SC House Passes Bill to Allow Ivermectin Sales Without Prescription

Charlotte Stories
-
0
SC House Passes Bill to Allow Ivermectin Sales Without Prescription

South Carolina lawmakers have just approved a controversial bill that would allow ivermectin to be sold without a prescription. The measure passed the South Carolina House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate.

If enacted, the bill (H. 4042) would make ivermectin available over the counter, expanding access to a drug typically regulated through prescriptions.

Ivermectin is commonly used to treat parasites in livestock. It gained attention in 2020 amid claims it could treat COVID-19, though it was never approved for that use.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved certain forms of ivermectin for human use, including treatments for parasitic infections like intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis.

Health officials warn misuse can be dangerous. The FDA says high doses may cause nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, seizures, or even death. The drug can also interact with medications like blood thinners.

Supporters say the bill increases access, while critics raise concerns about safety without medical oversight.

The proposal now heads to the Senate as debate continues. Similar legislation has also been considered in Georgia.

For South Carolina residents, the decision could significantly change how the drug is accessed while raising ongoing public health concerns.

SC Projected for 7th Largest Manufacturing Job Surge in America

Charlotte Stories
-
0
SC Projected for 7th Largest Manufacturing Job Surge in America

Manufacturing is critical to U.S. economic growth, but projecting what kind of growth we will actually see is difficult. With forecasts ranging from as few as 100,000 new jobs over 10 years to as many as 3.8 million, the real question is where that growth will occur—and at what pace.

Because states publish projections independently, researchers at ETQ pulled data from 49 individual state agencies to create a proprietary manufacturing job growth dataset, then generated the most recent 10-year projection for each state.

Here are the key findings for South Carolina at a glance:

  • Manufacturing employment is projected to grow by 8.5% in South Carolina between 2022 and 2032, the 10th largest increase in the nation.
  • This translates to a total gain of 22,071 manufacturing jobs over that span, the 7th most of any state.
  • On a national level, growth is projected to be concentrated more in the South and Mountain West rather than the traditional industrial Northeast or Midwest.
  • Even in optimistic projections, many new manufacturing roles may go unfilled due to persistent talent shortages nationwide.

