News

If you've been to any DMV office recently, you may have seen the “Tax and Tag Together” posters. Starting July 1, state residents will receive one bill for both their vehicle's property tax and tag fee.

With the situation in Boston having come to a close, the next phase of the case against the suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, will proceed into the judicial system.  But before the courtroom proceedings have commenced, a debate began over the actions of law enforcement and the legal route for the suspect.

The Charlotte Bobcats have fired coach Mike Dunlap after a single season in which the NBA team went 21-61.

The Bobcats put out a brief statement Tuesday that included the following quote from president of basketball Rod Higgins:

“Rich Cho and I conducted our season-ending review and met with Coach Dunlap to reflect on this season. As an organization, it was decided that we needed to make a change with the head coach position. We want to thank Mike for his contribution and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

 One of China's largest IT consulting firms, Pactera, announced Monday it's adding 200 jobs in Charlotte over the next few years and making the city its U.S. headquarters.

  Charlotte taxpayers will pick up nearly two-thirds of the $147 million tab to renovate and maintain Bank of America Stadium.

The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday night to give the Panthers $87.5 million it will collect through a tax on prepared food over the next 10 years. 

In exchange for public money, the Panthers promise to stay in Charlotte for at least six years, with financial penalties that kick in if the team leaves within ten years. City staff call the deal a "tether" that will keep another city from poaching the team.  

Charlotte Airport Advisory Committee Chairman Shawn Dorsch took 90 minutes of questions and sharp criticism from the city council Monday, but declined to answer most queries regarding his role in the controversy over control of Charlotte Douglas International Airport.  

It's only been two years since we last heard that a large number of periodic cicadas would be emerging from the ground, congregating on tree branches and singing their distinctive mating calls. This year, there's news that more will be coming out again. But every time the story is in the news, it's reported that these insects stay underground for 13 or 17 years. So why do we hear about periodic cicadas so often? Duncan McFadyen asks N.C. State University entomologist Clyde Sorenson.

Saturday is Earth Day, so it's the time of year when companies, non-profits, and advocacy groups urge you to do your part to save the environment. One example: AAA Carolinas has an annual promotion called the Great Battery Roundup, where the organization offers $5 for drivers to turn in used or junk car batteries. The program may have environmental benefits, although the going rate for used batteries is often more than double on the open market.