President Joe Biden will visit Raleigh on Thursday to encourage people to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The White House announced President Biden's travel plans in a release Sunday morning.

Biden is expected to encourage vaccinations and highlight mobilized grassroots vaccine education and outreach efforts, according to White House officials.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/president-joe-biden-north-carolina-thursday/83-e1b67613-a58f-4eef-8ed4-2aad9086eb4e

Your child may not have to wear a mask to school this fall.

North Carolina lawmakers just introduced the "Free the Smile Act." It would allow individual school boards to decide if masks will be required next school year.

Right now, North Carolina requires everyone five years or older to wear masks in the classroom.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/nc-bill-would-let-school-boards-decide-on-face-mask-requirements/275-4c7fa9d4-5320-4d8b-a619-cda3750a0563

Dozens of people gathered to protest outside of the Rock Hill Police Department Wednesday night after a Facebook user recorded what appeared to be an arrest outside of a gas station in Rock Hill, South Carolina. 

The Facebook video, which has been shared over 7,000 times, details what appears to be a traffic stop near a local gas station, which authorities later confirmed to be located at 329 Willowbrook Ave.

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

We hope you're feeling lucky because this morning, North Carolina will draw its first $1 million vaccine lottery winner.

If you are 18 or older, a North Carolina resident and at least partially vaccinated as of Sunday, you have been automatically entered to win. This is the first of four drawings throughout the summer.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-nc-1-million-cash-drawing-is-today/275-9d7e0139-3350-4873-b9e0-b07225d65d83

Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools kicked off their summer learning program last week.

But new numbers show over 8,000 at risk students have not shown up for Camp CMS.

That's nearly 40% of all the at-risk students enrolled.

That's according to a new report released at last night's school board meeting. Now district leaders are scrambling to try and reach out to those families. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-looking-to-hire-more-summer-camp-teachers/275-1b91f5fd-e77d-4459-b6d6-1487c69d224a

Who could be coming to the Queen City to take the stage in Uptown?

Bank of America Stadium teased a big concert announcement in a tweet on Tuesday. Displayed on the big screen is a giant letter 'E', with a star in the middle. The letter appears to be the same 'E' used by British singer-songwriter Elton John, which can be seen on his website.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/bank-of-america-stadium-concert-announcement-tease/275-cd6b0af0-fd9f-4b5c-9643-f5d4bc09f9e1

Mecklenburg County Teachers are disappointed with the latest budget proposal to come out of the North Carolina General Assembly.

"I think this year stings a little bit more — that slap in the face, even though we’re kind of used to it," educator Justin Parmenter said. "It stings more because we’ve just been the most difficult school year they probably most educators can recall."

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/educators-nc-senate-budget-proposal-limit-teacher-raises/275-9d0bade7-0c4d-474f-806f-c53924212a7c

After months of debate and controversy, it all comes down to this, as Charlotte City Council voted to approve Charlotte's 2040 development plan Monday.

The vote was expected to be close, and lived up to the expectation: six councilmembers voted to approve it, and five voted against it. 

Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt and council members Dimple Ajmera, Malcolm Graham, Larken Egleston, Braxton Winston and Greg Phipps voted to approve the plan. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/charlotte-city-council-vote-charlotte-2040-plan/275-07894207-83dc-4fb3-9332-4bb0062b92ee

The North Carolina State Board of Education has approved a set of guidance documents for implementing the state’s new social studies standards.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/nc-state-board-education-new-guidance-students-history-race/275-c7e4345f-35fe-48bd-ab13-e834d3f64f78

President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/congress-passes-juneteenth-holiday/507-97531e51-ddc3-4e19-a7af-24e6170470c1

After 59 years of business and countless meals, Price's Chicken Coop, Charlotte's iconic fried chicken restaurant, will be closing this weekend. 

"It's time," owner Steven Price said Thursday among a crowded lunch rush. "There's a time and a 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!

The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the nation.

The House voted 415-14 Wednesday to make Juneteenth, or June 19th, the 12th federal holiday. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk, and he is expected to sign it into law.

Juneteenth commemorates the day the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free. Confederate soldiers surrendered in April 1865, but word didn’t reach the last enslaved Black people until June 19, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to Galveston, Texas. That was also about 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Southern states.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/congress-passes-juneteenth-holiday/507-97531e51-ddc3-4e19-a7af-24e6170470c1

Thanks to vaccinations, the spread of COVID-19 is way down but the downside of heading back into public and taking off our masks means other viruses are returning. 

Now that the country is opening back up, the common cold is making a comeback, especially among children. 

So how can you keep your family healthy? Let's connect the dots.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/as-we-shed-our-masks-experts-say-other-viruses-are-returning/275-68efabf1-0c63-4a3d-9b99-2986fb439480

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball added another accolade to his young career by being named NBA Rookie of the Year. 

News of Ball's award was first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Ball is the third Charlotte franchise player to win the rookie award, following Emeka Okafor (2005) and Larry Johnson (1992). He was named the NBA Rookie of the Month three consecutive times before his injury.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nba/hornets/lamelo-ball-charlotte-hornets-nba-rookie-of-the-year/275-b8a4956c-08c9-4300-8f71-b5a1c2060ecb

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!

