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Lawmakers introduce bill to raise NC minimum wage to $15/hour: 5 things to know Wednesday, March 20

More than a dozen state leaders introduced a bill that would more than double the minimum wage by 2024, South Carolina lawmakers are working on two bills to draw the Carolina Panthers' headquarters to the Palmetto State and one lucky person could find themselves a half a billion dollars richer after Wednesday night's Powerball drawing.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —

1. North Carolina lawmakers are pushing to more than double the state's minimum wage

House Bill 336 was introduced by 16 Democrats last week, including three representatives from Mecklenburg County. On Monday, the bill passed its first reading and was referenced to a house a finance committee. 

The bill would raise minimum wage in North Carolina from $7.25 an hour to $15 by 2024. Each year, the minimum wage would increase gradually and would adjust each year after 2024 for cost of living changes. 

HB366 would also affect how tipped employees with more than eight years of experience are paid and would get rid of subminimum wage for people with disabilities. 

2. Does the sound of someone chewing or breathing drive you crazy? Maybe you have this little-studied disorder

Can't stand the sound of others chewing? Cringe when you hear yawning, sniffing or throat clearing?

You might have misophonia. The little-studied disorder means people are "affected emotionally by common sounds." According to Harvard Health, these noises can trigger a fight-or-flight response that can translate into anger or a need to escape the situation.

Misophonia isn't just getting annoyed with someone who smacks their gum loudly or too many people crunching on popcorn in a movie theater. Harvard Health said it's a real disorder that can seriously compromise social and mental health.

3. Someone could win over half a billion dollars in Wednesday night's Powerball drawing

After no one won Saturday night's $495 million jackpot, the Powerball is up to $550 million Wednesday. 

If a player is lucky enough to match all five numbers and the Powerball, they'd bring home an estimated $335 million, assuming they take the lump sum option. 

We should warn you. Your odds are long. Not as long as filling out a perfect March Madness bracket, but they're still just 1 in 292.2 million. So don't invest your 401K in the lottery, please. 

4. South Carolina leaders are working on two bills they hope will bring the Panthers' HQ to the Palmetto State

Less than a week after Governor McMaster and Carolina Panthers Owner David Tepper had their high-level meeting, two bills are making their way through the South Carolina legislature.

The bills would offer the Panthers tax breaks if the team moves their headquarters and practice facility to the Palmetto State. McMaster said the Panthers would bring at least 150 new jobs and a $150 million investment to South Carolina.

"The annual payroll for federal tax purposes of the employees of the Carolina Panthers is estimated to be at least $190 million," McMaster said.

5. The massive Brooklyn Village project has been given the green light and will transform the Marshall Park area

The Brooklyn Village Project in uptown Charlotte is a mixed-development proposal that would replace Marshall Park with apartments, shops and restaurants.

Mecklenburg County Commissioners are passionate about this project. 

"This was a thriving African-American community and in the name of development, was completely obliterated," Trevor Fuller, a Mecklenburg County Commissioner, said.

Part of the project is to be built along East Stonewall and I-277, another section is set to be built a few blocks away where Marshall Park is currently. 

There is expected to be 1,243 Residential Units, 10 to 12 percent affordable housing but no more than 20 percent affordable units in any building. Additionally, there will be 280 hotel rooms.

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