Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials and Mecklenburg County leaders have reached an agreement after the county restricted $56 million from the district's budget earlier this year. The county, after accepting a deal with the school district, will release the $56 million and will pay an additional $11 million.  

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/charlotte-mecklenburg-schools-county-budget-resolution/275-7f914c77-c213-42ec-b807-86515760b9cf

The leader of Rock Hill's branch of the NAACP says the body camera footage from a viral arrest will be released soon.

During a press conference Tuesday morning, Dr. Norma Gray said the Rock Hill Police Department will share the footage with the public on Thursday, July 8. Demand for the release of the body camera footage came almost immediately after the controversial arrests of brothers Ricky and Travis Price, which was captured on video by a bystander and quickly caught attention online.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/rock-hill-arrest-body-cam-footage-release-south-carolina-crime-justice/275-77a5a73b-1e45-42be-a946-8830ed7d62c2

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!

Governor Cooper and the US Health and Human Services secretary will be in Charlotte Wednesday pushing for more people to get vaccinated.

This comes as the state draws its next $1 million vaccine lottery winner. 

The lottery was created for eligible Tarheel residents who've received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccination as a way to convince more people to roll up their sleeves.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/2nd-1-million-vaccine-cash-drawing-in-north-carolina-today/275-dd1663e7-3e3f-4c68-8037-a2977ef2e95f

 The leader of Rock Hill's branch of the NAACP says the body camera footage from a viral arrest will be released soon.

During a press conference Tuesday morning, Dr. Norma Gray said the Rock Hill Police Department will share the footage with the public on Thursday, July 8. Demand for the release of the body camera footage came almost immediately after the controversial arrests of brothers Ricky and Travis Price, which was captured on video by a bystander and quickly caught attention online.

READ  MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/rock-hill-arrest-body-cam-footage-release-south-carolina-crime-justice/275-77a5a73b-1e45-42be-a946-8830ed7d62c2

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 vaccine rollout is gaining urgency as COVID-19 variants are spreadIng quickly through the Carolinas.

An official from the South Carolina health department said 78% of tests they've sequenced in the past month were a COVID-19 variant of concern. That includes the highly contagious Delta variant.

According to the Mayo Clinic, North Carolina is 42% fully vaccinated and South Carolina is currently 38% fully vaccinated.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/the-push-to-get-more-people-vaccinated-in-the-carolinas/275-2c174cb9-8718-4526-b257-321cdd3519f7

 A trip to the Bahamas is now on pause after some delays from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, including some passengers being disruptive. American Airlines confirmed the flight was delayed until Tuesday for all customers, and customers were provided with meal vouchers and hotel rooms.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/flight-canceled-bahamas-charlotte-passengers/275-e310f8a7-145d-435a-acfb-c533b4cfdf5c

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!

Right now could be the best time all day to hit the road. 

Traffic expected to pick up in Charlotte and across the Carolinas as millions return home from their Fourth of July celebrations.

AAA says the best time to leave is before 1 p.m. today.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/post-holiday-travel-picking-up-monday/275-8dc9db77-a5fc-490d-b77f-b90be1b020e3

A juvenile was taken to a Charlotte-area hospital Sunday afternoon after being shot.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say they got to the scene along Remount Road and South Boulevard just before 4 p.m., confirming to WCNC Charlotte the juvenile suffered life-threatening injuries while inside a car and was taken to Atrium Health for treatment.  Medic 911 confirmed they transported the patient. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/incident-at-remount-road-south-boulevard-charlotte-nc/275-21e2fb01-a39d-4db4-b1bb-4fd4c2b0fe64

More than 10,000 people gathered at Truist Field to watch the Charlotte Knights play the Norfolk Tides, followed by Charlotte’s annual Fourth of July SkyShow. It was the largest crowd in the history of Truist Field, which opened in 2014. 

“Honestly, it’s a little overwhelming but I love it,” said Dina West, who says she’s been isolated at home for the past year. “I love actually being able to come out.” 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-fireworks-return-fourth-of-july/275-b780753e-1bcd-4528-a8a6-255f9d0fcdef 

Travelers expected to take to the sky out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport for the holiday weekend should pack their patience. 

The airport is expecting between 27,000 and 28,000 people to start their trips at Charlotte's airport each day on Thursday, Friday and Monday.

That's a major increase from what it's been, as Charlotte-Douglas is only used to seeing roughly 10,000 people start their trips at the airport each day. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/travel/flying-holiday-weekend-charlotte-douglas-airport/275-bab43530-b455-4c9d-8065-7f09bd62d006

The Fourth of July holiday is one of the scariest days of the year for pets -- the loud sounds of fireworks often startle pets, and sometimes sends them running away. Ahead of the holiday weekend, it's important to know how to protect your pets.

"Loud noises, at night, flashes of light that our pets are not used to," Emily Cook, marketing and communications manager of Humane Society of Charlotte, said, describing how the holiday can seem to pets.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/life/pets/fourth-july-fireworks-pet-safety/275-d0a750a0-bb9e-41ae-9fc5-b35afc40d2df

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 lines at security were bearable on Wednesday afternoon, but they may not be on Thursday or Friday as thousands of travelers take to the sky out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport for the holiday weekend. 

