Stargazers across Charlotte will get a bright treat tonight as the Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak, sending quick bursts of light streaking across the sky. The annual display comes as Earth passes through debris left by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.

The Leonids run from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2, but tonight offers the best viewing, with up to 10 meteors per hour expected, according to the American Meteor Society. Some brighter fireballs may also flash overhead as larger fragments burn up in the atmosphere.

The ideal viewing window begins late tonight, when the constellation Leo rises high in the eastern sky, with Jupiter glowing to its upper right. Observers should look roughly 40 degrees above Leo—about the width of four fists held at arm’s length—for the longest meteor trails.

Experts advise dressing warmly and giving your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Using a red light helps preserve night vision while scanning the sky.

The Leonids have produced massive meteor storms in the past, but no major outburst is expected this year. Still, clear skies should give Charlotte-area residents a solid chance to enjoy one of fall’s best celestial shows.

To get the best shots, the best thing to use is a long-exposure camera. Go to a very dark place where you have an unobstructed view toward the northern sky. The best place would be a remote mountain with north-facing views.

You can find the dark spots in your area using the official light pollution map here.

Charlotte is on edge this week after US Border Patrol launched an unprecedented and uncoordinated immigration sweep across our city — an operation recorded injuring citizens, trespassing on private property, and detaining people without probable cause.

This new campaign, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web” by Border Patrol leadership, marks the first time in history the federal agency has carried out a wide-scale immigration raid in a city without coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or local law enforcement. The move blindsided city officials and triggered intense backlash from civil rights groups, business owners, and state leaders.

Over the weekend, multiple videos captured Border Patrol agents detaining legal US citizens and harassing workers and business patrons.

These actions raised immediate constitutional concerns, with attorneys citing potential violations of due process, unlawful search and seizure, trespassing laws, and state statutes governing enforcement authority.

One Charlotte resident—Willy Wender Aceituno Medina, a U.S. citizen since 2019, recorded agents smashing his car window and throwing him to the pavement before detaining him, all while ignoring his pleas to check his REAL ID. He was released shortly after.

The agents provided no justification for their questioning beyond the man’s appearance and language.

Another video shows border agents questioning Spanish-speaking workers hanging Christmas lights in a private yard without providing any justifiable cause or warrant papers.

This weekend’s chaos has forced several Charlotte businesses and churches to close.

A beloved Colombian bakery—open nearly every day for 28 years—shuttered after agents chased and tackled people outside the storefront. Owner Manuel “Manolo” Betancur said he closed to protect his customers from similar encounters.

Several restaurants, churches, and events closed this weekend as well, citing the safety of staff and patrons.

Border Patrol Chief Gregory K. Bovino defended the actions online, claiming agents arrested people with “significant criminal and immigration history.”

Yet, as of Thursday, only eight detainees have been publicly listed, even as videos show agents detaining and releasing numerous individuals—including legal residents and U.S. citizens. Bovino’s pinned post quotes a whimsical line from the famous children’s book Charlotte’s Web, where the baby spiders tell Wilbur the pig they go “wherever the wind takes us… we go as we please.”

The unauthorized use of the book quote as well as the unauthorized use of the Petey Pablo’s unofficial NC anthem “Raise Up” struck many as an odd and unsettling message during a controversial enforcement sweep by border patrol in a city far from any border.

‘Wherever the wind takes us. High, low. Near, far. East, west. North, south. We take to the breeze, we go as we please.’ — Charlotte’s Web

This time, the breeze hit Charlotte like a storm. From border towns to the Queen City, our agents go where the mission calls.#DHS #CBP… pic.twitter.com/de0nqHn3vR

— Commander Op At Large CA Gregory K. Bovino (@CMDROpAtLargeCA) November 16, 2025

Charlotte officials say they were not informed of the operation until days before the arrests began, despite repeated requests for clarity. The city’s crime rate—down 8% overall and 20% for violent crime – offered no obvious justification for the unprecedented raid on our city.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein condemned the tactics, warning residents that Border Patrol has detained numerous people with no criminal history in prior operations in Chicago.

He urged the public to record questionable interactions, saying, “Local law enforcement will be here protecting the people of this state long after these federal agents go on to the next place.”

The number one priority of the state is to keep people safe. Local law enforcement will continue to do that long after federal agents go on to the next place. pic.twitter.com/Yb07z8zedW

— Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) November 14, 2025

The operation raises pressing questions about states’ rights, federal overreach, and the proper scope of Border Patrol authority away from national borders. Constitutional experts say the videos reveal potential violations that will likely trigger lawsuits and civil rights investigations.

Charlotte leaders are still seeking answers on the operation’s scope, the number of people detained, and the criteria used during the sweep.

For now, the city remains on edge as residents brace for additional encounters—waiting for clarity on a federal operation that arrived without notice, without coordination, and without precedent.

Truist employees across the Charlotte region are preparing for a major shift as the bank ends pandemic-era remote work.

The company notified staff last week that all office-based and hybrid employees must return onsite five days a week starting January 5.

Numerous employees spoke to WSOC and said they were surprised by the new policy.

“They were in tears,” one employee said to WSOC′s Madison Carter. “People were crying on the phone because telling us that we got to come back to the office three days a week, that’s an added burden. For those people that have kids, you have to restructure your child care.”

Truist, the nation’s ninth-largest bank with $554 billion in assets, said the move aims to strengthen collaboration and customer service.

The change follows a broader industry trend. Bank of America and Wells Fargo still allow limited hybrid schedules, but most client-facing roles already work onsite.

More than 3,000 Truist employees work in the Charlotte metro, meaning Uptown will soon see a noticeable increase in daily foot traffic, office activity, and commuter volume once the mandate takes effect.

A new fire warning has been issued for the Charlotte region today as dry conditions and gusty winds create dangerous wildfire potential across the area.

Forecasters expect an unusually warm mid-November Sunday, with temperatures climbing into the mid-70s and clouds gradually decreasing. However, winds will gust near 30 mph late Sunday morning and early afternoon, pushing fire danger sharply higher across the region.

The combination of low humidity, dry vegetation, and strong winds has prompted officials to warn residents to avoid any outdoor burning. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement early Wednesday highlighting the elevated fire risk and urging caution for the remainder of the day.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and authorities say even small fires can spread quickly under current conditions.

Windy conditions will develop across the area today, with gusts of 30-45 mph expected across the mountains, and 20-30 mph across the lower elevations. This combined with low PM humidity and dry vegetation will enhance the fire danger, especially outside the mountains. pic.twitter.com/PmeUPTSJdv

— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) November 16, 2025

A cold front arriving Sunday night will bring slightly cooler and drier air to start the work week.

Forecasters are also warning residents to avoid fires Monday and Tuesday until the dry conditions shift.