States Where Manufacturing Jobs Are Projected to Grow the Most

1 Utah +16.6% +25,180 151,610 176,790 +23.1% +404,420 1,748,840 2,153,260 2022–2032
2 Arizona +16.2% +31,504 194,618 226,122 +14.2% +486,348 3,434,790 3,921,138 2023–2033
3 Idaho +15.0% +10,937 72,753 83,690 +13.8% +120,939 875,946 996,885 2022–2032
4 Alaska +14.3% +1,769 12,380 14,149 +6.9% +22,097 319,345 341,442 2022–2032
5 Wyoming +13.1% +1,340 10,201 11,541 +12.1% +33,247 274,118 307,365 2022–2032
6 Delaware +12.2% +3,180 26,010 29,190 +7.3% +36,240 496,990 533,230 2022–2032
7 Nevada +10.7% +6,897 64,225 71,122 +14.2% +217,818 1,534,673 1,752,491 2022–2032
8 New Mexico +10.7% +3,075 28,675 31,750 +10.6% +95,632 905,770 1,001,402 2023–2033
9 Georgia +8.9% +36,600 409,590 446,190 +11.0% +539,350 4,884,460 5,423,810 2022–2032
10 South Carolina +8.5% +22,071 261,052 283,123 +11.1% +261,744 2,352,883 2,614,627 2022–2032
11 Louisiana +8.0% +10,563 131,459 142,022 +4.0% +78,747 1,952,631 2,031,378 2022–2032
12 Florida +7.8% +31,879 409,900 441,779 +9.3% +966,676 10,379,713 11,346,389 2022–2032
13 Alabama +7.8% +21,260 274,140 295,400 +6.2% +141,850 2,284,580 2,426,430 2022–2032
14 North Dakota +7.6% +2,159 28,354 30,513 +6.9% +33,199 482,059 515,258 2023–2033
15 West Virginia +7.6% +3,477 45,999 49,476 +4.0% +29,295 730,739 760,034 2022–2032
16 Tennessee +7.2% +26,093 362,102 388,195 +13.9% +477,588 3,423,768 3,901,356 2022–2032
17 Mississippi +6.8% +10,048 148,006 158,054 +6.3% +73,972 1,182,554 1,256,526 2022–2032
18 Connecticut +6.7% +10,442 156,499 166,941 +9.0% +162,035 1,793,890 1,955,925 2022–2032
19 Texas +6.4% +57,644 904,498 962,142 +14.7% +2,109,298 14,335,116 16,444,414 2022–2032
20 South Dakota +6.2% +2,812 45,101 47,913 +7.7% +39,449 511,117 550,566 2022–2032
21 Oregon +6.2% +11,800 189,600 201,400 +7.8% +170,000 2,186,100 2,356,100 2023–2033
22 Nebraska +5.5% +5,659 103,490 109,149 +5.6% +63,862 1,142,100 1,205,962 2022–2032
23 Iowa +5.1% +11,350 223,945 235,295 +6.7% +116,720 1,736,815 1,853,535 2022–2032
24 Maryland +4.9% +6,294 129,034 135,328 +6.0% +183,329 3,039,128 3,222,457 2023–2033
25 Wisconsin +4.5% +21,525 476,799 498,324 +7.1% +225,071 3,162,331 3,387,402 2022–2032
26 Hawaii +4.2% +520 12,500 13,020 +6.1% +41,190 671,010 712,200 2022–2032
27 Kansas +4.0% +6,732 169,481 176,213 +3.3% +49,192 1,498,438 1,547,630 2022–2032
28 New Jersey +3.6% +9,100 250,800 259,900 +4.9% +207,100 4,235,000 4,442,100 2022–2032
29 Washington +3.5% +9,600 273,700 283,300 +9.7% +347,300 3,590,700 3,938,000 2023–2033
30 North Carolina +3.5% +16,473 473,468 489,941 +10.0% +509,540 5,089,355 5,598,895 2022–2032
31 Colorado +3.4% +5,194 151,164 156,358 +15.6% +490,297 3,148,421 3,638,718 2023–2033
32 Minnesota +3.4% +11,005 323,919 334,924 +4.6% +144,592 3,135,681 3,280,273 2022–2032
33 Montana +3.3% +725 22,000 22,725 +7.8% +42,872 548,663 591,535 2022–2032
34 New Hampshire +3.0% +2,123 70,018 72,141 +5.8% +42,027 719,305 761,332 2022–2032
35 Virginia +2.5% +5,942 241,793 247,735 +4.5% +190,077 4,248,545 4,438,622 2022–2032
36 Arkansas +2.4% +3,932 162,193 166,125 +6.2% +89,718 1,451,508 1,541,226 2022–2032
37 Rhode Island +2.4% +948 40,172 41,120 +6.2% +32,943 531,287 564,230 2022–2032
38 Illinois +1.9% +10,696 571,662 582,358 +2.7% +169,122 6,369,370 6,538,492 2022–2032
39 Indiana +1.8% +9,756 541,019 550,775 +2.9% +101,087 3,432,499 3,533,586 2022–2032
40 Missouri +1.5% +4,298 282,238 286,536 +4.3% +136,160 3,134,123 3,270,283 2022–2032
41 Massachusetts +0.8% +1,945 236,045 237,990 +5.6% +215,368 3,822,154 4,037,522 2023–2033
42 Pennsylvania +0.7% +4,240 566,150 570,390 +3.4% +216,280 6,417,870 6,634,150 2023–2033
43 California -0.2% -2,500 1,285,600 1,283,100 +8.8% +1,719,400 19,511,500 21,230,900 2023–2033
44 Oklahoma -0.2% -280 133,100 132,820 +4.8% +88,260 1,826,010 1,914,270 2022–2032
45 Ohio -0.4% -2,575 652,965 650,390 +4.6% +257,256 5,567,009 5,824,265 2020–2030
46 Michigan -3.0% -18,230 603,410 585,180 +0.6% +25,030 4,524,490 4,549,520 2022–2032
47 Vermont -3.8% -1,092 29,088 27,996 +7.2% +24,835 345,326 370,161 2022–2032
48 Maine -5.1% -2,750 54,180 51,430 -1.8% -12,460 710,160 697,700 2022–2032
49 New York -11.9% -50,220 423,100 372,880 +11.0% +1,123,390 10,173,370 11,296,760 2022–2032

