704 Unfiltered

An audit of South Carolina's state finances finds that the puzzling $1.8 billion account mostly never existed in the first place.

The lengthy report, independently done by consulting firm AlixPartners, was released Wednesday afternoon, and says: "We determined that approximately $1.6 billion of the $1.8 billion did not represent real cash."

It also found the remaining $245 million did exist but was already included in the bank balances. This report was supposed to be released on Jan. 1 but was pushed back two weeks due to a need for additional review.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/south-carolina-politics/south-carolina-state-budget-missing-money-audit/275-57ab36f8-2386-4c7c-928c-449dd54875cb

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is aiming to raise the minimum wage its staff makes, the district confirmed.

With board approval, changes will start next month.

It comes after CMS worked with the firm Hurd Isenhour Lopes (HIL) Consultants in fall of 2023, having a compensation review for classified pay grades 1 through 9. This review looked at pay for both hourly and salaried employees across 390 different classified job titles across the different pay grades. The district said compensation for certified employees -- like teachers -- were not included in the study. 

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-minimum-wage-review/275-4b22d25e-f677-4c8a-9eb3-092690b8763d

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South Carolina lawmakers return to the State House on Tuesday to kick off the 2025-2026 legislative session, and Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday unveiled his $41.6 billion executive budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Governor's spending plan includes raises for teachers, an accelerated income tax cut, and substantial disaster relief funding for those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“If we're going to educate our children, if South Carolina's future is going to be bright, as fast as things change, we must have educated young people,” McMaster said.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/south-carolina-politics/sc-governor-executive-budget-2025/101-1a28deba-2371-494f-9ae5-cf7aa0a5c36a 

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After years of delays, Charlotte city leaders are expected to vote on funding for a long-awaited pedestrian bridge on the Rail Trail.

The city is taking another step toward making it easier to walk or bike safely from South End to Uptown. 

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North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a statewide state of emergency ahead of a winter storm that's expected to bring the first measurable snowfall to Charlotte in three years, warning residents of freezing temperatures and dangerous travel conditions.  

"This storm will likely bring significant impacts from snow, sleet and freezing rain in different parts of the state," Stein said. "North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast, make sure they are prepared with what they need at home before Friday afternoon and stay home if possible as ice on the roadways will likely create dangerous driving conditions."

By 6 a.m., over 500 flights had been canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/weather-impact/winter-weather-charlotte-north-carolina-snow-ice-rain-sleet/275-00b38a82-580e-4bf4-afe5-6a7b558c5328

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Many groups in the Charlotte area are taking extra precautions to brace for freezing temperatures that those unhoused are left having to endure.

Warming centers in Mecklenburg County say they’re waiting for the greenlight from the county to expand hours and resources for those people. County officials say there’s a checklist they have to go through before giving that approval.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-warming-center-extended-hours-1-8-2025/275-7a91ed9f-d90f-45fa-8618-7c47e65b0bcc

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City leaders in Hickory discussed a proposal Tuesday night to abolish the board overseeing the Hickory Public Housing Authority. The move comes in response to years of complaints about inefficiencies in the organization, which Mayor Hank Guess says has left much-needed affordable housing resources underutilized.

"There’s a tremendous need for affordable housing, and 40% of it’s not being utilized, and so we’re looking at trying to increase that," Guess said.

The mayor explained that roughly 40% of the available housing vouchers in Hickory are not being used, creating a significant gap in housing assistance. Landlord Rebecca Robinson, who has experienced the issue firsthand, said something needs to change.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/affordable-housing-crisis/hickory-nc-public-housing-authority-1-7-2025/275-d55d58c5-b99b-4d18-bff5-ab010b37e9ff

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During a Tuesday meeting, Rock Hill leaders will consider rules that would prevent those experiencing homelessness from living in local hotels. The hope is that this will help cut down on service calls and safety concerns, but the new recommendations are already getting pushback.

MORE NEWS: wcnc.com

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
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The Matthews Board of Commissioners voted last week to withdraw from a state highway project that would have expanded E. John Street to four lanes through the historic downtown area.

The decision halts the North Carolina Department of Transportation's planned expansion, which has faced opposition from many residents. 

Town officials are instead pursuing a three-lane alternative they say better aligns with Matthews' vision for a pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/town-of-matthews-taking-stand-against-ncdot-widening-project/275-765ae9ad-bd42-4b23-b7c4-5d3cf1ef4523

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All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

A shooting in east Charlotte left four people hurt on Thursday.

The shooting happened on Purple Thistle Lane near Tiger Lily Lane, according to Medic. Three people suffered life-threatening injuries and one suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has not released any information on this shooting. It's unknown if any suspects were arrested or are wanted.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/purple-thistle-lane-shooting-charlotte/275-895a4362-c338-4e81-a452-1352224baa53 

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
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All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.