Charlotte City Council

WFAE’s political reporter Steve Harrison joined All Things Considered host Nick de la Canal to talk about a huge day in Charlotte politics, and what we know about Mayor Vi Lyles' resignation.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles won her fifth term in November. She announced Thursday she will resign in June. Members of the community have been worried about her health and ability to do the job.

Raki McGregor, who chairs the BPC's transportation committee, said how council members act on I-77 could influence endorsements in the 2027 elections.

In Charlotte, the most important decisions aren’t always made under the bright lights of a full council vote. Instead, they begin in quieter rooms — inside committees of the Charlotte City Council — where fewer people are watching and even fewer know how to speak up.

On the local news roundup, Charlotte City Council’s safety committee focuses on transit security and debates the return of red light cameras, Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney says he won’t resign following a vote of no confidence by the town board, and the Hornets are in the final stretch of their most successful season in years.

Charlotte leaders are considering bringing back red light cameras to some of the city’s most dangerous intersections. The renewed interest comes after a 25-year-old runner was killed on The Plaza.

West Charlotte residents are angry and anxious over a plan that could bulldoze their homes and parks for new toll lanes on I-77 south. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has paused the project for three months to get more feedback, at a time when some residents remain skeptical whether their voices will be heard.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles agreed to move up a discussion of the controversial project to the City Council's retreat on March 2.

Charlotte City Council held a budget workshop Monday afternoon and heard it may take more money — and possibly higher taxes — to fill vacancies in the police department.