Tuesday night, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance. 

The ordinance gives discrimination protections for people who work anywhere, no matter the size of the workplace. 

The ordinance will only have an impact on unincorporated Mecklenburg County, meaning the towns in the county won't have to follow it.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-commissioners-nondiscrimination-ordinance/275-b2eeb698-882b-4df4-b0e4-5ec7c487e310

Charlotte's Garinger High School was on lockdown Tuesday after a nearby shooting that may have involved students, according to officials.

Around 7 a.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a shooting near the intersection of Sugar Creek Road and Eastway Drive, which is located on the school's northeastern boundary. When officers arrived, they were told one of the suspects ran toward the high school.

In a call to parents, Garinger's principal said investigators believe the shots were fired from a black SUV. The principal believed a select group of students was targeted. These students appeared to have returned fire as they ran to the school. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/garinger-high-school-lockdown-police-activity/275-eaf117ce-5111-49d9-9fd9-95631a450dce

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 less than two weeks, a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee will discuss authorizing a booster dose for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) has set a meeting for Oct. 14 and 15 to consider the available data on these brands of boosters as well as research on mixing and matching brands.

"The available data make clear that protection against symptomatic COVID-19 in certain populations begins to decrease over time, so it’s important to evaluate the information on the use of booster doses in various populations," Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/fda-panel-moderna-jj-mix-boosters/275-4841fe97-7b7f-4d8f-8155-3f64828d5965

Starting Monday, Fort Mill teachers and students no longer have to search for a COVID-19 testing location. The district is launching a testing location exclusively for school staff and students.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway is allowing the school district to use this red barn for the testing site, and it’ll be drive-through style, so students and staff won’t even have to get out of their cars.

“We’re hoping that this will give them that peace of mind and allow them to get back to schools at the earliest day possible," Joe Burke, Chief Communication Officer for Fort Mill School District, said.

The Fort Mill School District is partnering with Mako Medical for the COVID-19 testing site. Starting this week, it’ll be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted Tuesday to approve a virtual instruction plan that would include students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade with certain medical needs.

Currently, children in those grades are not able to participate in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual Elementary. Now, these children could be eligible to transfer into the virtual school if they are deemed "medically fragile," according to the board. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-virtual-instruction-plan/275-047fc812-9f98-41ae-938e-147f1f5ab9d0

Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes, Ezekiel Elliott had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season against the NFL’s No. 1 defense and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Carolina Panthers 36-28. 

Elliott finished with 143 yards as the Cowboys rolled up 245 yards on the ground after the Panthers allowed just 135 total in the first three games. 

Carolina's Sam Darnold had two rushing touchdowns to become the first quarterback in NFL history with at least five TDs on the ground in the first four games. 

A judge has denied a request by a group of Lincoln County parents to enact a temporary restraining order against the current mask-optional policy in place at Lincoln County Schools, meaning the policy will remain in place.

The board's decision faced pushback in the courts after the group said the school district needed to require masks because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During a hearing Tuesday, a judge heard arguments from both sides. The judge pushed the decision to Thursday and handed down the decision just before 2 p.m.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/lincoln-county-mask-mandate-decision-schools/275-55dd99b8-0748-4553-92be-106ca9144c65

Two days after a federal judge ruled that a law banning mask mandates in schools discriminated against children with disabilities, the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the provisos are constitutional.

The state's highest court issued their ruling in "Richland County School District 2 v. Lucas" Thursday. The justices agreed the a budget proviso passed in June by state lawmakers prohibits school districts from using funds appropriated or authorized under the 2021-2022 Budget to announce or enforce a mask mandate in its K-12 schools. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/southcarolina-supreme-court-rules-provisos-banning-mask-mandates-are-constitutional/101-1a39c9aa-7f73-42ab-b89d-58c8685b9e18

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! 

COVID-19 boosters are now available for some people who got the Pfizer vaccine, but what about patients who were given the Moderna vaccine? As it turns out, the CDC says those folks may not need a booster just yet. Ben Thompson connects the dots on why the Moderna shot has shown to give greater protection from serious illness. 

Plus, today is move-out day for former residents of Charlotte's Tent City from county-funded hotels. Back in February, county leaders hoped to have everyone in permanent housing and employed in 90 days. Hunter Saenz examines why that didn't happen, plus some officials say they're optimistic about the future despite the extended program. 