Tuesday night, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners addressed and reviewed controlling documents between Historic Latta Place and the county following an event at Latta Plantation that was canceled after social media backlash. 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-commissioners-historic-latta-plantation-agreement/275-5d199335-4f03-4c89-b046-c2441a1f8acb

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia's Vladimir Putin sit down Wednesday for their highly anticipated summit in the Swiss city of Geneva, a moment of high-stakes diplomacy at a time when both leaders agree that relations between their countries are at an all-time low.

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/biden-putin-summit-geneva/507-681bb283-8308-408d-9d57-a4ef3f298566

During the height of the pandemic, most of us put minimal effort into our appearances as we were stuck at home.

But fashion is coming back in full force, particularly high heels.

Fashion experts are noticing an interesting trend, the return of high heels. 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/are-we-seeing-a-surge-in-people-buying-high-heels/275-3c9e85ee-b9ea-4286-ac2a-0b5a492a08a1

On Tuesday, the Biden Administration is focusing in on the Queen City to try and boost COVID-19 vaccinations.

Mecklenburg County Deputy Health director Dr. Raynard Washington knows the hurdles convincing unvaccinated people to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

And now, the Environmental Protection Administrator, Michael Regan, visits Charlotte to help get out that message.

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/epa-administration-visiting-charlotte-to-boost-covid-19-vaccines/275-58f63b5d-0357-4c5e-8a41-3a1c6934d900

Monday night, Charlotte City Council turned its focus to the future of Charlotte in two big ways: passing next year's budget, and getting an update on how Uptown Charlotte is expected to "bounce back" after a difficult year.

Charlotte city leaders formally approved next year's budget at its meeting Monday. The $2.7 billion budget sets aside money for some of Charlotte's top priorities, like cutting down on violent crime and funding the arts. But you will notice some small changes on some of your monthly utility bills. 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/charlotte-city-leaders-to-formally-approve-new-budget/275-ca84b2d8-c0d7-4d16-805b-0549edd85211

School districts are scrambling ahead of what could be the largest kindergarten class ever.

Let's connect the dots.

Kindergarten enrollment is surging right now after many parents chose to delay their child's first year of elementary school.

Kindergarten is not mandatory in North Carolina, so even before the pandemic some parents chose to "red shirt" their children.

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/could-we-see-a-surge-in-kindergarten-class-attendance/275-445fd59d-435f-47cc-b035-5e9021b760ca

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 City Council is set to approve a new $2.7 billion budget that sets aside money for some of the city's top priorities, like cutting down on violent crime and funding the arts. The budget also includes raises for city council and Mayor Vi Lyles. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/charlotte-city-leaders-to-formally-approve-new-budget/275-ca84b2d8-c0d7-4d16-805b-0549edd85211

We're learning more about how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect traffic patterns. Ben Thompson connects the dots on what transportation experts have found as more people worked from home last year and why it could actually make your afternoon drive home worse! STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/how-has-covid-19-pandemic-impacted-rush-hour-traffic/275-885778dd-67a0-4e29-b0bd-803b9c541249

Novavax announced Monday that its COVID-19 shot is highly effective against the virus and also protected against a large number of variants. Overall, the vaccine was about 90% effective overall and preliminary data showed it was safe, the company said. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/novavax-study-finds-covid-19-shot-about-90-percent-effective/507-e7825fda-03a4-4d98-adad-047ddef7bfd7

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!

Gov. Roy Cooper announced the creation of a new lottery for all North Carolinians who receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Richard DeVayne breaks down the system, who is eligible and when the drawings will take place. But there's only one way to ensure you have a shot, and that's to actually take the shot. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/north-carolina-roy-cooper-vaccine-incentive-cash-drawing-lottery/275-d1e2a2d9-4ffb-46ca-9238-6796a695c9ad

There's a new TikTok challenge that has doctors very concerned. It's called "dry scooping," and it's where users eat a dry, unmixed shot of pre-workout powder. Ruby Durham connects the dots on why this viral trend, which may be responsible for one internet celebrity's death, is nothing to play with. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/dry-scooping-tiktok-challenge-dangerous-health-effects-heart-attack/275-c90114ca-d081-4779-b3a9-5659e233c4ae

Plus, Larry Sprinkle has your complete First Warn Forecast as we gear up for a hot and humid weekend in the Carolinas. Just how hot? We're talking almost 90, with the daily threat of afternoon showers and storms across the entire Charlotte region. FULL FORECAST: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/forecast/charlotte-weather-forecast-update/275-50501550

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 set to announce a new cash incentive for the COVID-19 vaccine. According to a report from WRAL, Cooper will unveil a new cash drawing system, similar to what we've seen in Ohio and other states. Richard DeVayne joins the show with details on what it might look like and what state leaders had to say about the $25 cash card pilot program for vaccinations. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/north-carolina-roy-cooper-vaccine-incentive-cash-drawing-lottery/275-d1e2a2d9-4ffb-46ca-9238-6796a695c9ad

Supply chain disruptions are nothing new during the pandemic. Toilet paper, processed meat and cleaning supplies have been hard to come by at various times. Now, your morning coffee could be tough to find. Rachel Lundberg has an update on what's behind the summer shortages and when things will get back to normal. 

Billie Jean Shaw has a report from Raleigh, where North Carolina lawmakers have passed a new bill that would delay the implementation of new social studies standards in schools and Larry Sprinkle has the latest forecast as summertime weather hangs around 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!