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Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign early

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign effective June 30, a year and a half before her term ends.

News

Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vi Lyles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/10/mayor-vi-lyles-reelection-bid-campaign-2025-municipal" data-vars-content-id="ac1a9d83-1bae-4e5f-9673-4486d2e0bca0" data-vars-headline="Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/10/mayor-vi-lyles-reelection-bid-campaign-2025-municipal" target="_self">Vi Lyles</a> announced on Thursday that she will resign from office, effective June 30, a year and a half before her term ends.Why it matters: Lyles&#x27; resignation will likely trigger a battle for her interim seat and potentially set up one of the most competitive mayoral races in recent history.

Scoop: Chili Willi's opens in Lake Norman

Rob Duckworth revives the longtime West Virginia restaurant in Cornelius with original recipes.

Food and Drink

Chili Willi&#x27;s opens Friday in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former Waterman space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/27/scoop-chili-willi-s-to-replace-the-waterman-in-lkn" data-vars-content-id="9f34d283-3a51-4651-88ac-78b8317cf2e3" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Chili Willi&#x27;s opens in Lake Norman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/27/scoop-chili-willi-s-to-replace-the-waterman-in-lkn" target="_self">former Waterman space</a> in Lake Norman.Why it matters: The restaurant is a revival of a West Virginia favorite, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="operated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.herald-dispatch.com/special/lost_huntington/lost-huntington-chili-willis/article_0753f68f-e540-59d7-89f4-8b679c203cff.html" data-vars-content-id="9f34d283-3a51-4651-88ac-78b8317cf2e3" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Chili Willi&#x27;s opens in Lake Norman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.herald-dispatch.com/special/lost_huntington/lost-huntington-chili-willis/article_0753f68f-e540-59d7-89f4-8b679c203cff.html" target="_blank">operated</a> for nearly three decades before closing in 2011. Its new iteration has become a passion project for local restaurateur <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rob Duckworth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2018/09/04/rob-duckworth-owner-of-duckworths-136406" data-vars-content-id="9f34d283-3a51-4651-88ac-78b8317cf2e3" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Chili Willi&#x27;s opens in Lake Norman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2018/09/04/rob-duckworth-owner-of-duckworths-136406" target="_self">Rob Duckworth</a> (of Duckworth&#x27;s and Link &amp; Pin), who took his wife there on their first date and remembers making early-career business deals there.

Weekender: 33 things to do in Charlotte this Mother's Day weekend

Events happening May 8-10 include Truist Championship, Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival, Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival, vendor markets, live music and more.

Things to Do

There&#x27;s still time to pull together a last-minute Mother&#x27;s Day plan with this weekend&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/30/charlotte-biggest-may-events-2026" data-vars-content-id="17e20b88-fe23-4c2a-b628-54d973103e4b" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 33 things to do in Charlotte this Mother&#x27;s Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/30/charlotte-biggest-may-events-2026" target="_self">events</a> — and maybe squeeze in a little fun for yourself, too.

A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo

Carbon Performance combines high-end equipment, saunas, cold plunges, HYROX classes and co-working under one roof.

Health

Carbon Performance is a 45,000-square-foot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury fitness and recovery center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/11/cold-plunge-cryotherapy-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="5cdf032a-2425-46e9-b92d-2fe5f3d9057a" data-vars-headline="A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo" 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/cold-plunge-cryotherapy-charlotte" target="_self">luxury fitness and recovery center</a> opening in Lower South End later this summer.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee-born fitness company&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://carbonperformance.com/about-us/" data-vars-content-id="5cdf032a-2425-46e9-b92d-2fe5f3d9057a" data-vars-headline="A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://carbonperformance.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Tennessee-born fitness company&#x27;s</a> expansion to Charlotte reflects the city&#x27;s growing appetite for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-end wellness spaces " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/five-wellness-trends-charlotte-2026" data-vars-content-id="5cdf032a-2425-46e9-b92d-2fe5f3d9057a" data-vars-headline="A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/five-wellness-trends-charlotte-2026" target="_self">high-end wellness spaces </a>that combine strength training, recovery and lifestyle amenities under one roof.

The federal agency that shook Charlotte left behind few answers

Questions linger about DHS's 1,300 Charlotte immigration arrests.

Nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="five months" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/border-patrol-ice-operation-immigration-charlotte-web-trump" data-vars-content-id="fac53f76-daf6-4b05-a25b-8ad3aa244f2e" data-vars-headline="The federal agency that shook Charlotte left behind few answers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/border-patrol-ice-operation-immigration-charlotte-web-trump" target="_self">five months</a> after the Trump administration surged Border Patrol agents into North Carolina, the Department of Homeland Security has shared little about Operation Charlotte&#x27;s Web and its reported <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1,300-plus arrests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/operation-charlottes-web-ice-arrests-criminal-illegal-alien-who-killed-15-year-old" data-vars-content-id="fac53f76-daf6-4b05-a25b-8ad3aa244f2e" data-vars-headline="The federal agency that shook Charlotte left behind few answers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/operation-charlottes-web-ice-arrests-criminal-illegal-alien-who-killed-15-year-old" target="_blank">1,300-plus arrests</a> beyond what lawsuits have revealed.Why it matters: The federal agency that for more than two weeks disrupted daily life, prompting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic upheaval " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/24/charlotte-business-closures-cbp-ice-raids-business-impact" data-vars-content-id="fac53f76-daf6-4b05-a25b-8ad3aa244f2e" data-vars-headline="The federal agency that shook Charlotte left behind few answers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/24/charlotte-business-closures-cbp-ice-raids-business-impact" target="_self">economic upheaval </a>and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public school absences" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/immigration-crackdown-student-absence-rate-charlotte-schools" data-vars-content-id="fac53f76-daf6-4b05-a25b-8ad3aa244f2e" data-vars-headline="The federal agency that shook Charlotte left behind few answers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/immigration-crackdown-student-absence-rate-charlotte-schools" target="_self">public school absences</a>, appears to answer to few, critics say, and may be violating transparency laws fundamental to U.S. democracy.

Charlotte's safety image seen as key to landing major events

Public safety is critical in order for Charlotte to remain competitive in hosting major events, according to a local sports executive.

Public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/public-safety" data-vars-content-id="3f82bd05-5192-46d1-9d13-b292319f9e0c" data-vars-headline="Charlotte&#x27;s safety image seen as key to landing major events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/public-safety" target="_self">safety</a> is critical for Charlotte to remain competitive in hosting major events, according to a local sports executive.Why it matters: Event promoters are less inclined to bring their events to a city where visitors and residents don&#x27;t feel safe. That isn&#x27;t just a bad look; it also hurts local businesses that benefit from additional foot traffic. <ul><li>Charlotte has been grappling with its national safety image since August 2025, when Iryna Zarutska was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatally stabbed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/11/north-carolina-gop-republican-crime-crackdown-charlotte-light-rail-stabbing" data-vars-content-id="3f82bd05-5192-46d1-9d13-b292319f9e0c" data-vars-headline="Charlotte&#x27;s safety image seen as key to landing major events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/11/north-carolina-gop-republican-crime-crackdown-charlotte-light-rail-stabbing" target="_self">fatally stabbed</a> on the light rail in South End. </li></ul>

Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska's murder

Governor seeks mental health funds after light rail stabbing

Democratic Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Josh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/09/mecklenburg-sheriff-mcfadden-hearing-testimony-north-carolina-lawmakers" data-vars-content-id="a86e62ba-0354-43a9-8579-eaa66d2cbfe3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/09/mecklenburg-sheriff-mcfadden-hearing-testimony-north-carolina-lawmakers" target="_self">Josh</a> Stein, speaking to an influential Charlotte business audience Thursday, stressed the need for the General Assembly to invest in mental health care following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s fatal stabbing on the light rail.Why it matters: Stein said it wasn&#x27;t just Zarutska who was killed by a suspect with a history of mental illness. He referenced a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh teacher who died following an assault in her home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wral.com/news/local/zoe-welsh-ravenscroft-teacher-murder-suspect-ryan-camacho-2026/" data-vars-content-id="a86e62ba-0354-43a9-8579-eaa66d2cbfe3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wral.com/news/local/zoe-welsh-ravenscroft-teacher-murder-suspect-ryan-camacho-2026/" target="_blank">Raleigh teacher who died following an assault in her home</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southport mass shooting." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wect.com/2025/09/30/husband-confirms-his-wife-died-shooting-saturday-southport/" data-vars-content-id="a86e62ba-0354-43a9-8579-eaa66d2cbfe3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wect.com/2025/09/30/husband-confirms-his-wife-died-shooting-saturday-southport/" target="_blank">Southport mass shooting.</a>

North Carolina lawmakers question Mecklenburg County sheriff's competency in fiery hearing

Sheriff Garry McFadden fails to name three branches of government.

North <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Carolina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/mecklenburg-sheriff-safety-oversight-testimony" data-vars-content-id="9d714b50-1fc2-45b4-ab9a-778f4a1ada25" data-vars-headline="North Carolina lawmakers question Mecklenburg County sheriff&#x27;s competency in fiery hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/mecklenburg-sheriff-safety-oversight-testimony" target="_self">Carolina</a> lawmakers eviscerated Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden in a hearing Monday in Raleigh.Why it matters: What was billed as a way to address crime in the state&#x27;s largest city, with mostly GOP lawmakers grilling the Democratic sheriff over a host of issues, including immigration, turned into an all-out questioning of his competency to serve — from deaths in county jails to his basic knowledge of the three branches of government.

"Crime Junkie" podcast spotlights Charlotte's Shanquella Robinson case

"Crime Junkie" podcast examines Shanquella Robinson case

Public Safety

&quot;Crime <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Junkie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/11/18/charlotte-womans-death-is-being-investigated-as-homicide-mexican-authorities-say-314045" data-vars-content-id="b1625544-51f9-4e90-9f7f-3bdd72534fc4" data-vars-headline="&quot;Crime Junkie&quot; podcast spotlights Charlotte&#x27;s Shanquella Robinson case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/11/18/charlotte-womans-death-is-being-investigated-as-homicide-mexican-authorities-say-314045" target="_self">Junkie</a>,&quot; one of the nation&#x27;s top true-crime podcasts, released an episode on Thursday diving into the case of 25-year-old Charlotte woman Shanquella Robinson.Why it matters: The far-reaching show is bound to spark renewed attention — and possibly place new pressure on authorities — to continue investigating the more than three-year-old case.

