York County SWAT Called In After Grandmother Opened Fire On Family

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York County SWAT Called In After Grandmother Opened Fire On Family

A 70-year-old grandmother is now in custody following a 3.5-hour standoff yesterday with York County Sheriff’s deputies and SWAT at a home on Windsong Forest Road in Clover.

Authorities responded around 11:30 am. after Cathy Carpenter allegedly fired five shots at family members through a closed door. No one was injured. The incident followed a court ruling earlier that day allowing her grandson, 18-year-old Ashton Carpenter, to remain in the home despite her efforts to evict him.

Deputies said the dispute escalated when Ashton returned with relatives and Cathy opened fire. After refusing to exit the home or speak with negotiators, the SWAT team entered and safely took her into custody by 3:30 pm.

According to WSOC, family members said that Carpenter had previous violent behavior, including a recent attempt by Cathy to hit them with a frying pan. They also claimed to have contacted the Department of Social Services for a mental health evaluation, but the agency declined to intervene.

The sheriff’s office confirmed the case remains under investigation.

South Carolina Ranked #1 in America for Military Retirees

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South Carolina Ranked #1 in America for Military Retirees

Free Meals And Services in Charlotte on Veterans DayWith May being Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day approaching, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Best & Worst States for Military Retirees, along with its Memorial Day Facts infographic and expert commentary.

To help our troops plan their years after service, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 key indicators of retirement-friendliness toward veterans. The data set ranges from job opportunities for veterans to housing affordability to the quality of VA hospitals.

South Carolina ranked #1 in the nation and North Carolina came in at #13.

Best States for Military Retirees

Overall Rank  State Total Score  Economic Environment Rank  Quality of Life Rank  Health Care Rank 
1 South Carolina 64.01 2 3 12
2 Maryland 61.90 24 1 9
3 New Hampshire 59.09 5 11 15
4 North Dakota 58.99 3 29 8
5 Virginia 58.86 13 5 22
6 Alaska 58.58 7 6 28
7 Florida 58.36 21 4 21
8 Massachusetts 58.18 9 50 1
9 Wyoming 58.14 14 2 30
10 South Dakota 58.11 12 23 7
11 Minnesota 56.98 27 37 2
12 Alabama 55.95 1 13 38
13 North Carolina 54.37 15 14 25
14 Maine 53.53 11 24 27
15 Arkansas 53.14 20 30 16
16 Ohio 52.88 31 40 5
17 West Virginia 52.69 22 42 10
18 Pennsylvania 52.46 44 35 4
19 Arizona 52.27 10 10 44
20 Oklahoma 52.16 16 8 45
21 Texas 52.08 6 32 36
22 Wisconsin 51.71 32 33 13
23 Missouri 51.69 29 22 24
24 Kentucky 51.20 28 38 14
25 Connecticut 51.14 46 27 6
26 Louisiana 50.52 30 15 33
27 Hawaii 50.19 42 9 29
28 Idaho 50.17 33 16 32
29 Utah 49.86 4 31 47
30 Michigan 49.82 37 44 11
31 Iowa 49.70 26 34 26
32 Delaware 49.26 47 12 20
33 Illinois 48.93 36 36 17
34 Nebraska 48.69 43 20 23
35 Colorado 48.63 38 21 31
36 Georgia 48.56 25 18 41
37 Indiana 48.53 19 41 34
38 Tennessee 48.02 8 45 40
39 Kansas 48.02 45 28 18
40 California 47.54 51 7 19
41 Montana 47.23 35 19 42
42 New York 46.84 50 46 3
43 New Mexico 46.69 40 26 37
44 Nevada 45.45 17 39 49
45 Rhode Island 45.41 23 47 39
46 Mississippi 43.52 18 25 51
47 District of Columbia 41.41 34 49 46
48 New Jersey 40.64 49 17 48
49 Vermont 39.65 48 43 43
50 Washington 37.79 39 48 50
51 Oregon 37.76 41 51 35

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

 

Memorial Day Facts

  • 100 – Members of the 119th Congress have served in the U.S. military, only the 5th time in the last 50 years with an increase at all in the total veterans elected.
  • 100M+ – Households worldwide will watch the National Memorial Day parade broadcast on TV.
  • 3.6M – People are expected to travel by plane over Memorial Day weekend (up 2% over 2024).
  • 818 – Number of hot dogs consumed every second from Memorial Day to Labor Day (seven billion total).
  • 20 to 85 Percent Off – Discount shoppers can expect during Memorial Day weekend sales.

