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AI’s hunger for power is sparking a climate dilemma: data centers are gobbling electricity like a small city, reviving fossil fuels and delaying clean energy transitions. States like Michigan, Oregon, and Minnesota are pushing back with laws mandating 100% clean energy by 2040—some even targeting AI firms to meet renewable benchmarks or lose tax perks. New York’s watching closely. But the problem?...

A deadly shooting on North Tryon Street Friday night left one person dead and another critically injured—police are treating it as a homicide and urgently seeking witnesses. With few details released, authorities are leaning on the community for any clue that could help solve this tragic case. Major Brian Sanders emphasized that even small tips could be vital, urging anyone with information to com...

North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race is heating up as Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley clash in Charlotte, trading accusations over loyalty, economic priorities, and outside influence. Cooper criticizes Whatley for being too tied to big business and national GOP interests, while Whatley counters that Cooper would be beholden to Washington elites like Chuck Schumer. Whatley also clai...

The Trump administration just rewrote the rules for the Endangered Species Act, narrowing “harm” to only mean direct killing or injury — effectively letting logging and drilling proceed in critical habitats as long as animals aren’t directly hurt. This move, backed by a Supreme Court ruling, claims to restore the law’s original intent and protect property rights, but environmentalists warn it’s a...

Florida dominates shark attack stats with over 1,100 incidents since 2015—nearly half of U.S. total. The Carolinas join the top five, with South Carolina at 4 and North Carolina at 5, together accounting for 11% of U.S. encounters. Globally, the U.S. leads with 2,500+ attacks, followed by Australia and South Africa. Stay alert—ocean safety matters. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillo...

Mecklenburg County’s detention center is getting a major artistic makeover, with vibrant murals transforming sterile spaces into uplifting environments designed to inspire change and boost morale. Inspired by artwork from former residents, local artists are collaborating with inmates to create pieces that celebrate transformation, while also encouraging creative expression. This initiative, funded...

Salisbury, North Carolina is roaring back as a thriving economic hub, blending deep history with bold modern growth. Once a quiet crossroads of ancient trails and railroads, the city now boasts over 75 new businesses since 2020 and a population exceeding 35,000 — no longer just a Charlotte suburb, but a destination in its own right. Iconic local brands like Cheerwine and Sarum Brewing — named afte...

North Carolina drivers brace for a major shift: starting October 1, 2026, physical license plate stickers and paper registration cards are officially gone—everything goes digital. No more waiting for mail; renewals and docs are now accessible via your phone or computer, with optional printed copies or paid mailed ones. This move, backed by the state budget and General Assembly, slashes costs, cuts...

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is being drained again—this time for cleanup, debris from a July 4 fireworks show, and vandalism—despite being promised a flawless finish for the nation’s 250th birthday. Algae blooms and peeling sealant have plagued the project, with the president blaming vandals while critics point to shoddy repairs. A former Olympic canoe racer even pleaded not guilty, claim...

A Mississippi family is demanding answers after their 18-year-old son died during a Fourth of July boat trip — his death shrouded in mystery and unanswered questions. They’ve surfaced video footage suggesting a fight, and given his athletic background, they find drowning implausible. His friends allegedly abandoned him on the island, took his phone and keys — but his phone was later found via a tr...

Tracy Mosteller, a beloved 59-year-old basketball referee, coach, and pillar of the West Lincoln Optimist Club, tragically lost his life in a head-on collision on N.C. 27. The crash, caused by a vehicle crossing the center line, left his family devastated and the community heartbroken. Known for his unwavering dedication to youth sports and his warm, encouraging presence, Tracy’s impact extended f...

Heatwave Ends Soon | Charlotte News

Trump’s refusal to sign a major housing bill — the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act — is sparking political drama, as he cites the Senate’s failure to pass his voter ID bill as leverage. Though he’s publicly protesting, the housing bill could still become law without his signature, thanks to a 10-day veto window. This move underscores the tense dance of priorities in Washington, where one stalled...

