I-77 Toll Lanes

Western North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards ends his reelection bid after a censure from the House Ethics Committee. Charlotte City Council holds discussions this week on toll lanes, data centers, e-bikes and more. Plus, the state’s hemp industry can chill. House Republicans vote against holding a vote that would have killed the industry.

Vice Chair Leigh Altman criticized a provision in the new state budget during a Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners meeting Wednesday, arguing it could unlawfully undermine local transportation decision-making related to the controversial I-77 toll lanes project.

The city of Charlotte may have to repay the DOT more than $60 million in design costs if it rejects the I-77 toll lanes.

NC Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson on Tuesday sent a letter pledging $300 million in community benefits to west Charlotte if the Interstate 77 toll lanes are built.

The N.C. Department of Transportation is offering a sweeping community benefits package that could total as much as $300 million as it seeks support for the proposed Interstate 77 toll lanes project, which would run from south of uptown Charlotte to the South Carolina border.

The CMS Board of Education says it expects to reveal the results of an investigation into Superintendent Crystal Hill before school starts. Darline Graham Nordone and Ralph Norman are among those vying for Lindsey Graham’s seat in the U.S. Senate, and Duke Energy has reached a settlement on its rate of return.

N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson met with some community leaders last week. He wants local governments to back the I-77 toll lanes again.

The county is set to vote on whether to reverse its rejection of the I-77 toll lane project, and we’ll see which way he’s leaning. Plus, the state finally has a budget — after a long delay — and we’ll look at how the county dealt with the uncertainty surrounding it. We’ll also get into data centers, finances, the immigration crackdown and more with Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell.

Charlotte City Council is looking for ways to address teen takeovers and may implement a stricter curfew. There's a new wrinkle in the I-77 toll lane saga. South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister has been appointed to fill his seat in Congress, and a parasitic illness has arrived in North Carolina.

Charlotte and other local governments have 90 days to reverse course on the controversial project or risk repaying the state $64 million.