To view the full report and your state or the District’s rank, you can visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-military-retirees/3915

Scottie Scheffler Makes History In Charlotte During Yesterday’s PGA Championship Victory

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Scottie Scheffler Makes History In Charlotte During Yesterday’s PGA Championship Victory

The World’s #1 golfer Scottie Scheffler just won his first PGA Championship yesterday at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club, finishing five strokes ahead of the field.

Scheffler carded a final score of 11-under-par, shooting seven-under across the final two rounds. He entered the day with a three-shot lead and briefly saw it erased by Spain’s Jon Rahm on the back nine. However, Scheffler responded with three birdies down the stretch while Rahm unraveled with bogey and back-to-back double bogeys on holes 16 through 18.

Rahm dropped to four-under-par and finished tied for eighth. Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, and Davis Riley tied for second at six-under-par.

This marks Scheffler’s third major title, adding to his Masters wins in 2022 and 2024. He now holds two of the four titles needed for a career Grand Slam. Scheffler also just made history by becoming just the second player in the last 100 years to win his first three majors by more than 3 shots.

Scheffler’s performance continued his dominant form. Just a month ago, he won THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson by eight shots. He now becomes the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2000 to win back-to-back PGA TOUR starts by at least five strokes.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, fresh off completing his Grand Slam at the Masters, finished tied for 47th at Quail Hollow after posting 72-72 on the weekend. McIlroy did not speak with the media during the tournament.

Scheffler’s latest victory reaffirms his place atop the golf world and highlights the gap he continues to widen between himself and the rest of the field.

Charlotte Lands First Direct Route to Middle East with New Etihad Service

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Charlotte Lands First Direct Route to Middle East with New Etihad Service

Charlotte Douglas International Airport announced Friday that Etihad Airways will begin nonstop service to Abu Dhabi in May 2026, marking the first direct connection between Charlotte and the United Arab Emirates.

The route will operate four times weekly using Etihad’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering both Business and Economy cabins. Charlotte will become the airline’s sixth U.S. destination, joining New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston, and Atlanta, which launches this July.

“The addition of a direct flight to Abu Dhabi reinforces Charlotte as a world-class city,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said in a press release. “These new, nonstop flights will be sure to welcome both increased tourism and new business to our region. We are honored to continue enhancing global access for our region’s residents while creating connections for new visitors to enjoy Charlotte’s amenities and entertainment.”

Flights from Charlotte are expected to depart in the early morning with midday returns, providing smooth connections through Etihad’s global hub at Zayed International Airport. Passengers will have one-stop access to destinations across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Asia.

Travelers flying to Charlotte will benefit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance in Abu Dhabi, allowing them to arrive as domestic passengers.

Flight time is estimated at 15 hours, with ticket prices starting around $1,500. Tickets are now available at etihad.com.

Whataburger to Open First North Carolina Location in Gastonia on May 29

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Whataburger to Open First North Carolina Location in Gastonia on May 29

After years of anticipation, Texas-based fast food chain Whataburger will open its first North Carolina location in Gastonia on May 29 at 9 am.

The restaurant, located at 3415 East Franklin Boulevard, marks the company’s official entry into the state.

Whataburger is widely known for its signature burgers, spicy ketchup, and 24/7 service. The company has announced plans to open six additional locations across North Carolina, with several expected in the greater Charlotte area.

New Whataburger Locations and Opening Timelines:

  • Charlotte (12935 Albemarle Road): Early summer
  • Indian Land, SC (8574 Charlotte Highway): Mid-summer
  • Winston-Salem (291 Harvey Street): Late summer
  • Greensboro (address forthcoming): Late summer
  • High Point (2713 North Main Street): Early fall
  • Archdale (10118 North Main Street): Fall
  • Raleigh: Late 2025-Early 2026

All the restaurants will feature 24/7 double drive-thrus and digital services, including curbside ordering.

This follows Whataburger’s successful entry into South Carolina last year, where they’ve now established themselves in numerous locations throughout the palmetto state.

