WCNC Charlotte To Go

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 you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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 joined by Michael Whatley, who recently left his post as RNC Chairman to run for North Carolina's open Senate seat against former Gov. Roy Cooper. Whatley's comments criticized Democratic leaders' "soft-on crime" policies. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/republicans-propose-reinstating-death-penalty-charlotte-light-rail-murder-case/275-0568c4ee-e5aa-4111-ac7e-a154e43b0e47 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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 Charlie KirkRiders question Charlotte's light rail security amid recent tragedyUS businesses brace for over 9% health insurance premium rise in 2026WCNC 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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 Zarutska on the train. "Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people,” said Bondi in a statement. “I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man.” Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/federal-charge-deadly-blue-line-stabbing-charlotte-nc-9-9-2025/275-e5038d8d-228e-45c4-b572-bf25f2b5a8b8 Also on WCNC Charlotte: 2 incumbents lose Charlotte's Democratic primaries, Krista Bokhari wins Republican District 6 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/primary-day-charlotte-what-voters-need-know/275-0351e418-a322-43b4-aa5d-dc3678898f3e ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday the federal government will investigate Charlotte's public transit system following the August stabbing death of a Ukrainian woman on the city's light rail, threatening to withhold federal funding from cities that cannot keep their transit systems safe. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/dot-investigate-charlotte-transit-safety-deadly-stabbing-iryna-zarutska/275-ecf6ffb7-e08c-4da8-93e0-372ef768a9e0 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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/news/crime/deadly-cats-stabbing-surveillance-video-to-be-released/275-347a6496-4a0c-4049-a87d-72533fce7e71 Water shortages are disrupting supply chains, cutting crop yields, and pushing up feed costs—especially in water-stressed regions like India and the U.S. Now, experts say these water shortages are becoming bigger than environmental, with tech leaders pressing for new solutions. Farmers are looking to solutions like drip irrigation, which can cut water use by up to 40%, and humidity-sensing tech that delivers water precisely where it's needed. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/connect-the-dots/global-droughts-puts-pressure-on-meat-dairy-production-connect-the-dots/275-e7a2aee3-86af-49bf-a800-dd77d72b201e 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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 to "hand the baton to the next wave of leaders." READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/tariq-bokhari-leaves-federal-transit-administration/275-9a5fff21-5cbe-4b26-a038-6452fe43c7d8 Student loan payments are back on, but new research shows a growing number of borrowers can't keep up with their payments. We connect the dots on why forbearance applications have more than doubled since this time last year and where things stand when it comes to former President Joe Biden's goal of eliminating student debt for millions of Americans. 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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 school performance and academic growth, with CMS celebrating unprecedented gains across the district's nearly 180 schools. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-2024-25-academic-gains-9-3-2025/275-00b79d9b-6a74-4135-a5af-9f959522bbe0 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

Anger and frustration is growing after a recent deadly attack on the light rail in South End. Safety advocates say Charlotte city leaders have gone "soft on crime." It comes as Mayor Vi Lyles called for a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss transit safety and security. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-transit-authority-to-hold-special-safety-meeting-on-wednesday-after-blue-line-stabbing/275-4560011f-e8ba-4bfb-8037-29f9d7d9c34b?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=nextdoor.com&utm_campaign=nextdoor_news&tbref=hp 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

The mayor is calling for a special meeting with Charlotte transit leaders this week to address safety and security on the light rail. It comes after a candlelight vigil for 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian woman who was stabbed to death on the light rail just over a week ago. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/southend/charlotte-honors-victims-vigil-iryna-zarustka-aleki-langi/275-b7973bc4-21cc-4484-90f0-03164260f470 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

Court documents obtained by WCNC Charlotte revealed new details in a horrific attack on a Charlotte CATS light rail train in South End. Richard DeVayne joins WCNC Charlotte To Go with the latest details on the investigation and a preview of Friday's court hearing. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/woman-stabbed-in-throat-on-lynx-blue-line-charlotte/275-36fe55e3-ed6c-4674-976b-a14fb716fdc4 Plus, corn is one of America's most precious crops, but farmers across the country say unpredictable weather patterns are making it harder to grow and protect their precious harvest. Lisa Washington connects the dots on what's being done to help American agriculture adapt to climate change. 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

A man was shot multiple times by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police after allegedly opening fire on the officers in southeast Charlotte early Thursday, investigators said. CMPD said it was responding to a call to assist Medic along Pineborough Road, which is just off Monroe Road, around 2 a.m. Maj. Ryan Butler told WCNC Charlotte that the initial caller told dispatchers that a family member was armed outside the house. When officers arrived and encountered the man, he allegedly opened fire. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-shooting-cmpd-police-officers/275-4f1b1cce-a117-4c42-a78d-1b47e108ee32 Two children are dead and 17 other people are injured after a gunman opened fire inside a Catholic school in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The tragedy has reignited the gun control debate and stirred emotion as Americans once again face an unspeakable mass shooting. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/shooter-identified-in-minneapolis-catholic-school-shooting/89-bafd06bc-fafe-4187-ae44-64ed0b2fd138 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

