Charlotte Rental Rates Increased Again – September 2026 Rent Report

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Charlotte Rental Rates Increased Again – September 2026 Rent Report

Currently, the overall median rent in Charlotte stands at $1,381, .2% higher than last month, but down 2.7% year-over-year.

Charlotte’s rent growth over the past year has fallen behind both the state (-1.5%) and national averages (-0.8%).

Eight months into the year, rents in Charlotte have risen 1.2%. This is a similar rate of growth compared to what the city was experiencing at this point last year: from January to August 2025 rents had increased 1.1%.

Charlotte rents went up 0.2% in the past month, compared to the national rate of 0.1%. Among the nation’s 100 largest cities, this ranks #52. Similar monthly rent growth took place in Jacksonville, FL (0.2%) and Tampa, FL (0.2%).

For more national and local insights, check out the latest update to Apartment List’s full Charlotte Rent Report here.

Silfab Loses Again in Court — Will York County Enforce the Law or Risk Daily Misdemeanor Violations?

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Silfab Loses Again in Court — Will York County Enforce the Law or Risk Daily Misdemeanor Violations?

Yesterday, a York County judge issued a final amended order affirming the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals ruling against Silfab Solar, placing new pressure on York County officials to explain why the project’s permits and certificate of occupancy remain active. Judge William McKinnon affirmed the BZA “in all respects” and denied the appeal filed by Silfab Solar and Exeter 7149 Logistics. The ruling confirms that the BZA acted within its authority when it rejected York County’s 2024 interpretation that solar panel manufacturing fit within the “Computer and Electronic Products Manufacturing” category in the Light Industrial district.

The amended order replaced McKinnon’s earlier July ruling, but it did not change the bottom line. Silfab still lost its appeal at the circuit court level. The BZA ruling still stands. The court also rejected the major defenses used to justify the project’s zoning path. McKinnon found that the 2022 zoning verification letter was not a permit, was not a formal zoning code interpretation, and was not the decision under review. He also rejected the argument that York County Council’s FILOT tax agreement amended zoning law, stating that FILOT agreements are tax-incentive tools and do not change the zoning code.

That finding now creates a direct question for York County: if the 2022 letter was not a permit, and the FILOT did not amend zoning, what lawful zoning authority allows Silfab’s current use to continue? County officials have argued that the BZA decision does not automatically cancel previously issued approvals, but if the judge ruled the 2022 letter was not a permit, the FILOT didn’t amend the zoning code, and all construction permits were issued after the BZA ruled their use unlawful, what ‘previously issued approvals’ are left?

South Carolina law makes that question especially serious. Under S.C. Code §6-29-950, “No permit may be issued or approved” unless state planning law and local zoning ordinances are followed. The same statute states, “A violation of any ordinance adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is a misdemeanor… Each day the unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance, or use continues is considered a separate offense.“

No court has yet declared any specific county official guilty of a misdemeanor, and no prosecutor has yet announced charges. But if Silfab’s unlawful use continues, the first potential daily violator would likely be Silfab as the operator of the facility. Exeter, the property owner, could also face scrutiny if it knowingly allowed or benefited from a prohibited use on its property (Exeter is currently receiving an estimated $500k per month, according to Silfab’s lease).

A number of county officials might also be held responsible if unlawful permits or occupancy approvals remain in place. The most obvious scrutiny would fall on County Manager Joshua Edwards, Planning & Development Services director Jonathan Buono, Development Services Manager Josh Reinhardt, Building Official Jennifer Culver, and Zoning Administrator Rick Abboud. It could also include lower-level planning and development officials who continue processing, honoring, or defending approvals tied to a zoning classification the BZA and Circuit Court have now rejected.

County Council members, especially Chair Christi Cox, could also face charges if it was found that council members knowingly directed staff to ignore the ruling, refuse enforcement, or ratify continued occupancy without a lawful zoning basis.

The amended order leaves the county with one simple demand from residents: if they exist, show us the documents. Show the lawful zoning approval. Show the stay order. Show the supersedeas order. Show the vested-rights determination. Show the separate use classification that authorizes the project today.