Charlotte Sets Groundbreaking Date for $70 Million Stadium Expansion

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Charlotte Sets Groundbreaking Date for $70 Million Stadium Expansion

Charlotte Athletics will officially break ground on the first expansion phase of Jerry Richardson Stadium on Wednesday, August 27, at 11 am.

“The response to our expansion plans has been tremendous, and on August 27, those plans will begin to take shape as we officially begin construction,” UNCC Athletic Director Mike Hill said in a press release. “Over the next two seasons, with as little interruption to the game day experience as possible, our project team will be hard at work delivering a high-end, premium space and more seating capacity for Niner Nation.”

The $70 million project will expand the stadium’s seating capacity from 15,314 to approximately 18,170. It will also add new premium seating options, including luxury suites, loge boxes, ledge seating, and indoor club areas. Additional features include patio decks on both the east and west sides and upgraded dining facilities.

While construction is underway, Richardson Stadium will maintain its current capacity, but fans can expect temporary changes to the game-day experience. Gate 2 on the south side will be closed for much of the construction period, and some tailgating areas will be relocated.

The new stadium tower is designed to increase year-round usability by hosting community events and offering expanded facilities for student-athletes. Future phases of the expansion are expected to raise total capacity to 21,000.

For updates and ticket details, fans are encouraged to register at Charlotte49ers.com/StadiumExpansion.

Several Injured in School Bus Crash in Northwest Charlotte

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Several Injured in School Bus Crash in Northwest Charlotte

Several people were injured in a school bus crash Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Beatties Ford Road and North Hoskins Road in northwest Charlotte, according to Medic.

The crash occurred around 3:45 pm, prompting Charlotte DOT to close both inbound and outbound lanes on Beatties Ford Road as crews investigated and cleared the scene.

Long Creek Elementary Principal Kristal Tuck told families that six students and the bus driver were evaluated for minor injuries, including bumps and bruises, according to Queen City News.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has not released additional details. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Charlotte Ranked 31st Most Honest Cities in The World and 7th Most Honest in America

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Charlotte Ranked 31st Most Honest Cities in The World and 7th Most Honest in America

How honest do you think Charlotte is?

A new study has determined the benchmark of the top 75 prominent cities out of 350 around the world. The study focuses on the cities with the most honest citizens, including data on car dealerships, governmental transparency, press freedom, and theft perception.

Key findings include:

  • Zurich, Tokyo, and Adelaide top the index as the most honest cities in the study.
  • Tokyo, Amsterdam and Los Angeles ranked the highest for car dealership reviews, meaning dealers in those cities received the fewest negative reviews about purchasing new and second-hand cars.
  • Zurich, Tokyo and Phoenix have the highest individual civic honesty scores from experiments which showed that residents were most likely to return a found wallet filled with money.

Charlotte ranks as 31st most honest city in the world and the 7th most honest city in America, behind San Diego (#6 in America), Seattle (#5 in America), and Louisville (#4 in America). Phoenix was ranked #1 most honest city in America.

