Charlotte

CHARLOTTE – October 27, 2026 -- If you smell natural gas, leave immediately and call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800.752.7504 or 911 from somewhere safe. The utility issued the reminder as temperatures fall and furnaces switch on.

Mercaptan gives odorless gas a rotten-egg smell

Natural gas has no smell on its own. Utilities inject an odorant called mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs, so leaks are easy to notice.

Leaks can also be seen and heard

Smell is not the only warning sign. Piedmont says leaks can cause bubbling water, blowing dirt or dead plants. Sinkholes or exposed pipe may also appear, and a hissing sound can come from near a gas line or meter.

New York – October 21, 2026 -- RVO Health's Script Portability technology lets consumers see their pharmacy options, with cost and convenience details, before a prescription is sent. The company has now received its third U.S. patent covering the capability.

A third patent joins two earlier ones in the Siegel family

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted U.S. Patent No. 12,580,060 B2. The earlier patents in the same family are No. 11,651,843 and No. 12,119,098.

Charlotte, N.C. – October 15, 2026 -- Guests at more than 650 participating Extended Stay America hotels can now find voter registration information on-site ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

STAY Counted offers information in person and online

The program is called STAY Counted. Extended Stay America describes it as a nonpartisan initiative that helps eligible guests and team members access voter registration resources.

Information is available on esa.com, on the @ExtendedStay social media channels and in email newsletters. It is also available on-site at the participating locations. All of these channels direct people to official state and federal elections resources.

Rules differ from state to state

Registration eligibility, requirements and deadlines vary by state, according to the company. Guests should check the official resources the program links to for the rules where they live.

Charlotte – October 14, 2026 -- Hunter Chevrolet, formerly Victory Chevrolet, will hold its Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at 717 Rhyne Road, with a complimentary five-day cruise offered on eligible vehicle purchases.

Charlotte basketball legend Muggsy Bogues makes a guest appearance

The free, family-friendly event is open to local residents and customers. Visitors can meet the Hunter Chevrolet team and watch for a special appearance by Muggsy Bogues.

Face painting, food, music and prize drawings fill the afternoon

Kids can get their faces painted and try balloon making. Food and music are on the schedule, and guests will have chances to win TVs, iPads and event tickets.

Houston – October 13, 2026 -- WavEnforcer, the 40-year-old men's grooming brand from Firstline Brands, has named NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth its first celebrity brand ambassador, with social content live on Instagram and TikTok since October 9, 2026.

The partnership launched at Charlotte Motor Speedway

The deal began at the EcoSave 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday, October 9, 2026. Caruth drove the #77 Chevy Silverado for Spire Motorsports, with WavEnforcer by Firstline Brands as an associate sponsor. The program combines social media content with event activations aimed at a new generation of men looking to step up their grooming.

Caruth's hair routine is part of his identity

"My hair is a huge part of my culture and identity," Caruth said. He added that WavEnforcer products help him maintain his style while training, traveling and relaxing.

Charlotte – October 13, 2026 -- Women are being urged to discuss their personal blood clot risk with a healthcare professional this World Thrombosis Day, October 13, as a global campaign focuses on how that risk shifts across a woman's life.

One in four deaths worldwide stems from thrombosis-related conditions

One in four people worldwide die from conditions caused by thrombosis, yet blood clots remain among the most overlooked and misunderstood serious health threats. Thousands of partners are joining the campaign to raise awareness of warning signs, risk factors and the importance of timely care. The movement is led by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), whose community includes more than 21,000 thrombosis professionals, advocates and partners.

Charlotte, N.C. – October 06, 2026 -- Cirba Solutions has launched the Battery Smarts Quiz, a free 10-question online tool designed to help everyday consumers learn how to charge, store and dispose of lithium batteries safely.

The average American owns 11 lithium-powered devices but little safety training

Cirba Solutions, which describes itself as the leading battery recycling materials and management company in North America, built the quiz around gaps identified in its own consumer research. The launch coincides with Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10), hosted annually by the National Fire Protection Association, whose 2026 theme focuses on safe charging habits.

Muscle Shoals – September 30, 2026 -- Contour Airlines will launch nonstop service between Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) starting November 12, 2026, operating five round trips per week.

Charlotte service stays daily despite the schedule shift

To add the Dallas-Fort Worth route, Contour is reallocating five weekly flights from its existing Muscle Shoals-Charlotte schedule. Daily nonstop service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) will continue unaffected.

The new route opens connections through a major American Airlines hub

Barry Griffith, Airport Director at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, said DFW is a highly sought-after nonstop destination for local travelers. He added that the route is expected to increase passenger traffic, provide seamless American Airlines connections, and deliver economic benefits to the region.

Charlotte – September 23, 2026 -- The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway (ACWR) is bringing a fleet of historic passenger railcars to Charlotte's NoDa neighborhood, launching The Magenta Train Charlotte with a public Open House on Thursday, October 22.

The event kicks off with a ribbon cutting and media preview at 11 a.m.

A media meet & greet and guided walkthroughs follow until 1 p.m., ahead of a free public Open House from 4 to 7 p.m. at 409 East 35th Street. No tickets are required, but guests must sign a waiver before boarding, and pets are not permitted; the railcars are not wheelchair accessible.

Charlotte, N.C. – September 18, 2026 -- Drivers relying solely on their state's minimum auto insurance requirements may be leaving themselves financially exposed after a serious accident, according to a recent HelloNation article breaking down the basics of coverage.

State minimums cover legal requirements, not full financial protection

The article explains that liability coverage typically splits into two parts: bodily injury liability, which pays for injuries a driver causes to others, and property damage liability, which covers damage to another vehicle or property. Meeting a state's minimum satisfies legal obligations but doesn't guarantee a driver's finances are protected after a major crash.