Eight South Carolina National Guard helicopter pilots are back in the cockpit after a brief suspension sparked by a low-flying Apache flyover over beachgoers during the Fourth of July “Salute from the Shore” tradition. Though the event, which has honored military service since 2010, featured historic aircraft including Apaches for the first time, the unusually close pass raised safety concerns. Th...

The Make America Healthy Again movement is falling short of its promises — eight months after being promised a formal EPA health agenda, activists are left waiting, frustrated by stalled action on toxic chemicals and pesticides. The EPA now claims MAHA is an ongoing effort, not a document, reversing earlier commitments and fueling disillusionment among supporters. As the agency rolls back environm...

Orlando Magic stumble to a Summer League loss but shine in unexpected places—Noah Penda drops 23 points and dominates defensively, sparking debate over whether he should rest. Izaiyah Nelson, the second-rounder, quietly gets reps on a two-way deal, while Jase Richardson’s hard fall serves as a sobering reminder that safety comes first—even in exhibition games. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on...

A deadly fire at a major shoe factory in Fujian, China, killed 28 people, exposing deep-rooted safety failures in China’s manufacturing sector. With 237 workers and two visitors trapped inside, flames spread rapidly due to flammable materials blocking escape routes. Factory owners are now arrested, and assets frozen as authorities launch a probe. This tragedy follows other fatal industrial acciden...

Twelve lives were lost in a devastating wildfire in Almeria, Spain, as extreme heat fueled the Los Gallardos blaze—firefighters battled with 150 personnel on the ground, and the military was called in as the deadliest fire in the region’s history. Victims were found trapped in burning vehicles, and authorities are still investigating the cause amid widespread grief and a sobering reminder of clima...

Fifty-nine-year-old Jonathan Leslie Blackburn faces up to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder and kidnapping. The violent incident, which occurred on May 17 last year, saw Blackburn dragging a bloodied woman outside a home — both covered in blood — and later confessing to stabbing her while claiming self-defense. Despite her barely conscious state, the victim...

North Carolina’s drought persists despite recent rain, with nine counties in “exceptional drought” — the worst level — and 46 more in “extreme drought.” Even Mecklenburg County faces “severe drought,” as reservoirs remain critically low. Officials urge residents to heed local water restrictions, from car washing to lawn watering, emphasizing that conservation is the key to weathering this dry spel...

North Carolina’s seeing a major spike in cyclosporiasis—205 cases since May—with severe symptoms like explosive diarrhea and nausea. Though usually a summer bug, this outbreak is unusual and hard to trace due to food supply chains. Doctors urge anyone with lingering stomach issues to get tested. Mecklenburg County alone has 14 cases, some linked to international travel. Public health warns: wash y...

Africa just landed another $900 million to expand clean cooking access, bringing total pledged funds to over $3.1 billion — a massive push to replace deadly smoky fuels like firewood and charcoal with safer alternatives like biogas or electricity. With nearly a billion people still cooking with polluting methods, this initiative aims to slash the staggering 850,000 annual deaths linked to indoor a...

Charlotte’s city council faces a ticking clock after pulling the plug on a costly I-77 toll lane project — now state lawmakers are demanding millions be repaid, forcing the mayor and council to scramble within 90 days to navigate legal gray zones and community priorities. Amid the financial pressure, the city remains focused on affordability, housing equity, and public safety — ensuring newcomers...

Belmont, North Carolina, is fighting to fix its crumbling water infrastructure after hitting the state’s distressed utilities list in 2021—thanks to explosive growth outpacing its pipes. Facing a $10 million state loan and emergency backup deals with neighboring towns, the city just hiked rates 8% and is eyeing annual increases to finally cover costs. With a new deep-dive intake system in the work...

A grand jury in Catawba County has indicted Willard Gary Black Senior in the June shooting death of his business partner, Robert Arguelles, at their tannery. The arrest followed an argument that allegedly escalated into gunfire, with the weapon recovered at the scene. Black, who faces a $2.5 million bond, is tied to a recent court-ordered business settlement involving Arguelles — a man also servin...