Ultra-Rare Harvest Moon About To Rise Over Charlotte This Weekend

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Ultra-Rare Harvest Moon About To Rise Over Charlotte This Weekend

An ultra rare Harvest Moon is about to rise over the Queen City this coming Saturday night, creating one of the most distinctive moonrises of the year.

The Harvest Moon is the full moon occurring closest to the autumnal equinox (this year it was on Tuesday, September 22), but what makes this one particularly unusual is the timing of its moonrises so close to sunrise, as well the appearance of Saturn’s opposition, making it especially bright in the September sky.

The Harvest Moon will rise beside both Saturn and Neptune on September 26. NASA says the three will form a broad grouping in the eastern sky after sunset.

Charlotte will also get an especially good demonstration of the traditional “Harvest Moon effect.” Moonrise occurs around 6:39 pm Friday, 7:05 pm Saturday and 7:34 pm Sunday. That is only 26 and 29 minutes later each night, compared with roughly 50 minutes during much of the year.

Historically, the extra evening light of Harvest Moons helped farmers continue harvesting crops after the sun went down.

Charlotte-area viewers may also notice the moon appearing yellow, orange or reddish near the horizon. That color comes from Earth’s atmosphere. Moonlight travels through more atmosphere when the moon sits low in the sky. As the moon climbs higher, the orange tint usually fades and the moon appears brighter and whiter.

Other traditional names include the Corn Moon, Autumn Moon, and Falling Leaves Moon.

Anyone with a clear view toward the eastern horizon should have a good chance to see it shortly after 7 pm.

USDA Issues Highest-Level Recall of Over 167,000 Pounds of Meat

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USDA Issues Highest-Level Recall of Over 167,000 Pounds of Meat

The USDA just issued a sweeping recall at its highest warning level after more than 167,000 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products from a Lucama company were shipped nationwide without federal inspection.

Star Meat Delivery Inc. is recalling approximately 167,639 pounds of raw meat that carried a false USDA inspection mark, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Tuesday. The products were packed under the A&D Foods label and sent to a Georgia distributor for shipment to retail stores and restaurants across the country.

USDA classified the action as a Class I recall, its most serious designation. Officials say any product bearing the establishment number EST. 1363 should be considered misbranded and unsafe to eat. That number does not correspond to a federally inspected facility.

No illnesses or injuries have been confirmed. FSIS said food produced without inspection may still contain harmful bacteria, undeclared allergens or other contaminants.

What was recalled

The raw pork, beef and goat items were produced on various dates before Sept. 22, 2026, vacuum-sealed and packed in cardboard boxes. Retailers may have broken down those boxes and added store stickers, so the original A&D Foods label may not appear on packages in home freezers or restaurant coolers.

Products on the recall list include goat cuts, skin-on goat, sliced ribeye, thin-sliced beef chuck, oxtail, short ribs, bone-in shanks, ground pork, pork chorizo, pork chops, pork feet, pork rib pieces, Boston butt, pork hocks, menudo mix, beef ribs and beef feet.

FSIS said it is continuing to review the products and may add items. Labels are posted on the USDA recall page.

How it was found

The problem was discovered during FSIS surveillance, the agency said. The recalled products were shipped in bulk to A&D Foods in Georgia, then distributed nationwide.

Star Meat Delivery, based in Lucama in Wilson County, has said it is cooperating with the recall. FSIS’s instruction to the public has not changed: do not eat products marked EST. 1363.

What consumers and restaurants should do

Throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase. Check bulk boxes, vacuum-sealed packs and any store-repacked meat that could have originated from the A&D Foods shipment.

Questions can be directed to USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).

NC’s Largest Military Base Selected To Host New Advanced Nukes for Trump Admin’s ‘Project Janus’

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NC’s Largest Military Base Selected To Host New Advanced Nukes for Trump Admin’s ‘Project Janus’

North Carolina’s largest military base has just been selected to host a new generation of advanced nukes under a historic US Army program called ‘Project Janus’.

The Army selected Antares Nuclear to develop a commercial nuclear microreactor at NC’s Fort Bragg. The project is part of the new Janus Program, which initially includes five major Army installations.

“We need more power. We need it delivered faster and cheaper, and we need it to be more reliable,” said Owen West, director, DIU in a press release. “With Janus, DIU is assisting the Army’s micro reactor build — speeding military energy production to protect the nation.”

The federal government plans to provide up to $2.2 billion between 2027 and 2031 for the broader program. Combined with private investment, the Army expects more than 20 nuclear microreactors across military installations nationwide.

The first reactor project is expected to enter useful service by September 2028. Private contractors will build, own and operate the reactors rather than the military.

Fort Bragg joins Fort Campbell in Kentucky, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Drum in New York. Each installation will work with a different nuclear technology company.