Top 75 Most Honest Cities In The World

  1. Car Dealer Reviews
  2. Civic Honesty
  3. Transparency in Government
  4. Transparency in Economy
  5. Transparency in Society
  6. Perception of Theft
Rank
City
Country
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
1 Zurich Switzerland 81.1 100 95.4 100 97.1 100 100
2 Tokyo Japan 100 97.8 81.1 93.6 81.8 95.1 96.6
3 Adelaide Australia 79.9 96 93.1 90.5 90.3 91.2 94.9
4 Phoenix USA 93.6 97.2 87.9 98.2 80.8 73.3 94.3
5 Hamburg Germany 80.9 94 91.4 89.4 96.2 80.8 93.1
6 Amsterdam Netherlands 99.7 87 95.1 93 97.7 87.4 93.1
7 Munich Germany 89.4 88.2 91.4 89.4 96.2 99.3 92.9
8 Copenhagen Denmark 64.3 91.2 100 84.9 100 94 92.1
9 Edinburgh UK 83.9 89.8 85.2 92.9 91.2 90.4 91.4
10 Brisbane Australia 65.1 92.7 93.1 90.5 90.3 87.3 91.1
11 Denver USA 75.8 92.9 87.9 98.2 80.8 81.6 91
12 Portland USA 62.4 96.5 87.9 98.2 80.8 76.5 91
13 Vienna Austria 85.3 86.5 89.7 97 89 94.5 91
14 Ottawa Canada 74.8 88.9 90.7 88 92.1 93.6 90.5
15 Leipzig Germany 89.1 86.4 91.4 89.4 96.2 84.1 90.3
16 Louisville USA 70.2 92.9 87.9 98.2 80.8 77.5 90
17 Auckland New Zealand 55 91.3 96.9 91.9 99.6 76.7 89.7
18 Seattle USA 79.8 92.1 81 98.2 80.8 75.9 89.7
19 Toronto Canada 76.7 89.1 88.6 88 92.1 84.7 89.7
20 Vancouver Canada 84.6 87.5 88.6 88 92.1 84.2 89.6
21 Calgary Canada 71.8 89.4 90.7 88 92.1 85.5 89.6
22 Stuttgart Germany 82.4 84.4 91.4 89.4 96.2 93.3 89.5
23 San Diego USA 88.2 86.9 87.9 98.2 80.8 82.9 89.3
24 Cologne Germany 76.4 87.5 91.4 89.4 96.2 81.7 89.3
25 Prague Czechia 85.4 92.8 75.6 83.7 71.7 92 89.3
26 Belfast UK 84.7 86.9 85.2 92.9 91.2 83.7 89.3
27 Bremen Germany 93.1 83.6 91.4 89.4 96.2 83.4 89.2
28 Singapore Singapore 85.8 88.9 84.4 90.6 78.1 87.6 89.1
29 Cardiff UK 76.8 87.5 85.2 92.9 91.2 86 89
30 Liverpool UK 72.4 88.4 90.4 92.9 91.2 80.1 89
31 Charlotte USA 72.2 89.8 87.9 98.2 80.8 80.2 88.9
32 Berlin Germany 78.2 85.8 91.4 89.4 96.2 84.1 88.9
33 Dusseldorf Germany 81.1 83.6 91.4 89.4 96.2 90 88.6
34 Indianapolis USA 75.9 89.8 87.9 98.2 80.8 70 88.2
35 Sydney Australia 65.5 87 89.2 90.5 90.3 89.6 88.1
36 Dublin Ireland 70.4 89.4 86.4 88.4 89.4 78.2 88
37 Lille France 75.2 89.4 87.7 87.2 85 75.6 87.8
38 Leicester UK 81.2 83.8 90.4 92.9 91.2 81.4 87.6
39 Milwaukee USA 73.9 90.2 87.9 98.2 80.8 64.1 87.6
40 Newcastle upon Tyne UK 76.7 84.1 90.4 92.9 91.2 84.1 87.6
41 Frankfurt Germany 75.5 83.8 91.4 89.4 96.2 84.3 87.5
42 Nashville USA 71.5 87.5 87.9 98.2 80.8 79 87.5
43 Salt Lake City USA 68.2 87.5 81 98.2 80.8 86 87.1
44 San Francisco USA 89.9 86.2 81 98.2 80.8 70.4 87.1
45 Leeds UK 79.6 82.9 90.4 92.9 91.2 81 86.9
46 Glasgow UK 68.1 84.2 90.4 92.9 91.2 84.2 86.7
47 Manchester UK 79.2 84.1 90.4 92.9 91.2 72.7 86.6
48 Melbourne Australia 68.3 85.2 89.2 90.5 90.3 81.8 86.5
49 Lyon France 71 86.9 87.7 87.2 85 78.6 86.3
50 Memphis USA 75.5 87.5 87.9 98.2 80.8 60.6 86
51 Valencia Spain 81.3 88.7 77.7 67.9 75.9 92.5 85.8
52 Edmonton Canada 69.6 83.3 90.7 88 92.1 81.9 85.7
53 London UK 69.6 84.7 85.2 92.9 91.2 75.5 85.7
54 Montreal Canada 83.9 78.7 88.6 88 92.1 89.6 85.4
55 Toulouse France 62.8 86.2 87.7 87.2 85 79.3 85.1
56 Boston USA 72.1 82.1 81 98.2 80.8 86.4 84.8
57 Birmingham UK 71.9 82.3 90.4 92.9 91.2 70.8 84.7
58 Miami USA 66.4 85.4 81 98.2 80.8 73.5 84.5
59 Washington, D.C USA 75.6 82.2 87.9 98.2 80.8 71 84.3
60 Brussels Belgium 77.8 84.2 86.3 73.9 90.6 75 84.2
61 Albuquerque USA 78.1 82.1 87.9 98.2 80.8 60.9 83.4
62 Houston USA 81.1 81.9 81 98.2 80.8 65.1 83.3
63 Tel Aviv Israel 65.7 86.4 79 71.3 73.6 92.2 83.1
64 New York USA 85.5 77.3 81 98.2 80.8 79.9 82.9
65 Los Angeles USA 97.1 75.2 81 98.2 80.8 78 82.8
66 Florence Italy 82.4 85.8 78.9 67.1 68.1 82.2 82.5
67 Chicago USA 79.8 79.5 81 98.2 80.8 68.2 82.2
68 Barcelona Spain 80.6 83.2 73.5 67.9 75.9 79.5 81
69 Paris France 64.8 78.1 85.7 87.2 85 74.6 80.4
70 Lisbon Portugal 89.9 72.1 79.6 71.8 80.6 89.7 78.8
71 Cordoba Argentina 80.6 83 72.2 67.2 61.6 68.5 78
72 Milan Italy 76.2 78.1 74.3 67.1 68.1 78.7 76.9
73 Las Vegas USA 72.8 69.3 81 98.2 80.8 72.8 76.6
74 Rome Italy 85.5 74.1 74.3 67.1 68.1 72.2 75.1
75 Madrid Spain 75.3 70.9 73.5 67.9 75.9 88.8 74.9

