City council, county policy, and civic accountability
Elaine Powell, District 1 commissioner on the Mecklenburg BOCC, will not seek a fifth term after more than 30 years of public service. She chairs the Environmental Stewardship Committee. Her seat open
Jack Beckett·Mar 27, 2026
George Dunlap, who has represented District 3 on the Mecklenburg BOCC for 17 consecutive years, was elected NACo First Vice President in July 2025 and is ascending to the presidency. The large urban c
Jack Beckett·Mar 27, 2026
Commission Chair Mark Jerrell delivered his 2026 State of the County address, covering $390 million in new economic development projects, $334.6 million in housing investments since 2018, a record MEC
Jack Beckett·Mar 26, 2026
Mecklenburg County's $64.5 million Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center drew fewer than 150 visitors per day in its first eight months. Three commissioners now want to rethink the half-billio
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
Mecklenburg County's CFO recommended shifting one cent of the property tax rate — roughly $30 million per year — from the capital improvement plan to operating, triggering a full pause on the five-yea
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is asking Mecklenburg County for $698.6 million to fund a $1.97 billion operating budget — including a fourth consecutive 5% teacher supplement increase — while North Car
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
Charlotte City Council approved the Crosland Southeast affordable housing project 6-4 at the March 23 zoning meeting. The four no votes came from council members who champion equity — arguing East Cha
Jack Beckett·Mar 24, 2026
City staff proposed cutting Charlotte's affordable housing bond from $100 million to $50 million in the FY2027 budget. Council members from across the dais rejected the number, with Mayfield requestin
Jack Beckett·Mar 23, 2026
At Monday's FY2027 budget workshop, Council Members Anderson and Graham pushed for a Gateway Station progress update and connected it to the stalled CTC redevelopment and the former EpiCentre. With PA
Jack Beckett·Mar 23, 2026
The state is ranked first for business. Four commissioners spent the end of a long meeting sitting with what that means for public schools.
Jack Beckett·Mar 19, 2026
Charlotte City Council spent Q1 2026 juggling a razor-thin budget, a toll lane revolt, affordable housing policy, and a transit authority handoff with a July deadline.
Jack Beckett·Mar 15, 2026
A quiet UDO change lets farmers markets operate by right in Charlotte's industrial zones — and at least one council member says that's the whole point.
Jack Beckett·Feb 18, 2026
New CMPD Chief Stella Patterson told state legislators violent crime is down 29% in Charlotte, but residents still feel unsafe. Bridging that gap defines her first 90 days on the job.
Jack Beckett·Feb 10, 2026
Council approved $4.3M for a new transit authority start-up and major infrastructure contracts, while deferring a Gateway Station parking lease and a Norland Road path item.
Jack Beckett·Jan 17, 2026
Jack Beckett·Dec 20, 2025
A holiday meeting turns serious fast: homelessness strategy shifts, Atrium's housing claims, board appointments, and a divided vote on a SoFi incentive package.
Jack Beckett·Dec 17, 2025
Charlotte's last zoning meeting mixed holiday cheer with hard votes on displacement, traffic, TOD, and school crowding. Here is what passed, what failed, and why it matters.
Jack Beckett·Dec 16, 2025
When the city is facing a real crisis of confidence in its transit system, a $3.4 million marketing contract for an out-of-state agency isn't just tone-deaf. It's the civic equivalent of leaving your
Jack Beckett·Dec 9, 2025
On swearing-in night, a failed motion for one Mayor Pro Tem and a 9–3 vote for another gave Charlotte its first look at how this new City Council may sort itself into factions.
Jack Beckett·Dec 9, 2025
Charlotte's new Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority will control nearly twenty billion dollars in transit and road spending. Here is who appoints its 27 members, who is already in the seats,
Jack Beckett·Nov 20, 2025
Charlotte City Council confirmed four new members to the long-anticipated Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority board after a multi-day interview marathon.
Jack Beckett·Nov 18, 2025
NC lawmakers end session with no budget deal — leaving Medicaid cuts, teacher raises, and tax plans in limbo as House and Senate trade blame and head home.
Jack Beckett·Oct 22, 2025
CMPD says crime fell through September, yet Uptown's high-profile incidents keep fear high. We examine the numbers, the nightlife strategy, and the gap between data and trust in Charlotte.
Jack Beckett·Oct 16, 2025
Council advanced stadium financing steps, leased a lay-down yard, and cleared a 4,400-seat, privately funded performance venue. No money moves until contracts are finalized and approvals are received.
Jack Beckett·Oct 14, 2025
Charlotte considers a 62-room non-congregate shelter with on-site care and a faith-based transitional campus. The council seeks guaranteed access to outreach, clear metrics, and contract guardrails.
