Hello, Wednesday! It's Ashley, who can't wait to see your Home of the Year nominations.

☀️ Weather: Sunny. High 89. Low 63.

🍰 Happy birthday to our members Hanna Kirlin, Melanie Richardson, Emily Harry and Michelle Springhetti!

This newsletter is 985 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Babaloo Coffee Club is expanding to South Charlotte.

Why it matters: The globally inspired coffee shop is opening its second location less than two years after husband-and-wife owners Manny Pérez Ochoa and Carolina Maury debuted Babaloo in a tiny South End storefront.

What to expect: The new shop, in Rea Farms, will be around 1,500 square feet — about three times the size of the South End flagship, with more indoor seating, an outdoor area and a small kitchen, Pérez Ochoa tells Axios.

• The kitchen will allow Babaloo to increase its food offerings, such as pastries and empanadas.

Yes, but: Pérez Ochoa says the goal is to maintain Babaloo's small, cozy feel while giving customers more food options. Its creative coffees and matchas will remain the focus.

• The South End shop has operated largely for takeout and drinks only, with a couple of tables inside.

Sip on this: The fall menu includes pumpkin spice cheesecake, banana brûlée and Pérez Ochoa's favorite, the Snickers matcha.

What's next: Babaloo is targeting a late October or November opening. An exact date hasn't been set.

Stop by: 9825 Sandy Rock Pl., by Little Mama's.

• Babaloo's South End flagship is at 1425 Winnifred St.

Full story

See what's going on around the city.

• Thursdays At The Turf: Alexa Jenson at The Turf at Commonwealth Sept 17: Enjoy live music at Thursdays At The Turf this fall, running September through November. Grab your shades, bring a blanket, and settle in for a rotating lineup of featured artists each week.
• Science on the Rocks at Discovery Place Science Sept 18: Grab a cocktail, see a science show and explore three floors of hands-on exhibits at this adults-only night at the museum. $24+.
• Carolina Ascent vs Ft. Lauderdale UTD at American Legion Memorial Stadium Sept 19: Hispanic Heritage Night sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Carolina Ascent hosts Brooklyn FC at ALMS Sept 19 — celebrating Hispanic & Latino culture, community & soccer.
• A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shakespeare in the Park at The Barn at the McAlpines Sept 19-Oct 11: Don't miss this free family-friendly outdoor show. Pack a picnic, grab a chair or blanket, and join for a hilarious, high-energy A Midsummer Night's Dream. Presented by Shepherd Shakespeare Company.
• Free Webinar: How to Buy Your First Home in Charlotte Sept 23: Buying your first CLT home? A local expert walks you through mortgages, offers, and due diligence in one free session. No stress, just a plan. Sign up.
• A Discussion with Merrill Eisenhower at the Knight Theater Sept 30: Merrill Eisenhower, great grandson of President Eisenhower, reflects on Eisenhower's role documenting the Holocaust & preserving its history. The Greenspon Center carries forward his legacy of service, remembrance, and education.
• Richard Sheltra Memorial 10k, 5k & Fun Run at Belle Johnston Community Center Oct 3: The race benefits the Richard Sheltra Memorial Foundation. $40-$60.
• 1hr/wk Elementary Volunteer Tutors Needed at Various Charlotte-Area Elementary Schools: Volunteers needed to play math games and build confidence! Choose the school, day & time that work for you. With our fun curriculum and on-site coordinator, you'll help a child build important skills.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

President Trump will rally in Gastonia, N.C., today for U.S. Senate Republican nominee Michael Whatley.

Why it matters: Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair, is getting a boost from Trump as he trails in the polls behind the more widely known former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who could flip the seat.

• Cooper has an 11% lead over Whatley in the latest Elon University Poll.

Driving the news: Trump is scheduled to speak at 7pm at Gastonia Municipal Airport.

• Expect traffic delays and soft road closures starting around 10am, according to Gastonia police. Roads will be shut down in the area, especially around Union Road and Gaston Day School Road, beginning around 5:30pm and into the night.
• Police are advising people to avoid the area altogether in the afternoon or evening or take another route.

What they're saying: A single event is unlikely to significantly alter the course of this race, but the rally will still catapult Whatley's name into the news cycle, says Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University with no relation to Roy Cooper.

• "At the end of the day, people need to know who you are to get the majority of the votes," Cooper says. "That remains Michael Whatley's biggest problem."

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TSA's new Gateside program is expected to come to Charlotte Douglas International Airport this fall, a TSA spokesperson tells Axios.

Why it matters: The program lets eligible visitors who aren't flying meet or accompany friends and relatives at the gate.

How it works: The Gateside program is free for TSA PreCheck members (people with Known Traveler Numbers).

• You can apply here, and create or open your login.gov account one to three days before you head to the airport. If you're bringing children, include them on your application, Axios' Erin Alberty writes.
• Your account dashboard will show your approval for the program.
• Bring your REAL ID, passport or other acceptable ID to TSA PreCheck at the airport and log into your dashboard to show the approval for any accompanying children.

What's next: There are currently 13 participating airports, and none of them are located on the East Coast, TSA's website shows.

• Additional airports, including CLT and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, will be added in phases. CLT is expected to be added in October.
• See the full list of participating airports here.

Keep reading

🎶 Kenny Chesney is coming back to Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 21, 2027. He will be joined by Eric Church, Sheryl Crow and Greylan James.(Axios)

🎤 Ed Sheeran's opening acts have left his tour after rapper Macklemore was dropped from the tour after Macklemore's pro-Palestinian comments onstage. (AP)

• Sheeran's tour is scheduled to stop in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 17.

📜 Mecklenburg County Commissioners voted last night to proclaim Sept. 25 Dolly Parton Day, honoring the late icon. The date, 9/25, represents her popular song "9 to 5" from the 1980 comedy film.

🏟️ The Panthers and Bank of America have launched 3rd & Goal, intended to address mental and physical wellness in children through literacy (Read 20), movement (Play 60) and well-being (Feel 100). Around 10,000 students across North and South Carolina are expected to be impacted by the program, per a release.

Axios Social Club brings together curious locals for good food, good conversation and a night out with people you might never meet otherwise.

How it works: Take a quick quiz, reserve your seat and we'll match you with five fellow locals at one of our favorite restaurants.

Here's the twist: You won't find out your restaurant or dinner crew until the day of the event.

• After dinner, all the tables meet up at a surprise afterparty.

If you go: Join us Oct. 6 at 6:30pm in South End.

• Tickets are $15.99 per person.
• Food and drinks are purchased separately.

👉 Come hungry. We'll handle the rest.

🚘 Nourish Up needs volunteer drivers to help deliver food around Mecklenburg County. Learn how to volunteer here.

🎶 McKenzie has "Silver Jubilee" by Audrey Hobert stuck in her head.

🗳️ Alex thinks you should check your voter registration.

😋 Alexis loves a seasonal drink from Babaloo but their strawberry matcha is her favorite.

☕️ Melissa, who edited this newsletter, has for years wanted a coffee mug with the words "cup of ambition", but she has never been able to find it in a latte size.