704 Unfiltered

The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners will vote for Wilhelmenia Rembert to temporarily fill the empty at-Large County Commissioner seat.

The seat is currently open due to the Board approving a Commissioner At-Large Ella Scarborough’s request for medical leave back in February.

Rembert was up against three other candidates for the empty at large county commission seat left open by Ella Scarborough.

Commissioners said she led the pack of finalists

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/who-is-wilhelmenia-rembert-mecklenburg-county-bocc-county-commissioners-politics/275-eaeeab08-ee9a-47c6-b376-7ab809f4bfee

After posting on Facebook a call for letters of support before he is set to be sentenced for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot, an acquaintance from James Little's past submitted a letter to a federal judge, asking for a harsher sentence for the Catawba County resident.

Little reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in November 2021. He pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. It carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/north-carolina-man-jan-6-riot-letters-judge/275-08d9e892-1652-4da4-8f33-2329f0733697

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Just six weeks after announcing his career was finished, Tom Brady pulled a stunner on Twitter by saying he will return for his 23rd NFL season. Needless to say this wasn't well received by the Panthers or Carolina fans. Our panel reacts to Brady's announcement, and we joke about what it will look like when we finally retire.

For weeks, you've heard reports about the Russian economy collapsing under sanctions following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. But who are these Russian oligarchs that are being targeted by the sanctions and how did they acquire so much wealth? We connect the dots on that, plus Sarah French has a look at the top headlines from across the Carolinas.

Charlotte City Council will hear concerns from CATS operators Monday, one month after driver Ethan Rivera was shot and killed in Uptown during a road rage attack. Drivers say their concerns have gone unheard, but officials say they want to make a difference for those simply trying to do their jobs.

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media with #WakeUpCLT!

Happy Friday! March 11 will be a mild day in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area with afternoon highs around 60 degrees. Larry Sprinkle has your complete forecast as we get ready for the weekend, plus we're moving our clocks forward. Do you like the change, or do you wish we'd have one standard time all year? Let us know -- Text the show at 704-329-3600!

Gas prices are at record highs across North Carolina and experts say it's only going to get worse. A new survey from AAA found the majority of Americans say $4 is just too much to pay, but will it have a major impact on summer vacations? Tradesha Woodard joins #WakeUpCLT to discuss what she found talking to folks filling up.

COVID-19 cases are on the decrease in the Carolinas but with new variants lurking, will another COVID-19 booster be needed this fall? Ben Thompson connects the dots on what experts are saying about the next phase of the pandemic.

Plus, Sarah French has the morning's biggest headlines, including an update on the ACC Tournament, a water main break causing problems in Plaza Midwood and more.

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT.

In the next few weeks, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s superintendent is expected to ask the school board to consider millions of dollars in new funding for teachers and staff.

The district has seen more than 10% of its staff resign or retire since the beginning of the school year. 

CMS central staff presented a working budget document that asks the school board to consider allocating $72.1 million in increased and new funds for teachers and staff that work with students. This proposal would need to get buy-in from the state and local government who fund the majority of the school’s budget.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-teacher-supplements-mecklenburg-county/275-6daac9ba-f667-4de0-99ec-7773a7e3f50a

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating after an officer fired a weapon at a driver accused of trying to run over an officer. The driver is not in custody at this time.

Police do not believe the driver nor anyone else was injured in the shooting.

Officers along Nations Ford Road near the intersection with Farmhurst Drive were looking for a vehicle they say was being driven unauthorized when they found a car matching the description at an extended stay motel.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/cmpd-nations-ford-road-officers-shooting-investigation/275-bae12ed5-5ec8-456f-a794-33e5d9eff03b

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

The final four applicants have been selected for the open Mecklenburg County Commissioners seat.

The seat is currently open due to the Board approving a request for medical leave from Commissioner At-Large Ella Scarborough. North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) § 128-40 permits the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a temporary replacement for the period of the official's leave of absence.