At Monday night's meeting, multiple Charlotte City Council members demanded action following a fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old woman on a light rail train. Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death Friday night on a LYNX Blue Line train in South End. Loved ones say Zarutska recently fled Ukraine and came to Charlotte seeking peace and new beginnings. Investigators have identified 34-year-old Decarlos Brown as the suspect. He is charged with first-degree murder and will be arrested once he is released from the hospital. "I've heard from several constituents regarding how they're afraid to ride our public buses, especially after recent violent incidents," At-Large Council member Dimple Ajmera said. "We cannot let fear drive people away, so I would like [the] city manager to provide us immediate steps that are being taken to ensure the safety of our riders, our operators, and to restore the confidence in our system." Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/southend/charlotte-city-council-members-response-fatal-south-end-stabbing/275-34bda6f3-89e6-4061-939f-4a28be10f5d6 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

Services are being held this week to remember legendary NASCAR promoter H.A. "Humpy Wheeler." He was the longtime president of Charlotte Motor Speedway, putting it on the map as one of the best venues in racing. The Wheeler family announced that the public is invited to honor his life and legacy during the following services: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/humpy-wheeler-funeral-services/275-accaa0c7-ea8b-4e63-966b-c958af86c62f 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

With school buses on the roads and hallways once again ready to echo with student chatter, Union County Public Schools officially kicks off the 2025–2026 school year Monday, welcoming back approximately 41,000 students and 5,000 staff members. Superintendent Andrew Houlihan is set to visit Weddington and Indian Trail Elementary Schools Monday morning, greeting students and teachers as they began their first day. "One of the things that we take a lot of pride in is that when we send our kids to school, No. 1, we want them to be safe -- physically, mentally, emotionally -- we never lose sight of that," Houlihan said, adding the district prioritizes everything they can do to take care of safety needs. Houlihan also praised the commitment of educators and staff across the district. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/union-county-public-schools-2025-26-school-year/275-481b741a-f077-4590-8446-9e6dde71b143 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

As Charlotte’s population booms, city leaders say it’s time to act or risk falling further behind. On Friday, local officials will host an open house to outline their ambitious mobility plan that's aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving affordability and expanding transportation options in the Charlotte metro. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-officials-mobility-plan-public-feedback-transportation-goals/275-7ff7e91d-bfb8-4e36-9400-e40564f08dd7 Misinformation isn’t just spreading online; it’s showing up in doctors’ offices, too. A new survey found that over 60% of doctors regularly deal with patients who believe medical falsehoods. That's everything from vaccine myths to fake cures and conspiracy theories. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/connect-the-dots/medical-misinformation-prohibiting-quality-health-care-vaccine-myths-conspiracy-theories/275-52ce3e12-cbb6-430b-b3db-fd54ad9d063b?tbref=hp Weather Impact forecast: A wet start to your Friday will slowly break down the rain showers and storms leading to at most a light rain shower or sprinkle for the afternoon. Cloudy skies for most of the day with the best hope being a mostly cloudy and dry end to the day. 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

A new study is offering a breakthrough look at how some breast cancers grow and why weight may play a bigger role than we once thought. Being overweight has long been linked to breast cancer, but now scientists know why. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/connect-the-dots/breast-cancer-weight-influences-study-finds/275-d8245589-1ab1-4c13-b0ef-bd3c6f4244b2 FIRST WARN FORECAST: Highs will range in the mid-upper 80s under a mostly cloudy sky. Watch for a few storms, mainly in the afternoon and evening. The higher rain and storm chances will be in the mountains and foothills. 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

Charlotte is one step closer to making a major investment in its transportation future. Wednesday night, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will vote on the proposed 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) — a sweeping 30-year blueprint for transit and road projects across the region. At the center of the plan: four major fixed-guideway projects, including significant light rail and rapid transit expansions. The proposed projects aim to address the city's explosive growth and increasing demands on infrastructure, with a focus on improving connectivity, reducing congestion, and creating more sustainable commuting options. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-leaders-vote-2055-transportation-plan/275-84009cf2-5e0b-4a8c-be9d-03ac36d7aed3 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

Chief Deputy Christopher Allen submitted his resignation from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office on Monday, alleging in a scathing letter that Sheriff Garry McFadden created a hostile work environment through "abusive and narcissistic behaviors." Allen, who served as chief deputy sheriff, cited a fundamental misalignment of values and morals with McFadden's leadership in his Aug. 18 resignation letter addressed to the sheriff. His resignation comes less than a year after former Chief Deputy Kevin Canty stepped down, accusing McFadden of running the agency like a "third-world dictatorship." McFadden issued an apology for using "racially charged" language in a video amid the controversy surrounding Canty's resignation. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-chief-deputy-christopher-allen-resignation-garry-mcfadden-toxic-work-environment-allegations-abuse/275-aac4255f-0c0a-4447-9732-06c7804686f1 Lowering the speed limit sounds simple — but the process behind it is anything but. Some communities are pushing to lower speed limits, but old rules are getting in the way. For decades, speed limits have been based on something called the 85% rule. It’s the idea that limits should match how fast most drivers are already going. It suggests that a road's posted speed should be tied to the 15th-fastest vehicle out of every 100 traveling in free-flowing traffic, rounded to the nearest 5 mph increment. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/connect-the-dots/states-rethink-old-rules-to-lower-speed-limit-enhanced-safety-on-highways/275-40b43914-7e55-49ea-b07b-d5908a5de972 WEATHER IMPACT FORECAST: Highs will be in the upper 80s to around 90 today through Thursday. Back to the lower 80s Friday and Saturday. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/forecast/charlotte-weather-forecast-update/275-50501550 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 || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.