How to get your car ready for ice and snow

I-77 toll lane town hall erupts as residents force early end to heated meeting

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is advancing an elevated design for the I-77 South Express Lanes project after a yearlong community engagement effort that reached nearly 2,000 people. The elevated express lanes design option in the uptown area will construct express lanes over the existing interstate or to the side of it, reducing property impacts to the McCrorey Heights and Wesley Heights neighborhoods, minimizing effects on Frazier Park, and avoiding impacts to Pinewood Cemetery, according to NCDOT. The project would add express toll lanes along about 11 miles of I-77 from Uptown Charlotte to South Carolina.  But some tempers are still hot after a discussion on road projects on Feb. 5, 2026. Charlotte city councilman Malcom Graham wrapped up a town hall, which included the highly debated proposal. While the meeting was supposed to provide more answers, that did not go according to plan. The conversation got so heated that Graham had to end the meeting early. People who came out said they felt like their voices were not heard. “As a resident of Charlotte, we should not have to take this,” said one resident. Even after the meeting ended early at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, that didn’t stop Charlotte residents from remaining vocal with their pushback, especially because of possible impacts in historically African-American neighborhoods. “Make no mistake, families will still lose their homes, communities will still be torn apart, even if there is reduction; building upward doesn’t erase the impact,” said Charlotte resident Taylor Marshall. The crowd got louder after the meeting ended. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/ncdot-77-south-express-lanes-design-2-4-2026/275-1b54e65c-acdb-4c52-b048-6ebb6865b974 [https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/ncdot-77-south-express-lanes-design-2-4-2026/275-1b54e65c-acdb-4c52-b048-6ebb6865b974] 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 [https://www.wcnc.com/].   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-rush-powered-by-wake-up-charlotte-on-wcnc-charlotte/id1502142880] || Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/08oUt9p0iOgFsDzDZYA80U]|| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/wakeupclt-to-go/PC:21545?source=stitcher-sunset] || TuneIn [http://tun.in/pjwej]|| Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93Y25jbW9ybmluZ3J1c2gucG9kYmVhbi5jb20vZmVlZC54bWw&ved=0CAUQrrcFahcKEwiQqqX_2qLpAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBQ] || iHeart [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-wakeupclt-to-go-122772940/] 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.

CMS makes emergency calendar changes following 8 winter weather-related closures

After an emergency meeting on Wednesday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has adjusted the 2025-26 calendar to accommodate hours lost to the back-to-back weekend storms. The two winter storms knocked out CMS for almost two weeks. Classes are resuming regular instruction on Thursday, Feb. 5. The last nine school days have either been delayed by two hours, closed in-person with remote learning, or fully closed.  The last full day of class was Thursday, Jan. 22, right before the winter ice storm that brought freezing rain and sleet.  CMS has made slight modifications to the 2025-26 calendar to meet instructional hour minimums. Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Wednesday, April 29, will extend to become full instructional days. Previously, those days were scheduled to be early release days.  District leaders said the move is aimed at maximizing in-person learning while minimizing additional disruption for students and families. “We want to ensure our students have as much learning time in school as possible,” said Beth Thompson, CMS chief strategy and innovation officer. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-back-to-regular-instruction-thursday/275-75457e2b-d77c-4af5-987e-b27a97ae34d3 [https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-back-to-regular-instruction-thursday/275-75457e2b-d77c-4af5-987e-b27a97ae34d3] 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 [https://www.wcnc.com/].   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-rush-powered-by-wake-up-charlotte-on-wcnc-charlotte/id1502142880] || Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/08oUt9p0iOgFsDzDZYA80U]|| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/wakeupclt-to-go/PC:21545?source=stitcher-sunset] || TuneIn [http://tun.in/pjwej]|| Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93Y25jbW9ybmluZ3J1c2gucG9kYmVhbi5jb20vZmVlZC54bWw&ved=0CAUQrrcFahcKEwiQqqX_2qLpAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBQ] || iHeart [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-wakeupclt-to-go-122772940/] 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.

