Charlotte Archives

Charlotte among 20 possible sites proposed for 2031 Women’s World Cup

NEW YORK (AP) — The United States Soccer Federation proposed 14 American sites among 20 possible venues to host games of the 2031 Women’s World Cup, including seven U.S. stadiums to be used for next year’s men’s tournament. FIFA has released the bid book for the 2031 and 2035 women’s tournaments. There is only one bidder for each, a U.S.-Mexico-Costa Rica-Jamaica proposal for 2031 and a United Kingdom plan for 2035. FIFA is to formally confirm the bids at its congress on April 30. Twenty-six additional U.S. stadiums were mentioned as suitable American venues for a 48-nation tournament the bidders project would draw 4.5 million fans.… Continue Reading

Officials in Charlotte vow to resist looming federal immigration crackdown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Officials and community leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, are opposing a pending federal immigration crackdown. They describe it as an invasion and urge residents to protest peacefully and record agents’ actions from a distance. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell criticizes the federal government’s approach. Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents would soon start an enforcement operation. Local organizations are training volunteers to protest and inform immigrants of their rights. President Donald Trump’s administration defends these operations as necessary for fighting crime. Local officials emphasize that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department isn’t involved in federal immigration enforcement.… Continue Reading

Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles secures Democratic nomination despite political fallout of train killing

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Democratic mayor secured a comfortable win in a primary election despite days of intense backlash following the deadly stabbing of a young Ukrainian woman on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mayor Vi Lyles is seeking a fifth term but is coming under criticism after images of the attack sparked widespread outrage from President Donald Trump and others in the Make America Great Again movement. They say the killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska shows how Democrats are too soft on people with criminal records. Democrats who challenged her in the primary have also said the mayor’s response has been insufficient.… Continue Reading

Charlotte officials under fire after man with long criminal history kills Ukrainian woman on train

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte, North Carolina, officials are facing criticism for failing to keep a man with a history of erratic behavior off the streets before he fatally stabbed a young Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train last month. Police say the 23-year-old woman who fled the war in Ukraine only to be killed in an apparently random attack in August was stabbed by a man with a long record of criminal charges and psychiatric crises. The suspect had served time in prison and been briefly committed for schizophrenia. The attack has emerged as a flashpoint in the debate over how cities are dealing with violent crime.… Continue Reading

Charlotte to host MLS All-Star game in 2026 for first time, AP source says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte will host the Major League Soccer All-Star game for the first time in 2026, according to a person familiar with the decision. MLS Commissioner Don Garber is expected to confirm the venue on Wednesday in Charlotte. The game will take place at Bank of America Stadium, home to Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers. Charlotte FC joined MLS as the 28th franchise in 2019 and began playing in 2022. This year’s All-Star game is set for Austin, Texas, with future opponents for the 2026 event yet to be announced. Charlotte recently hosted Copa America and Club World Cup games.… Continue Reading

PGA has strong field and big surprise: Jhonattan Vegas leads at 64 as stars fail to shine

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The PGA Championship has the strongest field of the majors. It was just hard to find them at Quail Hollow. Jhonattan Vegas birdied five of his last six holes for a 64. That gives the Venezuelan a two-shot lead over PGA Tour rookie Ryan Gerard and Cam Davis of Australia. Masters champion Rory McIlroy shot 74. Scottie Scheffler had a 69 and Xander Schauffele a 72. For the first time in at least 30 years, no one from the top 10 in the world was in the top 10 on the leaderboard after one round of a major.… Continue Reading

Scottie Scheffler is trending going into the PGA and inspired by Rory McIlroy’s win at the Masters

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler prefers to live in the present. He still concedes that coming to the PGA Championship off a big win doesn’t hurt. Scheffler has been lost in the mighty shadow of Rory McIlroy so far this year. McIlroy has won three big tournaments in a stretch capped off by the Masters and the career Grand Slam. McIlroy said at the start of his run that he was inspired by the play of Scheffler. Now it might be Scheffler’s turn to get inspired. They are the star attractions at a PGA Championship that so far has been soaked by heavy showers.… Continue Reading

Jae’Lyn Withers buries 7 3-pointers and North Carolina rolls past Notre Dame 76-56 in ACC Tournament

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jae’Lyn Withers scored 21 points — all on 3-pointers — and Ven-Allen Lubin had 17 points and 10 rebounds in North Carolina’s 76-56 rout of Notre Dame on the second day of the ACC Tournament. North Carolina made nine of 17 3-pointers in the first half, highlighted by Withers, who made five of six. His first three 3-pointers, all in row, helped the Tar Heels build a 17-5 lead in the opening five minutes. Later, he made two more in a 12-0 run that gave the Tar Heels a 37-17 lead. North Carolina led 43-29 at halftime. The Tar Heels extended their lead to 58-38 early in the second half. The largest lead was 24 points on two occasions. North Carolina will play Wake Forest on Thursday.… Continue Reading

Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have gone on strike during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage in North Carolina that started Monday morning. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. Airport officials say this holiday travel season is expected to be the busiest on record. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season.… Continue Reading

Charlotte airport workers voting on whether to strike during busy Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are voting on whether to go on a 24-hour strike around Thanksgiving amid complaints about low wages and poor working conditions. The vote is being taken by employees of two airport contractors who provide cabin cleaning services, trash removal and other services. The airport expects over 1 million passengers to depart from it the weekend before the holiday. The date of the proposed strike has not been announced.… Continue Reading