Northlake Mall opened just 21 years ago. But after years of rising vacancies, the city of Charlotte is proposing to designate the mall and surrounding area as a federally approved opportunity zone. The zones are meant to encourage development in economically distressed areas.

Charlotte City Council’s safety committee on Monday heard a proposal to explore using enforcement tools such as noise-sensing cameras to ticket excessively loud vehicles.

A former Shelby police officer seen on video repeatedly punching a woman during an arrest has been charged with assault.

A Charlotte City Council committee has advanced a proposal that would effectively ban street vending across most of the city, while continuing to debate whether repeat violations should carry criminal penalties.

City staff said Monday that the World Military Games has asked for $23 million to help offset its costs.The competition has already committed to coming to Charlotte next summer. This is the first time the competition has come to the United States, and promoters say it will bring 10,000 athletes to the area. But $23 million would be one of the largest subsidies the city has ever provided for a one-time event.The 2012 Democratic National Convention, for instance, cost more to stage. But most of the costs were covered by private donors. And the city received a $50 million federal security grant.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently predicted a below-average season with 8-14 named storms. Of those, NOAA forecasts that only 3-6 will become hurricanes.

The U.S. Men’s National Team opened its summer slate with a 3-2 win over Senegal on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Starting Monday, more Monroe police officers will be in the downtown area, trying to catch speeders and prevent accidents. WCNC reports the new Slow Monroe campaign comes after repeated complaints from residents and business owners. Radar speed signs are already in place reminding motorists exactly how fast they’re going and warning them to obey posted speed limits, but police say speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes and dangerous driving complaints.

Average gasoline prices in Charlotte have fallen just over 16 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.98 per gallon Monday, according to GasBuddy's survey of 665 stations in the city.