South Carolina Election Results: Runoffs Ahead, Incumbents Survive, and Surprises Emerge

Charlotte Stories
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South Carolina Election Results: Runoffs Ahead, Incumbents Survive, and Surprises Emerge

South Carolina voters headed to the polls Tuesday, and the election results produced several closely watched races, two statewide runoffs, and a few surprises across the state.

The race for the Republican nomination for governor remains undecided and is now headed to a runoff after none of the candidates secured a majority of the vote.

With 89% of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Pamela Evette led the field with 29.3% of the vote, followed by Alan Wilson at 26.0%.

Ralph Norman finished third with 15.6%. Norman told supporters it appeared he had “come up short,” although he had not formally conceded Tuesday night.

Rom Reddy received 14.2%, while Nancy Mace finished with 12.3% and conceded the race.

While Norman fell short in the governor’s race, he topped a separate community poll conducted by the Move Silfab movement. He received the most votes as the person most responsible for bringing the controversial Silfab Solar project to Fort Mill.

On the Democratic side, Jermaine Johnson won his party’s nomination with 59.3% of the vote. He defeated Billy Webster and Mullins McLeod and will advance to the November election.

The Republican primary for South Carolina attorney general also failed to produce a winner and will move to a runoff. Stephen Goldfinch led with 40%, followed by David Stumbo at 36% and David Pascoe at 24%.

One of the most closely watched local legislative races was House District 26, where incumbent David Martin held off challenger Elizabeth Enns after a night of shifting results.

Martin finished with 54% of the vote compared to 46% for Enns, winning by roughly 350 votes out of 4,488 cast.

In Fort Mill, incumbent Debi Cloninger defeated challenger Scott Couchenour in the Republican primary for York County Council District 7.

Cloninger received 62% of the vote with 2,758 votes, while Couchenour earned 38% with 1,698 votes.

The results set the stage for several high-profile runoff elections in the coming weeks as South Carolina voters continue shaping the state’s political landscape ahead of November.

Chipotle Giving Away Free Entrées Tomorrow If You Wear This

Charlotte Stories
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Chipotle Giving Away Free Entrées Tomorrow If You Wear This

Soccer fans can score a free meal at Chipotle next week by showing support for their favorite team.

To celebrate the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a buy-one-get-one-free promotion for customers who wear a soccer jersey to participating restaurants on June 11.

The one-day offer will be available from 3 p.m. local time until closing at participating Chipotle locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Customers wearing any soccer jersey can receive a free entrée of equal or lesser value when purchasing another entrée.

The promotion is limited to five free menu items per check and is available while supplies last. Each free item requires the purchase of an entrée of equal or greater value, and the person redeeming the offer must be wearing a soccer jersey.

The giveaway comes as excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11 and will feature matches across North America, including several games in Charlotte.

With World Cup fever beginning to spread across the Carolinas, soccer fans have one more reason to pull their jerseys out of the closet next week.

Town1 Breaks Ground: Huntersville Unveils Its Largest Development Since Birkdale Village

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Town1 Breaks Ground: Huntersville Unveils Its Largest Development Since Birkdale Village
via Town1.com

Huntersville officials and NASCAR legend Joey Logano broke ground this week on Town1, a massive mixed-use project – the most ambitious developments the town has seen since Birkdale Village.

Town1 will span more than 400,000 square feet of commercial space and introduce a new pedestrian-focused urban center just off I-77 at the Hambright Road HOV exit. The development’s heart will feature 75,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, designed around a walkable village core expected to attract steady foot traffic and anchor surrounding neighborhoods.

The project’s residential component is equally significant. Developers plan 300 modern farmhouse walk-up apartments with deck patios, 321 urban flats, and 75 townhomes, making Town1 one of the most substantial housing expansions in the Lake Norman region.

A five-story Class A office building will greet commuters entering Huntersville from I-77, signaling the town’s commitment to drawing new employers and strengthening its commercial base. Beyond the centerpiece retail and office spaces, Town1 will also offer expansive flex space, warehouse condos, and storage units, giving small businesses direct access to the interstate and the region’s booming economy.

via Town1

Town leaders expect the project to become a major economic driver, bringing new jobs, new tax revenue, and a vibrant community hub that complements existing destinations like Birkdale Village. With construction underway, Town1 is poised to reshape Huntersville’s landscape and establish one of the region’s next major live-work-play centers.e. With construction underway, Town1 is poised to reshape Huntersville’s landscape and establish one of the region’s next major live-work-play centers.

Should You Add Your Parents to Your Family Floater or Buy a Separate Policy?

Sharon Anderson
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Should You Add Your Parents to Your Family Floater or Buy a Separate Policy?

Choosing health cover for parents is a practical decision for the whole household. Their healthcare needs, age and medical history may differ from yours, so the policy structure matters as much as the sum insured.

