Truist’s new CEO, burger spot opens first location: Charlotte top stories

Charlotte’s news cycle so far this week spans a major banking leadership change, a high-stakes mayoral selection and the close of a chapter at a brand-new high school.

Here are key takeaways:

• Michael Lyons will take over as CEO of Truist in September, replacing retiring Bill Rogers. Lyons most recently led fintech company Fiserv and previously held senior roles at Bank of America and PNC Financial Services Group, where he led the $11.6 billion BBVA USA acquisition.
• The Charlotte City Council is narrowing more than 20 interim mayor applicants down to finalists by Thursday, with a final decision next week. Four candidates drawing attention are Harold Cogdell, Carrie Cook, Mike Evans and Robert Harrington, who emphasized affordability, infrastructure and restoring civility to council meetings.
• Ballantyne Ridge High School celebrated its first graduating class Saturday at Bojangles Coliseum, with 279 students walking the stage alongside 22 mid-year graduates. The school opened in August 2024 with no senior class, giving rising juniors the chance to build clubs, athletics and traditions from scratch.
• An NBA talent evaluator weighed in on the Charlotte Hornets’ draft options at picks Nos. 14 and 18, set for next Tuesday and Wednesday at Barclays Center. The evaluator praised a Michigan forward’s rim protection and length but said he’s two years away, while calling an Iowa guard the draft’s best catch-and-shoot shooter despite athleticism concerns.
• Fast-casual chain Jaggers is opening its first Charlotte-metro location at 985 Concord Parkway South, taking over a former Chick-fil-A space. The burger and shake brand was founded in 2014 by Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor and already operates in Fayetteville, Greenville and Jacksonville.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists. To learn more about how The Charlotte Observer is using AI in our newsroom, see our policy here.