Flower fields across the Carolinas are starting to bloom.

Why it matters: We've rounded up nine pick-your-own flower farms within two hours of Charlotte — from spring's tulip fields to fall's sunflower patches.

Here are several open now for tulip season:

🌷Patterson Farm in Mount Ulla

The farm's spring tulip festival runs through March — expect pick-your-own blooms, a large play area and weekend wagon rides.

• 45-50 minutes from Uptown.

💐 Dewberry Farms in Kernersville

Find tulips in the spring and sunflowers in the summer and fall at this 20-acre farm.

• 90 minutes from Uptown.

🌷 Thompson Family Farm in Campobello, South Carolina

This South Carolina family farm will run its spring tulip season through late March.

• Two hours west of Uptown.

💐 Stepps Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville

Tulip season kicked off March 21 and typically lasts three to four weekends at this family-owned orchard.

• About two hours from Uptown.

Full guide

DaBaby announced Monday he's bringing a hip-hop festival to Concord this summer.

Why it matters: The Be More Grateful Fest lineup includes 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Waka Flocka and about a dozen more artists, DaBaby posted on his Instagram Monday.

Driving the news: Be More Grateful Fest will be at Route 29 Pavilion in Concord on Saturday, June 13.

• Presale tickets go on sale Thursday, March 25, with general sales starting Friday, March 26.
• Other artists featured on the festival's website include Boosie, Webbie, BigXThaPlug, YKNiece, Bubba B, Big Bookie, Trap Dickey, Fetty P Franklin and Mellow Rackz.

Full story

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Executive Assistant & Hospitality Coordinator at Donald Haack Diamonds.
2. Lower School Lead Teacher at Charlotte Preparatory School.
3. Therapist at In Session Psychotherapy, PLLC.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

The BOplex entertainment complex, home of the Charlotte Checkers, secured City Council approval for $25 million for maintenance on Monday.

Why it matters: The investment reflects the city's desire to keep Ovens Auditorium and Bojangles Coliseum viable, as the aging venues' annual revenue has grown from $2.9 million to $19.2 million over the last decade.

• The complex hosts over 300 events a year, up from 140 events in 2015, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which manages the city-owned facility.

The latest: Charlotte City Council OKed the spending from the tourism fund. The reserve is funded by taxes on hotels and rental cars and is routinely used to fund arena maintenance.

• The money isn't for anything too sexy. Rather, it will cover $23 million in HVAC upgrades. The city is also spending $2 million on studies of the MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems to inform future funding requests.
• CRVA's Steve Bagwell says the BOplex's core systems are past their lifespan. The Ovens' chiller is from the 1990s, and boiler systems date back to the 1950s and 1970s.

The intrigue: At 70 years old, Bojangles Coliseum has been showing its age lately. Several events in February were forced to reschedule due to a roof leak, including the USA Curling national championships.

• The roof repairs are not part of the $25 million funding package but are being addressed as part of an ongoing roof resealing.

Keep reading

🏃 The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has dropped a new look. This will be Charlotte's signature road marathon's first year under new ownership. (Novant Health Charlotte Marathon)

🎤 TLC and Salt-N-Pepa will perform at Truliant Amphitheater on Sept. 20. (Live Nation)

🏀 The Charlotte 49ers have hired former UNC basketball player Wes Miller as their new head men's basketball coach. (Charlotte 49ers)

🎶 Kesha will perform at Truliant Amphitheater on Aug. 12. (Kesha)

👗 Phoebes, a women's clothing boutique in Pineville, will open its new storefront in Fort Mill, S.C., on Saturday, March 28, at 10am. (Instagram)

Charlotte jewelry brand KIKI is growing fast, with a new South End store opening next month and more locations on the way.

Why it matters: What started as a pandemic side hustle is quickly becoming a multi-city retail brand rooted in Charlotte.

Driving the news: KIKI will open its second Charlotte storefront on April 11 at 1425 Winnifred St., in South End.

Context: Founder Kris Cox launched the brand during the pandemic and grew it through pop-ups and markets across the city.

• He opened the brand's permanent location at Camp North End last year.

What to expect at the new store

Some travelers are feeling the effects of the partial federal government shutdown with lengthy TSA screening wait times.

• If you have traveled through Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in the last week, let us know about your TSA experience by emailing [email protected].

Between the lines: CLT was among several airports where more than 20% of TSA employees called out on Saturday, ABC reported.

What we're watching: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been sent to assist with TSA operations at some airports. A CLT spokesperson tells Axios airport officials are not aware of "ICE agents being deployed" locally.

• The Department of Homeland Security declined to confirm the locations of its officers.