Charlotte

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.

Charlotte -- Sandbox VR opens its second North Carolina venue on September 18, 2026, at The Station at LoSo in Charlotte, offering guests 20% off through September.

The Charlotte venue spans over 4,400 square feet with four private VR rooms

Groups of up to six guests can suit up with headsets, haptic vests, and motion sensors for full-body immersion in each room. The technology lets players see and physically interact with one another during sessions, and guests leave with personalized highlight videos of their sessions.

The Charlotte location is operated in partnership with Nextgen Virtual LLC and joins Sandbox VR's existing Winston-Salem venue as the company's second North Carolina site.

Charlotte, N.C. – September 11, 2026 -- Husqvarna has launched three new residential chainsaws -- the 445S, 450S Rancher, and 450X Rancher -- now available for homeowners and landowners.

The 450X Rancher becomes the first 400-series saw with AutoTune technology

AutoTune automatically adjusts engine settings based on fuel quality, altitude, temperature, and humidity. Combined with a simplified starting procedure, the 450X Rancher is up to 40% easier to start compared to the Husqvarna 450 Rancher, according to the company. It also cuts up to 30% faster than that predecessor model, thanks to a durable hybrid crankcase and an upgraded X-Torq engine.