Charlotte officials said the "historic" break of a transmission pipe used to move a large volume of water throughout the city is to blame for water issues affecting about half of Charlotte.

Around 4 p.m. Monday, the transmission pipe broke near the 1400 block of Remount Road. The pipe is about 3 feet below Irwin Creek and broke near the Remount Road bridge adjacent to the Irwin Creek Greenway and Revolution Park.

People in the area Monday took pictures and videos of water gushing out of the ground. The dramatic images showed what looked like a huge geyser.

"The break we are dealing with is on a pipe that we call a transmission water pipe," Angela Charles, the director of Charlotte Water, said during a Tuesday morning brief. "Its role in the community is to transport water from the water plant throughout our service area. A typical water main break is more localized and impacts folks maybe on a street, in a cul de sac or neighborhood."

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-water-responding-to-water-pressure-issues-affecting-several-zip-codes/275-bc1f60a0-02e2-4ec2-a6c6-97801dd2d7b1

Voters in Rock Hill went to the polls Tuesday, Oct. 19, to cast their ballot in the 2021 mayoral election. 

Like other elections across the Carolinas, the Rock Hill mayoral race was pushed back due to delayed census data. Incumbent John Gettys faced two challengers, including York County Councilmember William "Bump" Roddey. Political newcomer Ishmael Lowery was also on the ballot for mayor. 

Going into the overnight hours, 37 of 39 precincts had their votes tallied. 

Gettys was leading the pack with 51.30%, Roddey was sitting at 33.73% and Lowery had 14.88%. 

Right before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Roddey congratulated Gettys on the results.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/elections/rock-hill-2021-mayor-election/275-1e9d3560-91f2-4df5-abd6-fdc903c634e6

The Cabarrus County Board of Education is reverting to a masks optional policy effective Tuesday, Oct. 26, due to newly-revised COVID-19 metrics-based guidelines. 

The BOE voted 4-3 on the measure during a special called meeting on Monday, Oct. 18. 

With the decision, Cabarrus County will be the fourth school district in the surrounding area around Charlotte with a masks optional policy. The other districts include Avery County, Lincoln County and Union County. 

The newly revised metrics-based guidelines for masks now include four categories, compared to the three categories provided in the earlier presentation during the BOE meeting on Oct. 12. 

The guidelines were created by the district's COVID-19 task force.

Under the new system, CCS must have numbers in three of the four categories that are either in the yellow or green zone.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/cabarrus-county-schools-masks-optional-covid/275-87cbef2f-fb51-41b7-a9f5-db482c1ea59f

A prominent South Carolina lawyer charged with stealing insurance settlements meant for the sons of his late housekeeper is expected to appear at a bond hearing in Richland County Tuesday morning.

Officials say Alex Murdaugh's bond hearing on charges of obtaining property by false pretenses will take place on Tuesday, October 19th, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the Richland County Courthouse before Judge Clifton Newman. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/murdaugh-hearing-tuesday/101-34b95790-bbc1-44f6-8558-3bef47461887

U.S. health advisers endorsed a booster of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine Friday, citing concern that Americans who got the single-dose shot aren’t as protected as those given two-dose brands.

J&J told the Food and Drug Administration that an extra dose adds important protection as early as two months after initial vaccination — but that it might work better if people wait until six months later. Unable to settle the best timing, the FDA's advisory panel voted unanimously that the booster should be offered at least two months after people got their earlier shot.

“I think this frankly was always a two-dose vaccine,” said FDA adviser Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It would be hard to recommend this as a single-dose vaccine at this point.”

Bill Clinton was released Sunday from the Southern California hospital where he had been treated for an infection.

The former president was released around 8 a.m. from the University of California Irvine Medical Center. 

Clinton, 75, was admitted Tuesday to the hospital southeast of Los Angeles with an infection unrelated to COVID-19, officials said.

Clinton spokesman Angel Ureña had said Saturday that Clinton would remain hospitalized one more night to receive further intravenous antibiotics. But all health indicators were "trending in the right direction," Ureña said. 

If you've been to the grocery store lately (and who hasn't?), you probably noticed prices are going up. In fact, some products including meat and seafood, have gone up as much as 10%. And while paying more is the ugly truth right now, there are ways you can save. Sarah French has a few tips to help you cut down on that bill. Here's an easy one: Consider store brand products. They're almost always cheaper and many are produced by the same companies that offer your favorite brands. 

It's only the middle of October but the holiday shopping season is getting started. Many retailers, including Best Buy and Amazon, have offered Black Friday deals as early as this week. Ruby Durham breaks down some of the savings out there and reminds you about the holiday shipping deadlines if you are buying for friends or family living across the country. 

And finally, Friday is the deadline for Novant Health employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Last months, around 175 employees were fired for not at least having their first dose. Richard DeVayne has a report on how many employees could be in trouble for not taking the mandatory shot. 

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! 

An FDA advisory panel will meet Thursday and Friday to discuss whether the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine boosters should be approved. So far, the government has only approved Pfizer's shot for a booster, but that could soon change. Richard DeVayne has the latest on the meeting and when the boosters could be approved and distributed to Americans. 

We're less than 100 days from Christmas (can you believe it?) and the Polar Express is coming back to North Carolina! But to ride this year, you'll need to be vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test. Ruby Durham breaks down those changes and how you can buy tickets for your family. 

And finally, Social Security is getting its biggest raise in nearly 40 years. Sarah French connects the dots on why the increase is coming next year and how you can calculate how much you see in your checks. 

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!