Massive Data Breach Hits CMS and Rock Hill Schools – Student Info Potentially Exposed

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Massive Data Breach Hits CMS and Rock Hill Schools – Student Info Potentially Exposed

A major cybersecurity breach has impacted multiple school districts across the Charlotte region, raising concerns for thousands of students and families.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Rock Hill School District, York School District, and Clover School District were all affected after hackers accessed data through the Canvas learning platform.

Canvas is operated by Instructure, which confirmed the breach involved unauthorized access by what it described as a “criminal threat actor.”

The company reported the incident on May 1 and said it was contained by May 2. However, officials say some user information may have been exposed during the attack.

Potentially compromised data includes names, email addresses, student ID numbers, and messages between users on the platform.

The breach could have far-reaching implications. One report estimates that data from nearly 9,000 schools, colleges, and programs worldwide may have been involved.

Not all local schools were impacted. The Fort Mill School District, Lancaster Schools, Winthrop, and other local institutions using other platforms—such as Google Classroom or Brightspace—were not affected by this incident.

Even so, school officials are urging families to remain cautious. Students and parents should avoid clicking unexpected emails or suspicious links and report any unusual activity to their school.

For the Charlotte region, the breach highlights growing cybersecurity risks in education systems. As schools rely more on digital platforms, they are becoming larger targets for cyberattacks.

Officials say the situation is under control, but the investigation is ongoing as districts continue assessing the full scope of the impact.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles Announces Abrupt Early Resignation From Office

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles Announces Abrupt Early Resignation From Office
via CharlotteNC.gov

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles today announced that she will not seek re-election in November 2027 and will resign early from the Office of the Mayor effective June 30. Mayor Lyles was first elected as Mayor in 2017.

“Serving as Charlotte’s mayor has been the honor of my life,” Mayor Lyles said. “I am proud of our record navigating various challenges, strengthening our economy, investing in our neighborhoods, and building a foundation for Charlotte’s continued success during a time of rapid growth. Now, it is time for the next phase of my life, to spend more time with my grandchildren and for someone new to lead us forward.”

Mayor Lyles has spent more than 30 years in Charlotte city government, with her service as mayor preceded by two terms on City Council (including service as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015-2017) and working as a budget analyst, budget director, and assistant city manager. She is Charlotte’s first Black female mayor.

Mayor Lyles said she is particularly proud of Charlotte’s economic growth and job creation during her time in office, and of enhancing city governments’ fiscal stability. Among her other key achievements as mayor, she cited public safety improvements, numerous housing initiatives, and a drive to expand and improve public transit that included voter approval last year of a sales tax to support infrastructure and service enhancements.

“I am very proud of my record as mayor, but I also firmly believe that true leadership includes knowing when it is time to let the next generation of leaders take over,” she said. “By leaving early, the voters will have more time to learn about their candidates. Our city is strong, our trajectory is positive, and now is the right moment for someone else to build on our progress from the past few years.”

Lyles also noted that the city is in the capable hands of a strong city manager and staff, which gives her great confidence in the decision to resign early in this term. I am forever proud of the team the city has built.

“As in all things politics, I am sure there will be speculation as to why I am making this decision now. Simply put, I am going to spend time with my grandchildren. Like many of us, I have missed some moments with them and intend to not miss anymore!”

