Charlotte City Council

The Charlotte City Council approved a series of land deals Monday designed to help meet its goal of developing more affordable housing.

A bad wreck this week is bringing new urgency to discussions about how the city should regulate electric rental scooters, which appeared on city streets in May. Officials say there are trade-offs - between promoting a popular new transportation option and public safety.

Frustrated by the demands of running for re-election every two years,  Charlotte City Council members are considering switching to four-year terms.

Charlotte officials are looking at selling or donating city-owned land as part of a campaign to spur construction of affordable housing. 

Thursday marks the second anniversary of protests that exploded around Charlotte for days, following the fatal police shooting of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott. Police say Scott was smoking marijuana in an apartment parking lot and had a gun. His family, including his wife who witnessed his shooting, contends he was waiting for his son and not a threat to police. They are suing the city and the officer, Brentley Vinson.

When the Charlotte City Council tries to build affordable housing, it often runs into a problem that has nothing to do with money or finding the right land.

A pilot program allowing electric scooters on Charlotte streets is continuing through October, when city officials say they'll evaluate how it's working. On Monday, city council member Larken Egleston warned that some users are behaving dangerously and said he doesn't think the city should wait to talk about new rules.

Two of the four development groups that offered proposals for redeveloping the old Eastland Mall site have joined forces, and won the endorsement of city staff to pursue the project.

Crosland Southeast and Eastland Community Development Group both had proposed a mix of uses for the mall site, off Central Avenue about five miles east of uptown. After discussions in recent months, they decided to combine their efforts.