WCNC Charlotte To Go

Charlotte City Council members are calling on the North Carolina General Assembly for additional support to address public safety and mental health concerns following the murder of Iryna Zarutska on the light rail system. The request came during committee meetings Monday, where the safety committee received updates on current mental health services and what law enforcement officials say they need...

As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth day, travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport say operations are still running smoothly, even as concerns grow over how long that will last. “We were concerned about it, but I haven’t noticed anything,” said Rick Willoughby, who was traveling with his family Saturday. “It’s all just been business as usual for us, at least at this poi...

It's been over a month since the stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte's light rail, and people are still pushing for more safety initiatives because of what happened to her. Friday, Charlotte city leaders are expected to announce new security measures for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). WCNC Charlotte's Richard DeVayne shares how with this next step, leaders hope to improve publ...

Two Delta Air Lines regional jets collided while on the taxiway at LaGuardia Airport in New York, injuring at least one person in what the airline described as a “low-speed collision.” The wing of an aircraft carrying 32 people getting ready to take off Wednesday night to Roanoke, Virginia, hit the fuselage of an aircraft arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, with 61 people aboard, according to...

CATS reduced armed security personnel by at least 40% in recent years and failed to follow competitive bidding practices when expanding a contractor's role, according to a state auditor's report released Tuesday that examined safety failures before a deadly stabbing on the light rail. The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor launched its investigation after the Aug. 22 stabbing death of 23-y...

The pain of families who lost loved ones to violent crime was front and center Monday as Congress held a field hearing at the federal courthouse in Uptown Charlotte. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight convened the hearing, titled “Victims of Violent Crime,” to examine repeat offenders, lenient bail policies, and whether the criminal justice system is failing victims. The session came ju...

Eleven people, including seven juveniles, were taken into custody in relation to the fatal shooting of a 9-year-old in Pageland, the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office said.  Deputies responded to a shooting at a convenience store parking lot along Highway 9 on Sunday morning. "We extend our deepest condolences to the family affected by this heartbreaking tragedy," Sheriff Cambo Streater said. “...

A year after the floodwaters of Helene tore through Boone, signs of recovery can be seen across the High Country. But for many residents, the memories and the struggles remain fresh. When Helene hit last September, water rushed into homes, businesses, and apartment complexes. Among the hardest hit was the Bavarian Village Apartments, where residents were forced to evacuate as water rose quickly, s...

It’s been one year since Helene tore through the High Country, leaving behind a path of destruction that many families are still struggling to recover from. For John Randall, a longtime Avery County resident, the storm left behind more than $100,000 worth of damage to his home. But he said a last minute decision may have saved his life. Randall, who has lived on his property near Newland for 20 ye...

A sign outside the PackRats surplus store on Main Street in Newland reads “29 years 3 floods we are still here.” It comes after Hurricane Helene struck a year ago. “We had seen some storms, but nothing ever like that,” a smiling Julie Vernable said. “I was standing in waist deep waters, wasn’t expecting that.” One year ago, the water came. Not a gentle rise of the river, but a vengeful surge of br...

Nearly one year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, businesses in Boone are rebuilding but face a challenging path to full recovery, with many still struggling economically despite the area's resilient appearance. The storm struck at the worst possible time for the region's tourism-dependent economy, hitting just before the biggest push of the year. Many businesses were still...

One year after the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene brought tourism to a sudden halt in western North Carolina, the mountain town of Blowing Rock is beginning to breathe again. The storm, which struck in late September 2024, caused widespread landslides, downed trees, and left much of the Blue Ridge Parkway impassable. Hotels, restaurants, and trailheads were shuttered for weeks — some for...

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced Thursday he will meet with the family of Iryna Zarutska, the 23-year-old victim of a fatal stabbing on the Charlotte light rail system. Decarlos Brown, 34, is charged with killing the Ukrainian refugee on Aug. 22 on the LYNX Blue Line in South End. Brown was arrested and charged with murder after the incident and was indicted earlier this week. He also face...

A child was shot and killed in the Steele Creek neighborhood early Wednesday, Medic said.   It happened around 6 a.m. on Cigar Court. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers responded to the area after reports of a stolen black Dodge Charger, then learned shots had been fired into a home. Officers found the child who had been shot, and Medic confirmed he died at the scene.  While authorities have no...

The fatal stabbing of a passenger on Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line light rail has triggered a citywide -- and national -- conversation that’s reaching deep into the political sphere. With the November election approaching, and a major sales tax proposal on the ballot, crime and public safety are quickly becoming defining issues in the Queen City.   The attack occurred on Aug. 22, when 23-year-old Ukr...

Rider safety will be front and center as Mecklenburg County commissioners prepare for a pivotal decision on the region's transportation future. County commissioners will hear directly from residents on a proposal that could reshape how transit and transportation projects are funded and managed across the county. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing and vote Tuesday night on...

Public transit safety is back in the spotlight this week in Charlotte. Monday, State Rep. Laura Budd is planning to address how Democrats are responding to the deadly light rail stabbing. Tuesday, Mecklenburg County Commissioners are following up with the vote on a possible new transit authority. We're breaking down the latest developments. WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast...

Republican leaders at the North Carolina Capitol announced new legislation Thursday in response to the killing of Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail, with plans to unveil the bill package later this month. The proposed legislation could potentially include restarting the death penalty and ending cashless bail, according to Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall. They were...

Today, marks 24 years since the devastating attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. People across the nation and in Charlotte will come together to remember the many lives lost in the tragedy. WCNC Charlotte's Richard DeVayne shares how the city is coming together in remembrance. MORE HEADLINES ON WCNC CHARLOTTE: Police continue hunt for shooter a day after 'political assassination' of conservative activist Ch...

Decarlos Brown, the man accused of stabbing and killing a Ukrainian refugee on a LYNX Blue Line train in August 2025, now faces a federal charge tied to the incident. On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared that federal prosecutors officially charged the 34-year-old Brown with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. Brown is accused of killing Iryna...

Polls open in Charlotte for the municipal primary election on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m.  This year’s ballot features several high-profile contests, including the mayor’s office, four at-large Charlotte City Council seats, and multiple district races. What voters see on their ballot depends on their party registration or if they’re unaffiliated.  Read more: https://w...

President Donald Trump is expected to look into the killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska. The Ukrainian woman was brutally stabbed while riding the light rail in Charlotte's South End last month. Trump's comments after surveillance video of the assault was released, sparking a national conversation about public safety and violent crime in major cities.  READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/new...

Former Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari is out of his position with the Federal Transit Administration just  five months after joining the agency . Bokhari confirmed his departure on Thursday on social media. No reason was given for the decision. It's not clear if Bokhari left on his own terms or if he was pushed out by the Trump administration; however, Bokhari stated that it was time...

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools achieved what officials are calling historic academic progress in the 2024-25 school year, with newly released state accountability data showing the district outperformed North Carolina averages and set multiple records for student achievement. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction results show tangible improvements across numerous metrics, including sch...

CATS now says the man accused of killing a woman on the light rail did not have a ticket to be on the Blue Line. It comes just hours before city leaders to meet to address transit safety in Charlotte. 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 .   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotif...