Good morning, Huntersville.

The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation increased its Hurricane Helene relief commitment from $500,000 to $750,000 to aid recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.

The extra funding will support small business and artisan grants and launch a Rental Assistance Program—providing three months of rental help for qualifying residents.

Mecklenburg County officials warned residents to drop off lithium-ion batteries at full-service recycling centers after four fires broke out this week at local centers and landfills — two on Monday from a medical device and an iPad battery that disrupted operations — to help prevent future fires.

A 13-year-old student died in a school bus crash on I-77 Friday — officials said police are investigating the accident.

The U.S. Small Business Administration approved over $350 million in federal disaster loans to help NC businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters recover from Hurricane Helene that struck from Sept.

25 to Dec. 28, 2024. Over $205 million went to business loans and $144 million to residents, and the agency extended physical damage loan applications—those needing support should apply before the deadline.

North Carolina lawmakers are advancing House Bill 821 to extend driver's license renewals by two years to ease long DMV wait times.

The measure passed the House Transportation Committee and now heads to the House Finance Committee — a step to give drivers more time to renew their licenses while the DMV works to improve staffing.

A Huntersville family is sharing their son's journey from a T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma diagnosis to remission as they speak up on Capitol Hill—using a recent trip to Washington to push for better care access and research funding for children.

They also published a children's book to help families understand the challenges of pediatric cancer treatment.

Edgar Quero, a top prospect for Chicago, played 15 games with the Charlotte Knights before being called up to the White Sox.