If Charlotte's proposed transit sales tax passes, 250,000 more people will be within walking distance — a quarter mile — of a bus with 15-minute frequencies by 2031. Only about 29,000 people are within that distance today.

Why it matters: The sales tax would fully fund the $522 million "Better Bus" plan and increase service by nearly 50% within five years, according to Charlotte Area Transit System. It'll also pay for new shelters for riders to comfortably wait for the bus — one of their top requests.

• Of CATS' more than 3,000 bus stops, 1,063 have no boarding area. They're just signs.

Context: Although bus doesn't garner as much attention as rail, it's more broadly used and widespread.

• 60% of CATS riders are taking the bus, according to the agency.
• A reliable bus system is also one of the most effective ways to improve people's chances of upward mobility by providing a predictable mode of transit to places like work and school.

Catch up quick: Mecklenburg County leaders hope to put a referendum on this November's election ballot asking voters to approve a 1-cent sales tax increase for transit. Under the proposal, the local bus system would receive 20% of the tax revenue — an estimated $69 million annually.

The big picture: Bus system improvements would be some of the first real benefits of the tax. The Red Line, the priority rail project, will take an estimated nine years to build.

Zoom in: Under the plan, CATS' 15 bus routes with the highest ridership will move to 15-minute frequencies. All other routes will be improved to 30 minutes or faster.

• The funding would fully implement CATS-provided microtransit countywide. Microtransit is like Uber. Riders can call an affordable ride to their front door.
• Plus, CATS will add 2,000 shelters, benches and waiting pads to stops — and makeover the transit center in Uptown.
• CATS will also consider implementing signal priority for buses and expanding express routes and paratransit, the agency's interim CEO Brent Cagle says.

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• Showroom Sales Representative (Part-time) at Statement Home by Diel Design.
• Associate Director of Admissions at Charlotte Preparatory School.
• Sales Professional (Davidson) at Paper Skyscraper.
• Freight Professional (Charlotte-Warehouse) at Paper Skyscraper.
• Shift Lead (Davidson) at Paper Skyscraper.
• Mammography Technologist at Charlotte Radiology.
• Registered Nurse (RN) at Charlotte Radiology.
• Communications, Marketing, and E-Commerce Coordinator at BraveWorks.
• Billing & Accounts Payable Manager at Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP.
• Student Support Coordinator/Tutor at Augustine Literacy Project.

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Atrium Health is planning a mixed-income multifamily community with more than 500 apartments and retail near the $1.5 billion medical school and innovation district it's building in midtown Charlotte. (🔒 CBJ)

Mecklenburg ABC stores sold $279.8 million of liquor in calendar year 2024 — their biggest year ever, figures from the N.C. ABC Commission show. The rate of growth is slowing, however. (🔒 Charlotte Ledger)

SouthPark Community Partners has launched its inaugural Small Business Forward Grant, which will award $20,000 to a small business owner whose project "advances the mission and principles of the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan."

• Applications and more information can be found here.

The escalating bird flu crisis is ravaging the nation's supply of eggs, leading to increased prices and presenting an immediate challenge for the Trump administration.

Why it matters: An outbreak of avian influenza is growing and has affected nearly 13 million birds in the last 30 days, according to USDA data.

• Some retailers are limiting how many eggs consumers can purchase while others are having a hard time keeping shelves stocked.
• "It's really a crazy situation and an unfortunate situation for consumers because the supply situation is what it is due to the bird flu," Jason Hart, CEO of grocery chain Aldi, tells Axios.

Zoom in: Harris Teeter and Publix — two of the most popular grocers in North Carolina — both tell Axios they're experiencing shortages of all types of eggs, but haven't instituted purchase limits.

• "We are working to bring these products back as soon as possible. We encourage customers to check back regularly, as our stores are receiving routine deliveries," a Publix spokesperson told Axios.

What's next: Egg prices are expected to fly to new highs in the coming weeks and months.

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