Some Lexington-Richland Five parents said they feel the district should be doing more to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“With the rising numbers of quarantine in not only our district but across the state, I mean this is clear, the kids are not okay," one parent said at a school board meeting on Monday. "But the teachers are also not okay. This seems to be missing from the rhetoric and propaganda of our district leadership.” 

She also said, “Silence speaks volumes. We can’t take care of teachers and staff by just hiring substitute teachers and contact tracers. We need action and that action starts through communication.”

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/lexington-rich-5-parents-challenge-covid-19-protocols/101-aa83d664-33e0-45d5-a955-7d67e8a532da

Health leaders in Cleveland County urged vaccinations Monday afternoon, saying more young people are getting COVID-19 and there's a direct correlation between vaccination rates and positive case numbers. 

Health Director Tiffany Hanson was joined by Dr. Inga Kish, chief medical director for Atrium Health's facilities in Cleveland, Kings Mountain and Lincoln, for the update on the "dire" COVID-19 situation. Kish said there have been 16,000 positive cases in Cleveland County since the start of the pandemic, but unlike the first wave, more young people are getting sick. 

"Cleveland County is in a crisis," said Doug Bridges, chairman for the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners.

Kids 17 and under is the fastest-growing category for cases and more people are needing greater care with severe cases. Over the last five weeks, there have been almost 40 deaths in Cleveland County, with the average age being 66. Over the last 14 days, the county has seen 1,400 new cases with an average of 78 hospitalizations each day. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/cleveland-county-covid-19-situation-update-atrium-health/275-5431f138-a02c-4cd6-be30-436cc1b2534a

Sunday delivered heartbreaking news in the nationwide search for a Florida woman who vanished while on a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend.

The Teton County Coroner's Office confirmed a body was found in the section of Bridger-Teton National Forest where crews had been looking for 22-year-old Gabby Petito. That section is known as the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, and it will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

At an emotional news conference Sunday night, the FBI said the body matches the description of Gabby, and her family has been notified. However, full forensic testing is needed to confirm with 100-percent certainty that the human remains are hers.

"On behalf of the FBI personnel and our partners, I would like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gabby's family," said Charles Jones with FBI Denver, as his voice quivered with grief.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/national/fbi-search-grand-teton-national-park-gabby-petito/67-44c496c8-fa53-47b9-b9ad-0bd6d3334341

Dealing the White House a stinging setback, a government advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan Friday to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots across the board, and instead endorsed the extra vaccine dose only for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.

The twin votes represented a heavy blow to the Biden administration's sweeping effort, announced a month ago, to shore up nearly all Americans' protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.

The nonbinding recommendation — from an influential committee of outside experts who advise the Food and Drug Administration — is not the last word. The FDA will consider the group’s advice and make its own decision, probably within days. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to weigh in next week.

History has been made! The four-person InspirationX crew has officially become the first all-civilian crew to launch into space on a multi-day journey to study to effects of spaceflight on the human body. Kannapolis native Chris Sembroski is a part of the historic team. Ruby Durham recaps the launch and explains when they'll return to earth. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/tech/science/spacex-inspiration4-all-civilian-launch/67-ebd7f12a-590d-421f-8271-a0ea4a9effea

Kendall Morris joins the show to discuss the letter sent by North Carolina's Dr. Mandy Cohen to Union County Public Schools, encouraging the board to follow the state's toolkit for public schools. The state is asking Union County to adopt all of the recommendations, including contact tracing and quarantine measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.  The state is giving UCPS until Sept. 17 before considering legal action. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/legal-action-north-carolina-covid-19-toolkit/275-c22b060e-5e3c-464f-86fa-622f6a5b7aad

Larry Sprinkle says Charlotte will see a cool day with afternoon highs around 80 degrees with scattered showers across the Carolinas. The rain chances will remain around 40% through the weekend with average highs in the mid-to-upper 80s. Full Forecast: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/forecast/charlotte-weather-forecast-update/275-50501550

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

South Carolina lawmakers are looking for ways to block President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Governor Henry McMaster has shown disapproval of the president’s move, and now GOP lawmakers are set to meet to discuss the mandate.

Biden's six-step plan to combat COVID-19 includes requiring vaccines or weekly testing for employees of large companies.

Biden said during his announcement on September 9, “if these governors won’t help us beat the pandemic, I’ll use my powers as president to get them out of the way.”

He specifically called out governors that are preventing mask requirements in schools.

While Governor Henry McMaster has urged South Carolinians to get vaccinated, he’s pushing back on Biden’s plan.

If you're looking for a sign of how the Continis are handling the pandemic— try their front door.

“I wanted to say welcome. And I said, ‘well-no, wait, what? Are you vaccinated?' Then we'll talk,” said Sharon Contini of her homemade alternative welcome sign, hanging on the door to their Oakville home. “We err on the safety side.”

Currently the FDA has authorized and CDC recommends people with weakened immune systems, like transplant recipients, get a third dose of the MRNA vaccines at least a month after their second.

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! 

A policy within the Rock Hill School District will provide staff members an additional ten days of paid, sick leave if they are diagnosed with COVID-19.