Jack Beckett·Oct 14, 2025
A $3 million federal safety plan sparked a bigger question at City Council: should Charlotte keep paying consultants, or rebuild in-house capacity to deliver projects and keep the know-how.
Jack Beckett·Oct 14, 2025
Permits for Parcel E and below I-277 nudge Iron District into site work, with 278 apartments, new retail, structured parking, and a set-aside for a future light-rail station.
Jack Beckett·Oct 9, 2025
Charlotte's police union asks leaders to request National Guard troops after a string of homicides and staffing shortages; officials push back, citing crime reductions and new transit patrols.
Jack Beckett·Oct 8, 2025
Charlotte's FOP requested National Guard help while cutting teacher positions. A homicide, missing teen, and billionaire-funded venues reveal what the city values—and what it doesn't.
Jack Beckett·Oct 7, 2025
Charlotte's transit leaders turned a tragedy into a communications disaster. Here's the crisis management playbook they ignored—and what they should have said instead.
Peter Cellino·Oct 3, 2025
Council aligned the MPTA appointment timeline with partner schedules and swapped a hard category rule for "encouraged," after recusing one member. Here is what changes on Nov. 6, 12‑15, 17, and 24.
Jack Beckett·Oct 2, 2025
Jack Beckett·Oct 1, 2025
CATS cut armed security to 39 posts while spending exceeded $49M. We trace the contracts, staffing gaps, and what that means for riders and 2025 voters.
Jack Beckett·Oct 1, 2025
A plain-English guide to field hearings: how they work, why Charlotte was chosen, and what happens to the testimony after the cameras leave.
Jack Beckett·Sep 29, 2025
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
A House Judiciary field hearing on violent crime brought national lawmakers to Charlotte. We unpack what happened, why it matters for Iryna's Law, and how local families shaped the narrative.
Jack Beckett·Sep 29, 2025
Charlotte Council will consider adopting the Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans and a Revised Policy Map, capping a multi-year process with broad engagement and a 7–0 recommendation.
Jack Beckett·Sep 22, 2025
The state auditor urges Charlotte to enter the $305,000 CMPD settlement into public minutes and to consider using the Risk Management Fund instead of the General Fund.
Jack Beckett·Sep 12, 2025
A respectful, unblinking look at Iryna Zarutska's killing on the Blue Line—what happened, what changed, and what Charlotte must fix if riders are going to trust transit again.
Jack Beckett·Sep 9, 2025
CATS moved fare fights away from drivers, funded transit policing, and promised data. Can validators, roving checks, and a CMPD pact make an open rail system feel safe after Irina Zarutska's killing?
Jack Beckett·Sep 8, 2025
Charlotte built its light rail as an open system. After a fatal stabbing, Council pressed CATS on safety without turnstiles. The plan: transit policing, fare checks, cameras, and visible upgrades.
Jack Beckett·Sep 8, 2025
Charlotte developers seek $3M in taxpayer funds for $8M Excelsior Club revival. Historic venue would be demolished and rebuilt as replica despite sub-1% ROI.
Jack Beckett·Sep 5, 2025
A tiara, a prototype, and a civics clinic. Charlotte's public forum delivered two tight hours of candor, capped by a Providence Day senior who made the cleanest case for home rule all night.
Jack Beckett·Aug 25, 2025
Charlotte Council sparred over rezonings tied to traffic safety, school crowding, and affordable housing, exposing fault lines between developers, residents, and candidates ahead of the 2025 primaries
Jack Beckett·Aug 20, 2025
At an Aug. 18 Charlotte City Council zoning hearing, Far East Charlotte residents—led by neighbor Ray Timothy—pressed safety, flooding, and trust concerns over a 94‑unit townhome plan with retail. Her
Jack Beckett·Aug 19, 2025
Mecklenburg County ends a nine-year relationship with The Peebles Corporation after missed deadlines and stalled progress on the long-promised Brooklyn Village redevelopment.
Jack Beckett·Aug 8, 2025
Charlotte's Citizens Review Board has never overturned a CMPD decision. Now, its members want more authority, better training support, and a more unmistakable voice at City Hall.
Jack Beckett·Aug 7, 2025
A candid look at President Trump's July 2025 executive order targeting homelessness, the rising numbers behind it, criticisms from advocates, and why sweeping tent encampments might miss the mark.
Jack Beckett·Jul 26, 2025
The House Rules Committee shut down floor action over Epstein files, showing how just thirteen members can stall Congress—and why Charlotte should care.
Jack Beckett·Jul 24, 2025
Jack Beckett·Jul 11, 2025