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

The debate over mask mandates in schools is getting more intense in North Carolina and South Carolina. Lincoln County announced masks will be optional starting today despite concerns by pro-masked parents. A judge heard from attorneys on both sides Tuesday before pushing the issue to Thursday. In South Carolina, a federal judge ruled the state's proviso that bans local districts from requiring masks is discriminatory to students with disabilities who may be vulnerable to COVID-19. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is also changing protocol, announcing a plan to allow K-2 students with certain medical conditions to enroll in remote learning. Previously, those students were not eligible for virtual learning. 

Plus, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of just two in the country testing a new fancy technology that is designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. Ben Thompson connects the dots on how this technology could also save time on your next flight. 

Wednesday is National Coffee Day! Who has the best cup in Charlotte Text us at 704-329-3600 and we'll share your responses on air!

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! 

Union County's superintendent responded after the county health director sent a letter to the board of education threatening legal action if they don't adopt the state's measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Richard DeVayne joins #WakeUpCLT To Go to break down what could happen next and why district leaders feel they're doing enough despite health officials wanting more. FULL STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/north-carolina-health-officials-union-county-public-schools-covid-protocol-deadline-debate/275-5c48e440-16ec-48a5-82fd-1b77fd95b837

Today is National Voter Registration Day! It's a day when Americans are encouraged to make sure they are registered to vote so their voice can be heard on Election Day. Ruby Durham explains how you can register to vote in North Carolina and South Carolina, and we discuss why doing so now is much better than waiting until it's time to vote. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/elections/register-to-vote-north-carolina-south-carolina-elections-politics/275-f77557cf-b97e-49c6-b221-1c3d785c4497

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

Mecklenburg County health officials have been given the green light by North Carolina health leaders to offer the Pfizer COVID-19 booster to select groups of people. This group includes seniors, patients at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and front-line workers, like teachers and health care employees. Richard DeVayne joins #WakeUpCLT To Go to break down how the rollout will work and where you can get that third dose. 

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a new bill into law that would affect how alcohol is sold and where beverages can be carried. Ruby Durham explains the changes, including college sporting events and looser restrictions on open container laws for people who are out in public. 

Plus, Larry Sprinkle has a look at your Monday forecast (Spoiler Alert: It's amazing) with afternoon highs in the upper 70s and low 80s with no chance of rain across the Carolinas. 

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. 

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director for the CDC, signed off on a series of recommendations by experts last night that will give the OK to boosters for seniors and adults with high-risk conditions that make them vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19. Walensky also went against those advisors, saying adults who have high-risk jobs, like teachers and health care workers, should also be eligible for boosters. Richard DeVayne joins the show to discuss these new changes and how many people will soon be eligible for extra doses in North Carolina. 

The Carolina Panthers are 3-0 for the first time since 2015, but it came with a price: Running back Christian McCaffrey and rookie defensive back Jaycee Horn both suffered injuries. We discuss the game and other top stories in our morning rush. 

And finally, Friday is World Gorilla Day. Conservationists are working hard to save these beautiful animals from habitat and food loss, and you can help. The North Carolina Zoo has partnered with a group that collects old cellphones that can be used to stop mining in these gorillas' natural habitats around the world. Ben Thompson connects the dots on what you can do to improve the lives of gorillas worldwide. 

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 Lancaster County School District is now taking applications for virtual school, just weeks after starting the year without a remote learning option unless parents applied their kids for a state-run program. 

The district sent an email to parents with a link to the virtual learning application. Parents have until 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 to apply for virtual learning through Lancaster County schools. 

In addition to this application, the school board met at 7 p.m. Tuesday to discuss COVID-19 metrics and protocols, as well as virtual learning options. District leaders said at the meeting they need more time to evaluate as over 400 students signed up for the virtual learning program. Educators said they want to make sure each student is a good fit and can handle long-term remote instruction.  

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/lancaster-county-school-district-virtual-learning-board-meeting-coronavirus/275-2dbde58b-55c7-4d33-b680-7266c4545a6d

Yet another Charlotte-area event is being canceled in 2021, but the ongoing surge of COVID-19's delta variant is only part of the reason the Lincoln County Apple Festival has been nixed.

In a statement shared to Facebook on Monday, the City of Lincolnton said they and the Lincoln County Public Safety Committee took a hard look at resources available to safely produce the festival and determined there weren't enough available. The committee includes the Lincolnton Fire Department, Lincolnton Police Department, Lincoln County Emergency Service, and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/lincoln-county-north-carolina-apple-festival-canceled-2021-covid-19/275-2f95ce64-268a-4f66-a0c5-dd2a4378974e

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!