Monthly Archives: June 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C – NoDa neighborhood street vendors will now have to register to sell items on the street. William Fulton owns the Jugo Bar on North Davidson street. He supports a plan to require vendors to register with the city for an assigned spot.

“The way it’s set up now that it’s they’re even competing against who can get what space, you know, even on the street space,” Fulton said.

Right now, vendors are allowed to set up anywhere on the street. Some have blocked fire stations and bus stops. Close to 700 people have a signed a change.org petition against a permitting system.

“I understand the city’s need for order and safety, but raising permanent fees and expanding restricted zones, especially in places like North Davidson, where foot traffic is vital, will only push more people into unsafe, committed places, not because they want to break rules, but because they have no other choice,” Irena Robinson, NoDa Street Vendor said.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — City Council voted Monday to remove Tesla from a list of companies from which the city would purchase electric vehicles.

And the move came with an accusation made by Councilman Ed Driggs that LaWana Mayfield’s motion to leave off the EV maker was politically motivated. Tesla is owned by Elon Musk, who until recently was the head of the federal Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump.

The Democrat Mayfield cited safety concerns, but the Republican Driggs said that many of the car dealerships listed would also have to be axed since major automakers like Ford and GM have had recalls in recent years. 

Tune in here to this ​Monday’s edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the Charlotte City Council’s latest vote and the controversy surrounding the exclusion of Tesla from a proposed electric vehicle purchase. On this steamy Monday night edition of Breaking with Brett Jensen, he dives into comments made by Councilmember LaWana Mayfield, who argued that Tesla’s corporate values don’t align with the city’s.

Later, Jensen dives into the year-end press conference held by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), highlighting key takeaways—and glaring omissions. Notably absent from the discussion was any mention of school violence or ambulance incidents reported earlier in the year. Instead, CMS leadership focused on academic topics, including teacher vacancies, test scores, and budget considerations. Brett pressed Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill on why only a 2.83% increase in teacher supplements was requested, prompting discussion about county budget constraints.

To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen’s exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

The Park Church in Charlotte’s Sunset Road neighborhood plans to add more affordable housing to its sprawling property.

The church filed a rezoning petition with the city on June 13 to transform the 30 acres behind its sanctuary on Beatties Ford Road into more than 300 affordable residential units.

The church didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the project. But this isn’t the first time The Park Church has used its land for housing. Nor is it the first house of worship in Charlotte to convert unused land into apartments or town houses.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — City officials are discussing a proposed pilot program that would introduce new regulations for street vendors in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. The plan aims to address concerns about unregulated vendors by requiring permits and clear identification.

“You have a vendor that is not registered, setting up shop directly in front of a store, not paying taxes. We can’t track them down if there were a problem,” Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield explained.

Under the proposal, vendors would not face criminal penalties, but they would need to comply with new permitting rules. The annual permit fee would increase from $165 to $350. This jump was a cause for concern among council members who want street vending to remain accessible.