Mecklenburg County

Mecklenburg County has filed a lawsuit against BK Partners LLC. The legal action addresses delays concerning the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Village project, also referred to as the Uptown project.

Jamie Briggs was found guilty of second-degree murder, assault, and weapons possession by a felon following an argument that led to a deadly 2020 shooting in Charlotte. A Mecklenburg County jury convicted him on Friday, sentencing him to at least 44 years in prison.

Mecklenburg County has sued the developer, BK Partners LLC, regarding delays at the Brooklyn Village redevelopment project. The county alleges that the developer failed to meet required construction and demolition deadlines for the $700 million project meant to transform Uptown Charlotte.

A heat advisory is in effect for nearly every county in the Charlotte region. Weather officials warned that heat index values could reach 105 degrees, cautioning that extreme heat and high humidity could trigger heat-related illnesses. People are urged by meteorologists to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks indoors.

The 100-year-old facade of the Court Arcade building in Uptown Charlotte could be demolished for a data center expansion after Mecklenburg County approved the permit. Although the developer originally planned to preserve the facade, the final permit calls for demolition due to cited feasibility issues.

The Charlotte transportation board is progressing on the Red Line rail project. CATS proposed ten initial stops for this commuter rail line, which aims to link Uptown Charlotte to northern Mecklenburg County communities, including Cornelius and Davidson.

Mecklenburg County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Tonya McKnight for the murder of 6-year-old Dominique Moody. This prosecution marks the first time the county has pursued capital punishment in nearly a decade.

Following two deaths inside the Mecklenburg County Jail last week, families and community advocates held a vigil demanding systemic reforms and answers. Organizers stressed that solutions require community-based resources and services rather than expanding incarceration facilities. Advocates argue that the current system fails to address underlying conditions, suggesting increased mental health services are necessary.

A juvenile advocacy group warns that $18 million allocated for Mecklenburg County's Jail North facility could be redirected if a three-year dispute over reopening the facility remains unresolved. The Children’s Alliance advocates for the state to lease the facility, but Sheriff Garry McFadden refuses, insisting his office operate it under his terms. McFadden has issued a 120-day ultimatum for state officials to accept his proposal.

North Carolina confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus in 2026 in Gaston County, with a positive blood donor identified in Mecklenburg County and the virus detected in mosquitoes across multiple counties. Health officials emphasize prevention measures like mosquito repellent and eliminating standing water, as the virus spreads through infected mosquito bites and poses higher risks for elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

North Carolina confirmed its first West Nile virus case in a Gaston County resident, with a blood donor in Mecklenburg County also testing positive. The virus was detected in mosquitoes across Cabarrus, Forsyth, and Mecklenburg counties, prompting public health advisories on prevention.

Mecklenburg County leaders are seeking state funding to renovate and reopen the former Jail North facility for juvenile detainees, amid a dispute over the future of youth offender housing. Sheriff Garry McFadden is involved in the debate as the facility's partial reopening is prepared.

Children’s advocates and Sheriff Garry McFadden are pushing to reopen Mecklenburg County’s juvenile jail, closed in 2022, with an estimated $38 million renovation cost and $18 million annual operating expenses. The sheriff and advocates agree on housing youth locally but disagree on funding responsibilities, with McFadden urging the state to provide upfront money for renovations.

House Bill 377 in North Carolina proposes changes to judicial discipline, allowing the state Supreme Court to censure, suspend, or remove trial judges without recommendations from the Judicial Standards Commission. The bill also grants the Chief Justice power to suspend judges without pay under specific conditions, and it faces criticism for potentially politicizing the judicial system. The Senate passed the bill along party lines, with a final vote scheduled for Wednesday.

North Carolina reported 149 new cyclosporiasis cases since July 28, caused by the Cyclospora parasite linked to contaminated food or water. Cases have more than doubled in the past two years but recently declined, with 33 hospitalizations this year and two deaths in Michigan linked to the illness.

Derrick Randall Jr. has been charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Brandi Merrick, with DNA and forensic evidence linking him to her death. Blood matching Merrick's DNA was found in Randall's garage, and items like gloves and a ratchet strap with her DNA were discovered near a potential grave site. Surveillance and phone records tracked Randall's movements to a wooded area where investigators found tire tracks and a depression but no body.

A 19-year-old man is facing multiple charges after a 45-year-old man was injured in a Saturday night shooting in Chase City, Mecklenburg County. The incident occurred in the Chase City area, and the 19-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with the shooting.

Angie Myers has been appointed as the new CEO of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library following a nationwide search. She previously served as interim CEO since May 2025 and held the role of chief finance and administration officer. Myers has a background in corporate finance and will oversee 21 library locations, nearly 500 employees, and a collection of over 800,000 items.

