Home Care In Charlotte, NC

Venus Williams and Frances Tiafoe headline the annual tennis event focused on growing the sport through youth outreach and community engagement.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the second annual Charlotte Invitational prepares to serve up world-class tennis at the Spectrum Center, organizers say their vision extends far beyond Thursday night's matches.

The event returns with headline matchups including seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams facing Madison Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, and American star Frances Tiafoe taking on Taylor Fritz. But officials with the Charlotte Sports Foundation say the event is designed to spark lasting interest in tennis throughout the community.

"To give back to the community, to grow it with the elementary students and the kids that participated in the event yesterday, is a critical part of the whole effort that we try to make in growing and giving back to tennis in Charlotte," said Will Pitts of the Charlotte Sports Foundation.

The foundation has partnered with youth organizations and held clinics to give young players opportunities to learn from world-class athletes. For the tennis stars participating, the Charlotte event represents a chance to inspire the next generation.

"I'm always a proponent of when you do something positive for yourself, you always help others," Williams said. "You never know whose watching or whose motivated by that."

Williams emphasized the entertainment value of bringing professional tennis to Charlotte, noting that the interaction between players and fans enhances the experience.

"I think we have a lot of pressure on us to do well tonight, so you guys buckle up," Williams said. "But I think we'll get to really soak it all in and enjoy the crowd. For me, it's still important, and we're athletes and our careers are important, but we're entertainers and we want the crowd to interact with us and enjoy the night."

Keys said playing in cities without regular tennis tournaments holds special significance for players and fans alike.

"It's even more special for all of us to come to cities that don't normally have tennis tournaments and for especially kids and fans," Keys said.

For Tiafoe, returning to Charlotte was an easy decision after experiencing the city's enthusiasm for tennis during last year's inaugural event.

"I just love how much people love tennis, you know," Tiafoe said. "The appreciation they had for tennis, for me and Carlos, last year was amazing. All the people that came out, you know, Steve Smith, Andy Dalton and Andy Roddick, and everybody was great. I thought the energy was incredible. Southern hospitality is a real thing."

Tiafoe, who is making his first extended visit to the Carolinas, said community engagement events are particularly important to him as a way to pay forward the opportunities he received growing up.

"Paying it forward is a real thing. You know, I'm a product of that, right?" Tiafoe said. "We got the responsibility, especially, you know, being of color, to help kind of push that, you know, forward and and have ultimately, more people play a game that looked like us."

He emphasized that tennis can provide pathways to college and other opportunities for young people in underserved communities.

"Whether it's, you know, the college route, we're just going to HBCUs, whatever it is to give them, you know, through tennis, giving them an avenue to do something special that they wouldn't have then thought in a neighborhood, in a zip code, what they could have done," Tiafoe said. "So that's what it's about."

When asked about Charlotte's potential as a tennis destination, Tiafoe said the city has the infrastructure and fan support to host a larger tournament.

"You got the atmospheres to do it, people who actually behind it, and they love tennis here, generally," he said. "Tennis deserves to be here, and the way that, the way they appreciate it, and you see the night, you know, so it's nice to see, you know, another city show love to the Americans."

Tiafoe hinted at surprises planned for fans during Thursday's matches, though he confirmed he won't be wearing the Hornets jersey he sported at last year's event.

The Charlotte Invitational begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Spectrum Center.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Overnight rain got much of the Carolinas off to a wet start Tuesday but that wet weather won’t last all day.

Temperatures will stay cold -- as they will all week. The normal high for this time of year in Charlotte is about 58 degrees, and no day this week will come close to that.

Steady rain will last through the morning commute around Charlotte but will taper off by late morning. Clouds will even break for some sunshine during the afternoon with highs recovering to near 50 degrees.

The overnight hours will be mostly clear and colder with lows in the 20s outside of town and near 32 degrees in Charlotte.

Wednesday will be mostly sunny with highs again near 50 degrees while Thursday will bring increasing clouds with highs in the middle 50s, making it the warmest day of the week.