A family floater can feel convenient, while a separate policy may offer clearer protection. The right choice depends on premium comfort, claim usage and long-term medical needs.

Understanding Family Floater Health Insurance

A family floater offers one shared sum insured for covered family members under a single health insurance policy.

Can You Include Your Parents in a Family Floater?

Many insurers allow parents to be included in a family floater, subject to age, health profile, underwriting and policy terms. While comparing health insurance plans, check eligibility, waiting periods, co-payment clauses and whether the shared sum insured is adequate for everyone.

Benefits of Adding Parents to a Family Floater

This option may suit families that prefer convenience, centralised records and one policy structure.

Single Policy for Easier Management

One policy makes administration simpler. You track one document, one renewal notice and one set of terms.

One Renewal Date and One Premium Payment

A common renewal date reduces missed-renewal risk and makes annual planning smoother for household insurance decisions.

Potential Cost Savings for Younger Parents

When comparing health insurance plans for the family, adding relatively younger and healthy parents to a floater may be more premium-efficient than buying separate policies.  

Simplified Documentation and Claims Tracking

A single policy file keeps hospitalisation records, claim updates, endorsements and renewal details easier to organise.

Drawbacks of Including Parents in Your Family Floater

Shared cover can become restrictive when medical needs differ widely across generations.

Higher Premiums for the Entire Family

Adding older parents may increase the floater premium because age and medical history influence risk assessment.

Reduced Affordability during Renewals

Renewal premiums may become harder to manage over time. Review long-term affordability before combining generations.

Greater Risk of Sum Insured Depletion

A major hospitalisation for one member can use a large part of the shared sum insured.

Limited Flexibility in Customising Coverage

Parents may need benefits that younger members do not, so one floater may not match every priority.

Understanding Separate Health Insurance

A separate policy gives parents their own sum insured, policy terms and benefits independent of your family floater.

Benefits of Buying a Separate Health Insurance Policy for Parents

A separate cover can work well when parents need focused protection and independent policy management.

Coverage Tailored to Senior Citizens

Senior-focused policies may include features suited to older adults, depending on insurer terms. Review inclusions carefully.

Independent Sum Insured for Parents

Parents get their own cover limit, so their claim does not reduce the cover available for your spouse or children.

No Impact on Your Family Floater Premium

Keeping parents on a separate policy may protect your family floater from premium changes linked to their profile.

Better Access to Age-Specific Benefits and Services

Some separate policies may offer wellness services, health check-ups or disease-management benefits suited to older policyholders.

Drawbacks of Separate Policies for Parents

Separate policies offer independence, but they also require disciplined tracking and comparison.

Higher Standalone Premiums

Individual or senior-focused policies may have higher premiums because they are assessed separately.

Multiple Policies to Manage

You need to monitor different policy documents, renewal dates, claim processes and communication, which requires organisation.

Separate Waiting Periods and Renewals

Each policy has its own waiting periods, renewal cycle and conditions. Read the wording before purchase.

Family Floater vs Separate Policy for Parents: Table Comparison

Here is a quick comparison to make the decision clearer before reviewing each option closely.

 

Factor  Family Floater with Parents  Separate Policy for Parents 
Management  Easier, single policy  Separate tracking needed 
Sum Insured  Shared by all members  Reserved for parents 
Premium Impact  May affect family premium  Independent premium 
Suitability  Younger, healthier parents  Older parents or specific needs 
Flexibility  Less customisation  More focused cover 

 

Convenience favours a floater, while independence favours separate cover. Your decision should reflect health needs, affordability and future claim possibilities.

Conclusion

Parents need health cover that stays practical as medical needs change. A family floater may suit households seeking convenience and shared administration, especially when parents are younger, and the sum insured is sufficient. A separate policy may suit parents who need focused benefits and independent protection. Compare policy wording, waiting periods, co-payments and renewal terms carefully, as benefits are subject to insurer guidelines.

Another Black Bear Spotted in Gastonia as Sightings Rise Across Charlotte Region

Charlotte Stories
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Another Black Bear Spotted in Gastonia as Sightings Rise Across Charlotte Region

Black bear sightings are becoming increasingly common across the Charlotte region, with new reports emerging from both Charlotte and Gastonia in recent weeks.

Last night, a black bear was spotted near the Tryon Courthouse area in Gastonia before running into nearby woods, according to Taylor Sutton.

The sighting comes just weeks after another black bear was spotted in Charlotte’s Highland Creek neighborhood.

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, a Charlotte resident submitted video of the sighting, showing a black bear eating from a bird feeder in Highland Creek.

Wildlife officials say the sightings are not unusual this time of year.

Bear activity typically increases between Memorial Day and early summer as young males travel long distances searching for territory. Those movements often bring bears into suburban neighborhoods and other unexpected locations.

