What the I-77 Toll Lane Reversal Means for the Region
The region's biggest transportation decision this month: CRTPO withdrew support for the I-77 South toll lanes, ending a $3.2 billion expansion…
Jack Beckett·May 23, 2026
Civic
Zoning votes, city council, and the policy that shapes your commute
Latest report
What the New I-77 Bill Means for South Charlotte's Commute
The bill now moving through Raleigh does not change the I-77 South commute: it freezes the killed toll project until 2027 and hands the region an estimated $60 million invoice.
Jack Beckett·Jun 17, 2026
Latest in Government & Politics
Six Things to Know from a Heavy Week in Charlotte
Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC…
Jack Beckett·May 16, 2026
Lyles Is Stepping Down. Here's What That Means for South Charlotte.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign June 30. The Charlotte Mercury has the full appointment-process story; this is the south-Charlotte read, five…
Jack Beckett·May 8, 2026
Quick Read: CMS Just Sent Its $2.1B Budget Back. Here's What Ballantyne Families Should Know.
Quick read for Ballantyne families: CMS denied Hill's $2.1B budget 8-1; revised version due May 12.
Jack Beckett·Apr 29, 2026
Charlotte Council Just Tied 5-5 on Data Center Rules. Three Things South Charlotte Should Know.
Charlotte City Council deadlocked 5-5 Monday night on whether to schedule a public hearing on a temporary data center moratorium.
Jack Beckett·Apr 28, 2026
A North Mecklenburg State Race Just Reshaped Raleigh's Math. Three Things South Charlotte Should Know.
State Rep. Carla Cunningham re-registered Unaffiliated on Friday after losing her March primary by nearly 48 points.
Jack Beckett·Apr 25, 2026
House Judiciary Field Hearing in Charlotte Highlights Clash Over Bail, Backlogs, and Crime Data
A House field hearing in uptown Charlotte put grief, policy, and statistics on the record as witnesses and lawmakers sparred over bail, court delays…
Jack Beckett·Sep 29, 2025
This Week at The Charlotte Mercury: Transit Tax, District Races, ABC Hours, Zoning Fights
A quick, smart tour of what The Charlotte Mercury published this week, from the transit tax and district races to zoning fights and ABC holiday…
Nell Thomas·Aug 24, 2025
North Carolina's Robocall Crackdown Targets 37 Providers in FCC Partnership
North Carolina's attorney general joins 50 states in a sweeping crackdown on illegal robocalls, targeting 37 telecom providers with FCC-backed…
Jack Beckett·Aug 8, 2025
Sunday Recap: Charlotte Ballots Finalized, Lyles Plots Mobility Tax, Stein Swats Puppy-Mill Clause
Ballots set, mayors plot, puppy-mill politics bite back, and CMS loses its loudest trustee.
Jack Beckett·Jul 20, 2025
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Fight to Unfreeze $12 Million in Federal Grants
Federal freeze puts $12 million CMS grant on ice, forcing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to choose between understaffed classrooms or fresh debt.
Nell Thomas·Jul 17, 2025
Ballantyne Drivers Could Save Big Under North Carolina’s New Towing Reform Bill
A proposed NC bill would cap towing fees, limit mileage, and force new transparency, potentially ending predatory late-night tows in Ballantyne and…
Nell Thomas·Jul 13, 2025
USPS Audit Finds 74,000-Plus Undelivered Mail Pieces in Charlotte-Area Facilities
An inspector-general audit uncovered 74,000+ undelivered letters and packages clogging Charlotte-area post offices.
Nell Thomas·Jul 11, 2025
Waxhaw Ringleader Gets 15 Years for $17 Million Charlotte Bank-Fraud Scheme
Waxhaw's Kotto Paul gets 15 years for a $17 million loan-fraud spree that snared eight cohorts and 17 banks, rattling Charlotte's financial core.
Nell Thomas·Jul 10, 2025
Strolling Ballantyne Weekly Recap: Mortgages, Health Scores, Sheriff Race
Miss a headline? From mortgage wins to a sheriff showdown, here's every Ballantyne story we served between June 30 and July 7, plus a cool nod to…
Nell Thomas·Jul 7, 2025
McFadden Faces Robbins and Nance as Panthers Enter 2026 Mecklenburg Sheriff Race
Incumbent Garry McFadden confronts CMPD sergeant Ricky Robbins and former jailer Antwain Nance as Panthers stars, staff turmoil, and leaked slurs…
Nell Thomas·Jul 2, 2025
Tillis Retires After Trump Clash, Setting Up 2026 North Carolina Senate Free‑for‑All
Tillis exits, Trump gloats, and North Carolina’s Senate seat becomes 2026’s hottest political auction.
Jack Beckett·Jun 29, 2025
Supersonic Airports, Safer Roads, Leaner Spies: How NC’s Delegation Shaped the Week
From hypersonic runways to slimmer spy agencies, here is the busy week on Capitol Hill that could tweak Ballantyne traffic, medicine cabinets, and…
Nell Thomas·Jun 29, 2025
ICE Raids Kings Mountain Factory: 30 Arrested in Identity-Theft Investigation
ICE agents arrested 30 workers at Buckeye Fire Equipment in Kings Mountain, triggering legal, economic, and human aftershocks felt all the way to…
Nell Thomas·Jun 28, 2025
Grants Pass Ruling Turns One: How Charlotte's Homeless Policies Shifted After the Supreme Court Decision
One year after Grants Pass v. Johnson, Charlotte advocates say arrests are rising, services are stalling, and the Cicero Institute's model bills…
Nell Thomas·Jun 28, 2025
Charlotte Council's June 23 Marathon: ADA Pride, Annexations & A Testy Street-Vending Showdown
From an ADA Pride Day proclamation to a fiery debate over street vending, here's everything that happened at Charlotte City Council's June 23…
Nell Thomas·Jun 24, 2025
Ballantyne's Senators and Congressman: June 2025 Statements Decoded
Senators Tillis and Budd, plus Rep. Tim Moore released six fresh statements on disaster aid, litigation funding, wildfire policy, Iran strikes, and a…
Nell Thomas·Jun 23, 2025
Tim Moore Endorses Trump’s Iran Strike: What It Means for Ballantyne
Congressman Tim Moore praises Trump’s Iran strike, sparking debate back home. Ballantyne locals weigh the fallout between sips of Summit Coffee.
Nell Thomas·Jun 22, 2025
North Carolina Veto Clash and Budget Fight Leave Teacher Raises in Limbo
Stein’s first vetoes and a budget deadlock put guns, immigration, and teacher pay at the center of North Carolina’s summer session showdown.
Nell Thomas·Jun 21, 2025