704 Unfiltered

Two boys were taken to a hospital after being shot at a high school basketball game on the campus of Catawba College in Salisbury. Police still haven't found the shooter. Tradesha Woodard has the latest on the investigation and comments from police. 

Plus, Sarah French explains why today's Duke's Mayo Bowl is expected to make a major impact on Charlotte's economic status as we close out 2021 and Larry Sprinkle is tracking a storm system that brings the threat of severe weather to the Carolinas. 

Officer Mia Goodwin will be remembered at a funeral in Uptown Charlotte Wednesday. The 33-year-old was killed when her patrol car was hit by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 in northeast Charlotte. Tradesha Woodard has the latest details from court, including allegations that the driver charged wasn't even supposed to be driving the big rig involved in the first place. 

Plus, Sarah French reviews the biggest headlines from across the Carolinas and U.S. 

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!

Many people in the Charlotte area spent the post-Christmas Monday waiting in line for a COVID-19 test. Others opted for an in-home test, but many stores were sold out. Tradesha Woodard has the latest on positivity rates and we break down the CDC's new guidance for asymptomatic people with COVID-19. 

Lana Harris connects the dots on President Biden's extension on the federal student loan moratorium, including the push by some lawmakers to permanently cancel student debt for federal borrowers. 

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!

Travelers heading back home after Christmas encountered canceled or delayed flights at seemingly every airport over the weekend. We have the latest on flights to and from Charlotte as health experts say we're just now getting into the peak of omicron cases. 

Plus, Ben Thompson explains why 2021 could set a record for holiday gift returns and Lana Harris has a look at the biggest headlines from the Carolinas as we get back to work after a holiday weekend. 

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 City of Charlotte announced Thursday that it is delaying the weekly testing of its unvaccinated employees until Feb. 9, 2022.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a vaccination and testing requirement for organizations with 100 employees or more, which includes the City of Charlotte.  After a delay due to legal challenges, these requirements went into effect as of Dec. 17.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/city-of-charlotte-to-delay-weekly-covid-19-testing-of-unvaccinated-employees/275-8b702fa4-7474-43f9-b94d-8312a775fbeb

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will require any student or staff member who has not received a COVID-19 booster shot to be tested weekly for the coronavirus starting in January, the school announced Thursday. 

Those without a booster shot, regardless of previous vaccinations, will need to adhere to the same re-entry and mitigation testing requirements for those who are considered unvaccinated.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/unc-charlotte-requiring-booster-shots-students-staff-test-covid-coronavirus/275-9e479415-722c-443c-8688-aae27db3ab36

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! 

At this time, due to high demand ahead of the holidays, COVID-19 at-home test kits are no longer available at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library distribution sites, the county announced Wednesday.  

Due to nationwide supply chain issues, the number of test kits available changes on a daily basis, the county stressed. Library staff are not involved with the test kits and cannot answer questions regarding availability in person or via telephone.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/at-home-covid-19-test-kits-are-no-longer-available-at-charlotte-libraries/275-be46bffc-d453-46df-b951-a459ac8ef684

U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus.

The long-awaited milestone comes as U.S. cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all rising and health officials warn of a tsunami of new infections from the omicron variant that could overwhelm hospitals.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/covid-pill-pfizer/67-ef017ebb-6e9a-47e0-a10b-79a31b327ddf

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! 

About one in six North Carolina ninth-graders last year fell off track to graduate high school on time, double the usual number.

That’s according to new retention data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The data cover public school districts and public charter schools and regional schools.

It’s the highest 9th-grade retention in nearly two decades. State data going back to the 2003-04 school year show similar retention rates for 9th graders and much higher retention for North Carolina students overall.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/9th-graders-retention-rate-north-carolina/275-47963d98-ac2e-4eb3-991e-d6db1873c901

Christmas will come early Wednesday for hundreds of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employees who are expecting to receive at least part of their bonus checks.

The school board approved the added pay earlier this month, and while some teachers and staff say they appreciate the thought — many still think more should be given.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-retention-bonus-petition/275-17dfe153-b2d4-4178-9302-524969f0c464

Gov. Roy Cooper held a COVID-19 news briefing on Monday with an urgent message as thousands of North Carolinians prepare to travel this holiday season: Get boosted and get tested.

Outgoing Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen issued a new secretarial order with steps people can take to stay safe over the holidays. Cohen said the omicron variant is now being detected in all parts of North Carolina and that it will likely be the dominant strain by mid-January. Richard DeVayne has the latest from state leaders and local health experts on testing and what people should do to stay safe. 

Plus, Tredesha Woodard reports on changes that school districts in the Charlotte region are making ahead of the omicron wave. 

And finally, Ben Thompson connects the dots on a new type of skimmer that's looking to steal the credit card information of online shoppers this holiday season. 

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!

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is encouraging lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to return to the negotiating table for the Build Back Better $2 trillion bill.

"Everyone in Washington needs to come back to the negotiating table in January on Build Back Better. Americans need more affordable quality child care, health care coverage, prescription drugs and more," Cooper posted on Twitter on Sunday.

The statement was posted after reports circulated that West Virginia U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D) would not support President Joe Biden's plan.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a man was shot and killed by an officer in the Ballantyne area, and his ex-wife's teenage daughter is being treated for multiple stab wounds.

CMPD said they were called to Blairbeth Street near Hawfield Way Drive just before 7 p.m. According to officers, the man forced his way into his ex-wife's home during an altercation. While the ex-wife was able to get out, CMPD said the man held her 13-year-old daughter at knifepoint inside.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/officer-involved-shooting-charlotte-nc-crime/275-efe2fbcb-4375-47d8-9b71-ba6d299e4b15

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! 

July 2018 in Center City. July 2020 near South End. July 2021 in Shelby.

Gun owners who reported their weapons stolen later learned their guns turned up on three high school campuses. Those three guns are among 23 found at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools so far this school year.

Police refused to release details of the origins of those guns, so WCNC Charlotte requested police reports and used unique identifiers, including serial numbers, to trace where the guns originated.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/stolen-guns-on-charlotte-mecklenburg-school-campuses-defenders-investigation/275-b53f37f7-9843-49d2-b7e8-59813f0c740c

North Carolina is reaping the rewards of recently passed legislation for infrastructure improvements. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Thursday, Dec. 16, it will award $2.89 billion, made available by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to more than 3,000 airports around the United States. 

Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) confirmed $43 million in federal funding is coming to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The lawmaker added North Carolina will see a total of $450 million in airport infrastructure investments across the state.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-douglas-international-funding-million-infrastructure-biden/275-73dd4f59-9ed0-416b-b2b8-fc76b694faf4

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!