Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden dismissed a petition seeking his removal as a "smear campaign" on Tuesday before participating in a panel discussion about the county's closed juvenile detention center, as mounting questions about his leadership intersect with debates over juvenile justice policy.

The panel was convened to address misconceptions about why the detention center was closed, the challenges of reopening it, and the requirements for bringing it back online. But the discussion unfolded against the backdrop of fresh allegations against McFadden filed just a day earlier.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/sheriff-mcfadden-claims-smear-campaign-amid-removal-petition/275-5c98d982-cc00-476e-88ca-91b82b5a0acf

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North Carolina Rep. Carla Cunningham and four former employees of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office have filed a petition to remove Sheriff Garry McFadden from office, alleging attempted extortion, corruption and more.

Along with Rep. Cunningham, former sergeant Marcia Crenshaw Hill, former chief deputy Kevin Canty, former captain Juan Delgado and former major Bryan Adams filed accusing the sheriff of misconduct, maladministration and habitual refusal to perform duties of the office.

The misconduct accusations includes mismanagement of the county jail, retaliation against former employees and good faith whistleblowers, misuse of official resources, weaponizing the internal affairs unit against enemies while silencing internal investigations into allies, workplace favoritism and making threats against a state legislator.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/nc-lawmaker-former-mcso-employees-file-petition-to-remove-meck-co-sheriff/275-cf019bec-d7c2-4bd9-b1bf-f8eba9a0ee45

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Panthers fans across the Queen City are celebrating after Carolina secured a spot in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The Panthers secured the NFC South title Sunday thanks to a win by the Atlanta Falcons over the New Orleans Saints, a result that officially sent Carolina to the postseason and ended a years-long playoff drought.

Fans across Charlotte say the moment sparked a feeling they haven’t experienced in years. After multiple losing seasons, many say pride in Panthers football is finally returning.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nfl/panthers/panthers-clinch-title-after-falcons-win-1-4-2026/275-1d224558-2911-4b86-b568-27126baf20a4

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 It’s game day in the Queen City as Wake Forest takes on Mississippi State on Friday night in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., but the celebration starts hours earlier with FanFest, the official pregame party, running from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

Fans can find the festivities along Mint and Graham streets, just outside the stadium, featuring live music, food and drinks, interactive games, and of course, plenty of Duke’s Mayo.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/wake-forest-mississippi-dukes-mayo-bowl-charlotte/275-3c4dc9de-65bb-4e0c-9b64-f264a6cf6789

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Thousands celebrated a safe New Year's Eve at Truist Field. Charlotte rung in 2026 with fireworks and only a few incidents.

Every day, WCNC Charlotte is streaming the latest news, weather, traffic and more that impacts you on its streaming platform WCNC+. Download WCNC+ on your TV and watch for free today on your preferred streaming platform like Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/about-us/stream-wcnc-plus-now-roku-amazon-fire-apple-tv/275-3d19e8d8-48dd-4036-b3ab-c514ec25b4be

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One person is dead following a shooting near a restaurant in west Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.  

Officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call shortly before 2:30 a.m. near the Capitaine Bar & Grill on Rozzelles Ferry Road. Here, a victim was with multiple gunshot wounds, according to CMPD. 

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/west-charlotte-homicide-rozzelles-ferry-road-cmpd/275-d350fa7a-ba4b-4bdb-a6b3-e92ed89cb5b8

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The NASCAR community is mourning the loss of a dedicated father who helped his son's NASCAR career flourish.

Dennis Hamlin, 75, died from injuries suffered in a fire on Blacksnake Road in Gaston County. The fire happened on Sunday. Hamlin was confirmed as the victim on Monday. Mary Lou Hamlin, Hamlin's wife, was critically injured in the fire.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/motor/nascar/nascar-community-reacts-to-passing-of-dennis-hamlin/275-9c967c68-5d8b-4273-8aff-05a491b59ccb

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Two people were hospitalized in a fire at a Gaston County home belonging to the parents of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.  

The fire happened at a home on Blacksnake Road northeast of Stanley. Officials initially said one person was trapped in the home. Two people were ultimately taken to the hospital from the scene. Their condition was not released.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/gaston-county-house-fire-entrapment/275-563ab09a-68e2-4f84-ad35-6e30cd78c1bc

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are investigating a juvenile's death in west Charlotte.  

Officers responded to assist Medic at a call on Queen City Drive shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26. First responders at the scene found a juvenile who wasn't breathing. Medic took the juvenile to a local hospital, where they died.

The police scene appears to be the Studios and Suites 4 Less motel along Queen City Drive, near the intersection with Billy Graham Parkway just north of the airport. 

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-juvenile-found-dead-investigation/275-c14b0b3a-184e-40f0-83c2-4257575311e1

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Christmas morning often brings excitement, new gadgets and more screen time for kids. But child advocacy experts say as more children unwrap phones, tablets and gaming systems, families should also be talking about online safety before devices are powered on.

Mary Kathryn Elkins, director of healing services at Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center, said many apps designed for kids to connect and play games are increasingly being exploited by online predators.

Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/devices-under-the-tree-mean-online-safety-conversations-for-families-this-christmas/275-55491acb-78ae-481b-8764-2e724f1ad006

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