WFAE

06/24/2026

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is adjusting toll rates on parts of the I-485 Express Lanes beginning Sunday.

06/24/2026

Inside the Hornets’ event at The Casey by Beau Monde, fans in teal jerseys packed into the venue, with face-painting stations, food trucks parked and Hornets forward Kon Knueppel joining the crowd as excitement built ahead of the team’s draft selections.

“The vibe of the Hornets, and the excitement, is really, really cool,” Knueppel said. “I’m excited for that, the other players are, and hopefully the new players coming in will be as well.”

The Hornets are hoping to build on their first postseason appearance in a decade.

Chants of “Let’s go Hornets!” broke out when Charlotte used its first two-round picks to select Hannes Steinbach from the University of Washington and Christian Anderson Jr. from Texas Tech. The draft picks bring together two players who previously competed for Germany at the 2025 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

Jeff Peterson, president of Hornets’ basketball operations, said the team is focused on drafting players who bring more than talent to the roster.

Full story: WFAE.org or link in bio
📝: Noor Nazir
📸: Noor Nazir

06/24/2026

The North Carolina House voted Wednesday to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a controversial immigration bill, allowing it to become law.

Senate Bill 153 requires all state law enforcement agencies in North Carolina to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The bill also bars undocumented immigrants from receiving certain state-funded public benefits, including Medicaid, housing assistance and child care subsidies. UNC institutions are also prohibited from becoming sanctuary institutions.

The North Carolina Senate voted to override Stein’s veto in July 2025. With Wednesday’s House vote, the bill can now become law.

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📝: Julian Berger
📸: El Pueblo/Courtesy

06/24/2026

CLT airport officials said Wednesday that they are preparing for a busy Fourth of July weekend but expect fewer passengers than last year.

Long lines of travelers stretched through Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Wednesday as airport representatives outlined their plans for Fourth of July weekend. CLT’s TSA Federal Security Director Greg Hawko said this year’s nationwide events could make the summer’s busiest weekend of the year even busier.

“This summer will be one of the busiest summers nationwide as we have giant activities going on around the country with the FIFA World Cup, America 250 and the celebrations throughout the entire summer,” Hawko said.

But Chief Operating Officer Jeff Perry said passenger activity is projected to be down 6.7% compared to this time last year. 1.6 million passengers are expected to pass through CLT between June 26 and July 6.

Full story: WFAE.org or link in bio
📝: Clara Ottati
📸: Clara Ottati

06/24/2026

A film festival coming to Charlotte this week provides opportunities for high school girls to display their creative sides.

This year’s Black Girls Film Camp festival, held June 25-28, spotlights films by 10 teen filmmakers that focus on mental health and body ownership. The goal of the festival is “to close the gap in representation in media and also to bridge opportunities for young girls to be able to engage in literacy and storytelling,” said its founder, Dr. Jimmeka Anderson.

Anderson started the festival in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She says part of the camp's goal is to remove challenges and provide access for families.

“What if the playing field was even?” she said. That has always driven my passion.

Full story: WFAE.org or link in bio
📝: Elvis Menayese
📸: Courtesy

06/24/2026

CLT airport officials said Wednesday that they are preparing for a busy Fourth of July weekend but expect fewer passengers than last year.

06/24/2026

Mecklenburg County remains in a severe drought, and local farmers markets are feeling the impact.

Eric Simpson's family has been working at the Kings drives farmers market since his great-grandfather started it. He says flowers grown in greenhouses are holding up better during this drought, but produce is facing a tougher season.

“I was talking to a man yesterday in Pageland. He said, if we don't get rain in the next two weeks, he'll skip three crops of cantaloupes, because he just doesn't have the water to let them survive.”

As prices rise due to lower supply, Simpson says farmers are trying to keep them reasonable.

Full story: WFAE.org or link in bio
📝: David Anderson Montes Lara
📸: WFAE

06/24/2026

Two students armed with handguns opened fire in a high school in the central Philippines on Monday, killing three fellow students and wounding another seven, police said.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause. Police said the suspects claimed they were bullied at school.

06/24/2026

To prepare for their first World Cup since 1998, Scotland has turned to Charlotte FC facilities. The local teams' facilities have been decorated with the Scotland badge and colors. Charlotte FC officials hope Scotland’s arrival — the boys in blue — will help attract more fans across the state to the local club and grow soccer in the city.

To prepare for their first World Cup since 1998, Scotland has turned to Charlotte FC facilities. The local teams' facilities have been decorated with the Scotland badge and colors. Charlotte FC officials hope Scotland’s arrival — the boys in blue — will help attract more fans across the state ...

06/24/2026

To prepare for their first World Cup since 1998, Scotland has turned to Charlotte FC facilities. The local club’s facilities have been decorated with the Scotland badge and colors. Charlotte FC officials hope Scotland’s arrival — the boys in blue — will help attract more fans across the state to the local club and grow soccer in the city.

Scotland players were divided into small groups on a recent morning at Charlotte FC’s training pitch in east Charlotte, where they were preparing to juggle a ball into a basket near a cone.

A coach called out instructions, telling players everyone must touch the ball before placing it into the net with a one-touch finish. Some players jokingly accused teammates of using their hands during the warmup exercise.

It has been nearly 30 years since Scotland last appeared in a World Cup tournament. The team’s most recent appearance came in France in 1998.

Full story: WFAE.org or link in bio
📝: Elvis Menayese
📸: Charlotte FC