or how many improper searches investigators are reviewing.

The case follows several similar incidents across the Carolinas. A CMPD officer was arrested July 29 after allegedly using Flock to determine whether someone buying drugs from his friend was undercover.

Meanwhile, Greer fired two officers in June for violating the cameras. The Pageland Sheriff’s Office also fired two employees this summer over misuse.

CMPD does not operate its own Flock cameras. However, Charlotte officers can access cameras belonging to other agencies through an agreement with Flock.

The growing number of cases is raising new questions about safeguards surrounding automated license plate databases and who can access drivers’ location information.

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