Until York County produces that authority, the county’s position will remain under growing legal and public pressure. The BZA has been affirmed. The 2022 letter was not a permit. The FILOT did not amend zoning. And South Carolina law says zoning violations can be misdemeanors.

The remaining question is no longer academic – when the dust settles, who will be held accountable for the possible daily misdemeanor violations?

One of The Charlotte Region’s Largest Parks Is About To Expand By 600 Acres Thanks To NYC Non-Profit

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One of The Charlotte Region’s Largest Parks Is About To Expand By 600 Acres Thanks To NYC Non-Profit

One of the Charlotte region’s largest parks is getting even bigger. Nearly 600 acres surrounding Kings Mountain State Park are now protected and expected to eventually become part of the park.

The Open Space Institute acquired 589 acres in northwestern York County, near Clover and about 40 miles west of Charlotte.

The nonprofit purchased most of the property in June for $4.9 million. It plans to eventually transfer the land to South Carolina’s state park system.

Kings Mountain State Park already covers nearly 6,900 acres, making it South Carolina’s fifth-largest state park.

It also connects with the 4,000-acre Kings Mountain National Military Park, creating an extensive protected area along the Carolinas border.

The new property includes forests, pastures, wetlands and streams. Once incorporated, it could support hiking, fishing, paddling and wildlife viewing.

The 589-acre addition is larger than several other state parks around the Rock Hill region.

Much of the property was previously identified as a high-priority conservation area. The Open Space Institute also protected another 50 acres near the park in 2024.

Kings Mountain has attracted visitors for nearly a century. The neighboring national park commemorates the pivotal 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain.

MotionGrey vs Desky vs Effydesk – 3 Best Corner Desks in Canada Compared (2026)

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MotionGrey vs Desky vs Effydesk – 3 Best Corner Desks in Canada Compared (2026)

MotionGrey wins on upfront price, Desky wins on corner-desk capability, and Effydesk wins on long-term Canadian support. Those three answers cover most of what a buyer needs before choosing a corner standing desk in 2026.

Corner desks live or die on three things: weight capacity, motor noise after a year of daily use, and how a company handles a warranty claim. All three brands sell triple-motor L-shaped desks in Canada, but they split sharply on price, capacity, and what happens after the sale.

No brand paid to be featured here, and none of the links are affiliate links. Every spec was pulled from each manufacturer’s Canadian product page and cross-checked against independent reviews.

TL;DR

  • MotionGrey – Best Value for Money for upfront price – $789.99 CAD starting price, backed by a genuine triple-motor frame
  • Desky – Best L-Shaped Standing Desk for maximum corner-desk capability – 496 lb rating, six in-app presets, Bluetooth plus Siri control
  • Effydesk – Best Support for long-term Canadian ownership – a 100-day return window and a Coquitlam, BC support team
  • The bottom line: a triple-motor frame rated above 300 lbs is the baseline for a corner desk that stays steady under two or three monitors

MotionGrey vs Desky vs Effydesk: The Short Answer

Each brand earns its recommendation differently, and none wins on every metric.

Choose MotionGrey if upfront price matters most

MotionGrey undercuts the other two by several hundred dollars while still shipping a triple-motor frame. The Motion Series L-Shape starts at $789.99 CAD with an active promo code, the cheapest of the three by a wide margin.

MotionGrey’s warranty reveals the tradeoff: coverage applies to electronics only, and its Trustpilot record includes multiple unresolved support complaints (detailed below). 

Choose Desky if you want maximum corner-desk capability

Desky rates its L-Shape Laminate Sit Stand Desk at 496 lbs, the highest capacity of the three, and pairs it with app-based Bluetooth control plus Siri and Google Assistant voice commands. That matters most for buyers running multiple monitors on one corner surface.

An independent desk database, Standing Desk Reference, rates the Desky L-Shape frame at 40 dB and credits it with “smooth triple-motor operation” for dual-monitor setups.

Choose Effydesk if long-term build and Canadian support matter most

Effydesk builds and supports the Grove desk out of Coquitlam, BC, backed by a 100-day money-back window that beats both rivals’ 30-day policies. Its warranty extends to 20 years if the buyer submits a product review, the longest term of the three.