The NCWRC says black bear populations have steadily expanded across North Carolina, leading to more sightings throughout the Piedmont region, including Mecklenburg County.

While many residents may be surprised to encounter a bear in the Charlotte area, wildlife officials stress that these appearances are usually temporary and are not cause for alarm.

To reduce conflicts, officials recommend following the BearWise program guidelines, including removing bird feeders, securing garbage, bringing pet food indoors, cleaning grills, and never feeding or approaching bears.

As development continues to expand into previously wooded areas, wildlife experts expect Charlotte-area residents to encounter black bears more frequently in the years ahead.

Fort Mill’s Long-Abandoned Heritage Tower Moving Toward Demolition

Charlotte Stories
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Fort Mill’s Long-Abandoned Heritage Tower Moving Toward Demolition

One of the most visible and controversial landmarks in York County (outside of Silfab) may soon disappear from the skyline.

York County Councilwoman Debi Cloninger just announced that MorningStar Ministries has completed the first assessment phase of the long-discussed “tower removal project” for the unfinished 21-story Heritage Tower. Cloninger described the update as “MORE good news,” stating that further discussions with the county are underway and “things are trending in the right direction.”

The development marks the most significant progress in years toward resolving one of Fort Mill’s longest-running eyesores.

A Symbol of Scandal and Broken Dreams

The tower was originally conceived in the 1980s as part of Heritage USA, the massive Christian-themed resort and theme park built by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.

At its peak, Heritage USA attracted millions of visitors annually and was one of the top religious tourism destinations in the country.

Construction on the luxury hotel tower began in the mid-1980s but came to a sudden halt in 1987 amid the explosive PTL Club scandal. Jim Bakker was later convicted of fraud and served prison time, leading to the ministry’s financial collapse and bankruptcy. The tower has stood unfinished and decaying ever since, visible for miles along I-77.

MorningStar Ministries purchased much of the former Heritage USA property in 2004 and spent years promising various redevelopment plans — including completing the tower as residential units, a conference center, or other facilities. Despite multiple announcements, none of those plans materialized.

In late 2024, after more than a decade of legal battles, York County and MorningStar reached a settlement that gave the ministry 18 months to submit building permits proving the tower could be brought up to current codes. If they failed to do so, demolition would be required.

Community Reaction and Next Steps

For many longtime residents, the news is long overdue. The deteriorating structure has drawn criticism for safety concerns, falling bricks, and its status as a constant reminder of unfulfilled promises.

While no official demolition timeline has been released, Cloninger’s update has generated optimism that the tower’s days are finally numbered. MorningStar Ministries is expected to bear the cost of removal.

Speculation is already growing about what could replace the tower, with some unconfirmed reports suggesting MorningStar may be exploring a large senior living development on adjacent property.

The removal of the Heritage Tower would close one of the most dramatic chapters in modern Charlotte-area religious and real estate history — and allow Fort Mill to finally turn the page on a landmark that has loomed over the community for nearly four decades.

Taxes Rising in Charlotte After Last Night’s Approval of $4.5 Billion Budget

Charlotte Stories
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Taxes Rising in Charlotte After Last Night’s Approval of $4.5 Billion Budget

Charlotte homeowners will see higher property tax bills next year after City Council approved a nearly $4.5 billion budget that includes a tax increase to fund public safety raises.

The budget, approved Monday night, raises the city property tax rate by 1.89 cents. Officials estimate the increase will cost the average homeowner about $5.71 more per month.

According to City Manager Marcus Jones, the additional revenue will be used exclusively for public safety, including 10% pay raises for both the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Charlotte Fire Department.

To fund the raises, the city reduced spending on some public safety technology projects and cut Charlotte Fire’s overtime budget.

The budget passed with support from most council members. Only Ed Driggs and Lawana Mayfield voted against the proposal.

The new budget and tax rate take effect on July 1.

Rock Hill’s Failed Panthers Headquarters Site Lands $300 Million Novant Health Project

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Rock Hill’s Failed Panthers Headquarters Site Lands $300 Million Novant Health Project

Yesterday, Rock Hill finalized the sale of 25 acres of failed Carolina Panthers headquarters project to Novant Health, which plans to build a $300 million advanced medical campus and create 255 full-time jobs to our area.

The property is located within the city’s Palmetto Research Park, a more than 200-acre tract Rock Hill acquired through bankruptcy proceedings after the Panthers abandoned their headquarters and practice facility project in 2022.

The Panthers’ planned $2 billion development was partially constructed before collapsing amid disagreements over public funding and project timelines.

City officials have since marketed the property as a destination for advanced manufacturing and life sciences companies.

The sale still requires a due diligence period before closing, but city leaders approved their portion of the transaction Monday.

