🌱 Unemployment Down + Gas Prices Up + Free N95 Masks Coming

Up and at 'em, Charlotte! It's Wednesday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in Charlotte.

First, today's weather:

Cooler. High: 45 Low: 23.

Here are the top stories today in Charlotte:

1. Report: Raleigh, Charlotte finances among best in nation (The Center Square)
2. North Carolina COVID-19 Hospitalizations Break Record High (Charlotte Patch)
3. North Carolina unemployment rate falls to 3.7% in December (Charlotte Observer)
4. Free N95 Masks Available At NC Publix, Harris Teeter, Walmart Soon (Charlotte Patch)
5. NC Gas Prices Up 90 cents Over Last Year (Charlotte Patch)

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Today in Charlotte:

• State of the School Address - West Charlotte High (1:00 PM)
• Equitable Small business seminar - Matthews Chamber of Commerce (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC: "The Charlotte Fire Dept. sends our heartfelt condolences to the brave FF’s of the Baltimore City FD whom lost their lives today in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the firefighter whom remains hospitalized." (Facebook)
• Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC: "We are here for you - however, we don't want this to happen to you. Ensure kerosene heaters are used correctly with plenty of clearance. #CFDPRIDE #cfdstrong #StaySafeStayAlive #4HOUSE https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/..." (Facebook)
• ArtPop Street Gallery: "“The changing of the guard.”

#ArtPopCLT Class of ’21 artist, David Bulfin (@bulfin) captured the final moments of his Cities Program Adams Outdoor Advertising billboard (@adamsoutdoor) in action as he passed the space to Class of ’22 ar..." (Instagram)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department: "January is National Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month. Did you know North Carolina ranks 9th in the U.S. in human trafficking with Charlotte #1 in the state? CMPD Analyst Kris Bechtel shares how young victims are targeted ..." (Facebook)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: "National Board Certified Teachers drive change and impact students, schools and communities. This week is #TeamNBCT week! Let's celebrate accomplished teaching and the impact that #NBCTstrong teachers have on their students. We salute th..." (Facebook)
• City of Charlotte Government: "City Council Business Meeting - January 24, 2022" (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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.