The Army says microreactors could provide reliable power while strengthening energy security at critical military installations. Officials also hope the program will accelerate America’s advanced nuclear industry and manufacturing capacity.

However, companies won’t receive their federal funding upfront. Payments will depend on contractors successfully reaching specific technical milestones.

The Army also plans to work closely with utility companies surrounding participating installations. Eventually, those partnerships could lead to larger nuclear projects supplying electricity beyond individual bases.

For North Carolina, the selection places Fort Bragg at the forefront of America’s emerging advanced nuclear energy push.

New Data: Charlotte Rents 4% Below Long-Run Trend

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New Data: Charlotte Rents 4% Below Long-Run Trend

A new report from the Apartment List Economics team highlights a striking milestone in the U.S. rental market – after years of sharp up and down swings, the national median rent is now at a level consistent with where it would have been if rent prices had simply continued on the trajectory of slow and steady growth that they had been on prior to the pandemic.

Of course, underneath this national finding, trends vary substantially across markets. In the Buffalo, NY metro, the median rent is 37% higher than it would have been had rents increased at a typical rate, whereas in the Austin, TX metro, rents are 15% below that level.

Key findings from the report:

  • As of August 2026, the median rent in Charlotte sits at $1,381, which is 4% below where it would have been if rent growth since 2020 had remained on the slow and steady trajectory of 2.5% annual growth that rent prices nationally had been on pre-pandemic ($1,440).
  • The local rent growth trend prior to the pandemic was close to the national trend, with Charlotte’s median rent increasing by an average of 2.3% from 2017 to 2019.
  • If Charlotte’s rent growth had continued on its own pre-pandemic trajectory, the median rent today would be $1,424, which is 3% above the actual price observed today.

See the full report to learn more about this milestone and what it means for the rental market. The report includes an interactive version of the chart above that allows you to explore data in your market and others.

SC Infrastructure Scores C- on New National Report As Roads and Pipes Struggle To Keep Up With Growth

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SC Infrastructure Scores C- on New National Report As Roads and Pipes Struggle To Keep Up With Growth

South Carolina’s infrastructure has just earned a C- on this year’s comprehensive report card.

The American Society of Civil Engineers raised the state from the D-plus grade it received in 2021, but seven out of eight categories still received grades well below the national average.

“South Carolina continues to rank among the top three states for traffic fatalities per 100,000 vehicle miles traveled. Roads, drinking water, and wastewater infrastructure face annual funding gaps measured in hundreds of millions of dollars,” said ASCE in their report. “Without a sustained state-level funding strategy, recent progress could stall or reverse.”

Here were all the grades for South Carolina in the latest report:

  • Ports: B+
  • Aviation: C-
  • Bridges: C-
  • Dams: D+
  • Roads: D+
  • Transit: D+
  • Drinking Water: D
  • Wastewater: D

Roads remain one of South Carolina’s biggest challenges. The report estimates a roughly $20 billion road funding shortfall over the next 20 years.

Traffic safety also remains a concern. Fatalities dropped from 1,198 in 2021 to 1,041 in 2024.

However, South Carolina still ranks among states with the highest roadway fatality rates.

Drinking water systems also received a D. Engineers estimate about $8 billion in infrastructure needs over the next two decades.

Wastewater systems face similar pressure. Sanitary sewer overflows have increased sharply since 2022 amid aging systems and rapid population growth.

The state’s bridges and dams are also getting older. Nearly 3,000 bridges are more than 60 years old.

South Carolina also has more than 2,400 dams, with an average age of about 68 years.

Population growth will likely add even more pressure.

The state has roughly 5.6 million residents today. That figure is projected to exceed 6.2 million by 2035.

For the Charlotte region, that growth is especially significant across fast-growing communities near the North Carolina border.

More residents mean more traffic, greater water demand and heavier use of already stressed infrastructure.

Divorce Could Soon Become Much Easier In North Carolina if New “Divorce Reform Act” Becomes Law

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Divorce Could Soon Become Much Easier In North Carolina if New “Divorce Reform Act” Becomes Law

North Carolina lawmakers are considering major changes that could make divorce significantly faster for thousands of couples.

Senate Bill 626 would cut the mandatory separation period from one year to six months. Current North Carolina law still requires spouses to live apart for one year before most divorces.

Some couples could avoid the waiting period entirely. “The six-month period of separation may be waived upon agreement of both parties,” the bill states.

That exception would apply when a divorce is uncontested and the couple has no minor children.

Domestic violence victims could also seek an immediate divorce without completing the six-month separation if the new bill was passed into law. They would need evidence from at least two qualifying sources, including law enforcement records, domestic violence programs or medical professionals.

The legislation would also abolish North Carolina’s alienation of affection and criminal conversation lawsuits. Those laws allow certain claims against third parties accused of interfering with a marriage.

