Charlotte is now one step away from landing one of the biggest events in global tennis.

The Women’s Tennis Association has narrowed its finalists for the WTA Finals beginning in 2027 to just two cities: Charlotte and Gdansk.

Report by @parfjanowicz that Gdansk is also in the hunt to host the WTA Finals from 2027 onward.

He reports the race is down to just two cities, Charlotte (which I reported on yesterday) and Gdansk, with Prague having dropped out of contention. https://t.co/MRm6rEQ8U5

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 31, 2026

The WTA Finals is the sport’s premier year-end championship, featuring only the top eight players in the world and determining the season’s top-ranked player.

Charlotte’s bid builds on two years of hosting major tennis events through the Charlotte Invitational. City leaders have used those events to strengthen the city’s case as a destination for elite competition.

The WTA is seeking a new host as its current agreement in Saudi Arabia expires after this year’s tournament. Officials said the event generates more than $24 million in economic impact wherever it is held.

If selected, the deal could run through 2029, giving Charlotte a multi-year run as the home of women’s tennis’ biggest stage.

Charlotte just landed one of its biggest financial expansions in years.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) announced Tuesday it will build a new U.S. headquarters in Charlotte. The Tokyo-based bank plans to invest $50.5 million by 2027 and create 2,000 jobs, with about 1,800 hires locally.

“As SMBC continues to grow substantially in the United States, Charlotte is a standout location for us to invest in North Carolina for the long term in a major expansion that will establish our roots in the community,” said SMBC CEO Hirofumi Otsuka in a press release. “A major financial services hub, Charlotte has a deep pool of talent that we will tap into and help build out as we position our bank for long-term success while contributing to the broader local economy. We appreciate the support of Governor Stein and other public leaders as we set out to create 2,000 jobs over the next six years.”

The expansion will support SMBC’s banking, leasing, securities, and consumer finance operations as it grows its U.S. presence. State officials estimate the project will generate $13.4 billion in economic impact.

North Carolina continues to attract strong Japanese investment. More than 230 Japanese companies already operate in the state, including major projects from Toyota and Fujifilm.

The move also follows recent restructuring by SMBC, including plans to sell parts of its Los Angeles-based banking business and wind down its digital division.

The new headquarters will bring thousands of high-paying jobs and further advance Charlotte’s goal to become America’s leading banking center.

Health inspectors flagged a wide range of sanitation, food safety, and temperature violations across Charlotte restaurants last month. While all scored a “B,” several showed repeat violations and escalating risk factors. Like previous months, inspection reports list increasingly serious observations as scores decline.

Below are the 10 lowest scores, ranked from #10 to #1:

#10 – Hunan Express (88.5 – B)

901 N Wendover Rd, Charlotte – Inspectors cited food storage and labeling concerns.

Notable observations:

• “Observed boxes of unwashed produce on a shelf over washed and peeled onions.”
• “Observed raw shell eggs resting on top of a box with employee beverages inside.”
• “Observed several dishes with food debris and residue on the inside.”
• “PIC stated that they had stickers for date marking but did not have datemarks on any TCS foods.”

#9 – Ding Tea (87.5 – B)

7211 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte – Inspectors cited hygiene and sanitation issues.

Notable observations:

• “Observed food employee not use soap… and only wash hands for approximately 5–10 seconds.”
• “Observed facility’s lack of control of food safety measures.”
• “Observed plastic cups… with buildup of pink residue and debris.”
• “Observed milk, whipping cream, and liquid yogurt… with no date marking present.”
• “Observed 2 small pests in the facility.”

#8 – Taqueria Number 1 (87 – B)

3619 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte – Inspectors cited repeated cross-contamination and temperature issues.

Notable observations:

• “Observed raw bacon commingled with RTE ham and hot dogs in prep unit.”
• “Observed unwashed tomatoes… over RTE foods.”
• “Observed sanitizer at 3-comp sink at 10 ppm.”
• “Observed rice prepared prior day at 49F.”
• “Observed items hot holding below 135F.”
• “Observed crema above 41F and eggs at 51F.”

#7 – Lang Van Restaurant (86.5 – B)

3019 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte – Inspectors cited improper storage and cooling violations.

Notable observations:

• “Observed several bulging cans… over ready to eat food.”
• “Observed raw animal proteins with improper storage order.”
• “Observed dishes… with debris, stored as clean.”
• “Observed containers of vegetables… measured from 44F–47F.”
• “Observed several items held longer than 24 hours with no date mark.”
• “Observed sanitizer spray bottle without labeling.”