Tracking road conditions in Charlotte-area after weekend winter storm

WCNC Charlotte continues to monitor hazardous road conditions as black ice and dangerously cold temperatures affect the Charlotte area. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/forecast/charlotte-weather-forecast-update/275-50501550 [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 [https://www.wcnc.com/].   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-rush-powered-by-wake-up-charlotte-on-wcnc-charlotte/id1502142880] || Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/08oUt9p0iOgFsDzDZYA80U]|| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/wakeupclt-to-go/PC:21545?source=stitcher-sunset] || TuneIn [http://tun.in/pjwej]|| Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93Y25jbW9ybmluZ3J1c2gucG9kYmVhbi5jb20vZmVlZC54bWw&ved=0CAUQrrcFahcKEwiQqqX_2qLpAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBQ] || iHeart [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-wakeupclt-to-go-122772940/] 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.

Mint Hill teen accused of plotting New Year's Eve terror attack due in court

Christian Sturdivant, 18, is due in federal court Thursday after being indicted for allegedly plotting a New Year's Eve terror attack at Mint Hill locations. The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that a Charlotte grand jury indicted Sturdivant for reportedly trying to aid ISIS. He was arrested and charged on Dec. 31, 2025, after the FBI reportedly learned he planned to use knives and hammers at a grocery store and fast food restaurant in a deadly attack. Prosecutors said he intended to kill as many people as possible until he was killed by law enforcement. Read more: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/mint-hill-isis-terror-plot-suspect-1-27-2026/275-aed9b71c-0ba7-4351-8564-4659ad75c277 [https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/mint-hill-isis-terror-plot-suspect-1-27-2026/275-aed9b71c-0ba7-4351-8564-4659ad75c277] 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 [https://www.wcnc.com/].   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-rush-powered-by-wake-up-charlotte-on-wcnc-charlotte/id1502142880] || Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/08oUt9p0iOgFsDzDZYA80U]|| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/wakeupclt-to-go/PC:21545?source=stitcher-sunset] || TuneIn [http://tun.in/pjwej]|| Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93Y25jbW9ybmluZ3J1c2gucG9kYmVhbi5jb20vZmVlZC54bWw&ved=0CAUQrrcFahcKEwiQqqX_2qLpAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBQ] || iHeart [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-wakeupclt-to-go-122772940/] 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.

How to get your car ready for ice and snow

Cold weather can turn small car problems into big emergencies. Mechanics recommend checking batteries, tires, fluids, and packing emergency supplies now. Weather Impact Alert: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/looking-ahead-to-potential-weekend-winter-weather/275-a2d04685-3055-47ae-b3ec-f413d810630a [https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/looking-ahead-to-potential-weekend-winter-weather/275-a2d04685-3055-47ae-b3ec-f413d810630a] How to protect your pipes: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/weather-impact/charlotte-water-urges-residents-to-protect-pipes/275-ff868eef-1766-4b38-a822-2573772ba971 [https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/weather-impact/charlotte-water-urges-residents-to-protect-pipes/275-ff868eef-1766-4b38-a822-2573772ba971] How to drive in the snow and on ice: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/how-to-drive-snow-ice-winter-season/507-658d1e89-9ffc-48c9-8cf2-98370f49fd9a [https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/how-to-drive-snow-ice-winter-season/507-658d1e89-9ffc-48c9-8cf2-98370f49fd9a] 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 [https://www.wcnc.com/].   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-rush-powered-by-wake-up-charlotte-on-wcnc-charlotte/id1502142880] || Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/08oUt9p0iOgFsDzDZYA80U]|| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/wakeupclt-to-go/PC:21545?source=stitcher-sunset] || TuneIn [http://tun.in/pjwej]|| Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93Y25jbW9ybmluZ3J1c2gucG9kYmVhbi5jb20vZmVlZC54bWw&ved=0CAUQrrcFahcKEwiQqqX_2qLpAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBQ] || iHeart [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-wakeupclt-to-go-122772940/] 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.