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October 2026 issue · Read it online
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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 state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal…
Jack Beckett·May 16, 2026
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign June 30. The Charlotte Mercury has the full appointment-process story; this is the south-Charlotte read, five decisions the next mayor inherits that touch this…
Jack Beckett·May 8, 2026
North and South Carolina are both hands-free states now, NC's Hands Free Act took effect December 1, 2025, and SC's law went live September 1, 2025.
Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·May 2, 2026
State Rep. Carla Cunningham re-registered Unaffiliated on Friday after losing her March primary by nearly 48 points. She doesn't represent Ballantyne, but the property-tax committee she sits on is…
Jack Beckett·Apr 25, 2026
A House field hearing in uptown Charlotte put grief, policy, and statistics on the record as witnesses and lawmakers sparred over bail, court delays, and what the numbers mean.
Jack Beckett·Sep 29, 2025
North Carolina's attorney general joins 50 states in a sweeping crackdown on illegal robocalls, targeting 37 telecom providers with FCC-backed enforcement.
Jack Beckett·Aug 8, 2025
Federal freeze puts $12 million CMS grant on ice, forcing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to choose between understaffed classrooms or fresh debt. Local board pleads for a thaw.
Nell Thomas·Jul 17, 2025
A proposed NC bill would cap towing fees, limit mileage, and force new transparency, potentially ending predatory late-night tows in Ballantyne and beyond.
Nell Thomas·Jul 13, 2025
An inspector-general audit uncovered 74,000+ undelivered letters and packages clogging Charlotte-area post offices. Here's why your birthday card never arrived, and what USPS says it will do next.
Nell Thomas·Jul 11, 2025
Tillis exits, Trump gloats, and North Carolina’s Senate seat becomes 2026’s hottest political auction.
Jack Beckett·Jun 29, 2025
From hypersonic runways to slimmer spy agencies, here is the busy week on Capitol Hill that could tweak Ballantyne traffic, medicine cabinets, and even Saturday pop‑ups.
Nell Thomas·Jun 29, 2025
ICE agents arrested 30 workers at Buckeye Fire Equipment in Kings Mountain, triggering legal, economic, and human aftershocks felt all the way to Ballantyne.
Nell Thomas·Jun 28, 2025
Senators Tillis and Budd, plus Rep. Tim Moore released six fresh statements on disaster aid, litigation funding, wildfire policy, Iran strikes, and a major gas pipeline. We boiled them down.
Nell Thomas·Jun 23, 2025
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
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
Charlotte DMV offices just ranked worst in the nation. Here's what happened, what to do about it, and why Einstein's bagels may be the only balm.Tags: DMV, Charlotte, North Carolina, Politics…
Nell Thomas·May 16, 2025
Trump's Riyadh speech praises the 'Arabian miracle' while redefining U.S. foreign policy around skyscrapers, strongmen, and $500B chip deals.
Nell Thomas·May 14, 2025
As NC lawmakers vote to give parents more say in teen medical care, youth advocates warn: not every home is safe, and not every secret is selfish.
Nell Thomas·May 10, 2025
NC DMV pays Boston Consulting Group $1.2M to study long lines. Again.
Nell Thomas·May 10, 2025
NC lawmakers want to fine slow drivers clogging the left lane. A new bill could make dawdling on I-485 officially illegal.
Nell Thomas·May 1, 2025
NC lawmakers vote to let public retirement funds invest in crypto. What could go wrong?
Nell Thomas·May 1, 2025
Trump halts offshore wind leases 🌀, raising uncertainty for NC's renewable energy projects. What's next for wind farms off the Carolina coast?
Jack Beckett·Jan 22, 2025
Fueled by coffee and curiosity, Jack crafts stories that bridge the gap between information and insight. Whether it's local news, deep dives, or Ballantyne's best-kept secrets, you'll find it all at…
Jack Beckett·Jan 20, 2025