Another round of rain and winter weather north of town is likely late in the week, impacting parts of both Friday and Saturday. Exact details are yet to be nailed down, but First Alerts are up for both days.

Friday looks miserable with rain and cold temperatures. It will probably be cold enough at the start for snow and ice early Friday along and north of I-40, while Charlotte looks to just be wet.

Temperatures will struggle to get into the lower 40s Friday afternoon.

There is hope that any lingering rain Saturday morning will move out for the afternoon and evening hours with highs in the lower 50s. Sunday looks mostly sunny and better with mid-50s by the afternoon.

Download the free on your mobile device to receive weather alerts and to get the latest forecast on the go. You can also catch the latest forecast on WBTV’s streaming app -- find it in the app store on your smart TV or streaming device.

Cabarrus County Schools’ chief financial officer warned commissioners Monday that the lack of a state budget and other state-driven cost shifts are creating mounting stress and uncertainty for the district.

During a work session briefing to the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, CFO Phillip Penn said the district is “in a fundamentally better place” than it was a year ago, with expenses mostly aligning with projections. Cabarrus schools ended last fiscal year with a small fund balance and “essentially no margin for error,” he said. Last school year, the district discovered an $11 million budget deficit created by increased enrollment, a decrease in expected revenue and higher-than-anticipated expenses.

Penn cautioned that several major pressures, most outside the district’s control, will shape the months ahead.

State budget delay challenging for staff and planning

The absence of a state budget remains one of the district’s largest and most immediate barriers.

“We don’t control a lot of our costs,” Penn said. “The salaries are set by the state legislature. Pension costs are set by the state legislature. The healthcare costs are set by the state legislature.”

Penn said the lack of a state budget makes it difficult to plan for salary costs. Raises compound year over year, he told commissioners, so even small adjustments can significantly affect a payroll of more than $200 million. Without state direction on pay, the school district is forced to estimate what this year’s increases might be.

“We’re kind of shooting blind,” Penn said.

Teachers and school employees have not received a raise since July 2024, even as inflation has risen, he said. And beginning in January, the state health plan will shift to a structure that increases premiums, copays, deductibles and prescription drug costs. Penn said out-of-pocket maximums will reach $16,300 for families in the top tier who make at least $90,000 each year. He told commissioners those added costs will make it harder to attract and retain staff.

Cabarrus County Schools also took an unexpected hit in transportation funding after the state relied on 2023–24 ridership instead of current-year numbers, a break from standard practice, Penn said. Because bus traffic increased this year, the district received $700,000 to $800,000 less than anticipated.

The district has frozen certain spending areas and expects the issue to be corrected next year once updated data is used.

EC growth and delayed Medicaid dollars

Costs tied to exceptional children services are also rising.

Penn said the district continues to see growth in its exceptional children population and a higher concentration of student needs.

Cabarrus County Schools does not have enough in-house occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, which forces the district to rely on more expensive contracted services.

“We are required by law to provide these services,” he said.

Medicaid reimbursements, which help offset those costs, have not arrived, Penn said. CCS budgeted $950,000 this year but has received none of it, even though the state owes the district $2 million for services provided up to 28 months ago.

Looking ahead

Penn told commissioners the district should expect higher utility rates, increased routine maintenance expenses, and a major replacement of its aging finance and HR systems. He estimated the technology conversion alone at $300,000 to $400,000.

Capital requests for next year will look similar to this year’s, including Chromebooks, security cameras and paging and intercom upgrades, Penn said.

Federal agents have been spotted all over Charlotte this week, making arrests in all parts of the city.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After nearly a week in Charlotte, Border Patrol's immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte has concluded, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden announced Thursday.

In a statement, McFadden said that "Operation Charlotte's Web" has ended, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will continue to operate in Mecklenburg County.

“We will continue to build relationships, mend bridges, and listen to the voices of everyone in our community,” McFadden said. "As we move forward, I want the city of Charlotte to know, I will keep fighting for clarity, accountability, and trust. I will continue to protect this city and every single one of its citizens.”

