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Coverage (10 articles)
On Data Centers, Mecklenburg County Wants a Voice It Mostly Doesn't Have
Mecklenburg commissioners got a deliberately neutral briefing on data centers at their May 19 meeting and signaled they want a position on the fast-growing industry. The catch: under North Carolina law, nearly all the zoning power belongs to the cities, not the county.
Charlotte Water Escalates to Mandatory Restrictions as Drought Reaches Stage 2
Charlotte Water escalates to Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol on Friday, May 15 — the first mandatory water restrictions since 2009. The region has reached exceptional drought for the first time since 2008.
Mandatory Water Restrictions Begin Friday in Charlotte. The Five-Stage Protocol Behind Them.
Day-of guide to Charlotte's first mandatory Stage 2 restrictions since 2009: the rules, the five-stage Low Inflow Protocol behind them, the burn ban that arrived with them, and what's enforceable Friday.
Charlotte Water Moves to Voluntary Restrictions as the Catawba-Wateree Basin Hits Stage 1
Charlotte Water shifted to voluntary water restrictions on Monday, April 20 — the first time since 2023 — after the Catawba-Wateree River Basin moved to Stage 1 of its regional Low Inflow Protocol. A separate citywide burn ban with a $100 fine and $183 in court costs was imposed alongside it. Here is what the city is asking and what would push the basin further.
Charlotte politics shake‑up
Five chaotic days shut a violent bar, cleared two town ballots, unleashed a Senate shake‑up, and let lawmakers spike your power bill—all before Charlotte finished its second latte.
Charlotte Democratic Primary 2026: Stein Endorses Challenger to Incumbent Cunningham in High-Stakes House Race
Governor endorses challenger to 7-term Charlotte incumbent who votes with GOP 84% of time. March 3 primary will decide whether Democrats can restore veto power.
Tom Tillis Quits, Roy Cooper Eyes Senate, and Michael Watley Tests Trump's Grip on North Carolina
Tillis exits, Cooper edges in, Watley rolls the Trump dice, and Raleigh fights over a budget nobody can see. Grab a seat—Poll Dance 2025 is warming up.
Carla Cunningham Leaves the Democratic Party.
After losing her March primary to Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler by nearly 48 points, the seven-term Charlotte representative re-registered Unaffiliated on Friday. She has not said whether she will caucus with Republicans. Speaker Destin Hall's veto-override math doesn't need her to.
Charlotte Council Votes Unanimously for 150-Day Data Center Moratorium. Two Weeks Ago, It Was 5-5.
Two weeks after a 5-5 deadlock that required Mayor Vi Lyles to break the tie, Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday night to schedule a public hearing on a 150-day moratorium on new data center approvals. The hearing is set for May 26. Council could adopt the moratorium as early as June 8.
A 2.5-Million-Square-Foot Data Center Is Going Up off University City Boulevard.
The Charlotte City Council deadlocked 5-5 Monday night on whether to even schedule a public hearing on a temporary moratorium for new data center approvals. Mayor Vi Lyles broke the tie, voting no. Meanwhile a 2.5-million-square-foot, 300-megawatt data center campus is going up at 10800 University City Boulevard — and under Charlotte's current zoning, the council had no role in approving it.
Other coverage in the Mercury Local network
Charlotte's Stage 1 Drought Hit Monday. Here's What It Means in Ballantyne.
Charlotte Water moved to its first voluntary water restrictions since 2023 on Monday, April 20. Here's what the schedule looks like in Ballantyne — and what the basin-wide trigger means for HOA common areas, the burn ban that came with it, and the watershed picture.
Charlotte's Voluntary Water Restrictions: What They Mean for Fourth Ward HOAs and Condo Boards
Charlotte Water's voluntary restrictions and the citywide burn ban both took effect this week. In Fourth Ward, the practical effect runs through HOAs and condo boards as much as individual units — and the burn ban's 100-foot rule changes more than it might look like.
The Drought Escalated. Ballantyne's Watering Schedule Just Got Mandatory.
Charlotte Water's voluntary drought restrictions are being replaced with mandatory rules on Friday, May 15. Ballantyne's irrigation schedule is now two days per week, overnight only — and fines start at $100.
Charlotte Water Moves to Mandatory Restrictions Friday. Firethorne's Watering Window Is Now Two Days a Week.
Charlotte Water moves to mandatory restrictions Friday, May 15, under Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol. Firethorne's irrigation window drops to two days a week, overnight only.
Mandatory Water Restrictions Start Friday. What Fourth Ward Residents Need to Know.
Charlotte Water's mandatory Stage 2 restrictions take effect Friday, May 15. For Fourth Ward, the biggest direct impacts hit power washing, decorative water features, and the neighborhood's irrigation schedule.
Stage 1 Drought Hits the Catawba-Wateree Basin. What Firethorne Needs to Know.
The Catawba-Wateree Basin entered Stage 1 of its regional drought protocol Monday, triggering Charlotte Water's first voluntary restrictions since 2023. Out here in Firethorne, the response runs through whichever utility serves your home — but the drought is shared, and the basin-wide thinking is worth knowing either way.
Que Fresa Brings Breakfast & Margaritas to Uptown Charlotte
Que Fresa opens in Duke Energy Plaza with all-day breakfast, margarita flights, and tacos galore! Explore the vibrant new spot in Uptown Charlotte. 🌮🍹
Trump Moves to Halt Offshore Wind Leasing, North Carolina's Energy Future in Question
Trump halts offshore wind leases 🌀, raising uncertainty for NC's renewable energy projects. What's next for wind farms off the Carolina coast?