Good morning, this is Charlotte Local Pulse for Thursday, June 19, 2025.
We start today with breaking news from overnight in northeast Charlotte, where a house fire on Grays Mill Road left two people injured. First responders worked into the night, and both individuals are now recovering. Fire officials remind us that today marks the city’s participation in a statewide smoke alarm safety push, so it may be a good time to check your alarms at home.
We’re also waking up under a flash flood warning for Mecklenburg County. Overnight storms brought heavy rain, delaying more than 400 flights at Charlotte Douglas International. Be cautious if you’re headed out, especially near low-lying areas. Today will stay humid with scattered storms possible throughout the afternoon, so keep an umbrella handy if you’re headed to work or out for Juneteenth celebrations.
On that note, most Mecklenburg County offices, recreation centers, and pools are closed today for the Juneteenth holiday. However, parks and nature preserves remain open, so families can still enjoy the outdoors. If you need to report urgent city issues, remember CharMeck 311 is running with limited hours, but emergencies should always go to 911.
At city hall, the latest updates include a renewed push for storm preparedness as hurricane season approaches, following last month’s brief system that caused minor flooding along Brookshire Boulevard. City officials encourage all of us to review our emergency kits and stay informed.
In community safety news, neighbors in a local area showed remarkable vigilance yesterday, helping police apprehend a 33-year-old man accused of indecent exposure at a Charlotte skate park. CMPD thanked the public for their quick action, and patrols will remain increased at parks for the next few days. There are no reports of violent crimes overnight, but the police are still investigating a homicide from last week in Steele Creek.
Turning to business and real estate, Charlotte’s job market continues to show resilience, with several tech and logistics firms announcing around 300 new positions this month. The local housing market remains tight, with average home prices hovering just above five hundred thousand dollars, and new listings are picking up slightly as we head into summer.
Culturally, the city is alive with Juneteenth events across various neighborhoods. This evening, a music festival at Romare Bearden Park will feature bands and food trucks, with more celebrations planned through the weekend. For families, Discovery Place Science is hosting free admission for kids today, and the Mint Museum is offering extended hours.
In sports, local high school teams wrapped up their spring seasons with Myers Park High’s baseball squad clinching the state semifinals, while the Charlotte FC faces Atlanta United this Saturday at Bank of America Stadium, promising a high-energy match.
And finally, a feel-good story: volunteers at Second Harvest Food Bank distributed a thousand meals yesterday to families in need. Their teamwork and generosity continue to make Charlotte a stronger community.
This has been Charlotte Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
