Wake Forest University School of Medicine at The Pearl is expected to welcome its first class of medical students by July 2025. | Photo by CLTtoday
Charlotte’s first-ever medical school is here: Wake Forest University School of Medicine at The Pearl is welcoming students this July and preparing to become an innovative, mixed-use development in Midtown.
The lobby of the Howard R. Levine Center for Education was designed to be bright and airy.
Photo by CLTtoday
Fast facts
7,200+ surgeons trained annually
1,900 students, residents, and fellows
1,000+ active clinical trials
What’s next
Recently, Siemens Healthineers announced its investment of $141 million in The Pearl and is building a 60,000-sqft, two-floor building to help healthcare providers digitize and transform care delivery.
IRCAD, a world-renowned surgical-training institute, will set up its North American headquarters with programs slated to begin in September.
Over the next 15 years, The Pearl is expected to create 5,000+ jobs and more than 11,500 across the region.
Asked
Asked
What would you like to see in the Innovation District?
A. Unique, local dining options B. More housing C. Public art displays D. Other
Jon G’s BBQ Pop-Up | 2-10 p.m. | Town Brewing Co. | Free | Savor brisket and barbecue + a special lager brewed for the occasion.
Wednesday Night Yoga at Lenny Boy | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | $5 | Enjoy a cold kombucha after an hour-long yoga class.
Thursday, June 5
ArtBreak at the Gantt | 12-12:30 p.m. | Harvey B. Gantt Center | Free | Take a guided tour exploring the museum’s monthly theme, “Freedom in Black and White.”
Hook, Line, & Watercolor | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Primal Brewery Belmont, Belmont | $25+ | Lure your creativity with a beginner-friendly watercolor class creating fishing lures and more.
A curated, food-centered experience called How Sanguine will open at Camp North End on Saturday, June 14. The brand is built around personal chef Montrel Little and influencer Chann Daily, who will host public and membership-only culinary events, private dining experiences, and hands-on cooking classes.
Civic
Charlotte City Council cast straw votes on the proposed $3.6 billion budget, which includes investments in infrastructure, employee pay raises, and city service changes. The final adoption vote is on Monday, June 9. See the financial breakdown. (WCNC)
Closing
The CVS Pharmacy near South Boulevard and East Brooklyn Village Avenue is closing permanently. It’s one of 271 stores closing as part of the company’s restructuring plan. The last day is Tuesday, June 24.
Number
7.5% — the average rise in home insurance premiums in 2025 and 2026 in North Carolina. The rate hike is part of a two-year settlement to avoid steeper increases originally proposed by the North Carolina Rate Bureau. The increase went into effect Sunday, June 1.
Have you heard of a “dirty soda?” Swig soda shop has been open for one week in Indian Land, serving the viral drink and backing traffic onto Charlotte Highway. Don’t want to wait in line? Consider visiting the newly-opened Banana Bar in Belmont.
Fun Fact
Piedmont Town Center is celebrating 20 years in South Charlotte. Mark your calendar for Monday, June 9. The luxury retail destination is celebrating with interactive giveaways valued at $5,000+ and anniversary menus at its restaurants.
Sports
The Charlotte Checkers are one win away from hoisting the Calder Cup with pride. The team is up 3-0 against Laval in a best-of-seven series. They play tonight at Bojangles Coliseum + tickets are still on sale. Go Checkers!
Listen
The Hornets are over the salary cap with a 19-win team — what does this mean for Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball? Go beyond the front office for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Announced
If you didn’t win our euphoria2025 Giveaway, don’t worry. While many euphoria2025 events are already sold out, there are still plenty of opportunities to indulge in the festivities. See the full lineup.*
Number
3. That’s how many minutes it takes to learn AI skills with Superhuman AI, a newsletter filled with AI how-tos, tools, and news. Subscribe for free.*
Category
Plan Ahead
🍌 Ready for bananas
The Savannah Bananas are sure to entertain through baseball and dance routines. | Photo via WCNC
City Editor Maria, here. If you purchased tickets, you may have just received your seat assignment like I did yesterday. So, I’m sharing all the information I know.
Ticket availability
Tickets are sold out through the team’s platform but can be found on StubHub or SeatGeek starting at $113.
Tickets will be available through your Banana Ball account on game day + can be transferred to another person now that seats have been assigned.
Game day gear
Haven’t attended a game? Fear not, because there are plenty of options to get the perfect merchandise.
Tents will be set up outside BofA starting Thursday, June 5 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Keep your pet healthy, happy, and pampered with these top-rated products:
🐾 Vet-approved probiotic chews that support your furry friend’s gut and immune health.
💧 This no spill water bowl that’s splash-proof, non-slip, and easy to clean.
🦷 Tartar and plaque-removing dental cleaning powder that can be mixed into your pet’s kibble.
💅 An efficient and precise nail grinder with a handy LED light and three speed levels.
🐱 A rechargeable automatic feeder with customizable feeding schedules + portion sizes.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
It’s an exciting time to be a sports fan in Charlotte. Not only is Carolina Ascent FC in the playoffs, but the Checkers are so close to winning the Calder Cup again. And they’re the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, who are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. My eyes are on the ice this week.
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