That mix of a generous trial period and Canadian support earns Effydesk this list’s support award, rather than a specs-based one. 

The Three Corner Desks We’re Comparing

Three L-shaped desks anchor this comparison, each evaluated in its standard laminate or particle-board finish, not a premium wood upgrade, to keep pricing fair.

MotionGrey Motion Series L-Shape – Best Value for Money for upfront price

MotionGrey builds the Motion Series L-Shape around a triple-motor frame topped with an MDF wood desktop in White Marble, Black Oak, or Oak Brown, the standard entry-price laminate top compared here.

Pros:

  • Lowest starting price of the three, even before the promo code
  • Genuine triple-motor lift, not a single-motor frame dressed up as one
  • Three sizes and finishes for different room layouts

Cons:

  • Warranty covers electronics only, no desktop wear coverage
  • Verified 1-star reviews describe slow or absent support
  • Lowest weight capacity of the three at 353 lbs

Recommended for: buyers wanting a genuine triple-motor corner desk at the lowest price who can tolerate slower support.

A feedback worth noting:

“One of the motors in my desk recently stopped working. Since then, ive contacted MotionGrey’s support team SIX TIMES (over 5 weeks) with no response other than ‘our support team will look into this and get back to you as soon as possible.’ I’ve now had a desk that is stuck in the lowest position for a month and a half, with no way to fix it, and no way to actually place a warranty claim.”

Timothy, 1 ⭐ on Trustpilot, February 13, 2026 (source)

That review isn’t an outlier: MotionGrey’s Trustpilot profile carries a 2.3 out of 5 aggregate rating, with several other one-star reviews describing similar unresolved issues.

Contact MotionGrey:

Address: #122-7080 River Road, Richmond, BC V7B 1V3

Phone: +1 (778) 312-1311

Instagram: instagram.com/motiongrey

Desky L-Shape Laminate Sit Stand Desk – Best L-Shaped Standing Desk for maximum corner-desk capability

Desky builds the L-Shape Laminate Sit Stand Desk around a triple-motor frame rated to 496 lbs, controlled through a keypad with four presets or the app with six. The app adds Siri and Google Assistant voice control plus anti-collision detection. Cable routing runs through an Integrated Cable & Power Channel, sold as a separate accessory rather than included with the frame.

“We ordered a bunc of Sit/Stand desks and they are super great , solid build and easy to install and use. great product.”

Deepak, 5 ⭐ on Trustpilot, August 14, 2026 (source)

Desky’s scale draws outside scrutiny too: a Shopify case study documents the brand’s revenue growing 1,227% after a platform migration, alongside a 187% jump in conversion rate.

Buyers wanting a step up in material can move to Desky’s L-Shape Hardwood desk, a premium alternative to the laminate’s lower price point.

Watch the Desky L-Shape overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT5d7lNS1Ho

Pros:

  • Highest weight capacity of the three at 496 lbs
  • App and Bluetooth control with six presets, plus Siri and Google Assistant
  • Widest finish selection: eight laminate colours plus a hardwood upgrade

Cons:

  • Highest starting price among the three standard laminate models
  • Cable channel is a separate purchase, not included

Recommended for: home offices running multiple monitors that need the highest available capacity and smart controls.

Contact Desky:

Address: 1270 Humber Place, Ottawa, ON K1B 0B4

Phone: +1 800-657-5042

Social: linkedin.com/company/deskydesk

Effydesk Grove – Best Support for long-term Canadian ownership

Effydesk’s Grove desk runs a triple-motor frame rated to 410 lbs across a high-density particle-board top in Oak Wood, Oak Black, or Oak White. Control runs through a four-preset digital keypad rather than an app, and a cable tray with power bar holders plus a steel alloy grommet ship included, ahead of both rivals on out-of-box cable organization.

Pros:

  • Cable tray and grommet included, not sold as an add-on
  • 100-day return window, the longest of the three
  • Warranty extends to 20 years with a submitted review

Cons:

  • No app or Bluetooth control, keypad only
  • Middle capacity at 410 lbs, below Desky’s 496 lbs

Recommended for: buyers who value a long trial period and Canadian support over smart-desk features.

