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Axios Charlotte gets you smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in your backyard.

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DaBaby's Charlotte brunch restaurant is opening soon

The rapper's first restaurant plans a summer opening with chicken and waffle dishes, late-night dining, full bar and more.

Food and Drink

Rapper <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DaBaby" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/04/22/dababy-surprises-charlotte-high-school" data-vars-content-id="0702ecc7-1969-44eb-9f60-3a55eda02e56" data-vars-headline="DaBaby&#x27;s Charlotte brunch restaurant is opening soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/04/22/dababy-surprises-charlotte-high-school" target="_self">DaBaby</a> is opening a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brunch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/04/14/brunch-charlotte-nc-132274" data-vars-content-id="0702ecc7-1969-44eb-9f60-3a55eda02e56" data-vars-headline="DaBaby&#x27;s Charlotte brunch restaurant is opening soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/04/14/brunch-charlotte-nc-132274" target="_self">brunch</a> restaurant in north Charlotte this summer.Why it matters: While the Charlotte native has long put his hometown on the map <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="through his music" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/09/27/story-behind-dababy-cybertruck-cover-charlotte-camp-north-end-mixtap" data-vars-content-id="0702ecc7-1969-44eb-9f60-3a55eda02e56" data-vars-headline="DaBaby&#x27;s Charlotte brunch restaurant is opening soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/09/27/story-behind-dababy-cybertruck-cover-charlotte-camp-north-end-mixtap" target="_self">through his music</a>, this marks his first venture into the city&#x27;s food scene.

Charlotte is bringing back red light cameras

Charlotte is bringing back red light cameras.

News

Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/10/04/red-light-runners-keep-evading-charlotte-leaders-priority-list-309772" data-vars-content-id="90d3b218-0983-497b-a593-ff16e8ff37bc" data-vars-headline="Charlotte is bringing back red light cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/10/04/red-light-runners-keep-evading-charlotte-leaders-priority-list-309772" target="_self">Charlotte</a> drivers who have gotten used to running red lights may soon face a costly reminder to stop.Why it matters: Charlotte will install red light cameras at 10 high-injury intersections as part of a one-year pilot aimed at reducing traffic deaths, following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="34 fatalities" data-vars-click-url="https://tableau.charlottenc.gov/t/Public/views/VisionZeroDashboard/StandardView?%3Aembed=y&amp;%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&amp;%3Aorigin=card_share_link" data-vars-content-id="90d3b218-0983-497b-a593-ff16e8ff37bc" data-vars-headline="Charlotte is bringing back red light cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tableau.charlottenc.gov/t/Public/views/VisionZeroDashboard/StandardView?%3Aembed=y&amp;%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&amp;%3Aorigin=card_share_link" target="_blank">34 fatalities</a> in just the first half of this year.

Ballantyne braces for Morrison Y's closure

The Morrison YMCA, which serves 4,200 households, will be sold to Moments of Hope Church, and the deal is expected to close by summer 2027.

When the YMCA of Greater Charlotte announced plans to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sell its Morrison branch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/17/charlotte-ymca-to-close-morrison-branch-redevelop-noda-location?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_charlotte&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="d40d1633-9a0c-4a35-bfa1-bef2fdc89543" data-vars-headline="Ballantyne braces for Morrison Y&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/17/charlotte-ymca-to-close-morrison-branch-redevelop-noda-location?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_charlotte&amp;stream=top" target="_self">sell its Morrison branch</a> in south Charlotte, we asked readers to share their memories of the Y that has served Ballantyne. Why it matters: Selling the branch for $42.5 million will provide funds for the YMCA as it navigates a complex <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315280372.html" data-vars-content-id="d40d1633-9a0c-4a35-bfa1-bef2fdc89543" data-vars-headline="Ballantyne braces for Morrison Y&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315280372.html" target="_blank">financial</a> landscape and tries to keep pace with facility needs.

30+ best ways to make friends in Charlotte

We've rounded up over 30 groups and gatherings to help you grow your social circle in Charlotte.

Newcomers Guide

We&#x27;ve rounded up over 30 groups and gatherings to help you grow your social circle and community in Charlotte. Why it matters: The Charlotte region has a population of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 1 million people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/26/charlotte-growth-population-1-million" data-vars-content-id="39bc4f34-bd0e-4d22-bef8-5e74a03f3bfd" data-vars-headline="30+ best ways to make friends in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/26/charlotte-growth-population-1-million" target="_self">nearly 1 million people</a>, but making <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="friends in a new city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/05/19/i-hated-living-here-a-charlotte-native-learns-to-love-her-city-by-helping-others-find-friends-297661" data-vars-content-id="39bc4f34-bd0e-4d22-bef8-5e74a03f3bfd" data-vars-headline="30+ best ways to make friends in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/05/19/i-hated-living-here-a-charlotte-native-learns-to-love-her-city-by-helping-others-find-friends-297661" target="_self">friends in a new city</a> can be hard.

