🌱 Cheaper Gas Rates + Christmas Cheer + School Threat Busted

Happy Wednesday, Charlotte! Here's everything you need to know going on in Charlotte today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and milder. High: 57 Low: 25.

Here are the top stories today in Charlotte:

1. Someone In Charlotte Won $2 Million And Hasn't Claimed It Yet (Charlotte Patch)
2. Piedmont Natural Gas seeks approval to reduce customer billing rates in the Carolinas (Duke Energy News Center)
3. Woman Killed, Suspected Killer Leads Police On 2-State Chase (Charlotte Patch)
4. 16-Year-Old Charged With Making School Threat On Instagram (Charlotte Patch)
5. Purple Heart Recipient Receives New Mortgage-Free Home in Charlotte, Thanks to PulteGroup's Built to Honor® Program (The Bakersfield Californian)

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Today in Charlotte:

From my notebook:

• CMPD Animal Care and Control: "FOUND CAT - Orange and white, maine coon - Found near 14441 Southbridge Forest Dr on December 19, 2021 - Contact jim.wallace@protonmail.com" (Facebook)
• CMPD Animal Care and Control: "The most rewarding moments for our shelter veterinarian, Dr. Julie, are when “I can tell an owner that we helped their pet, that they don’t have to give them up, that they can go home!” Thanks to your continued support we can offer the b..." (Facebook)
• CMPD Animal Care and Control: "We do everything in our power to save as many animals as we can. This album was created specifically for rescue groups to see the animals in need of rescue and specific needs before going to general adoption. Shares are encouraged but on..." (Facebook)
• Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC: "Cheers from Station 24 "In the Eye of the Storm!" Opened in 1981, the station provides service to the Carmel Rd and Hwy 51 areas- know as "Lightning Alley." #PlanAndPracticeAHomeEscapePlan #StaySafeStayAlive #CFDPRIDE #CFDstrong" (Facebook)
• CMPD Animal Care and Control: "Adoptable Cheko says "Thanks for all the goodies!!" A HUGE thank you to everyone who has sent holiday gifts for the shelter animals from our Amazon Wish Lists, and to those who fulfilled our special needs of puppy and kitten food in the ..." (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Cassie Fambro

About me: A Texas-native, I've spent most of my life in Alabama but have recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. I have an avid interest in motorsports, so this makes the Carolinas an ideal region to call home. I have a decade of experience in journalism, graduating from the University of South Alabama with honors in journalism with a double major in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. I spent roughly five years of my career in front of a camera in TV news but I have spent years in print journalism and even earned a couple of cool awards like an Edward R. Murrow award along the way. I enjoy covering stories in education, healthcare, government and most of all, stories that directly help people and improve their lives in some way. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner Matt, and our two cats, Kenly and Gotenks, going to new restaurants and hanging out at racetracks.