Good morning, this is Charlotte Local Pulse for Thursday, September 25th. We wake up today to warm and mostly sunny skies, with highs reaching the upper eighties by late afternoon. There is a slight chance of storms rolling through after dinner, so if you have evening plans or want to catch some of the local football games, keep that umbrella handy just in case.

We start with breaking news still rippling across Charlotte as city leaders and residents process the tragic fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on the Lynx Blue Line last month. Security video from the attack led to public outrage and urgent calls for action. In response, Mayor Vi Lyles has ordered immediate increases in security patrols and fare checks on all city trains, especially during busy shift changes around Uptown and South End. Police patrols have doubled at key platforms, and the city says new safety measures—including bike patrols and urban vehicles—will be rolling out over the next few weeks.

Just days ago, Charlotte police responded to three separate shootings, with two occurring off Atando Avenue and one on Queen City Drive near Freedom Drive. Tragically, two people lost their lives and another remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Police are still searching for suspects, especially around Atando Avenue and the motels nearby. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.

Another heart-wrenching incident emerged out of southwest Charlotte this week. A four-year-old child was killed in a shooting on Cigar Street after suspects, later identified and arrested following a police chase on Rivergate Parkway, allegedly fired into a home during what appears to have been a dispute over a stolen car. Four suspects now face murder charges.

Heavy hearts aside, the Charlotte community continues to show its resilience. Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil in Marshall Park in memory of Iryna Zarutska, with neighbors standing together against violence and reminding us of Charlotte’s spirit of unity.

Switching gears, let’s talk about jobs. Charlotte’s unemployment rate has dropped slightly over the past month, with just under eight thousand positions posted across the region this week. Sectors like health care, IT, and construction are especially active. Real estate in Uptown and Elizabeth neighborhoods remains hot, with the average home price inching past four hundred and fifty thousand dollars despite higher mortgage rates.

UNC Charlotte’s campus buzzes with new energy. The Upper Prospector dining space just reopened with new food options like The Halal Shack and Oasis mocktail bar. The expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium is also kicking off, bringing louder crowds and more excitement for the upcoming football season. And in a proud moment, six UNC Charlotte faculty are named finalists for teaching excellence this semester.

Music fans can look forward to the Fall Jazz Fest at Romare Bearden Park this Saturday, while the Queen City Book Fair happens at the Convention Center all weekend. Local schools are also thriving, with Charlotte Latin’s robotics team winning first place in a statewide STEM competition—a big congratulations to them.

A quick look at new businesses: two new bakeries just opened on Central Avenue and NoDa, while a beloved South End coffee shop announced its closure after twelve years, marking the end of an era for weekend caffeine runs.

As always, stay safe and look out for one another. Thank you for tuning in to Charlotte Local Pulse. Remember to subscribe for more, and we’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.

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