👋 TGIF! It's McKenzie.

🌧️ Today's weather: Sunny then chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 94 and a low of 71.

🎂 Happy birthday to our members Donald Ennis, Brian Dean, John Hartnett, Kristen Lutynski, Mary Sherrill and Kate Smith!

This newsletter is 973 words, a 3.5-minute read

Don't let these toasty temperatures fool you — fall foliage is coming.

Why it matters: North Carolinians love a trip to the mountains to see signs of autumn, also known as leaf peeping.

The latest: Fall foliage is pretty minimal right now in Western North Carolina, according to travel brand smokymountains.com's 2026 fall foliage map. Color will pick up across the state over the next five weeks, particularly in mid-to-late October. Keep in mind, things can change quickly.

What they're saying: "While we've been sweltering in the 90s in Charlotte most of September, it has been a bit cooler (70s & lower 80s) in the mountains and that's helping to bring just a hint of color in the highest elevations around Boone and along the Blue Ridge Parkway at this time," says Al Conklin, Chief Meteorologist with our news partners WBTV.

Zoom in: Temperatures at night have been fairly mild in the mountains, Conklin says. Meaning they're seeing temperatures in the 50s rather than the necessary lows of the 40s or 30s to spur on a visible change.

Zoom out: North Carolina has struggled with drought conditions this year. Charlotte remains roughly 8 inches below normal rainfall year-to-date, Conklin says, but the mountains have seen more precipitation.

What we're watching: If temperatures remain warm, you may see duller red leaves, according to Conklin. Warmer temperatures could also delay some trees, such as maple trees, from turning. Plus, increased temperatures could result in overall a less vibrant display compared to prior years.

The bottom line: As long as there isn't another big heat wave in October, Conklin expects decent color this season.

Send this to your leaf peeping buddy

📆 See what's going on around the city.

• Mecktoberfest at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery - Lower Southend Location Sept 18 - 20: Park in one of OMB's 120 FREE parking spots and prost with Das Boot to the sound of live German music this weekend. Test your strength at stein-holding Saturday from 4-6. Prost!
• Nourish Up Young Professionals After Hours at Nourish Up Hunger Hub Sept 23: Join us for the Hunger Hub After Hours Mission Tour. Charlotte Young Professionals, mingle with others at this free event while learning how to get involved at Nourish Up.
• Science & Sips at Resident Culture Brewing Sept 24: Join Discovery Place to raise a glass to science, learn the chemistry behind glass etching and design your own pint glass. $30.
• Pink Pint Night at NoDa Brewing Company Sept 24: This is a FUNdraising event with live music, an online auction and great food, all supporting Project PINK, providing life-saving mammograms for local women in need.
• Bugs Bunny at the Symphony at Belk Theater Sept 25 - 26: Experience the timeless hilarity of Bugs Bunny and the whole Looney Tunes crew on the big screen, with the CSO performing the original scores live — perfectly synchronized to every chase, crash, and bit of cartoon shenanigans.
• Charlotte Walk for Water at McAlpine Creek Park Sept 26: Every day, Neema and Recho walk for unsafe water. Millions share their burden. Join the Walk for Water to experience their journey and help bring lasting change.
• 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.
• Carolina Clay Matters Fall Pottery Festival at McAlpine Business Park Oct 10: Experience the ceramic artistry of 80+ local artists at our Fall 2026 Pottery Festival! This annual event brings together seasoned professionals & emerging ceramicists from the greater Charlotte area

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

UNC-Chapel Hill says defensive coordinator Steve Belichick will resign from the football program next month following an investigation that also cost general manager Michael Lombardi his job.

Why it matters: Both men were hand-picked by head coach Bill Belichick, whose time at Carolina has been beset by scandals.

• Steve Belichick is Bill Belichick's son.

Zoom in: Steve Belichick will leave Carolina when a period of medical leave ends on Oct. 27, per the university. He hasn't been on the field this season.

• Neither has Lombardi, whose resignation took effect Sept. 3.

Between the lines: UNC hasn't said what the investigation was about or why Steve Belichick is on medical leave.

What they're saying: University spokesperson Dean Stoyer released what was labeled a "final statement" Thursday morning, saying the investigation into the football program was over.

• "The investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct. The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and not a systemic failure," Stoyer wrote.

State of play: The Tar Heels are off to a 2-0 start, and look to have improved from last season.

• Bill Belichick ended his first season at UNC with a disappointing 4-8 record.

What's next: The Heels play Clemson at noon Saturday.

Full story

🧘‍♀️ CorePower Yoga, a popular yoga chain, opened its South End location this week and plans to open a fourth Charlotte location later this year. The South End location is at 124 E Kingston Ave. Suite 124-B.

🏦 Charlotte-area banks raised their prime lending rate to 7% after the Federal Reserve's latest hike, a move that could ripple through local borrowing costs. (WFAE)

A Charlotte 6-year-old and her mother have been detained by ICE after being misled by a "fake lawyer" in their asylum case, according to local immigration advocates. (Observer)

🏀 Hornets games will stream on DAZN this season. (NBA)

🎬 🎶 Film composer Hans Zimmer will perform at Spectrum Center March 9, 2027. (Ticketmaster)

🏆 Special Olympics North Carolina is looking for volunteers for its annual Fall Tournament, Nov. 12-14, at venues across Charlotte, Concord and Cornelius. (SONC)

We love hot homes that lean into character like this Plaza Midwood property that blends a few textured kitchen elements to add some personality.

1720 Thomas Ave. — $1,075,000

Zoom in: 3 beds, 2 baths and 1,796 square feet

• Notable features include a shaded porch, hardwood floors, open concept, concrete countertops, walk-in closet, shaded patio, detached workshop space and fenced-in yard.

More hot homes

College football returns to Bank of America Stadium this weekend.

Why it matters: The annual Duke's Mayo Classic is one of several Charlotte Sports Foundation events that generate millions in economic impact for the city.

What to expect: Virginia will face West Virginia at 7:30pm on Saturday, Sept. 19. Both teams head to Charlotte undefeated.

• There will be a free fan fest outside the stadium from 1:30-6:30pm with plenty of mayo, plus live music, food and drinks, a kids zone and a food truck showdown.

Dig in: Each of the six local food trucks in the competition created a dish featuring Duke's Mayo that you get to vote on. The winner will be announced during the game. Participating food trucks include:

• Endless Soulfood
• Burger Box
• Say Cheez 518
• Blasian Asian Way
• 22 Street Kitchen
• OooWee BBQ

If you go: Tickets start at $87.41.

🎸 I'm jealous of everyone heading to Shaky Knees in Atlanta this weekend. Shaky Knees, if you're ever looking to expand, I know a city.

🧘‍♀️ Ashley is excited for Flow Fest at the Whitewater Center this weekend.

🎶 Alex will bump a Hans Zimmer score from time to time.

🚘 Alexis is hitting the road for Tennessee today but thinks she'll need another trip to catch the fall foliage.

🥵 Melissa, who edited this newsletter, is tired of seeing highs in the 90s. It's time for fall!