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Sunrise 6:41 a.m. | Sunset 8:13 p.m.
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⚽️ Kicking off a new era

Professional women’s soccer team to debut in Charlotte
A Carolina Ascent player kicks a soccer ball on a sunny day.
Carolina Ascent is gearing up for a sold-out crowd for its Inaugural Home Opener. | Photo by CLTtoday
A goal for Charlotte. Carolina Ascent FC, Charlotte’s newest and only professional women’s team, will soon take the pitch as one of eight cities in the USL Super League, a new Division One professional women’s soccer league.

The team will play at American Legion Memorial Stadium, a historic pitch that once hosted Charlotte’s first professional soccer team, the Carolina Lightnin’, in 1981.

“We want to give our fans something to come back and be excited about,” said Head Coach Philip Poole.

Women’s professional sports in Charlotte
The Ascent is the first professional women’s sports team in Charlotte since the WNBA Charlotte Sting played their final game in 2007.

The Charlotte Lady Eagles were members of the USL W League between 2002-2015 before joining the Women’s Premier Soccer League (a top amateur league) for the 2019 season.

“It’s even bigger than just our team,” said Defender Vicky Bruce. “It’s to give back to those little girls that are going to be in the stands and now have local athletes to look up to.”

A Carolina Ascent player running drills with Coach Poole.

Eight team members for the Carolina Ascent are either from Charlotte or the Charlotte region and are excited to play at home.

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Photo by CLTtoday

Gameday details

Carolina Ascent will play seven home games.

The home opener is Saturday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. Season tickets and single match tickets are on sale. The gates open at 5 p.m. for season ticket holders and 5:30 p.m. for the general public.

Pro tip: Only 10% of tickets are unclaimed so purchase them ASAP.

The pitch will open for families and children during select home games to get on the field and get players’ autographs.

Pre-game party

The team is hosting a free “Basecamp Bash” at Independence Park. From 3–6 p.m., fans can enjoy food trucks, drinks, a rock climbing wall, and obstacle courses. Fans can march to the pitch after the festivities.

“We’re just ready to show Charlotte what we’re about,” added Bruce.
Asked

How many total games will Carolina Ascent play this season?
A. 12
B. 14
C. 16
D. 18
Take your shot
 
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 13
Wednesday, Aug. 14
Thursday, Aug. 15
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
  • Tax deadlines for Carolina residents have been extended following Tropical Storm Debby. The IRS announced any filing or payment deadlines on or after Aug. 3 are now due by Feb. 3, 2025.
Transit
  • City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and city leaders are asking voters to approve a one-cent sales tax. The money would pay for a transit plan involving the Silver and Red lines. (WBTV)
Traffic
  • Express lanes on I-485 are expected to open by late summer 2025. NCDOT is adding an express lane in each direction between I-77 and US 74 + a general-purpose lane between Rea and Providence roads. (The Charlotte Observer)
Number
  • $750 — That’s how much the average Charlotte family will spend during back to school shopping. According to a survey by Deloitte, that’s nearly 30% higher than the national average. (WCNC)
Opening
  • Harriet’s Hamburgers will open at The Bowl at Ballantyne on Tuesday, Aug. 20. This will be the burger joint’s first standalone restaurant but second location in the Charlotte area. The restaurant at 15109 Bowl St. will open at 11 a.m.
Closing
  • Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Co. will serve its final beer on Sunday, Aug. 18. The Concord brewery is known for its Reptar Juice and Unicorn Milk brews. The brewery is holding sales and events to commemorate its eight year run.
Real Estate
  • The asking price for Merancas Island, a 4.5-acre property on Lake Norman, has been slashed. The estate features a primary home, guest house, and tennis courts. It’s on the market for $15 million. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Feel Good
  • The Carolina Raptor Center released its 10,000th raptor over the weekend. The Red-tailed Hawk was found near a sludge pond in June and spent weeks under rehab to exercise its feathers before being released.
Try This
  • Birdsong Brewing is inviting guests to join them in the Pride Parade on Sunday, Aug. 18. The brewery is asking for interested walkers to register. Be on the lookout for our full guide on this weekend’s festivities.
Sports
  • A rough start to the preseason for the Carolina Panthers, falling 17-3 in New England. What’s being done to prepare for the Jets this weekend? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
 
Edu

💻 AI meets sustainability

Nonprofit teaches AI, sustainability to students
Two hands on a mac keyboard with a programming screen open.
Innovate Tech Charlotte teaches students to use AI to create sustainable solutions to environmental issues. | Photo via Canva
Since 2010, there’s been a 91% growth in the tech sector workforce. With growth comes growing pains — more traffic and lower air quality, food deserts, and shrinking water resources. Innovate Tech Charlotte looks to change that.

The nonprofit teaches students to use technology, like AI, to make sustainability attainable. By creating sensors to measure air quality, water quality, and carbon emissions, students are growing toward a brighter future.

“We believe all technology should be used for good,” said Paul Day, Program Director at Innovate Tech Charlotte.

The organization acts as a bridge for students to pursue a high-paying job.

Pro tip: Enrollment is open for K-12 students to get involved in the Sustainability and STEM Program.

“AI isn’t something that we can just use in school. It’s something that we can be using to better our communities and to protect our civilization now and preserve our futures,” added Day.
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Answered

Yesterday, we asked for your favorite memory at Queen City Quarter, formerly the Epicentre:
CLTtoday_Queen City Quarter_Aug 2024

Formerly known as the Epicentre, Queen City Quarter has added several new dining spots since the start of 2024.

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Photo by CLTtoday

Several new restaurants and shops have opened at Queen City Quarter, a sign of good things to come. Looking back on the district, we wanted to know your best memory.

One person said “Alive After Five.” This event happened on Thursdays and provided a happy hour and free entertainment to visitors.

City Editor Maria, here. One of my earliest memories was seeing “Bohemian Rhapsody” with my parents at Studio Movie Grill shortly after moving to Charlotte.
6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
Headshot of CLTtoday author Maria Delgado

Today’s edition by:
Maria
From the editor
Another opening I’m excited about —MaBí Cocina Tropical in NoDa. This is in the former Figo 36 space. They’ll serve Dominican dishes like pastelitos, empanadas, and chicharrones. As a proud Puerto Rican, all these menu items make my mouth water because it’s food I grew up eating.
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