704 Unfiltered

The holiday travel rush is at peak chaos with a winter storm causing travel nightmares across the country. Tradesha Woodard joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where dozens of flights have been impacted by the wintry weather.

Plus, you shouldn't have. No really, you SHOULDN'T have. We've all gotten a bad or unwanted Christmas gift during the holidays. But how should we respond? Chloe Leshner connects the dots on what experts say is the right approach to giving polite feedback to a friend or loved one who gives you something that wasn't on your wish list.

And finally, we have a recap of all the biggest news in the Carolinas in our Morning Rush.

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! 

Investigators returned to the home of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari Wednesday afternoon, with officers seen taking items from the home and placing them in a crime scene van. Detectives at the scene didn't share any details on what they found. Ben Thompson has the latest on the case, including new details we learned from Diana Cojocari's interview with detectives following her arrest, including her contacting family in Moldova before she reported her daughter as missing.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department honored the life of fallen officer Mia Goodwin early Thursday with a procession from Uptown Charlotte to the location on Interstate 85 where she was killed. Goodwin died when she was hit by a truck driver on I-85 last December. Tradesha Woodard joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go from north Charlotte, where Chief Johnny Jennings explained why the procession and memorial was necessary to show support for Goodwin's family one year after her death in the line of duty.

And finally, new research shows wildfires in the North Carolina mountains were actually beneficial to the state. Ben Thompson connects the dots on how nature is healing after the wildfires of 2016, including more diversity among birds statewide.

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! 

New documents raised major questions about what happened in the final hours leading up to the disappearance of 11-year-old Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari. The girl's mother and stepfather told investigators conflicting stories about where they were and when they last saw her. Meanwhile, the search continues as Cornelius police and the FBI leave no stone unturned in their effort to find Madalina.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced it has hired a new interim superintendent. Crystal Hill, who has worked alongside current interim superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh, was named the new CMS leader by district officials Tuesday. Tradesha Woodard joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go with the latest on the district's superintendent turnover and what happens next for CMS as it continues to find a permanent replacement.

Finally, Ben Thompson connects the dots on why nearly half of American workers say they'll quit their jobs in the first six months of 2023. With high inflation and a possible recession looming, the decision to leave your job could be risky, but many folks say it's a gamble worth taking.

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 mother of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. Diana Cojocari was arrested over the weekend by Cornelius police and charged with failure to report the girl's disappearance to authorities. The parents reported her missing on Dec. 15, but told a resource officer at Bailey Middle School she was last seen alive on Nov. 23. The FBI has joined the search for Madalina and investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Retail curbside pickup became the go-to option during the pandemic, but it might be going away entirely very soon. Ben Thompson connects the dots on why economic experts believe it makes good business sense for major retailers, like Kohl's, Target and Walmart, to eliminate the option entirely. Simply put, businesses rely on in-store transactions for impulse buying and better customer service on major purchases.

The Jan. 6 House committee urged the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol after the 2020 election. Trump is now the first president in American history to be referred for criminal charges by Congress, although the measure only symbolic in nature. We have the latest from Washington as lawmakers react and Republicans prepare for the fallout of the investigation.

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 committee investigating the Capitol riot will make its final public presentation Monday about the unprecedented effort by Donald Trump to overturn the results of the presidential election he lost in 2020. The committee has called it an “attempted coup" that warrants criminal prosecution from the Justice Department. Brie Jackson joins #WakeUpCLT To Go from Washington, where NBC has learned the committee is expected to make three criminal referrals against Trump and several of his allies for their actions on the infamous day.

The FBI has joined the search for a missing 11-year-old girl in Cornelius, North Carolina. Madalina Cojocari's parents were arrested in connection with the girl's disappearance Saturday. Tradesha Woodard has the latest on the case, including an interview with a former FBI agent who says the timeline of events doesn't add up, considering Madalina was reported missing 22 days after her parents claimed to have last seen her.

Argentina won a thrilling World Cup final Sunday, defeating France 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout. Despite a hat trick from France's star forward, Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory with two goals of his own, capping his once-in-a-generation career with an elusive World Cup title. Is he the greatest ever? Plus, the Carolina Panthers are still alive in the NFC South race despite a dismal 24-16 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. We hear from interim coach Steve Wilks about the loss and how his team can regroup as it prepares for the home stretch.

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 suspect is in custody after two people were seriously injured in a shooting at Northlake Mall Thursday afternoon, police confirmed.

The incident happened just before 3 p.m. An on-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer at the mall heard the gunshots and responded immediately, according to CMPD officials. 