#6 – Charlotte Pizza (85 – B)

5428 New Fashion Wy., Charlotte – Inspectors cited sanitation and pest-related concerns.

Notable observations:

• “Observed uncovered container of yeast… contaminated by a live roach.”
• “Observed black build up… in blender and ice machine.”
• “Observed spinach and cheese filling above 41F.”
• “Observed sliced tomatoes with no date mark.”
• “Observed spray bottle with no label at hand sink.”
• “Observed improper TPHC logs for food timing.”

#5 – Kwik Stop (83.5 – B)

4000 N Graham St., Charlotte – Inspectors cited cross-contamination and temperature failures.

Notable observations:

• “Observed raw chicken in 3-comp sink along with clean dishes.”
• “Observed potatoes being washed while soiled dishes were present.”
• “Observed can opener heavily soiled with old food debris.”
• “Observed chicken stored above grill holding below 135F.”
• “Observed chicken out on prep table at 60F.”
• “Observed tomatoes, lettuce and cheese above 41F.”
• “Observed multiple deli meats and salsas without date marking.”

#4 – Soul Central UNCC (82.5 – B)

8531 N Tryon St., Charlotte – Inspectors cited major equipment and safety concerns.

Notable observations:

• “Observed carbon monoxide detector… alerting unsafe levels.”
• “Observed multiple cold holding units not properly functioning.”
• “Observed chicken sitting out at ambient air for extended time.”
• “Observed items in WIC reading at or above 41F.”
• “Observed raw eggs stored over shredded cheese.”
• “Observed chlorine sanitizer at 10ppm.”
• “Observed multiple foods above 41F and discarded.”

#3 – Harris Food Mart (82.5 – B)

8400 Old Statesville Rd., Charlotte – Inspectors cited repeated violations and enforcement action.

Notable observations:

• “This is the 6th consecutive time facility has been out on hot holding.”
• “This is the 5th consecutive time facility has been out on date marking.”
• “INTENT TO SUSPEND ISSUED.”
• “Observed slicer heavily soiled with old food debris.”
• “Observed eggs holding at 84F in the hot well.”
• “Observed chicken sandwiches below 135F.”
• “Observed multiple foods holding above 41F.”

#2 – La Michoacana Taqueria y Tortilleria (81.5 – B)

5400 Nevin Rd., Charlotte – Inspectors cited widespread food safety failures.

Notable observations:

• “Observed large pot of barbacoa sitting on the ground.”
• “Observed shredded cheese sitting out during lunch service.”
• “Observed buffet steam table not producing heat while storing hot food.”
• “Observed shrimp ceviche not properly cooked or temperature verified.”
• “Observed raw shrimp over RTE onions and raw beef over fries.”
• “Observed unwashed produce stored over ready-to-eat foods.”
• “Observed 3-comp sink used for raw meat and dishwashing.”
• “Observed items not fully submerged in sanitizer.”

#1 – Chicken King #2 (80.5 – B)

1740 W Trade St., Charlotte – This location recorded the lowest score with multiple critical violations.

Notable observations:

• “Observed PIC fail to ensure food employees are properly washing hands.”
• “Observed PIC plating sandwiches… bare handed.”
• “Observed employees fail to use barrier to turn off faucet.”
• “Observed shredded lettuce and raw ground beef temping above 41F.”
• “Observed reach-in cooler ambient temperature above 41F.”
• “Observed unit temperature rising to 70F when door opened.”
• “Observed multiple TCS items unable to cool properly.”
• “Observed cooked chicken wings without date marking.”
• “Observed no certified food protection manager onsite.”

Two shallow earthquakes struck a small town between Charlotte and Greensboro yesterday less than an hour of each other, according to the United States Geological Survey.

A magnitude 2.3 quake struck near Randleman, NC (about 60 miles NE of Charlotte) yesterday at 2:15 PM at a depth of .02 kilometers, followed by a second quake 30 minutes later with the same magnitude at a depth of .01 kilometers.

Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years. Last year, we experienced the largest earthquake in over 100 years when a 5.1 magnitude quake hit Sparta, NC, and since then, dozens of aftershocks have continued to rattle our state.

According to USGS.gov, “Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”

Have you felt any of the quakes?