Tuesday, July 28, 2026

This is a podcast produced by actual humans from the Queen City Podcast Network. From the Queen City Podcast Network, this is CLT First, Charlotte's First Daily News podcast. A hot day ahead. More on that in a moment, but first. It's Tuesday, July 28th, 2026. Rain possible today, a high of 92 with a low of 74. I'm Kendall Kendrick. It's not the heat. It's the humidity. And maybe that's never been more true than the past couple days. QCPN's Brian Baltashevitz has more on dealing with a scorching heat index. Kendall, with dangerous heat, expected across Mecklenburg County today, officials are urging residents to take simple steps to stay safe and pointing to a wide network of cooling options. Public health says people should limit outdoor activity, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, stay in the shade or air conditioning, and wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. For those without a cool place to go, roof above's day services center on North College Street is open during the day, and the Relatives' On-Ramp program is available for young adults on Freedom Drive. Outreach teams are also checking homeless encampments and distributing water. Several park and recreation centers, including Eastway, Ivory Baker, Revolution Park, Waymer, and Tyvola Senior Center are open as cooling stations with cats providing rides on designated routes, pools at double oaks and cordelia, and spraygrounds across the county, and Charlotte Meckburg Library branches offer additional relief from the heat. Officials say older adults, children, pregnant people, and anyone working outdoors face the highest risk as temperatures climb. Check on your neighbors, and let's be kind to each other. It's going to be warm out there at least one more day. Kendall? Thanks, Brian. North Carolina's Attorney General is calling on Duke Energy to commit legally to protect customers from data center impacts. WFAE reports Duke Energy has joined the President's Federal Ratepayer Protection Pledge. But state attorney general, Jeff Jackson, says those voluntary agreements aren't legally binding. Jackson wants Duke, which sought a rate increase of 18% this year before the state negotiated it down to 9.5%. To agree to a large load tariff requiring large energy facilities, like data centers, cover their own cost. The CEO of Honeywell Technologies sees big potential in Charlotte and AI. The Charlotte Ledger reports CEO of Amal Kapoor spoke enthusiastically about the company's future in the Queen City after ringing the NASDAQ closing bell from its headquarters near Bank of America Stadium last Thursday. Honeywell Technologies, the automation spinoff created after Honeywell International split into three standalone companies in 2025. has added about 1,100 jobs in Charlotte in the past seven years. Kapoor didn't share specifics about future hiring, but expressed optimism about the economy and said he liked Charlotte's balance of small city feel with big city amenities. Kapoor says demand for AI infrastructure and lack of skilled workers contributed to Honeywell Technologies reported 9% profit increase in the second quarter of this year.

A Florida ultramarathoner attempting to run 50 kilometers for 50 days and 50 consecutive states ran through Charlotte yesterday. Brady McDonald hopes to raise a million dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Earlier this year, he ran 300 miles to raise $300,000 for Make-A-Wish. After completing his run at Charlotte Motor Speedway, McDonald will head to Georgia. If you were hoping the North Carolina Tar Heels could start this coming football season without controversy, guess again. Next. Where do you turn to stay in touch with the city around you? Broadcast news isn't what it used to be. Commercial radio doesn't scratch that itch. If only there was one place you could get it all, when you want, wherever you want, on your schedule, there is the Queen City Podcast Network. Listen to your city on your schedule at queencity podcastnetwork.com and everywhere you get your podcasts.