 

The full methodology and how each category was scored can be seen here: https://www.twinner.com/en/transparency-in-car-sales-honest-city-index/

What do you think about the results? 

Panthers Release 2025 NFL Schedule Featuring First Primetime Game Since 2023

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Panthers Release 2025 NFL Schedule Featuring First Primetime Game Since 2023

The Carolina Panthers released their full 2025 NFL regular season schedule Wednesday night, confirming a long-anticipated return to primetime action.

The Panthers will open the season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 7. Jacksonville, now led by new head coach Liam Cohen, will debut 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, selected second overall in this year’s draft.

In Week 12, Carolina will make its first primetime appearance since 2023, facing the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Santa Clara. That nationally televised matchup is set for Nov. 24 on ESPN.

The Panthers won’t get a break until Week 14, giving them one of the league’s latest bye weeks.

Here is the full 2025 Panthers schedule:

  • Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars — Sept. 7, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals — Sept. 14, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)

  • Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons — Sept. 21, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 4: at New England Patriots — Sept. 28, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 5: vs. Miami Dolphins — Oct. 5, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys — Oct. 12, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 7: at New York Jets — Oct. 19, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 8: vs. Buffalo Bills — Oct. 26, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 9: at Green Bay Packers — Nov. 2, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints — Nov. 9, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons — Nov. 16, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 12: at San Francisco 49ers — Nov. 24, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)

  • Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams — Nov. 30, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 14: Bye

  • Week 15: at New Orleans Saints — Dec. 14, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Dec. 21, 1 p.m. (FOX)

  • Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks — TBD

  • Week 18: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — TBD

In spite of having easier schedule this year, it’s still unlikely that the Panthers will win any games this season.

North Carolina Just Ranked As Having The Highest Share of Fast Food Cooks in America

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North Carolina Just Ranked As Having The Highest Share of Fast Food Cooks in America

Fast food is more than just a convenience in some states — it’s a dominant force in the culinary workforce. Chef’s Pencil has released a comprehensive new analysis revealing which U.S. states have the highest share of fast-food cooks, offering insights into the economic and cultural dynamics driving the restaurant industry.

Key Findings:

  • North Carolina ranks 1st nationwide, with 58% of all cooks in the state working in fast-food establishments.
  • In contrast, states like Connecticut (12%), Rhode Island (10%), Wyoming (10%), Massachusetts (9%), and Hawaii (6%) have the lowest shares of fast-food cooks, reflecting more diversified culinary industries.
  • Other states with high concentrations of fast-food cooks include West Virginia (54%), Kentucky (48%), Missouri (46%), Alabama (45%), and California (40%).

Wage Insights for North Carolina:

  • Fast-food cooks in North Carolina earn an average of $13 per hour, compared to $17 for line cooks and $29 for chefs and head cooks.

You can read the full report, including visuals here –
https://www.chefspencil.com/states-with-the-highest-share-of-fast-food-cooks/

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