The airport is expecting between 27,000 and 28,000 people to start their trips at Charlotte's airport each day on Thursday, Friday, and Monday.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/travel/flying-holiday-weekend-charlotte-douglas-airport/275-bab43530-b455-4c9d-8065-7f09bd62d006

Bill Cosby was released from prison Wednesday after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the 83-year-old actor's sexual assault conviction. So now what are the chances that Cosby could face a new trial? 

Cosby had been found guilty of drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/bill-cosby-released-what-comes-next/507-3a28d075-6da0-4161-9fdf-52cc2890b3b1

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!

State eviction protections are going away on July 1.

"A lot of people are still struggling with paying rent," Gov. Roy Cooper said during a news conference earlier this week. 

The Republican Council of State rejected a one-month extension to align with the national CDC eviction moratorium.

Governor Cooper said in a statement: "It's disappointing to see Council of State Members revoke eviction protections for people still struggling to stay in their homes."

A local restaurant is transforming its business model.

Leah & Louise say they're adding a "service charge," which means your bill will have an extra 23% tacked on. This service will replace traditional tipping. 

But there is a reason for this. 

Leah & Louise say 21% of that will go to its servers and hostesses to make sure they make a living wage.

The other 2% will help kitchen staff and managers.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/charlotte-restaurant-adding-a-23-service-charge-to-all-bills/275-b060cc9f-236e-4908-b5ce-007853548419

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!

Charlotte leaders decided Monday to push back all city elections until next year. The decision comes after COVID-19 delayed key census information for city districts.

The primary will now be held in March, and the general election will take place in late April.

READ  MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/charlotte-city-leaders-to-discuss-elections-monday-night/275-e7d0af99-bf5b-4ea3-bf3f-d0e883c9011a

One child has died and two others were injured after shootings in Statesville Monday night, according to the Statesville Police Department.

It happened in the 1300 block of Wilson Lee Boulevard Monday shortly before 7 p.m. when police arrived at the scene, they found two children who had been shot -- a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. 

Both children were taken to the hospital, where the 9-year-old girl died from her injuries. The 7-year-old boy is still being treated for his injuries.

Attorneys representing Travis Price say new surveillance video from a gas station shows officers with the Rock Hill Police Department "manhandled" Price, despite complying fully with orders during an arrest that was captured on a viral video that also showed his brother, Ricky Price, taken to the ground and punched by officers.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/travis-price-arrest-video-surveillance-police-rock-hill-south-carolina/275-d73e1a9d-9b5b-4406-839b-70d126831c2a 

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 winners of North Carolina COVID-19 are set to be announced Monday. 

North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services said it will announce the first two winners of the Summer Cash Drawing and Summer Cash 4 College Drawing on Monday, June 28 at 10 a.m.

The drawings are part of the state's Bringing Summer Back campaign aimed at encouraging North Carolinians to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/community/covid-19-lottery-winners-announced-monday-ncdhhs/275-b842b335-7502-4a4c-bd31-bd948ffac30c

Charlotte leaders will have to decide if pushing back local elections is the right move for the city after COVID-19 delayed key census information for city districts.

When will Charlotteans choose who will lead them in the city council? We should have an idea of what, if any elections, will take place this year or next.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/charlotte-city-leaders-to-discuss-elections-monday-night/275-e7d0af99-bf5b-4ea3-bf3f-d0e883c9011a

 Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Grace McCallum and Mykayla Skinner and Jade Carey will represent the U.S in gymnastics at the Tokyo Olympic games. 

Biles, the reigning world and Olympic gymnastics champion locked up her spot in Tokyo by easily winning the U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday night. The 24-year-old's two-day total of 118.098 earned her one of two automatic spots on the plane to Japan next month, where she will try to become the first female gymnast in more than 50 years to win consecutive all-around Olympic golds.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/olympics/us-olympic-trials-womens-gymnastics-team/507-1a438d98-2e1b-4474-9df9-31e3f5141d5b

South Carolina is one of 25 states ending federal unemployment benefits. 

Some say it will help combat the labor shortage, while others argue it's not that simple.

Let's connect the dots.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/connect-the-dots/south-carolina-is-ending-its-federal-unemployment-benefits-what-do-you-do-now/275-b0d079b1-a89c-4403-aba8-d247e02cbd24

Dozens of people gathered for a protest outside the Rock Hill Police Department Wednesday night after a Facebook video of what appeared to be a violent arrest went viral. 

The Facebook video, which has been viewed over 96,000 times, showed a traffic stop near a gas station on Willowbrook Avenue in Rock Hill. During the video, one of the men, identified as Ricky Price, was thrown to the ground and punched multiple times by officers. 

On Thursday, an attorney representing the family said Price suffered a broken nose and was in a wheelchair.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/arrest-rock-hill-viral-protest-errupts/275-957c1c8d-2b11-4399-947a-d3220097b3da

A high-rise building partially collapsed early Thursday morning in Surfside, killing at least one person. Many more are feared dead.

Scores of fire and rescue teams rushed to the area as part of a massive search and rescue operation. 

Thursday evening, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in Miami-Dade County. President Biden approved Florida's state of emergency Friday, ordering federal assistance to supplement state and local efforts.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/regional/miami-partial-building-collapse/67-03b05c75-23cd-4a24-aa80-d6f647de07b4