Charlotte Area Transit System is tightening its security protocols after the Aug. 22 light rail attack, including by enforcing fares and deploying bike and urban terrain vehicle patrols along the light rail.

• However, there are no plans to place armed guards on every vehicle despite recent pressure.

Why it matters: The safety of riding CATS has come under intense scrutiny since Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on the light rail. No security was on board at the time of the attack, and the man charged with the murder did not buy a ticket.

Driving the news: The attack led to probes into CATS. A state audit found CATS' armed force has dwindled from at least 68 armed guards (out of 108 total security positions) in 2019 to just 39 (out of a total force of 219).

• That's not enough for CATS to cover all 48 train cars at once, the auditor emphasized.

The other side: At a safety press conference Friday, interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle said stationing an armed guard on every car is not feasible if the agency wants a mobile force that can respond across the system.

• CATS security staffing has actually increased 100% since 2019, including unarmed security.

Keep reading about what's next

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🏈 The Carolina Panthers overcame a 17-0 deficit to beat the Miami Dolphins 27-24 at Bank of America Stadium. (Axios)

🖊️ Gov. Josh Stein has signed a bill aimed at cracking down on crime, in part by reviving the death penalty. State lawmakers rushed the legislation through last month after Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was killed in a knife attack on a Charlotte light rail train. (Axios)

🗣 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police has requested that the National Guard be deployed to Charlotte. (WFAE)

🎧 Durham-based serial entrepreneur Kyle Mumma and his wife, Mia Wise, created the wildly popular Swift Alert app, with 2.5 million downloads and counting. The app provides constant updates on the pop star's concerts and life, as well as daily games. (Axios)

⚽️ Charlotte FC beat D.C. United 1-0 over the weekend. (WBTV)

🏟️ Carolina Ascent beat DC Power 3-2. (Instagram)

🏁 Shane van Gisbergen won the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (X)

Golf's new era in Charlotte doesn't just include a new name. The Truist Championship promises more elevated hospitality experiences, too.

Why it matters: Charlotte is coming off hosting the PGA Championship — one of the game's major events that drew hundreds of thousands of people to Quail Hollow Club.

• Now it's time for one of Charlotte's favorite springtime events to reintroduce itself, while capitalizing on the lingering excitement coming off the PGA Championship.

Catch up quick: Charlotte's annual PGA Tour event became the Truist Championship last August after years as the Wells Fargo Championship.

Zoom in: One of the new hospitality spaces at this year's tournament will be the Nest.

• Expect panoramic views of the 10th green, 11th tee, 12th green and No. 13. It was inspired by the PGA Championship's Club PGA, the only individual hospitality option where you didn't have to go corporate to enjoy luxury.
• The Nest — which is climate-controlled, has a patio, and includes food and drinks — is more accessible for young professionals and small businesses.

What else to expect

America's national parks — including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina — will remain partially open during the government shutdown, per the Department of the Interior's contingency plan.

The big picture: "Park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors," according to the department.

• Staff will be maintained to address "health and safety" for these sites, meaning restrooms will be open and trash will be collected.

Catch up quick: The government shutdown began last week after Congress failed to authorize a short-term spending stopgap in time.

State of play: The contingency plan says that areas may close if visitor access becomes a "safety, health or resource protection issue."

Zoom out: The current plan for parks appears to address in part the concerns of park employees and advocates, who criticized the decision to leave parks open during the last shutdown in 2019, also under President Trump.

• Aside from 2019, the parks typically close during a government shutdown.

What happened to national parks during the 2019 shutdown

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Senior Interior Designer at Little.
2. Chief Philanthropy Officer at Roof Above.
3. School Health Nurse at Mecklenburg County.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

There's plenty to do in Charlotte for $20 or less this week.

🌕 Monday: Head to The Music Yard in South End for Move Wellness' harvest full moon yoga event. | $20 | 6pm | Details

🎞️ Tuesday: Watch the series premiere of "Fork & Hammer," a reality TV show about local restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown, at the newly-restored Carolina Theatre next month. | $19.75 | 7pm | Details

🏃 Wednesday: Join Sycamore Brewing's run club in South End for a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-mile route. | Free | 5:30-7pm | Details

🍿 Thursday: Head to Camp North End for an outdoor screening of "Scooby-Doo." | Free | 8pm | Details

👻 Friday: Get in the spooky season spirit at Haunted, a Halloween pop-up bar, at BackStage Lounge. | Free to attend. | 4pm-1am | Details

News you can use from our partners.

• From executive retreats to employee events to holiday parties, Discovery Place Science is a one-of-a-kind venue that will wow your guests with awe-inspiring spaces and unforgettable experiences. Rent the museum.

With several new businesses opening in Charlotte, it can be hard to keep up. My fiancé and I recently visited Oh My Ganache at Camp North End.

Context: The locally owned bakery, which Charlotte native Brittani Sheppard launched in 2019, opened at Camp North End in June.

Dig in: We ordered a vanilla cheesecake with a white chocolate ganache and enjoyed it on the outdoor patio at sunset.

📍 Stop by: 270 Camp Road near Grow and That's Novel Books.

Camp North End guide