The policy, was on the agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting Monday night, and was introduced after a similar measure, the Families First Coronavirus Act, expired on June 30, 2021. The new policy passed during Monday's meeting and is retroactive from July 1.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/rock-hill-schools-proposes-added-sick-time-for-covid-19-diagnoses/275-c9a6b520-7d7d-48ad-a0da-198aa49fc180

A new light rail stop is coming to South End.

Charlotte City leaders say the new blue line stop will either go across from the Publix or at the Atherton Mill Shopping Strip.

City leaders approved a $1.9 million contract Monday night for the new stop.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/new-light-rail-stop-approved-for-south-end/275-1468ad4f-1fdb-478a-8432-2021182729de

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! 

Pfizer Inc. is expected to turn over its clinical study that researched the coronavirus vaccine in kids to the Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press reports.

The FDA Vaccine Chief, Dr. Peter Marks said he is hopeful that vaccinations for kids ages 5 to 11 years old will be underway by the end of the year.

Sunday, the former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb predicted that the agency will authorize Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in children by the end of October, CBS News said. Gottlieb now serves on Pfizer's board of directors.

One suspect in a deadly drive-by shooting that took the life of a 3-year-old boy will make his first appearance Monday.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said 21-year-old Jacob Lanier is charged with the murder of 3-year-old Asiah Figueroa.

Last week, CMPD said Lanier and other suspects opened fire into Figueroa's home, killing him and hurting his 4-year-old sister. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/man-charged-in-the-murder-of-drive-by-shooting-that-killed-a-3-year-old-in-court-monday/275-0486323b-787a-44b8-bb41-51fbcdee8d43

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 Cleveland County Fair Board has decided to cancel the 2021 fair in light of COVID-19 metrics and the delta variant surge.

The fair was originally set to run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10. COVID-19 safety measures were in place, but concern over the potential impact of the event caused local leaders to rethink the decision altogether. 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/cleveland-county-fair-canceled-due-covid-19/275-35884741-6b83-4fe1-a05a-3409ddf87bcc

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says they are putting in the work to keep students safe amidst a spike in gun-related violence, including a recent deadly drive-by shooting that police have tied to CMS students at three different high schools.

Superintendent Earnest Winston opened up a news conference Thursday afternoon lamenting the death of 3-year-old Asiah Figueroa.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-mecklenburg-schools-gun-violence/275-1b744155-6b88-4151-9295-1bd0799b7eee 

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! 

A South Middle School special education staff member has died following complications from COVID-19, according to the Lancaster County School district.

The staff member worked in Lancaster County schools in South Carolina for decades, superintendent Jonathan Phipps said, who later called the educator "a true beacon of hope for a lot of kids."

The principal at the school echoed the superintendent's sentiments. 

"If you were in our building for any period of time you knew who she was," David Sweem said. "She was elegant but also had a fire about her."

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/teacher-in-lancaster-county-dies-from-covid-19-complications/275-af0e6dcf-e7cc-4829-b1b3-3f5b611941c4

The mask mandate at Iredell-Statesville schools is officially in effect, but parents in support say there's still concern the mask requirement won't be followed due to many parents submitting mask waivers.

The district shared a COVID-19 Student Medical Mask Waiver form as an option for parents to consider if their student is unable to wear a mask for various reasons including developmental, medical or behavioral health needs. Yet as part of the form, a medical signature isn't required -- meaning a parent or a doctor can sign.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/mask-waivers-concern-some-parents-iredell-statesville-schools/275-4aca329a-13ca-4b77-8d31-ae0622782f44

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! 

Two pediatricians have two similar stories: They're concerned about rising COVID-19 cases among young people, and hoping adults can help turn the tide.

"We are in a bad situation," Dr. Elizabeth Mack, Chief of Pediatric Critical Care with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), said. "Our COVID hospitalizations among children are up. The numbers of children requiring ICU are up. The number of children in the ICU with COVID that are requiring ventilators, all of those numbers are up. So, this is obviously of great concern to us.”

A group representing thousands of City of Charlotte workers sent a letter to city leaders opposing a possible COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 

Members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police, Charlotte Firefighters Association and the UE150 Charlotte Chapter sent the letter on Sept. 2, telling city leaders the group believes the choice to get vaccinated should be up to individuals. 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/charlotte-city-workers-oppose-covid-19-vaccine-mandate/275-77e1ea01-8c77-497b-a2b1-106de5e3a88d

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 demand for COVID-19 tests is expected to increase. On Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, several COVID-19 testing sites across the county will be open again.

Charlotte-area leaders said if you're sick, you should just assume it's COVID-19 and go get tested.  

Mecklenburg Health leaders said they're concerned about a post Labor day surge in COVID-19 cases. Their fears could become reality with the number of people traveling and attending events for the three-day weekend.

 The Carolina Panthers placed starting right guard John Miller on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Monday.

Miller will miss Sunday's season-opener against the New York Jets, coach Matt Rhule confirmed he must sit out for 10 days.

According to NFL protocol, that matches the timeline for unvaccinated players.

Vaccinated players who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic may return to the team with two negative tests 24 hours apart.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/panthers-place-starting-offensive-lineman-on-covid-19-list/275-30b7b716-7d81-4fba-a5b4-5f31edc2fcba 

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!