Contact Effydesk:

Address: 110-2440 Canoe Ave, Coquitlam, BC

Phone: 604-715-7577

Instagram: instagram.com/effydesk

Head-to-Head Specs: MotionGrey vs Desky vs Effydesk

The table below lines up all three desks in their standard configuration, keeping the price and capacity comparison apples-to-apples rather than pitting an entry model against a premium one.

Spec MotionGrey Motion Series L-Shape Desky L-Shape Laminate Sit Stand Desk Effydesk Grove
Starting price $789.99 CAD (promo) $1,399.00 CAD $1,425.00 CAD
Desktop size 47.25″-65″L, 3 sizes 59″-70.9″L corner 41.3″-70.9″W x 29.5″D
Desktop material MDF, laminate finish Laminate, MDF core High-density particle board
Motor count Triple Triple Triple
Height range 25″-50″ 23.6″-49.2″ 23″-50″
Weight capacity 353 lbs Up to 496 lbs 410 lbs
Lift speed 1.5″/second 1.6″/second ~1.4″/second
Noise level 45 dB 40 dB in motion Under 45 dB
Preset controls 4, keypad only 4 keypad, 6 app 4, keypad only
App/Bluetooth Not available App, Siri, Google Assistant Not available
Cable management Optional tray (+$37.49) Cable channel, sold separately Cable tray, included
Grommets Not offered Optional, covers included Steel grommet, included
Warranty 10 yrs, electronics only 10 yrs frame/motors, 5 yrs desktop 10 yrs, 20 with review
Trial/return policy 30 days, buyer pays return shipping 30-day hassle-free 100-day window
Canadian support Richmond, BC Ottawa, ON Coquitlam, BC
Assembly ~30 min, 2 people Under 30 min, one hex key Not specified
Best use Budget-conscious first desk Multi-monitor, top capacity Long-term, Canadian support

MotionGrey vs Desky vs Effydesk for Different Buyers

Different readers need different desks, and the breakdown below maps each use case to the brand that actually fits it.

  • Best for first-time standing-desk buyers

MotionGrey suits a first-time buyer best because keypad-only control skips an app’s learning curve, and the lower price lowers the risk of a costly mistake. Cornell University’s ergonomics guide points to a correctly-sized, properly adjusted workstation as the baseline that matters most, which a simple keypad still delivers.

  • Best for serious WFH professionals

Desky suits full-time remote professionals because its 496 lb capacity and app-based presets handle multiple monitors and a dock without straining the frame, and six saved presets let more than one household user switch heights instantly.

  • Best for gamers

Effydesk suits gaming setups well because its included cable tray keeps peripheral wiring tidy under a large corner surface, and its 410 lb capacity handles a tower PC plus monitor arms.

  • Best for three-monitor setups

MotionGrey’s largest configuration reaches 65 inches, giving a three-monitor arm setup enough surface without paying for the other brands’ higher-capacity frames.

  • Best for heavy desktop PCs

Desky‘s 496 lb rating tops both rivals, mattering directly for anyone placing a full tower PC and a monitor arm cluster on one corner section. 

  • Best for small Canadian condos

MotionGrey’s smallest configuration measures 47.25 inches, the most compact footprint of the three, fitting condo-sized offices better than the other standard sizes.

  • Best for premium home-office aesthetics

Desky offers the widest finish range at eight laminate colours, and buyers wanting to move beyond laminate can step up to the L-Shape Hardwood desk instead.

  • Best for long-term ownership

Effydesk suits long-term ownership best because its 100-day trial window and 20-year warranty extension both beat the other brands’ standard terms. A clinical trial published via PubMed found sustained sit-stand desk use over six months reduced musculoskeletal discomfort, making long-term reliability part of the value equation.

FAQs

How much weight can a corner standing desk actually hold in Canada?

Weight capacity depends on the model, not the L-shape itself: the three desks here range from 353 lbs to 496 lbs. Check the rated capacity for the exact desktop and frame you’re buying, since it varies between finishes on the same line. 

Do corner standing desks need two motors or three?

