With early education shown to boost future earning potential but few states offering free preschool programs, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2024’s States with the Best & Worst Early Education Systems.

In order to determine the best early education systems in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics. The data set ranges from the share of school districts that offer a state pre-K program to the number of pre-K quality benchmarks met and total reported spending per child enrolled in pre-K.

South Carolina came in at #7 in the nation and North Carolina came in at #40.

States with the Best & Worst Early Education Systems

With “false fall” officially here, North Carolina is gearing up for one of the most vibrant fall color displays in years.

As cooler temperatures begin to settle across the state, North Carolina’s mountains, valleys, and Piedmont regions are expected to transform into breathtaking displays of orange, red, and yellow hues.

The Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Mountains, known for their stunning views, will once again draw thousands of visitors eager to experience the beauty of the fall season.

Fall colors in North Carolina typically begin appearing in the higher elevations at the end of September, with the peak season running through October.

According to the official fall foliage from SmokyMountains.com, colors are expected to peak throughout most of the mountains and in Mecklenburg county the week of October 14th (about a week sooner than last year’s fall colors).

In an unprecedented display of religious unity, 141 Charlotte churches are uniting for our city’s first major evangelistic crusade in nearly three decades.

This Friday, Bojangles Coliseum will welcome over 10,000 attendees for the free event, organized by 1,200 volunteers, and featuring a 600-person choir.

Queen City News talked with one of the main leaders of the event last night:

There will be at least 7 speakers, including a live telecast from Dr. Nam Soo Choi, leader of the 25,000-person Kwang Myong Church in Seoul, Korea. In 2022, Dr. Choi sent a large group of intercessors to Charlotte to pray for our city on the 50th anniversary of Billy Graham’s crusade in South Korea – the vision for this weekend’s crusade was birthed from those prayers.

The crusade will be broadcast online globally in 10 languages, extending its reach to diverse audiences. Doors will open this coming Friday night at 6pm and the event will begin at 7pm.

You can find out more info at CharlotteCrusade.com.

Significant flooding hit North Carolina’s coast Monday as torrential rains and strong winds from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 wreaked havoc.

Flash flood warnings were issued for Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus, and Bladen counties, with roads and cars submerged. U.S. 17 in Brunswick County and U.S. 74/76 in Columbus County were closed due to heavy flooding.

Carolina Beach received a staggering 18 inches of rain, while Brunswick County saw 13 inches, leading to widespread road closures and damage.

In addition to widespread flooding, hundreds of roads and bridges were washed out throughout North Carolina’s coastal counties.

In Brunswick County, a jeep drove directly into a washed out section of the road.

NC Emergency Operations Center Rainfall Totals:

• Ocean Blvd, Carolina Beach: 18.32”
• 1 mile S of Snows Cut Bridge: 14.83”
• Sunny Point Military Terminal: 14.59”
• Boiling Springs Lake: 14.16”
• Half mile N of Snows Cut Bridge: 14.01”
• Saint James, Brunswick County: 13.34”
• Abbington Oaks, Southport: 12.74”
• Mallory Creek, Leland: 6.78”
• Wilmington Airport: 3.61”

Authorities are monitoring the situation and assisting those affected as flash flood warnings remain in place. Emergency crews are working to assess damage and provide aid.

For eleven seasons, the Underexposed Film Festival yc (UFFyc) has showcased the best in independent filmmaking from across the world. The UFFyc continues to focus on strength and diversity in storytelling, screening films that feature characters who come to life, giving the audience a glimpse into the creator’s world, and enveloping viewers in the unique elements of each film. The Festival never fails to accomplish its mission, providing an opportunity for both emerging and seasoned filmmakers to screen in the same forum, allowing their work to be viewed and their voices heard while encouraging dialogue between the two.

First-time filmmakers, seasoned professionals, and films have found success beyond the UFFyc over the years, including the Oscar-nominated short film Ice Merchants, and filmmakers such as Michael Cusack (The Better Angels, Sleight of Hand, After All), John Gray (Ghost Whisperer, Grimm, The Third Defector), and Miguel Ortega (The Green Ruby Pumpkin, The Ningyo, The Voice in the Hollow). The 2023 festival included films recognized for their powerful stories.

In 2024, the Underexposed Film Festival yc continues its focus on high quality, independently created short films. All submitted films are juried by filmmakers, professionals, and academics working in the field. In April of 2024, filmmakers and enthusiasts will converge upon Rock Hill, SC to be exposed to, engaged with, and intrigued by films that leave the audience with a greater worldview.

