A lakeside dinner turned tragic when a wind‑lifted patio umbrella struck and killed a 56‑year‑old woman at Driftwood Grill on Lake Marion. Officials say high gusts likely sent the umbrella airborne; an autopsy is pending.

Gov. Josh Stein welcomed Gastonia’s Sgt. David Rowland and K‑9 Bo to the Executive Mansion Wednesday, honoring Rowland with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and presenting Bo a "pup‑preciation" certificate. The awards spotlight the K‑9 team's lifesaving tracks.

CEOs at a May 26 forum in Charlotte warned that the data‑center construction boom is deepening shortages of electricians and HVAC technicians. Business and education leaders pushed partnerships and training to catch up.

Gaston County Schools is weighing a plan that could close W.B. Beam Intermediate in Cherryville; the district projects about $288K in annual savings while families say the gains would be smaller.

Charlotte set aside $100,000 after November Border Patrol sweeps; six months later the city says none of the money was spent and nonprofits stepped in.

Advocacy groups in Charlotte asked police and event organizers to pledge no cooperation with ICE at the U.S. men’s friendly this Sunday and to create enforcement‑free zones.

After a January shooting left him paralyzed, 18‑year‑old Kamryn Penny walked across his high school's graduation stage, crediting faith and months of rehab.

Angela Collins of Stanfield hit the PowerMax Cash Power Jackpot on a 50-cent play, winning $1,073,621 and taking home $773,115 after taxes.

A Charlotte nonprofit warns federal grant cuts could shrink youth mental‑health and violence‑prevention workshops run through Mecklenburg County's ReCAST program.

Piedmont Cheerwine Bottling agreed to a consent decree after the EEOC said it refused to hire a woman with MS; the deal includes $36,000 and new ADA safeguards.

Union County honored 4‑H agent Autumn Baucom after her quick action helped save a six‑month‑old left alone in a locked car.

Rice Business Dean Peter Rodriguez will become Wake Forest University’s 15th president on July 1 as Rice prepares an international search for his replacement.

Seniors at River Rock's Alexander Farms say they were forced to leave the Cornelius community they expected to call home. The sudden moves raise legal and housing questions.