State lawmakers want to grill sheriff over Charlotte's crime

Mecklenburg County Sheriff McFadden summoned to testify before the legislature for "failures"

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden and other local officials have been summoned to testify in Raleigh on the department&#x27;s &quot;failures.&quot;Why it matters: This is the latest high-profile way Republicans are casting blame on Charlotte&#x27;s Democratic leadership for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising crime concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/03/police-cmpd-safety-chief-safe-survey" data-vars-content-id="e963502d-de7b-4d70-9107-d52fe3e53e45" data-vars-headline="State lawmakers want to grill sheriff over Charlotte&#x27;s crime" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/03/police-cmpd-safety-chief-safe-survey" target="_self">rising crime concerns</a>, especially in the wake of the fatal Aug. 22 light rail stabbing.

Sycamore co-owner accused of raping child, breaking into Stanly County home

The co-owner of Sycamore Brewing was arrested Thursday and charged with the statutory rape of a child and breaking into a Stanly County home, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our news partners at WBTV report." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wbtv.com/2025/12/11/sycamore-co-owner-accused-raping-child-breaking-into-stanly-county-home/" data-vars-content-id="cbdc6d97-53cf-4071-8550-dc0c83cf123d" data-vars-headline="Sycamore co-owner accused of raping child, breaking into Stanly County home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wbtv.com/2025/12/11/sycamore-co-owner-accused-raping-child-breaking-into-stanly-county-home/" target="_blank">our news partners at WBTV report.</a>Driving the news: Justin Brigham, 44, is accused of breaking into a home in Stanfield on Wednesday and raping a 13-year-old girl inside, according to arrest warrants.

Iryna's Law will lead to dangerous Mecklenburg jail overcrowding, sheriff warns

Sheriff: Iryna's Law fuels dangerous jail overcrowding

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden says he is bracing for dangerous jail overcrowding after the passage of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iryna&#x27;s Law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/03/north-carolina-democratic-governor-republican-crime-bill" data-vars-content-id="185e245a-7c9d-432d-9140-96e8bc00341b" data-vars-headline="Iryna&#x27;s Law will lead to dangerous Mecklenburg jail overcrowding, sheriff warns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/03/north-carolina-democratic-governor-republican-crime-bill" target="_self">Iryna&#x27;s Law</a>, the state bill enacted in the wake of the fatal August light rail stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.Why it matters: House Bill 307 is intended to keep criminals off the streets, but it does not dedicate new funding for keeping more suspects in custody longer, leading to concerns about the safety of both employees and inmates within the jail&#x27;s walls.

Second Charlotte light rail stabbing reignites concerns over transit safety and immigration

One person was seriously injured after a stabbing on the light rail on the evening of Dec. 5 in northeast Charlotte.

One person was seriously injured after a stabbing on the light rail on the evening of Dec. 5 in northeast Charlotte.Why it matters: The incident has drawn national attention, including from President Trump, because the suspect is an undocumented <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigrant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/border-patrol-ice-operation-immigration-charlotte-web-trump" data-vars-content-id="fe8c51f3-9a60-410f-bd5d-14db6798769f" data-vars-headline="Second Charlotte light rail stabbing reignites concerns over transit safety and immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/border-patrol-ice-operation-immigration-charlotte-web-trump" target="_self">immigrant</a>.

Survey: Nearly two-thirds say Charlotte is "less safe" than a year ago

Charlotteans urge CMPD to make Uptown "safe again" in community survey

<figure><img alt="Pie chart showing responses about safety in greater Charlotte compared to a year ago: 3.9% feel it is safer (green), 30.12% feel about the same (yellow), 65.98% feel less safe (blue)." height="720" id="c869ad94-dac2-4d79-83a8-d701439b0871" src="https://images.axios.com/Spxe9_gjWgKIKQTR10r9vzkSHio=/2025/12/03/1764770894700.jpeg" width="1410"/><figcaption>Chart: Provided by City of Charlotte</figcaption></figure>Nearly 66% of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/03/charlotte-new-police-chief-estella-patterson-cmpd" data-vars-content-id="aac205c4-df74-4cdf-9116-deffbe4a3e11" data-vars-headline="Survey: Nearly two-thirds say Charlotte is &quot;less safe&quot; than a year ago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/03/charlotte-new-police-chief-estella-patterson-cmpd" target="_self">Charlotte</a>-area residents believe the city has become &quot;less safe&quot; over the past year, according to a recent community survey.Why it matters: Charlotte has long touted itself as a safe place where families want to move for the quality of life. But local leaders are struggling to counter a developing crime-ridden image as the city grows.