See inside Kemba Walker's new youth sports hub

The former Charlotte Hornets star says the academy is about creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes.

When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kemba Walker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/13/charlotte-hornets-retire-dell-curry-jersey-spectrum-center-history" data-vars-content-id="21335a73-d795-4dd8-b679-9a50f9488f59" data-vars-headline="See inside Kemba Walker&#x27;s new youth sports hub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/13/charlotte-hornets-retire-dell-curry-jersey-spectrum-center-history" target="_self">Kemba Walker</a> broke the Charlotte Hornets all-time scoring record in 2018, he had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tears in his eyes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2018/03/28/sports/kemba-walker-moves-atop-hornets-all-time-scoring-list/" data-vars-content-id="21335a73-d795-4dd8-b679-9a50f9488f59" data-vars-headline="See inside Kemba Walker&#x27;s new youth sports hub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2018/03/28/sports/kemba-walker-moves-atop-hornets-all-time-scoring-list/" target="_blank">tears in his eyes</a> as he said after the game, &quot;I&#x27;m not supposed to be here. A lot of people where I&#x27;m from, they don&#x27;t make it.&quot; Why it matters: Today the former NBA All-Star has opened a new youth sports facility in Concord, making sure the next generation of players has a place to develop.

Nourish Up opens $4.4M Meals on Wheels kitchen

Nourish Up has recently opened a $4.4 million commercial kitchen for its Meals on Wheels program.

Sports

<figure><img alt="Ribbon cutting in front of a &quot;Nourish Up&quot; sign with the Hornets and Nourish Up leadership. " height="450" id="c9ae37cf-7343-4a54-ad88-0e15c4275c71" src="https://images.axios.com/LQlHP0BPo1r3O6i0O2B60ZdByzg=/2026/06/25/1782412391255.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Video: Ashley Mahoney/Axios </figcaption></figure>Nourish Up has recently opened a $4.4 million commercial kitchen for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meals on Wheels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/19/charlotte-summer-food-insecurity-school-break-mecklenburg-nourish-up-snap-changes" data-vars-content-id="b37e1119-5638-415d-99b8-89df513d0b0b" data-vars-headline="Nourish Up opens $4.4M Meals on Wheels kitchen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/19/charlotte-summer-food-insecurity-school-break-mecklenburg-nourish-up-snap-changes" target="_self">Meals on Wheels</a> program. Why it matters: This is the final piece of the nonprofit&#x27;s $22.8 million capital campaign at its hunger hub, Nourish Up CEO Tina Postel told reporters Thursday. The 10,000-square-foot kitchen allows them to prepare roughly 500 daily meals in-house and expand their services.

Hornets trade star player LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ball is headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves, per multiple reports.

Charlotte <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hornets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/05/how-the-charlotte-hornets-became-the-unlikely-darling-of-the-nba" data-vars-content-id="e48b9c22-217e-4935-be9e-50074972f0b9" data-vars-headline="Hornets trade star player LaMelo Ball" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/05/how-the-charlotte-hornets-became-the-unlikely-darling-of-the-nba" target="_self">Hornets</a> star LaMelo Ball is being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, per multiple reports. Why it matters: Ball has been the face of sports in Charlotte since Panthers quarterback Cam Newton left.

Construction starts on long-planned South End affordable housing

Construction finally starts on the first Centre South building.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fallon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/12/uptown-south-end-developments-office-construction" data-vars-content-id="7efa0656-d97a-42f2-9854-ba80793418b5" data-vars-headline="Construction starts on long-planned South End affordable housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/12/uptown-south-end-developments-office-construction" target="_self">Fallon</a> Company began construction Wednesday on its first building at Centre South, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/19/centre-south-fallon-inlivian-affordable-housing-apartments-dilworth" data-vars-content-id="7efa0656-d97a-42f2-9854-ba80793418b5" data-vars-headline="Construction starts on long-planned South End affordable housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/19/centre-south-fallon-inlivian-affordable-housing-apartments-dilworth" target="_self">development</a> announced a decade ago that includes affordable housing at the crossroads of South End, Dilworth and Uptown.Why it matters: Charlotte was quick to tear down the low-income cottages on this site in 2017, soon after this public-private project was announced, but it&#x27;s taken nearly a decade to make up for those lost units.

