The Charlotte Observer week in review

Charlotte I-77 toll lane project faces new hurdle

Charlotte City Council voted 6-5 to revoke its approval of public-private partnership funding for the Interstate 77 South toll lane project, shocking residents who had long opposed it. The decision now moves to the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, which could revote on the funding as soon as May 20. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Leigh Altman believes CRTPO will not approve the funding again if a revote occurs and says non-managed lane solutions must be explored. Residents in historically Black neighborhoods like McCrorey Heights, Biddleville, and Wesley Heights raised concerns over displacement, park removal, and lack of transparency. NCDOT has allocated $600 million to the project, but without a private partner covering the remaining $3.2 billion, the agency says no financially feasible alternative currently exists. If CRTPO follows Charlotte’s lead, that $600 million would be redistributed to other state projects, state officials say.

Reported by Desiree Mathurin, published May 13

Poll shows Charlotte mayoral hopefuls lack broad appeal

A new poll commissioned by SEIU 32BJ and conducted by Public Policy Polling on April 17–18 reveals that likely candidates for Charlotte’s 2027 mayoral race have limited name recognition and modest favorability among voters. The survey, which contacted roughly 560 registered Charlotte voters, examined Mayor Vi Lyles, Mayor Pro Tem James Mitchell, and council members Dimple Ajmera, Dante Anderson, and Malcolm Graham. No candidate earned a majority favorable rating. Ajmera led with 35% favorability, while Anderson polled lowest at 12%. Lyles, who plans to resign June 30, drew the highest unfavorable rating at 42%. Large shares of voters remained unsure about each prospective candidate. Among Democrats, Ajmera performed strongest, with about half viewing her favorably. The poll also found roughly three-quarters of respondents support better wages for Charlotte Douglas International Airport workers, a key issue for SEIU.

Reported by Nick Sullivan, published May 12, updated May 13

Mecklenburg unsheltered homelessness hits record high

Mecklenburg County’s annual Point-In-Time count recorded 499 people living outside in January, a 12% increase from last year’s record of 444, marking the second consecutive year unsheltered homelessness has reached a new high. The rise is linked to limited emergency shelter space and growing housing costs, with half of county renters considered cost-burdened. The county’s “A Home for All” initiative has provided rental assistance and secured a hotel conversion into a private shelter. Oversight is transitioning from United Way to the county, with fundraising led by the Foundation For The Carolinas. Tragically, Matthew Williams-Streat, 35, was found dead during the count, with police ruling the cause as an overdose.

Reported by Desiree Mathurin, published May 12

Parents seek answers after Christ the King prank

A senior prank at Christ The King Catholic High School in Huntersville has sparked calls for accountability from parents after students entered the school after hours on April 22 and taped up yearbook photos of former classmates alongside derogatory descriptions. The display was titled “The Graveyard Class of 2026: Those Who Couldn’t Make It.” Videos of the photos circulated on social media, drawing concern from affected families. The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation announced plans to examine the incident as part of a broader review of bullying concerns within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. Parents allege differential discipline based on family wealth or ties to staff, though Principal Mark Tolcher said punishments followed the school’s handbook policies.

Reported by Rebecca Noel, published May 12

Ex-Charlotte mayor seeks interim role after Lyles quits

Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts has formally expressed interest in serving as interim mayor following the resignation of Mayor Vi Lyles, who announced she will step down on June 30, less than a year into her fifth term. Roberts, a Democrat who served from 2015 to 2017, sent a letter to City Council members and media outlets Monday stating she is willing to step in. She pledged to forgo a salary and benefits and promised not to seek a full term in 2027. The City Council must appoint someone who lives in Charlotte and is a registered Democrat. Roberts acknowledged contacting media before notifying council members directly, and apologized for the misstep. The 2027 mayoral race is expected to draw a crowded field, with at least five current council members believed to be eyeing the position.

Reported by Mary Ramsey, published May 11

Charlotte’s I-77 exit ranks among NC’s most stressful

A new survey by Regan Zambri Law Group ranked the I-77 Exit 5 to Tyvola Road in Charlotte as North Carolina’s second most stressful off ramp. The personal injury law firm surveyed over 3,000 drivers in April 2026, asking them to choose from frequently used exits rather than compiling crash data to measure driver experience. The report noted traffic often backs up as drivers prepare to enter one of Charlotte’s busiest corridors, with signals positioned close to the ramp’s end and steady turning traffic. During peak hours, cars stack up and speeds drop as vehicles transition quickly from freeway to local streets. The ranking comes as the state plans toll lanes for an 11-mile I-77 stretch from uptown to South Carolina to ease congestion.

Reported by Eva Flowe, published May 11

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 2:17 PM with the headline "The Charlotte Observer week in review."