Mayor Lyles said she will not make any immediate endorsement of a potential successor.

500-Pound Great White Shark Spotted Off Wilmington This Morning

Charlotte Stories
-
0
500-Pound Great White Shark Spotted Off Wilmington This Morning

A massive great white shark measuring more than 9 feet long was tracked just off the North Carolina coast Tuesday morning. The shark, named Quint, pinged near Wilmington Beach around 7:30 a.m.

Quint is part of a global tracking effort led by OCEARCH. The group monitors shark movements to support ocean research and conservation.

The sub-adult male was first tagged in July 2025 off Nova Scotia. At the time, he measured 9 feet 8 inches and weighed about 587 pounds.

Since then, Quint has traveled thousands of miles along the Atlantic coast. His latest ping shows he is now moving through waters near southeastern North Carolina.

Researchers say these tracking signals help scientists better understand migration patterns, feeding behavior, and habitat use. The data is shared publicly to support both science and education.

Quint also represents a major milestone. He is the 100th great white shark tagged by OCEARCH in the western North Atlantic population.

The shark was named in honor of Dr. Quinton White, a longtime marine science leader and partner in OCEARCH’s research efforts. His work helped strengthen collaboration between scientists and field researchers.

OCEARCH officials say the milestone reflects years of effort to better understand and protect great white sharks. When the program began, no sharks had been tagged in the region.

Today, the organization has built one of the largest tracking datasets for the species.

For beachgoers in the Carolinas, sightings like this are rare but not unusual. Experts emphasize that sharks typically stay offshore and play a critical role in maintaining ocean ecosystems.

Still, the latest ping serves as a reminder that one of the ocean’s top predators is currently swimming just off the Carolina coast.

CLT Just Broke Ground on 4th Runway – First “Smart Runway” in America

Charlotte Stories
-
0
CLT Just Broke Ground on 4th Runway – First “Smart Runway” in America
via CLT.edu

Charlotte Douglas just started construction on a 4th parallel ‘smart’ runway to both increase capacity and test out a new ‘digital twin’ technology in partnership with UNC Charlotte through its Aviation and Innovation Research Institute.

Sensors will be installed as concrete is poured on the new runway, located between existing runways 2 and 3. These instruments will track how pavement responds to aircraft traffic, weather, and long-term wear.

The data will feed into a digital twin, or virtual replica, of the runway. Engineers will use it to test scenarios, identify stress points, and predict maintenance needs before problems develop.

“By embedding technology directly into the runway, we aren’t just building infrastructure,” said UNCC Vice Chancellor John Daniels in a press release. “We are creating valuable data, models and insights that will inform the future of airfield design nationwide. Just as important, this work creates unparalleled, hands-on research opportunities for our students, who will be learning under the leadership of Dr. Cavalline.”

Airport officials say the technology will improve safety and efficiency. It could also guide daily operations, including de-icing and maintenance decisions.

The project stems from the airport’s 2016 Master Plan as Charlotte continues to grow. In 2025 alone, CLT recorded more than 574,000 aircraft operations, ranking seventh worldwide.

The digital twin portion of the project will cost about $6.5 million, including a $2 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Once complete, the 10,000-foot runway will include upgraded electrical systems, improved drainage, and a new fire station. The runway is expected to open in fall 2027.

PlayNation Bringing First Large-Scale ‘Screen-Free Indoor Playground’ to East Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
-
0
PlayNation Bringing First Large-Scale ‘Screen-Free Indoor Playground’ to East Charlotte

Leading commercial real estate firm Collett has just announced plans to bring America’s first PlayNation ‘screen-free indoor playground’ to Charlotte.

The massive 14,000+ square-foot complex will be built inside Eastway Crossing – a premier strip mall just East of Plaza Midwood.

The project will take over a former big-box retail space at 3304 Eastway Drive, with an opening targeted for late 2026.

The concept is designed as a “screen-free” environment for kids ages 0 to 13, focusing on movement, creativity, and social interaction. Developers say the goal is to create a space where children stay active year-round while parents can actually enjoy the visit.