A total of 22 applications were received for the temporary At-Large County Commissioner seat. Of the 22 applications, three did not meet the eligibility requirements set by the Board of County Commissioners and one chose to withdraw from consideration.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-commissioners-seat/275-bbee2c1b-f16a-40e4-aac0-46b20fb8f2a0

Sheriff Garry McFadden presented the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners with his plan to address staffing issues Tuesday following a state inspection that found the jail had severe shortages and failed to adequately supervise inmates. 

Staffing has been a concern at the jail central in Uptown Charlotte for some time. Last month, WCNC Charlotte learned the sheriff's office entered into a contract with a New York-based private security company to provide guards through at least the end of June. The state gave McFadden until March 11 to fix the issues identified in their report. 

A WCNC Charlotte investigation discovered an increase in violent attacks against guards and staffing shortage issues that resulted in a lack of inmate supervision on a consistent basis. An inspection by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found the Mecklenburg County Detention Center failed to meet minimum supervision requirements. The inspection was completed following a formal complaint that was filed by the Fraternal Order of Police in December.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-jail-staffing-shortages-charlotte-north-carolina-garry-mcfadden/275-ec6b943c-5893-4897-b0ff-ebc3eada0167

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

People in the United States can now order four more free, at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government as part of the Biden administration's effort to increase testing after the omicron surge. 

The tests can be ordered from COVIDtests.gov in a program that's being run in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service. Just like the first round of at-home test ordering, entering a U.S. home address will create a free order for four tests. Households that already received a package of tests are eligible to order a second set. 

President Joe Biden announced the additional tests during his State of the Union speech last week. 

A reporter with NBC News successfully ordered a second batch of tests Monday, though a message on the website still advises those who ordered tests before to "check back later" to place a second order.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/at-home-covid-tests-available-biden-administration-omicron-surge/275-4c6ae913-fcf8-479f-a4ce-30dd7e4008ec

Average gas prices across the U.S. rose 46.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.06 a day, according to GasBuddy.

Gas prices are on the minds of millions of drivers as they prepare for spring break vacation and make summer travel plans. Experts told WCNC Charlotte the weekly uptick in prices will likely continue for some time, given the fluctuation of the market and the impending summer travel season.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/verify/last-week-highest-one-week-uptick-national-gas-prices/275-88f59c16-926f-4649-92b7-4c0c517def8c

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Face masks will be optional on UNC Charlotte's campus effective Monday, March 7. 

The university provided the update on Monday, Feb. 28, just days after the UNC System issued guidance that makes face masks optional in all indoor settings on campuses within the system effective on that day. 

Masks will be optional in all indoor settings at UNC Charlotte, including classrooms and other academic spaces. The university encourages people who are unvaccinated or at a high risk for complications to still wear a mask.

The university is reminding people that face masks will still be required on NinerTransit and in the Student Health Center due to state and federal regulations for health care settings and transportation.

Even with the guidance, the school is encouraging people to wear a mask on campus to help reduce the risk of infection to yourself and others. Employees can also make their own choice about asking visitors in their personal office space to wear a mask.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/unc-charlotte-masks-optional-mecklenburg-schools-universities/275-a5fcd2de-407b-4c58-91ef-9f7577c3de6b

Charlotte FC took the field at Bank of America Stadium for the first time in franchise history, facing off against the LA Galaxy Saturday evening. However, the black and blue weren't able to defend their home turf, falling to the Galaxy 1-0 after full time.

The match was Charlotte FC's second overall in Major League Soccer play, coming off a 3-0 loss against DC United last week. LA Galaxy's visit to Charlotte comes after shutting out New York City FC 1-0.

“We play football because we want to win. But I believe I am the happiest coach in the world. The energy, it was amazing," said coach Miguel Ramirez during a postgame news briefing. "Thank you North Carolina, South Carolina, and everyone that came. One request I would like for them to come back the next game.”