William Shatner, the man who played Captain Kirk on "Star Trek," is set to become the oldest person to reach orbit as he's on the crew for today's Blue Origin space flight. Shatner, who is 90 years old, famously said "risk is our business" while playing Kirk. Now, more than 50 years later, he will blast into space on Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin NS-18 in Texas. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/william-shatner-blue-origin-star-trek-preview/507-4f58effe-b54b-49d8-baab-952358cdb8da

As more school districts vote to make masks optional for students, some parents are wondering when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will follow. Richard DeVayne has the latest from Tuesday night's board meeting, and an update from the superintendent. Spoiler Alert: It's probably going to be a while. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/charlotte-mecklenburg-schools-mask-in-classroom-metrics/275-b29eac24-c22d-4598-aa6c-0df8abd0a5d0

Plus, Sarah French explains why if you got a letter from the IRS in the mail, you better read it. 

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!

Southwest Airlines canceled more than 350 flights Monday following a weekend of major disruptions that it blamed on bad weather and air traffic control issues. The pilots union accused the company of a botched response to what it said would have been a minor challenge for other airlines.

The third straight day of canceled and delayed flights left passengers stranded and steaming from California to the East Coast.

“You can’t really relax when you’re just sitting there waiting for your next flight to be canceled,” said Vanessa Wheeler, who was biding her time at the San Jose, California, airport. She said Southwest canceled six consecutive flights on her over three days before she eventually decided to book a flight home to Las Vegas with Delta Air Lines. She vowed to never fly Southwest again.

Monday’s cancellations amounted to 10% of Southwest’s schedule, and at least 1,400 other flights, or roughly 40%, were delayed, according to the FlightAware tracking service. Shares of Southwest Airlines Co. fell 4.2%.

Nearly all 10,000 employees at state-operated healthcare facilities are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and compliant with a mandatory vaccination requirement, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

The department’s Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities (DSOHF), a state-operated health care system comprised of 14 facilities, moved to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in July

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/nearly-all-staff-in-state-operated-healthcare-facilities-are-fully-vaccinated-ncdhhs-says/275-0058798a-5ec8-46b5-b7d1-0b4f33a60287

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 on Thursday championed COVID-19 vaccination requirements, determined that the roughly 67 million unvaccinated American adults must get the shot even as he acknowledged that mandates weren't his “first instinct.”

He had ruled out such mandates before taking office in January, but they now are a tactic he feels forced into using by a stubborn slice of the public that has refused to be inoculated and has jeopardized the lives of others and the nation's economic recovery.

“There is no other way to beat the pandemic than to get the vast majority of the American people vaccinated,” Biden said in suburban Chicago at an event promoting the requirements. “While I didn’t race to do it right away, that’s why I’ve had to move toward requirements.”

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/biden-advocating-covid-vaccine-mandates/507-089794b7-a100-43e5-93ac-b7dd0df6e40a

Jalen Hurts ran for two second-half touchdowns and the Philadelphia Eagles battled back from a 12-point deficit to defeat the Carolina Panthers 21-18 on Sunday and snap a three-game losing streak. 

After T.J. Edwards blocked a Carolina punt, Hurts scored on a 6-yard run-pass option with 2:38 left to give the Eagles their first lead of the game. 

Carolina’s Sam Darnold was intercepted three times, twice by Darius Slay, and sacked three times as the Panthers offense struggled against an Eagles defense that allowed 83 points and 851 yards in the previous two games.

 A deadline is now in place for all U.S.-based team members of American Airlines to submit proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19. 

According to a letter acquired by WCNC Charlotte, the deadline to submit proof of full vaccination is no later than Wednesday, Nov. 24. American, being classified as a government contractor, is required to follow the federal vaccine mandate that was put in place by President Joe Biden in September.

The company says most team members will have to resubmit their vaccine record. The exception is crew members. That is because their records are already on file because American is required to retain them for international travel purposes. All other team members will have to resubmit vaccination records.

 Hickory High School football fans can expect some increased safety protocols on Friday nights.

Dr. Bryan Taylor, superintendent of Hickory Public Schools, issued a letter on Monday, Oct. 4, alerting the community about enhanced safety precautions at HHS home varsity football games. 

According to the letter, the move is because of multiple school shootings happening over the past six weeks. The letter cites two shootings in North Carolina, one in Virginia and one in Tennessee. HPS also mentioned "multiple reports of guns being found on school campuses" in the letter.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/hickory-high-football-games-safety-gun-violence/275-d4fde4dd-133a-48e8-be12-8516fe83e1dc

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 it will require the COVID-19 vaccine for new workers after officials said 70% of the city's workforce was vaccinated, falling just short of their goal of 75%. 

City Manager Marcus Jones said 679 workers got vaccinated in September. The departments with the biggest increases in vaccinated workers were Charlotte Fire, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and the Charlotte Water Authority. 

The city offered all employees $250 for getting fully vaccinated, with another $250 available if 75% of workers were vaccinated by the end of September. Since the city is allowing workers until Nov. 19 to get their second dose, the additional $250 is still on the table if enough unvaccinated workers take the shot. 

It's been more than two weeks since law enforcement officials began searching for Brian Laundrie. As the pursuit to find him continues, many people have reported possibly spotting the man who disappeared after his fiancée was reported missing.

The parents of Brian Laundrie told the FBI that they last saw him Sept. 13, before he headed to the Carlton Reserve to take a hike. However, he never returned home.

The search began at the Carlton Reserve on Saturday, Sept. 18, but many people who are keeping up with search efforts believe Laundrie could be as far north as North Carolina after a hiker said he thinks he ran into him along the Appalachian Trail.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/special-reports/gabby-petito-case/brian-laundrie-sightings/67-e96adae2-0109-4a2f-89e4-6ad07ae56d54

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!