As the officer was responding to the shooting, CMPD said the officer encountered the suspected shooter. The suspect reportedly dropped a weapon as they tried to flee. CMPD said the officer chased the suspect before successfully taking the individual into custody.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/northlake-mall-shooting-charlotte-suspect-arrested-two-hurt/275-de917a56-c943-4cd8-a0ce-673c0cdaa0af

Now-former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Phillip Barker was convicted for killing a man while he was crossing Morehead Street near Uptown Charlotte in 2017. 

After about four hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Barker of misdemeanor death by vehicle, that type of conviction can result in a sentencing of up to 150 days in jail. But the outcome for Barker was different. 

Barker was instead sentenced to 12 months of unsupervised probation. He will have to perform 50 hours of community service and will have a 12-month suspension of his driver's license.

In court Wednesday, after the verdict was read, defense attorneys tried to prove their client was remorseful.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/former-charlotte-mecklenburg-police-officer-phillip-barker-convicted-death-by-motor-vehicle-deadly-crash-2017/275-3d04dad0-82d1-439f-a98f-918d11f56fdc

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! 

Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Medic) is making changes to how they respond to emergency calls. The hope is they can prioritize high-risk calls but also make the roadways safer.

Medic officials, along with first responders and hospital representatives, presented their changes to Mecklenburg County Commissioners Tuesday and why they are needed.

“I want to make a mention that this is not about staffing but about responses and how we respond as first responders within Mecklenburg County,” John Peterson, executive director for Medic, said.

Now when you call 911, it goes to CMPD’s call center and the call taker asks if you need fire, police or Medic.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/medic-cutting-down-lights-sirens/275-8a998acd-356c-4fec-824e-ed5ffef58c15

More jobs are coming to the Charlotte area.

Governor Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that Albemarle Corporation is adding 200 jobs in Mecklenburg County. The company will establish an advanced materials research and development facility with a minimum project investment of $180 million.

"North Carolina’s innovation economy continues to surge thanks to Albemarle Corporation building its research and development operations in Mecklenburg County,” Governor Cooper said. “Albemarle’s cutting-edge work will help bring the next generation of clean energy technology to life and create great jobs in North Carolina’s clean energy economy.”

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/gov-cooper-jobs-money-charlotte/275-e94da97f-1288-49c3-ae8e-549cc3dcea9d

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 decade ago, then-Vice President Joe Biden shocked the political world and preempted his boss by suddenly declaring his support for gay marriage on national television. But not everyone was surprised.

A small group had attended a private fundraiser with Biden weeks earlier in Los Angeles, where he disclosed not only his approval but his firm conclusion about a positive future for same-sex marriage.

He predicted, “Things are changing so rapidly, it’s going to become a political liability in the near term for someone to say, ‘I oppose gay marriage.'"

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/biden-gay-marriage-history/507-971d70fa-5b25-4c64-90fc-e1c043bf59fc

In a historic school board race, 5 new people will sit on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools school board, the second-largest school district in North Carolina.

The five new board members join the one incumbent who narrowly kept her seat as well as the three at-large members. In the November elections, three board members lost their bid for reelection and two decided not to run again.

Melissa Easley, Gregory "Dee" Rankin, Stephanie Sneed, Lisa Cline, and Summer Nunn are all new faces representing CMS districts.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/cms-school-board-takes-on-a-new-landscape-with-the-fresh-five-board-members-charlotte-north-carolina/275-66615789-0d62-479d-a9ad-7b1fa1309fd1

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 community in Gaston County is keeping the memory alive of a fallen officer who was killed in the line of duty two years ago. 

Tyler Herndon, a Mount Holly Police Officer, was killed after he was shot during a break-in at the Mount Holly Car Wash on Dec. 11, 2020. 

The community gathered to remember him on Sunday, the two-year anniversary of the shooting. A statue was unveiled in his honor as members of the community came together to celebrate the fallen officer.

"We built this memorial together. People came together, we sold bricks, people bought bricks, they made contributions, they made donations, the state of North Carolina gave money as well," said Bryan Hough, Mount Holly Mayor. "I think this is a place where they can come and reflect and pray and really spend time reflecting on how important it is that we have those police officers everyday in our lives."

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/fallen-mount-holly-officer-memorialized-with-statue-north-carolina-police/275-b146a1fd-aaa1-4631-93c9-daceac781e20

Basketball taught Paul Silas how to be patient.

As a player, he waited 10 years before winning his first championship. As a coach, he waited 15 years for a second chance at running a team. As a father, he waited 20 years before seeing his son get a chance to lead a franchise.

“I always tried to remain positive," Silas said in 2013, “and I think it usually worked out."

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/paul-silas-dead-at-79/507-887bd913-8162-4ab8-be95-701140ac0151

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!