Halloween is tomorrow, which means one thing on WCNC Charlotte: Larry's friends are here! Plus, Rachel Lundberg has details on a ton of fun, safe Halloween celebrations, including drive-thru trick-or-treating.  Early voting ends this weekend in North Carolina. So far, nearly half of registered voters in the state have cast a ballot, and there are still tens of thousands of absentee ballots in the mail. Have you voted? Visit WCNC.com/vote to find an early voting location near you.  Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte!

The Carolinas are preparing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Zeta, as the powerful storm moves across the Southeast. Heavy rain, damaging winds and possible flash flooding are among the primary threats, as well as isolated, weak tornadoes in North Carolina and South Carolina.Rachel Lundberg shares some tips on how to be ready for when the storm arrives, plus Larry Sprinkle has the latest forecast and projections for the Charlotte region. North CarolinaDemocrats scored a big when after the Supreme Court ruled the state will be allowed to receive absentee ballots through November 12, so long as they're postmarked by Election Day, November 3. The ruling comes after Republicans, including President Donald Trump's campaign, filed appeals asking for the deadline to be put back in its original time of November 6.These stories, plus your top headlines and we're gearing up for Panthers Gameday on #WakeUpCLT To go! Join 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 and we'll share your responses on the air!

Health officials in Mecklenburg County say mass gatherings in restaurants and churches are making it difficult to limit the spread of coronavirus. Now, a busy restaurant has been given a warning after several videos of the crowded dining room were shared on social media. Sen. Thom Tillis will be campaigning in Charlotte this week, as will Ivanka Trump as she helps her father's re-election campaign in the swing states.  With the holidays approaching, health experts say it's more important than ever to celebrate safely to protect our loved ones from the virus. What can our Canadian neighbors teach us about safe celebrations?  Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

The 2020 Election is just one week away, and for North Carolina voters, Tuesday is the final day to request an absentee ballot. So far, over 2.5 million voters have cast their ballot and the state is on track to shatter all early voting records. Richard DeVayne breaks down the process of requesting a ballot, filling it out properly and then returning it to the State Board of Elections.Billie Jean Shaw has the latest on a COVID-19 outbreak at the United House of Prayer for All People in north Charlotte, where over 140 cases have been confirmed after a convocation event earlier this month. Members now say the church isn't taking the outbreak seriously, raising concerns about the safety of the congregation.Ben Thompson connects the dots on mail-in ballots and why we could see a delay in getting the official results. From varying state laws on when and how mail-in votes get counted to the pandemic keeping people away from the polls, there's no guarantee we'll know for sure who won the presidency on Election Night.Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and we invite you to join the conversation using #WakeUpCLT. Tell us your favorite fall activity and we'll share your responses on the air!

Election Day 2020 is just 8 days away, and the race to the White House is heating up. President Trump and Joe Biden are focusing their campaigns on swing states, including North Carolina. Charlotte City Council is scheduled to vote on a community initiative designed to improve police relationships with residents. Ben Thompson connects the dots on $200 million in bond referendums that would have a major impact on Charlotte's future, Rachel Lundberg has the latest on a COVID-19 outbreak linked to a Charlotte church and we want to know what your favorite Halloween candy is. Join #WakeUpCLT each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte. And jump in the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden made their final pitch to undecided voters in debate Thursday night, with both candidates taking swipes at each other's foreign affairs. The debate was much more organized than the chaotic first meeting, with both candidates covering more ground and discussing more topics for the American public. Rachel Lundberg shares social media reaction to the debate, as well as a snap poll of who Americans thought won. Plus, Ben Thompson explains why a common method of decontamination we used to stop the spread of COVID-19 isn't really necessary. Spoiler alert: Grocery shopping just got a lot easier. Saturday is the final day to request an absentee ballot if you live in South Carolina. Billie Jean Shaw joins the show to tell us what you need to do to get a ballot and make sure your vote counts. And a Charlotte church has been linked to 3 deaths, at least 82 COVID-19 cases and 5 hospitalizations after several big events earlier this month. Richard DeVayne has the details on the super-spreader event that has raised eyebrows across the Carolinas. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte and get in the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Gov. Roy Cooper announced North Carolina will 'pause' in Phase 3 of COVID-19 reopening for at least three more weeks while the state deals with a spike in coronavirus metrics. President Trump said at his rally in Gastonia Wednesday that Cooper should "open up the state" in front of 20,000 supporters. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris was in Charlotte trying to drum up support for her and Joe Biden.  Biden and Trump will meet in the final presidential debate Thursday night, and for the first time ever, there will be muted microphones. The debate commission put the new rule in place after a chaotic first debate saw both candidates interrupting and arguing at all times. Now, each candidate will be given 2 minutes to answer questions before open discussion begins and both microphones are turned on. Plus, Ben Thompson tells us why Friday is the best day to step on the scale and Larry Sprinkle has your First Warn Forecast for the Charlotte region.  Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte. Jump in the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

President Donald Trump will be in Gastonia, North Carolina for a campaign rally Wednesday evening. Sen. Kamala Harris will also be in North Carolina, visiting with Democratic leaders in Asheville and Charlotte as part of a rescheduled visit that was postponed last week. Chester, South Carolina is banning trick-or-treating. Rachel Lundberg explains what led to the decision and how Halloween will be handled this year. Plus, Ben Thompson connects the dots on a questionable method some British scientists are using to develop a COVID-19 vaccine that involves deliberately infecting patients. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte! Get in the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT and your responses could be shared on the air.

When President Trump and Joe Biden face off in the final debate before the 2020 election, they'll do so under new rules that include cutting their microphones so the opponent can speak. Plus, the campaign trail is heating up in North Carolina, with both parties targeting the Tar Heel State for voters in the swing stage. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

More than 1 million people in North Carolina have already cast their ballot in the 2020 election. To no one's surprise, President Donald Trump and Joe Biden are targeting the Tar Heel State for votes as we close in on Election Day. Plus, students in the Charlotte area will be heading back to school for the first time since the pandemic began -- We connect the dots on why experts say the safety precautions being taken are working. Plus, UNC Charlotte is working to contain the spread of COVID-19 after two clusters were identified in student housing on-campus this weekend. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.