Weather alerts were issued for the Carolinas on August 2 due to heavy rain and storms, with concerns about flash flooding in Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties. A slow-moving cold front and high moisture levels fueled prolonged rainfall, and Duke Energy provided safety guidelines for downed power lines.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, flash flooding, and torrential downpours were possible across the Charlotte region on Saturday and Sunday, August 1, 2026. Active weather alerts for multiple counties, including Iredell, Rowan, Chester, York, Lancaster, Mecklenburg, and Union, were issued until further notice. No expired alerts were reported as of Saturday.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain with potential flash flooding are impacting the Carolinas on Aug. 1, 2026, particularly affecting the foothills and mountains of North Carolina. The National Weather Service issued special weather statements for Mecklenburg, Gaston, and York counties, while Duke Energy provided safety tips for downed power lines.

A 66-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for a second-degree murder conviction died unexpectedly at Brown Creek Correctional Institution. EMS pronounced Danny A. White deceased, and an investigation into his death is ongoing.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer, Seth Daniel Elliott, was arrested for allegedly misusing Flock Safety technology to provide license plate information to a person involved in a drug investigation. The officer accessed data via Flock Safety and CJLEADS, then shared it with the target, leading to his unpaid administrative leave and a charge of illegally accessing a government computer.

A 56-year-old New York man has died and a woman is seriously injured following a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 85 in Mecklenburg County on Tuesday.

An invasive yellow-legged hornet species was discovered for the first time in North Carolina near a Matthews home. The hornets, identified as aggressive pests threatening honeybees and pollinators, prompted increased surveillance and over 200 traps in the area.

Over 29,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas lost power following Tuesday's storms, with nearly 7,000 outages reported in Iredell County, particularly around Mooresville, and significant disruptions in Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 p.m. Tuesday, issued by the National Weather Service. The alert covers multiple counties in North Carolina, including Cabarrus, Gaston, Union, and others.

North Carolina faith leaders are urging lawmakers to uphold Governor Josh Stein's veto of House Bill 437, which would ban unauthorized camping on public property and require removal of encampments. The bill's supporters argue it addresses public safety and secures federal funding, while opponents claim it criminalizes homelessness and creates unfunded mandates. Supporters plan to attempt a veto override when the General Assembly reconvenes in August.

A Charlotte tow truck driver faces felony charges after towing a vehicle containing two women, including Joyce Bradley and her godmother Shelby Graham, at a North Carolina gas station. Video evidence shows the driver, David Satterfield, bumping and dragging the car while passengers were inside, leading to charges of felonious restraint and assault. The incident involved an attempted repossession and prior investigations into Satterfield's practices.

Flood advisories were active in several North Carolina counties in the Charlotte region on July 23 due to heavy rainfall, with potential for significant flooding if additional rain fell. The National Weather Service issued advisories and flood watches for multiple counties, including Mecklenburg and Union, with some areas already receiving up to 3 inches of rain.

An undocumented immigrant in Mecklenburg County has been indicted for allegedly distributing child sexual abuse material and possessing content involving prepubescent minors. The charges relate to the distribution and possession of illegal material depicting children.

A flood watch was issued for multiple counties in the Charlotte region starting July 22, with heavy rains expected through Thursday evening. Counties under the watch include Anson, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Richmond, Rowan, and Stanly. The watch will expire Thursday evening for most areas but remain through Friday morning for Anson, Richmond, and Stanly counties.

Two individuals were arrested weeks after a deadly four-vehicle crash in Mecklenburg County, resulting in the death of a motorcycle rider. Xiukuai Zhang faces felony hit-and-run charges, while Ryan Faulkner is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to yield. The crash occurred at the intersection of East John Street and McKee Road in Matthews, North Carolina.

A Catawba County man was killed after vehicles hit a low-hanging cable, causing a utility pole to fall. Other stories include West Caldwell High School canceling varsity football and a near-miss accident at a Mecklenburg County recycling facility.

A saw blade narrowly missed a worker at a Mecklenburg County recycling facility in June, prompting officials to warn against placing such items in curbside bins. The incident occurred at the Pence Road Material Recovery Facility, and officials emphasized proper disposal methods for non-recyclable objects like saw blades.

North Carolina's first pediatric behavioral health care facility, the Katie Blessing Center, is set to open in Mecklenburg County by early 2027. Local and state leaders marked a construction milestone for the facility, which will be the state's largest of its kind.

Mecklenburg County in North Carolina confirmed 29 cyclosporiasis cases as of July 21, with 11 new cases since July 17. North Carolina reported 561 total cases statewide, and the FDA found a false positive linking Taco Bell's lettuce to the outbreak. The CDC is investigating other sources as cases rise in multiple U.S. states.

Hines Global Income Trust acquired The Design Center of the Carolinas, a historic South End property in Charlotte, for $170 million from Asana Partners. The complex, originally the Nebel Knitting Mill, is positioned to benefit from Charlotte's growth due to its mix of creative tenants and neighborhood energy.

West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, according to state health officials. The exact location of the mosquito group remains unspecified, and officials noted the finding as of July 20.

Construction has begun on safety projects along Arrowwood Road in Charlotte, addressing long-standing concerns from residents like Wanda Holmes, who survived a hit-and-run accident there in 2024. The improvements, part of the Arrowwood Strategic Investment Area program, include pedestrian beacons and upgraded bus stops funded by a $55 million bond referendum and a newly approved one-cent sales tax.