Mecklenburg County will open COVID-19 vaccine appointments for anyone age 16 and older starting at 8:30 a.m. on March 30. These appointments will open as soon as next week, ahead of North Carolina's move into Group 5 vaccinations. Billie Jean Shaw joins the show with details on these vaccine appointments and how you can book yours. 

Plus, Ben Thompson connects the dots on why the CDC is concerned about a possible fourth COVID-19 spike this spring. Despite great leaps in vaccinations, Americans have ramped up travel and some coronavirus variants are beginning to spread. 

US Sen. Thom Tillis announced he has prostate cancer and will undergo treatment as soon as possible. Rachel Lundberg shares some tips on how you can get checked and why it's important to not put off those screenings. 

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 new study suggests a surprising number of coronavirus patients are dealing with hearing issues. Research out of The University of Manchester in Britain found nearly 15% of COVID-19 patients reported tinnitus, a ringing in the ears. Plus, are you ready for a cooldown? Larry Sprinkle has your First Warn Forecast.

At 5 p.m. Friday, businesses across North Carolina will have some COVID-19 restrictions lifted as the state continues to move back toward pre-pandemic life. Retailers, restaurants and salons will be allowed to open at 100% capacity, and other limits will be removed. 

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday that all adults will be eligible for the vaccine starting April 7, one week after all of Group 4 becomes eligible. Billie Jean Shaw has the details on the announcement and how North Carolina plans to have enough vaccines for any person who wants one. 

And Ben Thompson connects the dots on why bars are among the last businesses to get a boost in the number of customers they can have and when things could change. 

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

Health officials in South Carolina are running into a new problem when it comes to the state's COVID-19 vaccine rollout: People aren't showing up for their second dose! Billie Jean Shaw has details from South Carolina, where health officials are urging people to get fully vaccinated before it's been too long between doses. 

Richard DeVayne has an update on North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's new proposed budget, which would include a raise for all public school teachers across the state. Cooper's proposed budget calls for a major increase in spending on education and infrastructure, too. 

Ben Thompson connects the dots on the added benefits of Charlotte's new medical school, which is set to open in 2024, and Rachel Lundberg breaks down a new bill in South Carolina that would allow college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness. 

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

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper eased more restrictions on businesses statewide Tuesday. Restaurants, bars and retailers will now be allowed to have more people starting Friday, March 26 at 5 p.m. Richard DeVayne breaks down Cooper's new order and what the governor says is next in the fight against the coronavirus. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will be sending middle and high school students to class more often starting next month. Billie Jean Shaw reports on the district's new plan and the timeline for all students from K-12 to have 5 days of in-person instruction before the end of this school year. 

Wednesday is Equal Pay Day, a day we acknowledge the pay gap that exists between men and women. Did you know that women make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men? Ben Thompson connects the dots on why the pandemic is making things worse and when experts believe the U.S. will finally achieve equal pay. 

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 could ease more COVID restrictions as the state's key metrics continue to trend downward. Richard DeVayne joins the show to discuss what Cooper could announce for businesses looking to get through the pandemic. 

Billie Jean Shaw previews Tuesday night's Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education meeting. Superintendent Earnest Winston has recommended middle and high school students move to Plan A with 4 days of in-person learning. The meeting comes after Gov. Cooper signed a bill that requires all districts to provide in-person learning and full-time learning for elementary students. 

Charlotte's 2040 Growth plan has the city talking, particularly when it comes to solving the affordable housing crisis. Ben Thompson breaks down why single-family zoning is so controversial. 

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

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection against disease and complete protection against hospitalization and death across all age groups in a late-stage U.S. study, the company announced Monday.Plus, find out why your daily cup of joe could soon get a little more expensive.

COVID-19 vaccines remain in short supply for Mecklenburg County, but health officials are still optimistic we can stay on track. Billie Jean Shaw has the latest on how the county plans to vaccinate more people in a timely manner. 

Plus, the Charlotte area was fortunate to not see any damage after multiple tornado warnings Thursday. Friday's weather with be much calmer with cool temperatures and no threat of storms. Larry Sprinkle has the forecast and a look ahead to the first weekend of spring (yes it's here!). 

Doctors in Florida say a newborn baby there might be the first person in the world to be born with at least some COVID-19 immunity after antibodies were detected in her bloodstream. Ben Thompson connects the dots on how this happened and why it could pave the way for pregnant women to get the vaccine before delivery. 

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!

Severe weather is coming to the Carolinas Thursday, with a storm system delivering the threat of damaging winds, hail, lightning and isolated tornadoes. First Warn forecaster Larry Sprinkle has your complete forecast, along with the storm's timing so you can be prepared for what Mother Nature brings to Charlotte, North Carolina, this afternoon. 

Carolyn Bruck spoke with experts who have helpful tips to keep your pets calm during storms, as well as the best plan of action during a tornado to escape with your pets. 

Plus, we've got the biggest headlines from Thursday, including North Carolina's COVID-19 vaccine rollout and immigration talks in Washington. 

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

Millions of North Carolinians are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as the state enters Group 4 Wednesday. Billie Jean Shaw breaks down who is on the list and when those appointments are available in the Charlotte area. 

Richard DeVayne joins the show to give details on a mass vaccination clinic for airline workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airprot, as airline workers are part of the rollout plan. 

Ruby Durham fills in for Ben Thompson on today's show, delivering the biggest headlines from Charlotte and across the Carolinas. 

Plus, Moderna announced it is testing its vaccine on children as young as 6 months old as scientists work to learn more about the virus' effect on kids. But before anything can be approved, doctors must first learn how much medicine should be given to kids based on their age and symptoms. 

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!