Independent filmmakers around the world are invited to submit professionally presented short films, with a runtime of 35 minutes or less to participate in this juried competition. Films screened at the Underexposed Film Festival yc must be York County, SC festival premieres. Submissions must fall into one of the following categories:

• Narrative | Fictional filmmaking that includes comedy, drama, action, thriller, adventure, fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, western, horror, film-noir, romance, sports, family-friendly, and more.
• Animation | Animated filmmaking – including but not limited to traditional, hand-drawn animation, flip book animation, stop motion animation, computer animation, mechanical animation, mixed media, and special effects animation.
• Documentary | Non-fiction filmmaking that includes cultural, topical, and historical subjects.
• Experimental | Experimental films may be avant-garde, non-linear, non-narrative, or include puppetry. They may include the utilization of abstracting techniques, asynchronous sound, and are not limited by the constraints of traditional filmmaking. But, don’t let us define it for you…
• Puppetry | Films that include the manipulation of puppets.

Awards totaling $2,350 will be presented at the Festival. Awards given to the best of show, as well as the best of each category, with special awards given to the following:

• Cinema Carolina | Best independent film made in North or South Carolina, regardless of category, content, or subject. 75% of the principal photography must take place in North or South Carolina to be eligible for this award.
• Woman to Watch | Best Female Director Award. All female directed films in each category are eligible for this award.
• Best Student Film (Collegiate) | Student films are eligible when created by a student filmmaker enrolled in a collegiate program while in production. All student films from each category are eligible for this award.
• Terry Roueche Audience Choice | Official Selections are eligible for the Terry Roueche Audience Choice Award. At each block that features Official Selections, the audience is invited to vote for their favorite Official Selection. Director’s Choice films are not eligible.

Entry deadlines and entry fees for the 2025 Underexposed Film Festival yc are as follows:

Earlybird: Sunday, October 6, 2024

Standard  |  $20

Student    |  $15

FilmFreeway Gold  |  $15

Regular: Sunday, November 17, 2024

Standard  |  $30

Student    |  $25

FilmFreeway Gold  |  $20

Last Chance: Sunday, December 15, 2024

Standard  |  $35

Student    |  $30

FilmFreeway Gold  |  $25

For festival guidelines and entry information, visit the Underexposed Film Festival yc’s site at Film Freeway at https://filmfreeway.com/UnderexposedFilmFestivalyc. The films selected for screening will be screened at the Underexposed Film Festival yc, to be held in Rock Hill, SC, in April of 2025. Visit underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org for more information on all UFFyc events and screenings.

The Arts Council is headquartered in downtown Rock Hill, a state-recognized cultural district. For more information on Arts Council events, contact the Arts Council of York County at (803) 328-2787, by email at arts@yorkcountyarts.org, or visit our webpage at http://www.yorkcountyarts.org.

Moon lovers are in for a treat this week as a full supermoon is about to coincide with a partial lunar eclipse on Tuesday night.

The upcoming supermoon that will be partially eclipsed is known as the harvest moon. According to NASA, “The first known written use of this name in the English language (per the Oxford English Dictionary) was in 1706. During the fall harvest season farmers sometimes need to work late into the night by moonlight. On average moonrise is about 50 minutes later each night. Around the Harvest Moon this time is shorter, about 25 minutes for the latitude of Washington, DC, and only 10 to 20 minutes farther north in Canada and Europe.”

The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 8:41 p.m. ET, peaking at 10:44 p.m. ET, when 8% of the moon will be covered. The event will conclude early Wednesday morning, giving skywatchers a rare chance to witness this dazzling alignment.

A supermoon occurs when the full moon aligns with its closest orbit around Earth, making it appear slightly larger and up to 30% brighter. While the size difference is subtle, the increased brightness is more noticeable. The full moon will reach its peak brightness at 10:35 p.m. ET, just minutes before the eclipse reaches its maximum.

After the eclipse peaks, the moon will slowly exit Earth’s shadow, with the event wrapping up by 12:47 a.m. ET. This stunning display will be visible to anyone with a clear view of the night sky.

The Panthers have finally made the decision to bench #1 draft pick Bryce Young.