N.C. bill to end parking minimums statewide poised to pass

Legislation would limit local control over parking mandates.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina General Assembly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/21/parking-lot-reform-north-carolina-water-pollution" data-vars-content-id="a28a94c4-cc63-4727-9461-152f330038af" data-vars-headline="N.C. bill to end parking minimums statewide poised to pass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/21/parking-lot-reform-north-carolina-water-pollution" target="_self">North Carolina General Assembly</a> could soon pass a bill that would eliminate off-street parking minimums for developers statewide, overriding local regulations and a longstanding debate in Charlotte and other cities.Why it matters: Supporters say the relaxed regulations could lower housing costs and reduce stormwater runoff by ending excessive paving.

Rob Harrington appointed Charlotte mayor

Charlotte City Council appointed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rob Harrington " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/15/charlotte-mayor-frontrunners-vi-lyles-replacement" data-vars-content-id="29c32681-a906-43c6-bae4-6fff2543ed38" data-vars-headline="Rob Harrington appointed Charlotte mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/15/charlotte-mayor-frontrunners-vi-lyles-replacement" target="_self">Rob Harrington </a>as the city&#x27;s 60th mayor on Monday night.Why it matters: Harrington, president of the North Carolina Bar Association and a former chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library board, will guide the city through the next 18 months <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amid a period of rapid growth." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/26/charlotte-growth-population-1-million" data-vars-content-id="29c32681-a906-43c6-bae4-6fff2543ed38" data-vars-headline="Rob Harrington appointed Charlotte mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/26/charlotte-growth-population-1-million" target="_self">amid a period of rapid growth.</a>

Charlotte nonprofits brace for summer hunger surge

Higher grocery, child care and utility costs leave many Charlotte families needing extra help this summer.

Food insecurity is usually top-of-mind toward the end of the year around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thanksgiving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/12/axioscomlocalcharlotte20251112nourish-up-volunteers-snap-pause" data-vars-content-id="dc7f3dc8-7002-4f19-9f46-a353bd1edf43" data-vars-headline="Charlotte nonprofits brace for summer hunger surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/12/axioscomlocalcharlotte20251112nourish-up-volunteers-snap-pause" target="_self">Thanksgiving</a>, but local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nonprofits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/11/food-insecurity-charlotte-nourish-up-david-tepper" data-vars-content-id="dc7f3dc8-7002-4f19-9f46-a353bd1edf43" data-vars-headline="Charlotte nonprofits brace for summer hunger surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/11/food-insecurity-charlotte-nourish-up-david-tepper" target="_self">nonprofits</a> are preparing for a July spike. Why it matters: With school out for the summer, families with students who typically receive free meals at school grapple with higher grocery bills, in addition to child care and often higher utility bills due to summer heat,

From $20 cocktails to $2K rent: Why Charlotte is getting expensive

$15 High Noons. $1M townhomes. Charlotte's getting expensive.

People <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/03/charlotte-housing-market-first-time-buyers-unaffordable" data-vars-content-id="ca14b59c-7654-4500-8dff-cecbf4588a48" data-vars-headline="From $20 cocktails to $2K rent: Why Charlotte is getting expensive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/06/03/charlotte-housing-market-first-time-buyers-unaffordable" target="_self">are</a> seeing it everywhere: Gas at $4. Cocktails over $20. Rent climbing to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$2,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/26/vivian-apartments-south-end-rent" data-vars-content-id="ca14b59c-7654-4500-8dff-cecbf4588a48" data-vars-headline="From $20 cocktails to $2K rent: Why Charlotte is getting expensive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/26/vivian-apartments-south-end-rent" target="_self">$2,000</a>, and homeownership out of reach.<ul><li>Charlotte is getting expensive.</li></ul>Why it matters: The whole country is feeling the squeeze, but Charlotte faces an extra layer of economic pressure:<ul><li>The rising cost of being a desirable city.</li></ul>

❤️‍🩹 How to help Venezuelan relief efforts

How to help Venezuelan relief efforts in Charlotte 

🍿 Charlotte celebrity coming to your screen

Andy Roddick appears in star-studded pickleball comedy 

🍦 Davidson gets sweeter

Vegan ice cream shop Seemingly Overzealous expands to Davidson

🍔🍦 Smashburgers and scoops coming to Davidson and other speed reads 

Smashburgers and scoops coming to Davidson and other speed reads

🥁 And the winner is...

And the winner is...

A bracket that shows results from a June 25 survey of 1,095 Axios readers ranking North Carolina mountain towns. Blowing Rock won the title, beating Asheville 61% in the final. The widest margin was Ashevilleâs 84% first-round win over Burnsville; the closest was Brevardâs 51% win over Highlands.