Overnight homicide, Uber driver attack, PGA surprises, and more - Charlotte Local Pulse for May 16, 2025

Good morning, this is Charlotte Local Pulse for May 16, 2025. Breaking news from overnight - police are investigating a homicide in east Charlotte on the 2200 block of Briargrove Drive. Officials haven't released many details yet, but we'll keep you updated as this story develops. This follows another violent incident yesterday when three people were injured in a shooting on Griers Grove Road near Fred Alexander Boulevard in north Charlotte. In a disturbing story that highlights safety concerns for rideshare drivers, a local Uber driver reported being attacked by a passenger who allegedly attempted to strangle him with a seatbelt during a recent ride. The driver expressed concerns about his safety following the incident. In sports news, the PGA Championship is underway at Quail Hollow with some surprising results after the first round. Jhonattan Vegas took an unexpected lead with an impressive 64, while many top-ranked players struggled. Local favorite Rory McIlroy, despite his historic Masters win last month, posted his highest round at Quail Hollow since 2018. Charlotte City Council will meet this afternoon to discuss proposed changes to zoning regulations in the NoDa district. Residents can attend virtually through the city's website. The council is also expected to vote on funding for road improvements along Independence Boulevard. The weather today calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures reaching the mid-80s. There's a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms, so keep an umbrella handy if you're heading to Food Truck Friday at Southend or the Plaza Midwood Art Crawl this evening. Charlotte's job market continues to show strength with the tech sector adding nearly 500 positions last month. The new Amazon distribution center near the airport is now hiring for various roles with competitive wages starting at $18 per hour. Looking ahead to the weekend, don't miss the Charlotte Jazz Festival beginning tomorrow at Romare Bearden Park. The three-day event features both local musicians and nationally recognized performers. Admission is free for daytime performances. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced that three high schools - Myers Park, Ardrey Kell, and Independence - have been recognized for excellence in STEM education, receiving state-level commendations. For those looking to give back, Habitat for Humanity is organizing a community build tomorrow in the Belmont neighborhood, with volunteers still needed for afternoon shifts. This has been Charlotte Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.