PlayNation will feature multiple structured play zones tailored to different age groups. Younger children will have softer, safety-focused areas, while older kids can access larger, more physically engaging play structures.

Planned features include:

  • Separate zones designed specifically for ages 0–3, 4-7, and 6–13
  • Soft-play and sensory-focused areas for toddlers and younger children
  • Large climbing structures and active play installations for older kids
  • Tactile, hands-on play elements to support motor skill development
  • On-site staff (“Play Pros”) assigned to monitor and assist in play areas
  • Dedicated birthday party rooms and group event hosting
via playnation.kids

The Charlotte location will be the brand’s first, positioning the city as a test market for future expansion.

CLT’s Largest Pokemon & Sports Card Show Coming To Town Next Month

Charlotte Stories
-
0
CLT’s Largest Pokemon & Sports Card Show Coming To Town Next Month
Sports Wax Promotions will bring Collectors Jam to Cabarrus Arena & Event Center in Concord, North Carolina, June 5–7, 2026, for a three-day event positioned as the largest collectibles show in the Carolinas. The show will feature more than 600 tables and a packed marketplace of sports cards, wrestling collectibles, Pokémon, trading card games, comics, memorabilia, vintage toys, retro video games, Funko Pops and other pop culture collectibles.
Presented by Pristine Auction, Collectors Jam will also feature live auctions throughout the weekend, adding another high-energy element to one of the fastest-growing events in the hobby space. A major highlight of the weekend will be an appearance by NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, expected to draw collectors, basketball fans and media attention from across the region and beyond.
“This is more than a card show — it’s a full-scale collector experience built for the hobby at every level,” said James Ferree, founder of Sports Wax Promotions. “From serious buyers and longtime collectors to families and first-time attendees, Collectors Jam brings together the energy, community and excitement that make this industry so special. We’re proud to keep building something in the Carolinas that is drawing attention from across the country.”
Sports Wax Promotions has emerged as one of the most visible collectibles event brands in the region since launching on September 4, 2021. What began as a gathering with 35 tables and 198 attendees has grown into a premier weekend-long showcase drawing thousands of collectors and enthusiasts from across the country.
The June Concord event is designed to be both a destination for dedicated hobbyists and an accessible, family-friendly weekend attraction. In addition to buying, selling and trading across the show floor, attendees can expect an active Trade Zone, buyers in the building purchasing bulk collections and singles, and giveaways throughout the weekend. The event will also feature appearances by Pikachu, Gengar and Eevee, expanding its appeal to younger fans and pop-culture audiences.
Collectors will also have access to key hobby services and brand experiences on-site. GemMint.com, a PSA-authorized dealer, will accept grading submissions during the event, while influencer participation and major industry partnerships continue to reinforce the show’s expanding national profile.
With VIP and general admission tickets available online, as well as tickets at the door, Collectors Jam is expected to bring together vendors and attendees traveling from across the country for one of the region’s biggest weekends in collectibles.
For tickets, vendor information and event updates, visit sportswaxpromotions.com.

USGS Announces $64B in Previously Undiscovered Lithium Under Hurricane Helene’s Rubble

Charlotte Stories
-
0
USGS Announces $64B in Previously Undiscovered Lithium Under Hurricane Helene’s Rubble

A new report released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has just confirmed that the Appalachian Mountains are sitting on a massive, previously undiscovered lithium deposit worth an estimated $64 billion.

According to the federal data, the region contains 2.3 million metric tons of recoverable lithium—enough to power the United States’ energy needs and replace over 300 years of imports from China.

“This research shows that the Appalachians contain enough lithium to help meet the nation’s growing needs – a major contribution to U.S. mineral security, at a time when global lithium demand is rising rapidly,” said USGS Director Ned Mamula in a press release. “USGS mineral science is the leading edge in the effort to restore America’s mineral independence by mapping our nation’s mineral resources. Everything else follows on the science: permitting reform and other policy changes to support investment in clean, responsible mining to 21st century standards, and mining workforce training for new American jobs. The United States was the dominant world producer of lithium three decades ago, and this research highlights the abundant potential to reclaim our mineral independence.” 

