This week, President Trump pardoned allies accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election. It is part of an uptick in "insider pardons" issued in his second term, one legal expert says.

Despite an agreement in the Senate to end the government shutdown, air travel will still be slowed with cancellations and delays expected to escalate this week as the Federal Aviation Administration struggles with a shortage of air traffic controllers. At Charlotte Douglas, 150 flights were cancelled Saturday — the highest for any airport in the nation. On Monday, Charlotte is showing 49 flights cancelled and 35 more delayed, as of 9 am. Airport officials are encouraging travelers to stay in touch with their airline for updates and arrive at the terminal even earlier than normal.

The pardons include 77 allies tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former Trump attorney Sidney Powell.

Six of nine seats on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education were up for grabs Tuesday. And the voters have spoken, choosing four new members.

Transit advocates pick up a big win, Democrats run the table in local elections, CMPD announces a new chief, and it’s nail-biting time as Charlotte F.C. comes home to take on New York City in the final playoff game of a three-game series.

The General Assembly provided $500 million to the program this summer. DHHS says it needs $319 million more.

The FEMA money is crucial for many states, including North Carolina, in funding emergency equipment. It also supports the salaries of personnel who step in to assist with natural disasters and other emergencies, including terrorism and threats to public safety.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden announced Thursday that he is running for reelection in 2026.

Cabarrus County Commissioner Lynn Shue has died after lengthy health challenges. The former Cabarrus School Board chairman has served as a county commissioner since 2014. He had received two life-saving organ transplants and was undergoing treatment when some county commissioners tried to appoint Lamarie Austin-Stripling to a vacant seat on the board in April, but a court blocked the move.

Charlotte Douglas International is among the 40 airports across the country that will face 10% reductions in air traffic starting Friday. Multiple media outlets are reporting Charlotte is on that list, but the Federal Aviation Administration has not officially released it yet. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday the move comes amid shortages of air traffic controllers who are working without pay during the federal government shutdown. In a press release early Thursday, CLT says they have not been notified of any reductions at CLT at this time and that airline partners, including American, will determine and communicate any schedule changes directly to customers.