Good morning, Huntersville.

Google Fiber is installing service lines in Huntersville and contractors are actively working in several neighborhoods.

The project is more than halfway complete + it will finish by early 2026 while state rules allow the company to work in public rights-of-way.

Blue Ridge Energy CEO Katie Woodle said that nearly a year ago Hurricane Helene left 92% of members in the dark and caused damage to 1,200 poles—power was restored in 18 days and the company launched the Mountain Strong Member Relief Fund to help affected families.

Woodle urged members to stay prepared by keeping a storm kit ready and knowing evacuation routes.

UNC Charlotte earned its highest-ever ranking in U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings when it moved up to No. 74 among public research universities and to No. 143 overall following the rankings released Sept 23.

The university also rose to No. 38 for innovation and ranked No. 69 for social mobility—results that reflect its commitment to student success and research excellence.

A new bill called Iryna’s Law was introduced Monday in the legislature to bring back the death penalty and change how executions are done.

Critics say the law’s unclear words do not address the root causes of violent crime and give the Department of Corrections too much control.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections said the unaffiliated candidate, Lia White, did not collect the required 1,200 signatures for the District 2 race—she fell 283 signatures short so incumbent Malcolm Graham will face no challengers in November.

Dry Pro Foundation and Crawlspace Specialists advise Huntersville homeowners to inspect their foundations, clean gutters and check outdoor plumbing now to prevent costlier damage when cold weather comes—experts say small signs like brick cracks or uneven floors can quickly turn into serious problems.