While lithium mining is a known industry in the region, this discovery is different. For decades, the focus was centered on the Kings Mountain site in Cleveland County, which has been dormant since the 1980s. But this new USGS assessment identifies a massive concentration of lithium-rich pegmatite stretching far beyond the old mines, with much of it located in the very areas of Western North Carolina that were devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Exposed by the Storm?

In the months following the catastrophic 2024 storm, conspiracy theories flooded social media, with many locals claiming the government was “clearing the land” to access hidden minerals. At the time, officials and fact-checkers dismissed these claims as baseless, noting that the lithium mine in Cleveland County was nearly 100 miles away from the hardest-hit zones like Chimney Rock and Asheville.

However, the new 2026 USGS findings suggest the skeptics may have been onto something. The report reveals that the “undiscovered” lithium was identified through systematic geochemical sampling and geophysical surveys that were accelerated following the 2024 landslides. In many cases, the literal “rubble” and exposed mountainsides carved out by Helene’s floodwaters provided geologists with unprecedented access to the deep-crust pegmatites that hold the “white gold.”

A “Great Find” with a Complicated History

The head of the EPA has called the find a “game-changer” for national security, noting that it could finally break the U.S. dependence on China for the critical minerals needed for EVs, smartphones, and defense tech.

But for residents of Western North Carolina, the news is bittersweet. The 800-acre Albemarle site in Kings Mountain recently secured a $90 million purchase agreement from the Department of Defense to restart operations, but this new discovery opens the door for massive mining expansion into the heart of the Appalachian foothills.

Was the “Crazy” Theory Right?

For many who lived through the “Helene Lithium” social media firestorm, the $64 billion discovery feels like a strange validation. While there remains no evidence that the hurricane was “manipulated,” the fact that a world-altering mineral deposit has been confirmed exactly where theorists said it was—under the very ground shifted by the storm—has shifted the conversation from “conspiracy” to a very real debate over land rights and corporate interest.

As the federal government moves to fast-track extraction in the southern Appalachians, Charlotte-area residents are left wondering: Is this an economic miracle for the Carolinas, or the beginning of a fight for the soul of the mountains?

Charlotte-Based Atrium Health Eyes $2 Billion Expansion To Reshape Healthcare in The Carolinas

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte-Based Atrium Health Eyes $2 Billion Expansion To Reshape Healthcare in The Carolinas

Charlotte-based Atrium Health, one of the largest nonprofit hospital systems in the U.S., is preparing for a major expansion that could reshape healthcare across North Carolina. The system is pursuing a deal to take over WakeMed, bringing at least $2 billion in new investment to the Triangle.

The proposed transaction would place WakeMed under Advocate Health, one of the nation’s largest healthcare networks, of which Atrium is a part.

WakeMed’s board has already unanimously approved the deal. Wake County commissioners are expected to vote Monday on measures needed to move it forward.

If approved, Atrium would become the sole corporate member of the nonprofit that owns WakeMed, while WakeMed would remain its own legal entity.

Atrium has pledged at least $2 billion to expand services, improve care, and accelerate research. Leaders say the deal will also help attract medical talent and create thousands of jobs.

For WakeMed, the partnership could provide greater access to clinical trials and specialized care, strengthening its ability to compete with larger systems like UNC Health and Duke Health.

The agreement would also reshape governance. Wake County would appoint eight of 14 board members, with Atrium appointing the remaining six.

WakeMed’s current leadership team is expected to stay in place after the deal closes.

For Atrium, the move expands its reach into the fast-growing Raleigh market, linking North Carolina’s two largest metro regions under one system.

State law requires final approval from both Wake County commissioners and WakeMed’s board, with more details expected at a news conference Tuesday.

1...383940...1,310Page 39 of 1,310