704 Unfiltered

Governor Roy Cooper said North Carolina's coronavirus numbers are stable, but more work needs to be done, so he's keeping the state in Phase 2 of reopening for at least 5 more weeks. This means gyms, bars and other entertainment venues will remain closed until at least September 11. Wake Up Charlotte's Chloe Leshner spoke with business owners about how this will impact their bottom line and why they say it's unfair to be targeted by the rules. Tracie Potts reports from Washington, where lawmakers will again try to negotiate a new COVID-19 relief bill. And there's a deadline of Friday, otherwise President Trump claimed he will take executive action on unemployment and a new stimulus package for Americans. Larry Sprinkle has another hot and humid forecast and Ben Thompson explains why research says you shouldn't consider going to the gym right now. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper will hold a news conference Wednesday to announce whether the state will be proceeding to Phase 3 reopening of COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions. Gym owners are hopeful the governor will allow them to reopen in at least some capacity.In Washington, politicians are still discussing plans to restart additional pandemic unemployment assistance benefits.And Ben looks into when, and if, we'll be able to find Clorox wipes on grocery store shelves again.Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

Hurricane Isaias made landfall in North Carolina overnight, battering the Carolina coastline with heavy rain, strong winds and widespread flash flooding. NBC's Jay Gray has the latest on conditions in Wilmington after a horrific night feeling Mother Nature's fury.  Chloe Leshner has details on a Confederate monument that is coming down in Gaston County and where it will end up after commissioners voted 6-1 to remove the memorial. Ben Thompson explains why North Carolina is a critical swing state in the election, and why experts say President Trump must win the Tar Heel State if he hopes to earn a second term. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

Tropical Storm Isaias could make landfall along the Carolina coast, bringing heavy rain and winds to the region. Larry Sprinkle has the latest on the storm's path in your First Warn Forecast. Plus, Chloe Leshner has details on a deadly officer-involved shooting in Mooresville. And Tracie Potts has an update on Congress' negotiations and the refusal by Republicans and Democrats to compromise on how unemployment benefits should be handled after the $600 per week benefit ran out last week.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board of education voted Thursday to begin the new school year with all remote learning. This is a change of plans from the original "Plan B-Plus Remote" reopening schedule that was going to bring kids back to school for two weeks before transitioning to remote learning. Chloe Leshner explains what pushed the district to make this change. Tracie Potts joins us from Washington to break down the negotiations, or lack thereof, between Republicans and Democrats over a new coronavirus relief bill. Meanwhile, millions of Americans are set to lose out on unemployment as the $600 per week benefit runs out Friday and the economy is only getting worse. Plus, Larry Sprinkle has the latest update on Hurricane Isaias, as it makes its way north toward the Atlantic coast. And Ben Thompson examines the COVID-19 case data for the Carolinas and a new at-home test kit that could be a game-changer when it comes to reopening our nation's economy. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education has called an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon to recommend changes to the district's reopening plan. Richard DeVayne has details and says any changes could have a major impact on how parents prepare for school during a pandemic. Chloe Leshner has information from a Johns Hopkins University researcher that shows even experts are split on reopening but there are a few things the public can do to help speed up the process. Larry Sprinkle has your First Warn Forecast and Tracie Potts joins us from Washington DC, where lawmakers are still miles apart on a new coronavirus relief bill as unemployment benefits are set to run out Friday for millions of Americans. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued an order that will ban the sale of alcohol in restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries daily at 11 p.m. The order is similar to the one already issued in Mecklenburg County and is the latest measure to help slow the spread of coronavirus among younger people, reports Richard DeVayne. Chloe Leshner talks to high school students in Charlotte show voiced their concerns about going back to school during the pandemic, and Larry Sprinkle has the First Warn Forecast. Plus, Tracie Potts explains what is keeping Democrats and Republicans apart on a new coronavirus relief bill as millions of Americans wonder what will happen to their unemployment next week. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.

Republican lawmakers have announced their proposal for a second coronavirus relief bill, known as the HEALS Act. Under the bill, most Americans would be eligible for another $1,200 stimulus check but Democrats aren't happy with the bill's slash to unemployment. GOP officials want the $600 per week bonus for unemployment during the pandemic cut down to just $200 before adjusting to 70% of a person's lost wages in October. President Trump hasn't addressed the bill publicly but was in North Carolina Monday to tour a plant working on a new COVID-19 vaccine. Richard DeVayne has details on that visit. Chloe Leshner tells us why more parents are considering private schools this fall and Chris Mulcahy breaks down another smoking hot First Warn Forecast.

As families across the Charlotte area prepare for a school year unlike any other, bus drivers in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district are raising concerns about coronavirus. One driver says they're being put at risk for COVID-19 with the district's back-to-school plan and wants more assurances from education leaders before the year begins. It was a violent weekend in Charlotte with police responding to 2 shootings and a stabbing within 24 hours. Richard DeVayne has the latest on those investigations as officers work to stop the violence. Civil rights pioneer John Lewis will lie in state Monday. NBC's Tracie Potts joins us with details on nearly a week of tributes for Rep. Lewis, who helped lead the charge for civil rights in the 1960s.

President Donald Trump canceled the RNC's celebration in Jacksonville, Florida over COVID-19 concerns. With the convention's official businesses still planned for Charlotte, could the Queen City organize a last-minute event? Richard DeVayne has the details and we hear from a Charlotte City Councilman who's hopeful it can get done. The CDC issued new guidelines for reopening schools and they're putting an even bigger emphasis on students going back to class, but several districts in the Charlotte area aren't on board. Chloe Leshner breaks down a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools meeting and why they're not ready to bring all kids back into the classroom just yet. And the pandemic has made Zoom calls and meetings pretty standard for all of us, but you might be feeling burned out. Ben Thompson explains why Zoom fatigue is real and what scientists say you can do to improve your mental well-being. Join Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.