A triple-motor frame, used by all three desks here, generally lifts an L-shaped surface more evenly than a dual-motor frame. Mayo Clinic’s ergonomics guidance notes a stable, correctly-adjusted workstation is central to preventing strain.

Is a corner desk worth it for a small home office?

Yes, if the footprint fits the room: a corner desk uses wall space more efficiently than a straight desk of equal surface area. MotionGrey’s compact 47.25-inch option is built for this scenario.

What makes the Desky L-Shape Laminate Sit Stand Desk different from the other two?

Desky outpaces both rivals on its 496 lb weight rating and app-based Bluetooth control, including Siri and Google Assistant, while MotionGrey and Effydesk rely on keypad-only controls. That combination targets heavier, multi-device setups.

Does Desky’s L-Shape desk ship with cable management included?

No. Desky sells the Integrated Cable & Power Channel as a separate accessory and offers an optional grommet at checkout. Buyers wanting cable management included standard should compare against Effydesk’s Grove, which ships its tray with the purchase.

The Bottom Line

MotionGrey, Desky, and Effydesk each win a different argument: MotionGrey on upfront price, Desky on raw corner-desk capability, and Effydesk on a long trial period plus Canadian support. The right pick depends on whether price, capacity, or after-sale support matters most.

Lean toward Desky for the highest weight rating and smart controls, MotionGrey for the lowest entry price, or Effydesk for the longest return window. Verify current pricing directly with the manufacturer before buying, since prices change often.

Hickory Tavern Suddenly Closes 4 Locations Across Charlotte Area

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Hickory Tavern Suddenly Closes 4 Locations Across Charlotte Area

Hickory Tavern abruptly closed three Charlotte-area restaurants over the weekend as its parent company restructures the popular regional chain. A fourth location also permanently closed in South Carolina.

Artistry Restaurants confirmed locations in Mooresville, Huntersville and Charlotte’s Providence Road area closed Sunday, Aug. 23.

The company also closed a Hickory Tavern in Columbia, South Carolina.

Artistry said the closures will allow it to focus resources and investments on restaurants positioned for long-term success.

The company acquired Hickory Tavern in January 2025. Since then, it has refreshed menus, redesigned some locations and introduced new operating standards.

However, Hickory Tavern is not leaving the Charlotte region.

Three area restaurants remain open in Harris, Ballantyne and Sun Valley. The Columbia-Woodhill location also remains open in South Carolina.

The company said customers from shuttered restaurants still have nearby alternatives within the chain.

The closures mark a significant contraction for Hickory Tavern, eliminating four locations in a single weekend.

Darline Graham Defeats Ralph Norman, Setting Up Historic 3-Woman Senate Race

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Darline Graham Defeats Ralph Norman, Setting Up Historic 3-Woman Senate Race

South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race is officially set, and the state is entering uncharted political territory. Darline Graham’s victory over Ralph Norman Tuesday created an unprecedented November contest featuring three female nominees with sharply different visions.

Graham defeated Norman with about 52% of the Republican runoff vote, securing the GOP nomination. Her victory followed a crowded special primary and an aggressive final campaign push.

She will face Democrat Annie Andrews and Libertarian Kasie Whitener in November.

The three-woman field marks a historic moment for South Carolina. It also guarantees a woman will win the seat in November.

Graham already made history after Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her following the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The appointment made her South Carolina’s first female U.S. senator.

Graham Runs on Trump’s Conservative Agenda

Graham entered politics with decades of experience working with South Carolinians with disabilities, rather than holding elected office.

Her campaign emphasizes conservative policies and close alignment with President Donald Trump, who strongly backed her runoff campaign.

Graham has focused heavily on immigration, affordability, election integrity and domestic issues. She also supports stronger voter identification requirements, gun rights and restrictions on abortion.

Trump’s endorsement became a defining feature of the Republican contest. His MAGA Inc. super PAC spent more than $800,000 supporting Graham.

Andrews Focuses on Healthcare and Working Families

Andrews offers voters a dramatically different platform.

The Charleston pediatrician has centered her campaign on healthcare affordability, lowering family costs, education and affordable childcare.

She supports reproductive rights and expanding access to healthcare. Andrews also backs stronger worker protections and higher wages.

