North Carolina has just witnessed its first snowfall of the season.

Both Beech and Sugar Mountain saw snowflakes and even accumulations yesterday afternoon into the evening, as could be seen on mountain’s cameras.

This unexpected flurry is part of a cold blast that’s also causing frost and freeze warnings across the region.

Cold, dry Canadian air has steadily dropped temperatures since Monday, leading to frost concerns in higher elevations.

Temperatures are expected to reach their lowest by Thursday, possibly setting new October records.

Two new high-budget movies about to be filmed in Charlotte are now asking for over 1,000 extras to be on camera.

Tona B. Dahlquist Casting is currently accepting submissions for “Apopka,” starring Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster, and “Roofman”, featuring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst.

Production crews are looking for background actors of all types and ages, including those able to portray birthday party kids, boxers, EMTs, prisoners, and McDonald’s workers. All selected extras will be paid.

“Roofman” tells the real-life story of Jeffrey Manchester, a serial robber known for breaking into McDonald’s locations by entering through their roofs. After escaping prison, he hid in Charlotte’s Toys R Us and Circuit City stores, evading authorities until his eventual capture.

Kirsten Dunst joins Channing Tatum in ‘Roofman’ from director Derek Cianfrance (‘Blue Valentine’)

Based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, it follows a man who hid in a toy store for months after escaping prison. pic.twitter.com/GxTlkKhmVG

— Kirsten Dunst Updates (@DunstUpdates) October 9, 2024

You can apply to be an extra through Tona B. Dahlquist Casting by sending an email to charlotteextras@gmail.com – please include your ethnicity, gender, age, and where you live.

While being a Hollywood actor in California, an investment banker in New York, or an outdoor adventure guide in Colorado may top the list of America’s most coveted careers, we often overlook the jobs that people least aspire to.

What are the professions that, despite offering financial stability, few would willingly choose? This is the question Tradesafe sought to answer as they aimed to identify the least desirable jobs across America, with a particular emphasis on job safety.

They posed a hypothetical question to 3,000 respondents:

Would you switch careers if your salary were doubled, even if it meant taking on a notoriously dangerous job? 

The survey revealed some interesting results, which were broken down by state. Among North Carolinians, the job they would least be willing to do, even if offered double the salary, was that of a meatpacker.

#1 Meatpacker:
Meatpacking is one of the most hazardous jobs in North Carolina. While the industry provides essential services, meatpacking is often associated with high physical demands, long hours, and repetitive tasks in cold environments. The work is labor-intensive, and the risk of injury is significant, with workers facing potential hazards from sharp tools, heavy machinery, and exposure to harmful substances. Additionally, the psychological toll of working in such conditions, coupled with the monotony, contributes to the low appeal of this career.

Here are some of the other least desired careers among North Carolinians:

#2 Commercial Fisherman:
Fishermen face extreme weather conditions, the risk of drowning, and long hours at sea, often with minimal rest. The physical demands of the job, combined with the constant threat of life-threatening situations, make this a career many would avoid, even for double the pay.

#3 Roofer:
Roofing is a physically demanding job that involves working at heights, often in extreme weather conditions. The risk of falling and physical exhaustion makes roofing a challenging and dangerous occupation. Despite being essential to the construction industry, it’s a job that many are hesitant to pursue.

#4 Steel Worker:
Steelworkers are involved in constructing and maintaining buildings, bridges, and other large structures. The job often involves working at high elevations, handling heavy materials, and operating dangerous machinery. The risk of injury from falls, burns, and equipment accidents is high, making this a less-than-desirable career choice.

#5 Power Line Worker:
Power line workers maintain and repair electrical lines, often working high above the ground. The job is dangerous due to the risk of electrocution, falls, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. The physical demands and the ever-present danger make this a job that many would rather avoid.

#6 Oil Rig Worker:
Working on an oil rig involves long shifts, often in remote and harsh environments. The risk of accidents, such as explosions, falls, and equipment malfunctions, is high. The physical and mental toll of working in such an isolated and dangerous setting is significant, making this a career that few would choose willingly.

#7 Electrician:
While being an electrician can be a rewarding career, it comes with significant risks, including the danger of electrocution and burns. Electricians often work in cramped spaces, on ladders, and with high-voltage systems, making the job both physically demanding and hazardous.

#8 Logger:
Logging is one of the most dangerous occupations in America. Loggers work with heavy machinery and sharp tools in remote forested areas. The risk of injury from falling trees, equipment accidents, and the challenging terrain makes this a job that many would prefer to avoid, despite the potential for higher pay.

North Carolina’s first postpartum retreat will open in Charlotte’s SouthPark area in early 2025. Ziva Postpartum Retreat will be a full-service, overnight postpartum and postnatal retreat offering a luxury experience, including lactation consultants along with around-the-clock postpartum doula care and nursery access. After gaining popularity in Europe and Asia, the first postpartum retreat in the United States was opened in 2022 in New York to meet a growing need as maternal and infant mortality increased. North Carolina is also ranked 11th in infant mortality, according to a 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. In addition to being the first-of-its-kind in North Carolina, Ziva will be one of only two Black-owned postpartum retreats in the U.S., highlighting a significant lapse in representation.

“Becoming mothers opened our eyes to the gaps in postpartum care, especially for those seeking a blend of expert support and luxury,” said co-founder Selena Williams, a single mother by choice and former litigation e-discovery professional. “When we realized North Carolina didn’t have a retreat like this, we knew we had to create one.”

Ziva will open in February 2025 in a specially designed, re-outfitted SouthPark area hotel where new mothers will have the opportunity to choose between packages for three, five, seven, or more nights. Bookings will open on Nov. 1, and it is recommended that clients make reservations after reaching 25 weeks of pregnancy.

As part of a regular stay, new mothers will be treated to three meals and snacks daily and have access to a doula, lactation consultant, childcare and postpartum classes, and access to a nursery and luxurious mothers’ lounge. Add-on services for an additional fee will include postpartum therapy, belly-binding, massages, manicures, and pedicures.  There will also be meditation classes and yoga for mothers six weeks postpartum and beyond.

“Ziva Postpartum Retreat is on a mission to give mothers a space to rest, recover, and be nurtured during one of the most important times in their lives,” said co-founder Lauren Hall – a mother of two that also owned a personal assistant business. “We’re creating the retreat we dreamed of—where mothers are cared for, pampered, and supported in every way possible. From doula care to wellness services, we’ve designed an experience that will help new mothers ease into their roles.”

Postpartum retreats have grown in popularity in Europe and the U.S. since becoming the norm in Korea and other parts of Asia in the 1990s. Though considered a luxury experience, there is a significant need for this type of postpartum support. The U.S. ranks first in maternal and infant mortality amongst developed countries and the developed nation without a federal paid family leave policy. It is reported that 20 percent of American mothers experience postpartum depression and approximately 40 percent of new moms miss their six-week check-up following delivery.

Ziva Postpartum Retreat is open to all postpartum parents, including adoptive parents, intended parents through surrogacy, gestational carriers, and others.