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc/charlotte-fc-facing-la-galaxy-inaugural-home-match-saturday-bank-of-america-stadium/275-7e3cb653-d9d0-45dc-9f8a-099d0715e3cf

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Baptist churches across North Carolina are continuing to offer aid with more than 1 million people being displaced due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Baptists on Mission, a Cary-based agency under the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina umbrella, is sending teams of volunteers to eastern Europe to support refugees escaping the war. 

A six-person team is scheduled to leave for Poland on Friday, March 4, and a 12-person team is scheduled to depart for Hungary on March 7, according to the agency.

Tom Beam, disaster relief coordinator for Baptists on Mission, told WCNC Charlotte the team will assess the situation over a 10-day span along with the Polish Baptist Union to see how future teams can help refugees.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/nc-baptists-churches-support-ukraine-refugees/275-9a5bed37-e67c-45a9-a18e-04879c523fc9

Hickory city leaders are considering hiring outside attorneys for guidance following the collapse of two wooden arches on the City Walk pedestrian bridge last month. 

Hickory City Attorney John Crone told the Hickory Daily Record last week that "in all likelihood" the city would bring in outside counsel and that he was unaware of any lawsuits related to the incident, which was caught on camera. The arches, which were recently completed, collapsed during a thunderstorm in mid-February. 

Hickory Mayor Hank Guess said there's still no word on what caused the arches to collapse. The city announced Thursday that the arches will be removed this weekend. As a result, Highway 127, which runs under the Rudy Wright bridge, will be closed.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/hickory-bridge-collapse-update/275-34edae58-5633-4d03-b2d6-3865a9834144

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

 The South Carolina House on Wednesday unanimously approved allowing two weeks of early voting and other smaller changes to state election laws, uniting Democrats and Republicans on issues that have been contentious in other states.

The 114-0 vote sends the bill to the state Senate.

Democrats praised Republicans for listening to them and crafting a bill they could support, even if there were a few partisan votes on alterations like making voter fraud a felony and requiring audits of at least 5% of all votes in a county in the days after an election.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/south-carolina-house-passes-early-voting-bill/101-adfd8810-b08a-4c11-a561-32a5c328e80b

North Carolina voters and advocacy groups urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to reject an effort by state Republicans to block a congressional district map drawn by state judges that would likely give Democrats an additional House seat in 2023.

GOP legislative leaders filed an emergency request last Friday with Chief Justice John Roberts asking that the court set aside the new map while they seek to challenge the ability of the state's judiciary to adjust the lines in light of the U.S. Constitution. They say the delay should be granted because the Constitution directs state lawmakers to determine how U.S. House elections are held.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/nc-redistricting-supreme-court-voting-maps/275-a8b187f4-f4c6-4425-8a0d-1f89357c5e96

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

President Joe Biden vowed in his address to check Russian aggression in Ukraine, tame soaring U.S. inflation and deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus.

Biden declared that he and all members of Congress, whatever political differences there may be, were joined “with an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny.” He asked the lawmakers crowding the House chamber to stand and salute the Ukrainians as he began his speech. They stood and cheered.

Biden highlighted the bravery of Ukrainian defenders and the commitment of a newly reinvigorated Western alliance that has worked to rearm the Ukrainian military and cripple Russia’s economy through sanctions. He warned of costs to the American economy, as well, but warned ominously that without consequences, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression wouldn’t be contained to Ukraine.

“Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,” Biden said. “They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.”

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/biden-state-of-the-union/507-29458548-5905-4dc3-8f34-8b10d775fb3a

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 guidance last week, putting a greater emphasis on hospitalizations and health care impacts over daily case counts while relaxing mask recommendations for most Americans. 

Under the new CDC system, more than 70% of the U.S. population lives in counties where COVID-19 is posing a low or medium threat to hospitals. Those people can stop wearing masks, according to the CDC. However, officials are still advising people, including schoolchildren, wear masks where the risk of COVID-19 is high. That's the situation for about 37% of U.S. counties, including several in the Charlotte area.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/cdc-covid-19-new-guidance-mask-recommendations-omicron-vaccine-community-spread/275-d8eaac71-2364-4602-a710-5cc934f6583e