704 Unfiltered

Millions more people in North Carolina will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the state's Group 4 rollout. Billie Jean Shaw has details on who will be eligible and which counties in the Charlotte area will be opening appointments ahead of schedule. 

Union County Public Schools became the latest district in the Charlotte region to announce its reopening plans, with all K-12 students resuming full-time, in-person learning on April 12. Richard DeVayne breaks down the board's decision and how they reached the conclusion to get kids back in the classroom full-time instead of a hybrid plan. 

The vaccine is still tough to come by but as more people are vaccinated, will it be legal for your boss to make you get the shot? Ben Thompson connects the dots on the legality of mandatory vaccinations at work. 

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-Mecklenburg Schools' middle and high school students will go to school two times a week. Group A will attend school in person on Mondays and Tuesdays while Group B will be in person on Thursdays and Fridays. Plus, a little chillier this week. Larry Sprinkle has your First Warn Forecast.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill Thursday that will send $1.7 billion to struggling North Carolinians. Richard DeVayne breaks down the bill and how it could impact your life. 

Group 4 vaccinations will begin earlier than expected for people with select health conditions, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Billie Jean Shaw explains who will be eligible early and when they can schedule their vaccine appointment. 

President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill Thursday, and the White House says some people may receive their $1,400 stimulus checks as soon as this weekend. The president also said he wants all Americans vaccinated by May 1 with a goal of small gatherings returning by the Fourth of July. 

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

Gov. Roy Cooper and other top lawmakers in the General Assembly announced a new bill that will require all public schools in North Carolina to reopen for in-person learning. Richard DeVayne has details on what this means for students at every grade level across the state. 

Cooper is also expected to update Group 4 COVID-19 vaccinations during a press briefing Thursday. Billie Jean Shaw breaks down Group 4 members and how the state's vaccine rollout is going to this point now that Group 3 is well underway. 

Ben Thompson explains why health officials are seeing more people "skip the line" to get the vaccine before they're eligible. It's called vaccine hunting, and while it's not illegal, the behavior is frowned upon by health experts raising moral questions. 

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 House is expected to vote on President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill today. If approved, which appears likely, the bill will head to Biden's desk for his signature. Rachel Lundberg breaks down who will get a $1,400 stimulus check and when we might start to see those payments. 

Billie Jean Shaw has details on Mecklenburg County's Group 3 vaccination rollout, as appointments begin today for front-line essential workers. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders voted to increase in-person learning for all students during Tuesday night's board meeting. Richard DeVayne has the details, including the new way middle and high school students will attend class. 

Plus, Ben Thompson connects the dots on why women are seeing more side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine and why scientists say it's normal. 

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

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education will meet tonight to discuss proposals that would add more in-person learning for students at every grade level. Gov. Roy Cooper has been pushing for schools to reopen as soon as possible, but some parents and teachers have other concerns about going back to school so quickly. 

Speaking of Cooper, the governor will provide an update on North Carolina's COVID-19 situation Tuesday afternoon. Cooper's update comes hours after Bank of America Stadium's latest mass vaccination clinic opened in uptown. Atrium Health says up to 14,000 front-line workers will receive their vaccine over the course of three days. 

Rachel Lundberg breaks down the CDC's new guidance for COVID-19 vaccinations, including if it's safe to remove your masks when visiting family members who have also been vaccinated. 

Plus, Ben Thompson explains how drive-thrus are once again changing the restaurant industry in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gone are the days of yelling into a speaker and hoping your order is right, now restaurants are getting smart enough to predict your order! 

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

Soon, you might have to have a negative COVID test to fly in the U.S. International travelers are required to have a negative COVID test to fly to the US. But so far that same rule does not apply to domestic flights. That could change. Plus, tarting Monday, more South Carolinians are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Charlotte will say goodbye to the iconic Mr. K's ice cream shop Friday. The South End diner will be closing its doors for good after 54 years on South Boulevard. Rachel Lundberg has the details on how you can enjoy one last meal before it's gone. 

Billie Jean Shaw has details from Fort Mill, where schools are virtual Friday so teachers can receive their COVID-19 vaccination. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the state will work to ensure teachers are vaccinated so schools can reopen as soon as possible for in-person learning. 

The U.S. Senate will debate President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus bill Friday following a marathon reading session triggered by Sen. Ron Johnson. Republican lawmakers say the bill costs too much and isn't linked to just the pandemic, while Democrats believe they've made enough concessions on the relief bill. 

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

Mecklenburg County will officially open COVID-19 vaccine appointments to members of Group 3 Thursday. This group includes all essential front-line workers who cannot do their job from home and must be on-site. The appointments will run from March 10-31 with Group 4 appointments to follow. 

North Carolina health and school leaders will meet again Thursday to discuss new COVID-19 protocol to keep students and teachers safe once in-person learning resumes statewide. Among the changes will be millions of rapid COVID test kits that would flag any student or teacher showing symptoms of the disease. Health leaders say it's just another layer of safety and security before millions of kids go back into the classroom. 

Ben Thompson connects the dots on the 2021 NCAA Basketball Tournament, which makes its return after being canceled last year. A lot had to happen to make the tournament reality, including one site hosting every game over the course of 29 days. 

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 has officially moved into Group 3 vaccinations, allowing all essential front-line workers to schedule their appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. Billie Jean Shaw has details on how the state's rollout plan will work and we break down who's in Group 3 and when Group 4 can get their shots.

South Carolina is also moving closer to vaccinating the public with Phase 1B starting next week. Gov. Henry McMaster made the announcement with details about getting teachers vaccinated in time for schools to reopen for in-person learning statewide. 

Plus, Ben Thompson connects the dots on how the Carolinas will keep up with rising demand despite the constant talk of limited vaccine supplies and why the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could help end the pandemic for the region. 

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