WFAE Local Content

Four people were killed in a 24-hour period over the weekend in Charlotte over the weekend, capping a violent stretch in the city.

The city of Charlotte will begin collecting Christmas trees left on the curb on January 1st. Residents must remove all lights, ornaments and other trimmings, as well as the tree stand. Only live trees can be left on the curb. Residents who wish to dispose of artificial trees must call 311 to schedule a pickup.

Sunday's storm, which prompted a tornado warning in the Charlotte region, is being blamed for the death of a man in Iredell County. The Highway Patrol says a tree fell on the pickup truck of 70-year-old Matthew Teeple as he was driving on Highway 152 near Mooresville.

The Carolina Panthers sank to four-and-twelve Sunday, with a 48-to-14 trouncing at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns, but Bucs QB Baker Mayfield—who previously played for the Panthers—threw for five touchdowns and 359 yards. The Bucs also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. After the game, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said his team was beaten in every part of the game.

Construction in Charlotte broke records in 2024 with 16,000 apartment units completed. That doubles the number from a couple of years ago. Meanwhile, for homebuyers, inventory is also increasing, but affordability is still a challenge. Then there's the murky future of commercial property.

Homelessness in N.C. jumped by about 19% in 2024. A Charlotte-based company has committed to purchase the shuttered Pactiv Evergreen paper plant in Canton. The Carolina Panthers sank to 4-12 after Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Avett Brothers are prepping for their New Year's Eve concert at Bojangles Coliseum.

Homelessness nationwide rose by about 18% last year, according to federal data released last week, with officials citing the migrant crisis in major cities and the end of pandemic aid as key reasons why.

Gabriel Esparza, who resides in Charlotte, will become North Carolina’s first Latino Cabinet member when he's sworn in with Gov.-elect Josh Stein on Jan 11.

Law enforcement agencies from around North Carolina lined up along I-40 Friday afternoon to honor Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan. His body was transported from the medical examiner's office in Raleigh to a Greensboro funeral home.

With 2024 coming to a close, we look back on some of the standout conversations from StoryCorps Charlotte between neighbors, friends and family.

A figure in conservative politics in North Carolina, he helped Ronald Reagan win the Republican presidential primary here in 1976, and worked closely with U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms. But Helms’ legacy is tied to his support for racial segregation, and his “White Hands” TV ad is infamous in political history. In a new book, Wrenn gives an inside perspective into decades of conservative politics.

A Charlotte band, led by a husband and wife, will open and close this year's seven-day Kwanzaa Charlotte celebration. The couple has been sharing Black music and heritage for more than two decades together.