Two United States Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News earlier in the day that Border Patrol's operation would be ending soon, "at least for now," and that Border Patrol may later return to the Queen City to resume its work.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued the following response on X addressing the situation:

"It appears that U.S. Border Patrol has ceased its operations in Charlotte. I’m relieved for our community and the residents, businesses, and all those who were targeted and impacted by this intrusion.

As we move forward, it is essential that we come together—not as separate groups divided by recent events, but as one Charlotte community. Our strength has always come from our ability to support one another, especially in challenging times. I am calling on all members of our community to join in this effort. Let us stand together, listen to one another, and recommit ourselves to the values of dignity, compassion, and unity that define our city.

Charlotte is strongest when Charlotte stands as one."

It appears that U.S. Border Patrol has ceased its operations in Charlotte. I’m relieved for our community and the residents, businesses, and all those who were targeted and impacted by this intrusion. As we move forward, it is essential that we come together—not as separate…

— Mayor Vi Lyles (@CLTMayor) November 20, 2025

Border Patrol is planning to target New Orleans next, though it's not clear when exactly the operation in Charlotte will end and the New Orleans operation will begin.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) announced federal agents had made 250 arrests as of Tuesday evening.

Federal agents have been spotted all over Charlotte this week, making arrests in all parts of the city.

There have been multiple incidents where Border Patrol reportedly apprehended U.S. citizens, including an encounter at the Eastway Crossing shopping center on Tuesday. Multiple witnesses said a man repeatedly insisted he was a U.S. citizen while being detained. Border Patrol also had a presence in the Raleigh area while in North Carolina.

WCNC Charlotte is working to confirm more information as to when Border Patrol is leaving the city.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Construction sites and neighborhoods typically bustling with Hispanic workers in Charlotte were unusually quiet on Monday amid a new Border Patrol operation in the city, WBTV found.

Throughout Charlotte, several construction sites and neighborhoods appeared barren on Monday, Nov. 17, WBTV news teams found. The empty sites came as Border Patrol agents carry out an immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte, which began over the weekend.

By Monday, officials said at least 130 people had been taken into Border Patrol custody within the first few days of its operation, dubbed “Charlotte’s Web.” It was not said where those arrested were taken, or what charges they may face, if any.

According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the 2020 census found that the “three top industries amongst Hispanics continued to be construction (21.1%), manufacturing (13.8%), and accommodation [and] food services (10.4%).”

In response to the Charlotte’s Web operation, WBTV reached out to several of North Carolina’s leading trade and lobbying groups for the industries most represented by the Hispanic workforce.

WBTV specifically asked the groups whether they were in support of the Border Patrol operation in Charlotte.

None of the industry association leaders responded to WBTV’s repeated requests for a comment.

WBTV contacted the following trade groups and did not hear back, as of this publication:

A number of businesses in the Charlotte area were responding to the Border Patrol presence by adjusting their hours, even or closing altogether.

A Charlotte bakery temporarily closed its doors on Monday. A popular international supermarket announced shorter hours this week at both its Pineville and Charlotte stores.

Reports across social media appeared to show untended yardwork throughout the city amid the federal operation. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Border Patrol agents questioning landscapers in Charlotte.

Schools across the Charlotte area were believed to have seen a significant decline in attendance on Monday amid the federal operation.

While some lawmakers and residents have expressed support for the Border Patrol operation in Charlotte, others have said the federal presence is unnecessary and creates more fear and danger in the community.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein posted a video statement on Sunday, in which he accused Border Patrol agents of “stoking fear” and “racially profiling and picking up random people.” In Mayor Lyles’ statement on Monday, she told those “feeling anxious or fearful” that they are “not alone.”

“Your city stands with you,” Lyles said. “We will continue working with community leaders, legal advocates, and service providers to make sure that resources, information, and support remain available. We are actively working with our partners to determine what more we can do to support our community while working within complicated legal boundaries.”

Over the weekend, Border Patrol’s presence in Charlotte at a demonstration in Uptown. More protests were expected throughout the week.