Her platform calls for universal background checks and additional measures targeting gun violence.

On immigration, Andrews advocates for what her campaign describes as security paired with dignity. She also supports limiting prolonged U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts.

Andrews has also pledged not to accept corporate PAC contributions.

Whitener Offers a Libertarian Alternative

Whitener enters November attempting to provide an alternative to both major parties.

Her platform supports a balanced-budget amendment, reducing the national debt and shrinking government involvement in the economy.

She has also emphasized government oversight, eliminating protectionist policies, and giving individuals and businesses greater economic freedom.

That gives South Carolina voters three distinctly different political choices.

Graham represents a Trump-aligned conservative agenda. Andrews is campaigning on a family-focused Democratic platform, while Whitener offers a smaller-government Libertarian approach.

The winner will receive a full six-year U.S. Senate term.

South Carolina has historically leaned heavily Republican in statewide federal elections. However, the unusual circumstances surrounding this race have created a contest unlike any previous Senate election in state history.

Charlotte’s Preferred Parking Reports Massive Data Breach Affecting 72,000+ People

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Charlotte’s Preferred Parking Reports Massive Data Breach Affecting 72,000+ People

A data breach at a Charlotte-based parking company has exposed credit and debit card information belonging to more than 72,000 people. More than 66,000 affected customers live in North and South Carolina.

Preferred Parking Service, LLC reported the breach to state officials in mid-August.

The security incident occurred in early June and involved unauthorized access to electronically stored information.

After reviewing affected files, the company determined on July 30 which individuals were impacted.

The breach affected 72,912 people nationwide, including 61,335 North Carolina residents and 5,176 South Carolina residents.

According to state filings, compromised information included credit and debit card information.

Preferred Parking said the affected information had been protected by passwords, access controls and unique user permissions.

The company said the incident did not involve ransomware, employee information or a business email compromise.

Affected North Carolina residents were notified on Aug. 14. South Carolina officials also received notice of the breach.

Preferred Parking is headquartered in Charlotte and provides parking services throughout the Southeast.

Anyone receiving a notification should review the company’s notice and monitor financial accounts for suspicious activity.

Graham vs. Norman: Voters Head to Polls in Critical Senate Runoff Today

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Graham vs. Norman: Voters Head to Polls in Critical Senate Runoff Today

Today South Carolina voters will decide the Republican nominee after longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham died July 11 from an aortic tear, forcing a new special primary in the state.

Sen. Darline Graham, his sister, then took the lead with about 33 percent of the vote. Rep. Ralph Norman finished second with about 25 percent. Meanwhile, Rep. Russell Fry received about 20 percent and later endorsed Graham.

Since no candidate made it to 50% of the vote, the 2 top candidates are facing off in today’s runoff election. The winner advances to the Nov. 3 general election against Democrat Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews.

Darline Graham is currently serving the remainder of her brother’s term as Senator. Before being appointed to the Senate by Governor McMaster, Graham built a public-service career managing teams. She directed communications for the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, and in 2019, she became commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. There she led roughly 100 to 150 employees. In 2026 she also won election as president of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind.

Graham holds major endorsements, both statewide and nationally, including Russell Fry and Governor McMaster. President Donald Trump and Sen. Tim Scott both backed her, and Trump even appeared with her at a Myrtle Beach campaign rally this past Friday.

In contrast, Norman represents South Carolina’s 5th District as a 5-term congressman. He draws strongest support from the Upstate and Piedmont, including populous Greenville County. Graham, however, performed especially well in central South Carolina and the Lowcountry.

Norman has faced growing criticism over the Silfab Solar factory in Fort Mill. He co-founded the Congressional Solar Caucus. Records show he took campaign contributions from Silfab’s lobbying firm, the Solar Energy Industries Association. He also personally called York County Council members and pressed them to approve the project’s fee-in-lieu deal.

At a 2024 public forum, Norman lied about the plant’s chemicals. He compared their operations to everyday products at Home Depot. Yet company documents identify over 2 dozen of the most toxic and explosive chemicals used in industry, including SiH4 gas and TMA, both which ignite on contact with air, as well as large amounts of hydrofluoric acid, boron trichloride, Pyrophorus oxychloride, anhydrous ammonia, sulfuric acid, and numerous other high-hazard substances in a building next door to 2 new Fort Mill schools, hundreds of homes, and a retirement community.

