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Local News Roundup: City Council controversy; Griffin concedes; REAL ID begins; Charlotte Checkers push through playoffs

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles held a news conference Wednesday afternoon. She defended the city against City Council member Victoria Watlington, who said the city acted unethically in reaching a financial settlement with police Chief Johnny Jennings.
Steve Harrison
/
WFAE
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles held a news conference Wednesday afternoon. She defended the city against City Council member Victoria Watlington, who said the city acted unethically in reaching a financial settlement with Police Chief Johnny Jennings.

The Charlotte city budget was proposed this week, but a closed session to preemptively settle a potential lawsuit between the city and CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings overshadowed that announcement. The issue stems from text messages Jennings received from now-former council memberTariq Bokhari last year saying he would try to get Jennings fired and work to “cripple his legacy.” The two had been fighting over whether CMPD officers should be allowed to wear outer-carrier protective vests.

Six months after Election Day, Republican Jefferson Griffin has conceded a state Supreme Court seat to Democrat Allison Riggs. Riggs held a 734-vote lead after two recounts, but Griffin challenged thousands of ballots. Earlier this week, a district court judge ruled that Griffin was seeking to “change the rules of the game after it had been played.”

The deadline to get a REAL ID was this week. Officials at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport tell the Charlotte Business Journal they have been in communication with government officials at all levels to get the word out to travelers. The Department of Homeland Security said those who attempt to go through security without a REAL ID may see delays.

Finally, the Charlotte Checkers are moving through the Calder Cup playoffs. The team leads the Providence Bruins two games to one in their best-of-five series. Game four is Friday.

These stories, and more, on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.

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Gabe Altieri is the Executive Producer for Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins. Prior to joining WFAE in 2022, he worked for WSKG Public Media in Binghamton, New York.