Novant already has a significant presence in the region through specialty institutes, physician clinics, and its support of Rock Hill’s Miracle Park.

“This land purchase reflects our continued commitment to expanding access to care in Rock Hill and the surrounding communities,” said Novant President Chris Bowe in a press release. “Novant Health has proudly served Rock Hill and the surrounding communities for many years through our specialty institutes, physician clinics, and more recently through our investment in Miracle Park. We’re incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built in this community and look forward to sharing more about our planned medical campus and long-term commitment to bringing remarkable health care closer to home.”

The announcement marks one of the largest redevelopment projects yet for the former Panthers site and represents a major step in transforming the property into a healthcare and research hub.

The Novant deal comes just months after Rock Hill City Council approved the first reading of a separate ordinance to sell approximately 50 additional acres within Palmetto Research Park to an undisclosed buyer operating under the code name “Project Palmetto Rock”.

Few details about that proposal have been released publicly, including the identity of the buyer, investment totals, job projections, or the nature of the project.

Together, the projects signal growing momentum for redevelopment of one of the region’s most high-profile economic development sites.

Just four years after the collapse of the Panthers project, portions of the former headquarters property are now attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in new private investment and reshaping the future of Rock Hill’s I-77 corridor.

Carowinds About To Open The World’s Tallest Log Flume Ride – Rip Roarin’ Falls

Charlotte Stories
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Carowinds About To Open The World’s Tallest Log Flume Ride – Rip Roarin’ Falls

Carowinds just announced plans to build the largest log flume ride in the world.

Called Rip Roarin’ Falls, the new ride will send riders plunging 100 feet at speeds of up to 50 mph, setting a new world record for the tallest drop on a water ride.

The attraction will also feature the world’s tallest reverse drop on a log flume at 42 feet, along with the tallest reverse camelback drop ever built on a water ride.

Guests will travel through a themed abandoned lumber mill before experiencing multiple backward drops, airtime moments, and a massive splashdown.

The ride will span more than 2,240 feet of water track and accommodate eight riders per boat.

Unlike many major thrill rides, Rip Roarin’ Falls is designed to be family-friendly. Riders as short as 35 inches tall can ride with an accompanying adult.

The announcement marks one of the largest additions in recent years for Carowinds and is expected to become one of the park’s biggest attractions when it debuts in 2027.

Rom Reddy Blasts “Vile and Nativist” Attacks from Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman as He Surges in Polls

Charlotte Stories
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Rom Reddy Blasts “Vile and Nativist” Attacks from Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman as He Surges in Polls

Businessman and gubernatorial candidate Rom Reddy held a press conference today to denounce what he described as “gutter politics” and racially motivated personal attacks from U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, as the Republican primary for South Carolina Governor enters its final hours.

Recent polls show a highly competitive race, with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette holding a narrow lead, while Rom Reddy has surged in numerous surveys — often placing in a statistical tie or strong contention for second place.

“Despite zooming past them in the polls and making their candidacies all but dead, Ms. Mace and Mr. Norman have resorted to vile, personal, and racially-tinged attacks against me and my family,” Reddy stated. “Ms. Mace has publicly called me a ‘foreigner’ despite the fact that I have been a naturalized American citizen longer than she has been alive.”

Reddy noted the hypocrisy, pointing out that Mace’s logic would disqualify iconic Americans including Alexander Hamilton, Melania Trump, Elon Musk, and approximately 20% of World War II veterans who were naturalized citizens.

He also criticized Rep. Norman for similar coded attacks such as “not from here” and “tech support” – false accusations that prompted a cease-and-desist letter, and personal smears and lies against Reddy’s wife that were witnessed by their 15-year-old child.

Poll Momentum and Runoff Path With the June 9 primary just hours away, analysts note that if Reddy secures a strong second-place finish, he would be well-positioned to consolidate support from non-establishment and reform-minded voters in a potential runoff. Reddy’s self-funded campaign, emphasis on eliminating dark money and Super PAC influence, and outsider status have resonated strongly with voters frustrated by career politicians.

“I will not respond further to this filth or play their game of appealing to the worst in humanity,” Reddy said. “As my pastor reminded me, we must feel God’s grace so we can show grace toward others. My focus remains on solutions — reforming our broken system, protecting property rights, fighting child trafficking, and delivering real results for South Carolina families.”

Reddy is unveiling a detailed reform agenda with legislative backing aimed at eliminating dark money and secret Super PAC funds from South Carolina politics.

About Rom Reddy A longtime South Carolina businessman – starting his first South Carolina business in 1990, Rom Reddy has built multiple successful manufacturing companies in the state, creating thousands of jobs.

He is running a self-funded campaign with no PAC or dark money donations, positioning himself as a political outsider, committed to fiscal responsibility, government accountability, and economic growth for the state of South Carolina.

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