1. Raleigh, NC — (hey, RALtoday)
2. Baltimore, MD
3. Austin, TX — (what’s up, ATXtoday?)
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Charlotte, NC

Jobs

• Several Fortune 500 companies have strongholds offering career opportunities in Charlotte including:
  
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement — the Mooresville-based home improvement company employs more than 11,000 people in the Queen City.
  • Bank of America is headquartered in Uptown and has 16,000 employees in Charlotte.
  • Honeywell focuses on aerospace technology, building automation, and solutions with headquarters in Uptown near Bank of America Stadium.
  • Sonic Automotive is one of the largest automotive retailers in the US and is headquartered in Charlotte.

Cost of living

• Charlotte’s cost of living is 2% lower than the national average — including housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation.
  
  • The annual wage estimate for college graduates in Charlotte stands at $50,000.
  • The average rent for an apartment in Charlotte is currently at $1,628.

Quality of life

• Charlotte offers no shortage of events and activities to fill your social calendar — whether you’re craving a vibrant night life to grab a drink, a slice of pizza, somewhere to order brunch, or a place to go hiking, — the Queen City has it all.

• National Mojito Day at State of Confusion | Thursday, July 11 | 11 a.m.-12 a.m. | 3500 Dewitt Ln., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Savor a refreshing celebration of National Mojito Day + $2 off mojitos all day long.
• North End Farmers Market | Thursday, July 11 | 4-8 p.m. | Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Soak up the lively atmosphere while buying from local farmers and artisans.

• The Literary Lounge | Friday, July 12 | 5-8 p.m. | That’s Novel Books, 300 Camp Rd., Charlotte | Free | Join fellow storytellers and meet local authors at this community event.
• River Jam: Florencia & The Feeling | Friday, July 12 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | $12 | Spend an evening seeing the pop/funk fusion band perform live.
• Charlotte Knights vs. Durham Bulls | Friday, July 12 | 7:04 p.m. | Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St., Charlotte | $19+ | Spend the night at the ballpark watching the Knights face the Bulls.

• Southern Lion Grand Opening | Saturday, July 13 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Carolina Place Mall, 11033 Carolina Pl. Pkwy., Pineville | Free | Celebrate one of the most extensive curated shopping experiences in the South with 150+ vendors.
• Pep Rally for the 2024 US Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team | Saturday, July 13 | 1-2:30 p.m. Providence Day School, 5800 Sardis Rd., Charlotte | $24 | Join a thrilling pep rally to honor the 2024 US Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team before their trip to Paris.
• Water Lantern Festival | Saturday, July 13 | 6-10 p.m. | Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Rd., Charlotte | $28+ | Prepare to see thousands of floating lanterns released at sunset over the water.

• 70,644 people crowded into Bank of America Stadium to see Colombia defeat Uruguay 1-0 in last night’s Copa América semifinal. Colombia will face Argentina in this Sunday’s final match in Miami. Charlotte will host the third-place match between Uruguay and Canada on Saturday. (WCNC)

• What was that sound? Duke Energy tested nuclear sirens yesterday at the Catawba and McGuire nuclear stations in both York and Huntersville. The quarterly tests are done to ensure all of the equipment works properly. (WCNC)

• A new apartment project broke ground at 2300 N. Tryon St. The 307-unit, five-story apartment community will be located in the city’s Lockwood neighborhood north of Uptown. California-based Fairfield Residential anticipates the first units will be finished in late 2025, with full completion in 2026. (Charlotte Business Journal)

• Matthews Fire Station #1 is about to be fully staffed with 12 new hires. The department has previously struggled to meet demands of the growing town. A $9 million construction project for a new station on Matthews Mint Hill Road is underway. (Queen City News)

• Got a sweet tooth? A new Mexican bakery is now open in Rock Hill. La Estrella Pasteleria offers cakes, pastries, bread, and snow cones. Stop by at Mount Gallant Plaza between Cherry and Celanese roads. (Rock Hill Herald)

• Mallard Creek High School graduate Kaylyn Brown is going to Paris for the 2024 Olympics after qualifying for Team USA. The 19-year-old was among six athletes named to the American relay pool for Track & Field — posting the second-fastest 400-meter time in the US this year. (WCNC)

• A Union County K-9 helped reunite a non-verbal child with his family after being found alone along Waxhaw Indian Trail Road. Deputy B. Belk and bloodhound Remi used a reverse K-9 track and successfully found the boy’s home thanks to Remi’s powerful sense of smell. (WCNC)

• Have the Carolina Panthers’ offense done enough to help Bryce Young? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
  

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• If your last credit card bill sent a chill down your spine — even in this heat — it might be time for a balance transfer. The Ascent recommends these four cards with 0% APR for up to 18 months. (You could have almost two years to avoid interest charges.) *

• Download the ECW+G App on Google Play or App Store.
• Earn points on the ‘Flavor Passport’ — taste your way through the menu and earn points by dining from each section. Pro tip: The first order from each section of the menu earns extra points.

• Gold: free chicken wings for a year
• Silver: $50 gift card
• Bronze: $25 gift card