Head coach Dave Canales announced the move after the team’s 0-2 start. Young, who has struggled with a 55.4% pass completion rate, no touchdowns, and three interceptions, has raised concerns about the team’s direction. Andy Dalton will start Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders as the Panthers look to rebound from their disappointing season start.

Canales, in his first season as head coach, made the decision after reviewing the team’s performance. Young’s early struggles have affected the Panthers’ overall offensive performance. Despite Young’s potential, the switch to Dalton signals the need for immediate improvement. Dalton, with his experience, is expected to bring stability to the offense as Carolina attempts to break their losing streak.

Coaches and analysts will closely watch how the quarterback change impacts the Panthers’ performance moving forward.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight is on track to strengthen into Tropical Storm Helene, with landfall expected near Charleston.

The system, currently 100 miles east of Charleston and 85 miles south of Cape Fear, is already bringing strong winds and heavy rain to southeastern North Carolina. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for coastal areas from Edisto Beach, to Ocracoke Inlet.

As the storm moves inland, it will closely follow the path from Charleston to Charlotte, up I-26 and I-77. A Flood Watch is in effect for much of eastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. Heavy rainfall and localized flooding are expected, as the storm progresses inland after potential landfall.

Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 is expected to make landfall along the SC coast this afternoon/evening, then move inland across the Carolinas tonight through Tuesday. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected starting this afternoon through Tuesday morning. #scwx #ncwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/feBqPGUqtN

— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) September 16, 2024

The NHC has classified the system as a potential tropical cyclone to enable early alerts, preparing residents along the Southeast coast. If the storm strengthens as predicted, it would become the eighth named storm of the season, taking the name Helene.

Communities along the coast are being urged to prepare for possible flooding and damaging winds. Coastal and inland residents should monitor weather updates closely as the storm develops over the next 24 to 48 hours.

NHS officials are reminding all residents in Atlantic Coast and Gulf states to be prepared for potential future storms.

In case of a power outage, make sure to have the following emergency items stocked in your home;

• Car charger for cell phones and other devices
• Clean drinking water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day, minimum three days)
• Flashlights 
• Batteries: Extra batteries for all of your devices
• Weather radio/clock
• Non-perishable food
• First aid kit

A Charlotte 12-year-old has just been charged with involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Jaiden Harris.

According to CMPD, the incident occurred on Friday, September 13, 2024, at approximately 7 p.m. in the 8500 block of Burnt Umber Drive. Officers from the Hickory Grove Division responded to an emergency call and found Harris with a gunshot wound. Despite efforts from the Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC, Harris was pronounced dead at the scene.

Death Investigation in the Hickory Grove Division https://t.co/XgYHvyfkdc

— CMPD News (@CMPD) September 13, 2024

Homicide detectives were immediately called in to investigate, with the Crime Scene Search team collecting evidence. The police identified a 12-year-old as the suspect. Following an interview at the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown Charlotte, the child was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter. The juvenile was later released into the custody of their parents.

The tragic incident has left the community shaken, especially due to the young ages of both the victim and the suspect. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command and Victim Services have provided support to both families as the investigation continues.

The investigation is currently ongoing, if you have any information related to this case, please call 704-432-TIPS.

A large solar flare on Saturday has sparked a geomagnetic storm expected to impact Earth early Monday morning. The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a warning for the G3-level storm, caused by a coronal mass ejection and intensified by an X-class solar flare.

The storm could make the aurora borealis visible as far south as North Carolina.

An X4.5 flare occurred at approximately 14/1529 UTC, resulting in R3 (Strong) HF radio blackouts. pic.twitter.com/5LhTlsxtHR

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) September 14, 2024

This short video captured using data from the GOES Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) clearly shows the intense X-class flare that peaked around 1529 UTC today. pic.twitter.com/r7UpUhoTVl

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) September 14, 2024

The KP index is expected to peak at 7.0 around 5 a.m. on Monday, offering early risers a chance to see the phenomenon.

Northern Lights lit up the North Carolina sky for the third time of 2023 on Nov. 5th after an exceptionally powerful CME from the sun blasted our magnetosphere, similar to what is expected to happen tonight.

One of the most epic shots you’ll ever see of the #northernlights and the #MilkyWay This was over Waynesville, NC last night. Thanks for the photo Ezekiel Coppersmith. #scwx #ncwx pic.twitter.com/t1lWFfE2Py

— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) November 6, 2023

If you want to get your own shots of the aurora, you’ll need 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.

Happy aurora hunting!