Senate Bill 626 was introduced in 2025 and remains with the Senate Rules and Operations Committee. No legislative vote has occurred on the proposal yet.

If approved, the changes would represent one of North Carolina’s biggest divorce-law reforms in decades.

Another Earthquake Struck The NC Rainforest This Morning

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Another Earthquake Struck The NC Rainforest This Morning

An earthquake struck the North Carolina rainforest this morning at 9:35 AM, 7 km SE of Brevard, NC.

This morning’s quake had a magnitude of 2.3 and a 9.4 km depth, according to USGS.

This brings the total so far this year to 15 quakes in and around the area of the NC rainforest, with the largest being a magnitude 2.7 quake from back in March.

If you don’t yet know about the NC rainforest, here’s a great video explaining where it is and what is unique about it.

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?

Charlotte Man Arrested After Deputies Seize 150 Pounds of Marijuana

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Charlotte Man Arrested After Deputies Seize 150 Pounds of Marijuana

A Charlotte man faces numerous charges after deputies allegedly found about $1 million in marijuana during an Iredell County traffic stop.

Deputies arrested 44-year-old Clarence Edgar Winslow on September 16 along Harmony Highway in northern Iredell County.

The sheriff’s office said deputies noticed signs of possible drug activity and driver impairment. Officers then searched the vehicle. Inside, deputies allegedly found a loaded handgun, ecstasy pills, more than $5,000 in cash and an open alcohol container.

They also discovered vacuum-sealed marijuana packages and boxes containing roughly 150 pounds of marijuana.

Deputies seized nearly three additional pounds of marijuana wax. The marijuana is valued at about $1 million if sold by the gram.

Winslow was charged with:

  • Felony trafficking by transport
  • Felony trafficking by possession
  • Felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana
  • Felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance
  • Felony carrying a concealed gun
  • Felony possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance
  • Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Misdemeanor possession of marijuana paraphernalia
  • Driving while impaired
  • Reckless driving
  • Failure to maintain lane
  • Open container of alcohol

Arrest records show Winslow remains in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $202,500 bond.

The charges are allegations, and Winslow is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Charlotte Councilwoman Tiawana Brown Sentenced to 10 Months in Federal Prison

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Charlotte Councilwoman Tiawana Brown Sentenced to 10 Months in Federal Prison

Former Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty in a COVID relief fraud scheme. A judge sentenced her Tuesday to 10 months behind bars.

Brown, 55, also received two years of supervised release and agreed to forfeit $22,500. Her two daughters received probation and home detention for their roles.

Federal prosecutors said the three women fraudulently obtained more than $146,000 in pandemic relief funds. Some of the money later went toward personal expenses, including an elaborate birthday celebration.

The defendants were also ordered to pay $137,280.09 in restitution to the Small Business Administration. Brown has already paid more than $20,000 toward that amount.

Brown’s attorney had asked for probation instead of prison. Prosecutors also indicated they would not oppose probation, but Judge Kenneth Bell rejected that request.

“These programs are set up at a time of great desperation for a lot of people,” said Judge Bell. “The public is tired of being ripped off.”

Brown was offered the chance to delay prison while finishing her degree at Johnson C. Smith University. Instead, she asked to begin serving her sentence sooner.

Brown represented Charlotte’s District 3 after winning election in 2023. She later lost her 2025 reelection bid in the Democratic primary.

The FBI investigated the case, and federal prosecutors in Charlotte handled the prosecution.

Raising Cane’s Entering Charlotte’s Chicken Wars With 3 New Locations Planned Across Our City

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Raising Cane’s Entering Charlotte’s Chicken Wars With 3 New Locations Planned Across Our City

Charlotte’s increasingly crowded “chicken wars” are about to get another major competitor.

Raising Cane’s is developing three restaurants across the Charlotte market. The popular chain will challenge Bojangles, Churche’s Chicken, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Zaxby’s and other chicken spots.

New restaurants are planned for Gastonia, Concord and Pineville. Construction is already underway at two locations, while the third remains in permitting.

The expansion follows Raising Cane’s February opening in Rock Hill, its first restaurant in the Charlotte region. That location sits at 520 John Ross Parkway.

In Gastonia, construction is underway at Franklin Square Shopping Center on East Franklin Boulevard. Gaston County issued a $1.6 million permit for the 3,252-square-foot restaurant.

Another location near Concord Mills is being built at 8041 Concord Mills Boulevard – Cabarrus County issued a building permit valued at nearly $2.8 million.

The third new location is being built inside the old Buca di Beppo location next to the Carolina Place Mall in Pineville.

The company is already hiring management positions in Gastonia, Pineville and Concord – all 3 locations are expected to open sometime next year.

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