In addition, Norman’s district secured a $5 million federal Solar Energy Technologies Office grant for Silfab in 2024. Later, during debate on President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, Norman initially voted against President Trump’s bill, then negotiated changes to protect Silfab and afterwards cast the deciding vote to approve the bill.

How to vote today in South Carolina

Voters can cast ballots today throughout South Carolina from 7am to 7pm. Anyone in line by closing time may vote.

Eligible voters include those who cast Republican primary ballots in June or on Aug. 11. Voters who skipped both June primaries may also participate. However, anyone who voted in the June Democratic primary cannot take part.

Voters should bring a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a South Carolina driver’s license, DMV ID card, photo voter registration card, federal military ID, or U.S. passport.

They can check their polling place and sample ballot at scVOTES.gov.

Carowinds Owner Six Flags Leaving Charlotte for Texas Amid $203 Million Loss

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Carowinds Owner Six Flags Leaving Charlotte for Texas Amid $203 Million Loss

Six Flags is leaving Charlotte for Texas just three years after moving its corporate headquarters to the Queen City. The announcement comes as the Carowinds owner faces falling attendance, major financial losses, and recent setbacks at its Charlotte-area park.

Earlier this month, Six Flags reported a $203 million second-quarter loss as attendance declined. About one million fewer guests visited its reduced portfolio of parks.

Meanwhile Carowinds’ flagship coaster, Fury 325, recently closed because of foundation issues.

However, Six Flags did assure the public that its decision to pull its headquarters out of Charlotte won’t reflect our city’s biggest attraction. The company plans to remain a major regional employer through Carowinds and Carolina Harbor.

Carowinds is also preparing to open Rip Roarin’ Falls in 2027, continuing investment at the Charlotte-area amusement park.

Six Flags says moving executives to Arlington will place leadership closer to its five Texas properties.

“The decision to return the Company’s headquarters to Arlington is a continuation of our efforts to evolve the organization and enhance operational efficiency,” said Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly in a press release. “After an extensive review, we determined that concentrating our personnel, processes, and decision-making in our Arlington office, where a portion of Six Flags corporate employees are located, is the best path forward for the Company. Bringing our corporate team together in the office will enhance collaboration across functions, strengthen our culture, and improve coordination among our new executive leaders as we further align our organization around our key strategic priorities and long-term vision.”

For Charlotte, the decision eliminates a major corporate headquarters after a relatively short stay. However, Carowinds will remain one of Six Flags’ key attractions and a major presence in the region.

New Mecklenburg Law Allows Peer-to-Peer Pool Rentals

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New Mecklenburg Law Allows Peer-to-Peer Pool Rentals

A new Mecklenburg County law now allows homeowners to rent out their private swimming pools, creating new ways to stay cool this summer — but not without strict safety requirements.

The law (G.S. 130A-280) permits residents to rent pools using platforms like Swimply, which lists local rentals from $32 to $180 an hour across the Charlotte area. However, Mecklenburg County homeowners must meet six safety standards to qualify as a legal rental.

To rent a backyard pool, owners must:

  • Maintain proper chemical balance in the water.

  • Post clear pool rules and depth signage.

  • Provide life-saving equipment such as life rings and reaching poles.

  • Install fences and self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access.

  • Use properly fitted covers on submerged suction outlets.

  • Ensure pool decks have non-slip surfaces.

Despite the new opportunity for short-term rental income, Mecklenburg County Public Health officials clarified they will not enforce compliance. The responsibility lies with the homeowner.

The new law specifically excludes private pools from being classified as public swimming facilities — provided they meet all requirements and operate through a sharing economy platform.

The statute also exempts pools used solely by family members and their guests, or therapeutic pools operated under licensed medical supervision.

The trend of renting residential pools is gaining momentum nationwide. But local health officials urge caution, emphasizing the importance of safety and cleanliness. While the law opens the door for a new form of summer leisure, homeowners must take full responsibility to meet legal and safety standards before listing their pools.

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