One of the World’s Largest Manufacturers Investing $1 Billion in New Charlotte-Area Facility

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One of the World’s Largest Manufacturers Investing $1 Billion in New Charlotte-Area Facility

One of the world’s largest cable and fiber manufacturers is making a massive investment in North Carolina, announcing plans to spend more than $1 billion on a major expansion that will create 385 new jobs in the Charlotte region.

Gov. Josh Stein announced Wednesday that Prysmian, a global leader in energy and digital connectivity solutions, will expand its operations in Catawba County (about 30 miles north of Charlotte).

“This billion-dollar investment is more proof that North Carolina is leading the way on innovation and job creation,” said Stein in a press release. “Companies understand the value of our highly skilled manufacturing workforce that helps to power their strategic growth.”

The project will add 385 new jobs and nearly 1 million square feet of manufacturing space as Prysmian expands its fiber optic production capabilities.

The $1 billion expansion includes construction of a new glass manufacturing facility that will vertically integrate production while upgrading existing buildings to double the plant’s fiber optic manufacturing capacity. In total, the company will add approximately 975,000 square feet to its current campus.

Founded in 1879, Prysmian operates more than 100 manufacturing plants across six continents, including over 50 locations and 9,000 employees throughout North America. The company supplies cable and fiber systems that support power grids, renewable energy projects and high-speed internet infrastructure around the world.

The new positions will pay an average annual salary of $60,870, exceeding Catawba County’s average wage of $56,937. State officials estimate the expansion will generate more than $23.4 million in annual payroll for the region.

To support the project, Prysmian could receive a $1 million performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The company must first invest at least $665 million and meet job creation targets before receiving any grant payments.

The announcement marks another major manufacturing win for the Charlotte region, reinforcing western North Carolina’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and fiber optic production.

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.

Record-Setting $5.3 Million Rock Hill Estate Gets Major Real Estate Makeover

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Record-Setting $5.3 Million Rock Hill Estate Gets Major Real Estate Makeover

Rock Hill’s most expensive residential listing has undergone a major change. The nearly 70-acre estate originally listed for a record $5.3 million has now been divided and relisted as three separate properties.

The Ranch at Faires Road originally hit the market on April 24 as one 69.576-acre estate. At $5.3 million, it represented the highest-priced residential listing in Rock Hill’s history.

Known as The Ranch at Faires Road, the property initially became Rock Hill’s most expensive home listing when it hit the market April 24.

After several months on the market, the owners have decided to change strategies. They have just split the sprawling estate into three seperate listings.

The largest is 1795 Faires Road, now offered for $4 million with 26.43 acres.

That property includes the estate’s 6,470-square-foot main residence, barn, private pond and surrounding pastures.

The home features four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half bathrooms.

Charlotte architect Frank Smith designed the residence, while Kingswood Custom Homes completed construction in 2012. Designer Barrie Benson created the interiors.

Luxury features include floor-to-ceiling glass, black walnut flooring, custom cabinetry and a spa-style primary bathroom.

Outside, the property includes a heated pool, driving range and extensive recreational space.

Its equestrian facilities feature a four-stall barn, tack room, hay storage and fenced pastures. The barn also includes a gym, kitchen and outdoor lounge.

The second newly separated property is 4130 McConnells Highway, priced at $1.1 million.

That listing includes 33.88 acres, a guest house requiring renovation, an existing well and septic system.

The final property is a 9.266-acre wooded tract on Faires Road, now listed for $300,000.

Combined, the three new asking prices total $5.4 million, slightly above the estate’s original $5.3 million asking price.

The new strategy gives buyers significantly more flexibility while keeping the centerpiece of the estate intact.

Instead of finding one buyer for nearly 70 acres, the owners can now market the luxury residence, additional acreage and wooded tract separately.

The repositioning also provides an interesting test for Rock Hill’s expanding luxury market. The main estate alone remains priced at $4 million, placing it among the city’s most exclusive residential offerings.

Charlotte Softball Team Just Went Perfect 7-0 To Win World Series

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Charlotte Softball Team Just Went Perfect 7-0 To Win World Series

Charlotte is bringing home a World Championship. The Mallard Creek Junior Little League Softball team went a perfect 7-0 in Washington, defeating teams from around the world to capture the 2026 Junior League Softball World Series title.

Representing the Southeast Region, the team from Mallard Creek Optimist Club and CoulOak Little Leagues dominated the international tournament in Kirkland, Washington.

The Charlotte team went 4-0 in pool play, earning the tournament’s No. 1 seed before advancing into elimination play.

Then came one of the tournament’s biggest comebacks.

Southeast erupted for nine runs in the fifth inning against Canada to advance from the quarterfinals.

The team followed with a 5-2 semifinal victory over Michigan, setting up a championship between two undefeated 6-0 teams.

Charlotte trailed 2-1 in the title game before taking control with a five-run fifth inning. Southeast ultimately won 6-4, completing its undefeated championship run.

The team’s dominance also showed across the World Series leaderboards.

Rhylann Langley led the tournament with a 1.754 OPS and 1.059 slugging percentage. She finished with 10 hits and 10 RBIs.

Braelene Kirby led all players with a .778 on-base percentage, while Lynzie Murillo posted the tournament’s second-highest OPS. Overall, Langley, Murillo and Kirby recorded the three highest OPS performances in the entire tournament.

Tiziana Guzman led the World Series with 11 RBIs and four doubles. Meanwhile, Kylie Turner finished with eight RBIs.

Pitcher Addison Lowder earned all seven victories for Southeast. She recorded 39 strikeouts and a 1.15 ERA, while also throwing a complete-game shutout against Puerto Rico.

The championship effort extended throughout the roster, including key contributions from Dania Monroe, Avah Steffman, Abby Black, Lindley Knutson, Sawyer Buff and Everlee Junker.

Head coach Kyle Turner, assistants Scott Lowder and Nicole Murillo, and team advocate Jennifer Langley guided the team through the championship run.

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