🌱 VP Visit + Pilot Mountain Fire + Tree Lighting

Good morning, people of Charlotte! Cassie Fambro here with a fresh copy of the Charlotte Daily.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and beautiful. High: 61 Low: 33.

Here are the top stories in Charlotte today:

1. Vice President Harris to visit Charlotte this week (Charlotte Observer)
2. Low Income Energy Assistance Program (Mecklenburg County)
3. Video: Pilot Mountain Fire Spreads To 500 acres (Charlotte Patch)
4. NC state controller wants education spending order halted (Charlotte Observer)
5. Panthers, Charlotte FC ready to kick off holidays with Tree Lighting Festival (WSOC Charlotte)

Today's Charlotte Daily is brought to you by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Charlotte!

Today in Charlotte:

• Family Storytime (Facebook Live and YouTube) (9:30 AM)
• Musical Auditions - Butler High (9:30 AM)
• Sugar Creek Branch Preschool Storytime: Just For Me (10:30 AM)
• Basketball vs Providence (AWAY) - South Mecklenburg High (10:30 AM)
• Book a Librarian: Business Research (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• 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)
• Children's Theatre of Charlotte: "Happy first night of Hanukkah! May your candles glow bright this season. #HappyHanukkah #Hanukkah #HappyHolidays" (Facebook)
• CMPD Animal Care and Control: "We're happy to be participating in Bissellpet-foundation #EmptyTheShelters once again. And it couldn't come at a better time seeing that we are at capacity. Every pet that is adopted, Bissell is making a donation toward our life saving p..." (Facebook)
• Brave Step: "Tuesday is the last day to give during our Braving a New Tomorrow campaign! We are over the moon about this final raffle item generously given by Charlotte Motor Speedway! Save up your pennies, nickels, and dimes to start a monthly pledg..." (Facebook)
• Charlotte Symphony: "Handel’s Messiah has been performed by choirs worldwide every year since 1745. The enduring oratorio returns THIS WEEKEND with the Charlotte Symphony & Charlotte Master Chorale. Tickets start at just $19! >> bit.ly/csomessiah21" (Facebook)

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Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 11)
• ACT Master Strategies In-Person Class (December 26)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Daily? Reach out anytime to charlotte@patch.com.