I-485 Express Lanes to Open in February

After nearly seven years of construction, the I-485 express lanes in south Charlotte are set to open in late February.

The $346 million project adds one toll express lane in each direction along a 16-mile stretch of Interstate 485, from I-77 to Independence Boulevard (U.S. 74). It also includes an extra general-purpose lane between Rea Road and Providence Road, aiming to improve traffic flow on one of the region’s busiest corridors.

The express lanes offer drivers a faster option, with tolls initially based on time of day and day of the week, transitioning to dynamic pricing based on demand and traffic flow.

NC Quick Pass users will receive discounted rates, while emergency vehicles and certain vanpool services can travel toll-free.

NASCAR Commissioner Steps Down

NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps announced his resignation Tuesday, effective at the end of the month. The decision follows intense backlash after inflammatory text messages he sent were disclosed during a federal antitrust trial brought by racing teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

Phelps referred to Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress as “a stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.” He later expressed regret, saying he was venting out of frustration, and apologized.

The backlash prompted criticism from key stakeholders and escalated after Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris demanded his removal in a public letter.

Phelps highlighted achievements including modernizing the schedule, expanding internationally, and securing media deals. NASCAR praised his leadership and said it will manage his duties internally, with no immediate replacement planned.

3 Measles and 4 Chickenpox Cases in Buncombe

Three siblings in Buncombe County have contracted measles following a family visit to Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where a large, ongoing outbreak has infected hundreds.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the cases Tuesday, noting the children fell ill one to two weeks after the trip.

Health officials warned of potential exposure at Mission Hospital’s emergency department waiting room in Asheville on Jan. 4 between 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. 

Also in Buncombe County, health officials confirmed four cases of chickenpox at Fairview Elementary School, with the first cases reported in early December. Unvaccinated or non-immune students face exclusion for at least 21 days, amid wider county circulation and renewed calls for the varicella vaccination.

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➤ Statewide: House Republicans are scheduled to vote Monday to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of Senate Bill 558, which would ban diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public universities. This is the eighth time the override vote has been rescheduled since the end of July. (More)

➤ NC Schools: The State Board of Education will vote today on revised K-12 English Language Arts standards that expand reading and writing requirements to include poetry, audio texts, and more complex materials, while building on the science of reading approach. (More)

➤ Mint Hill: Christian Sturdivant, the 18 year old charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS for allegedly planning a New Year’s Eve knife-and-hammer attack on local businesses, appeared in federal court Wednesday and was denied bond. (More)

➤ Charlotte: A federal judge issued a protective order blocking Charlotte-Mecklenburg police from releasing video or audio in the Iryna Zarutska light rail killing case to the media, citing concerns about prejudice to the defendant’s trial. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: Sheriff Garry McFadden called a court petition seeking his removal—filed by Rep. Carla Cunningham and former deputies amid allegations of retaliation, misconduct, and criminal behavior—a “smear campaign,” as a State Bureau of Investigation review begins. (More)

➤ Tyrrell County: Commissioners asked a federal judge to exempt them from testifying under oath in a lawsuit over a Confederate monument outside the county courthouse, citing legislative privilege. (More)

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➤ UNC football coach Bill Belichick said “nothing’s changed” when asked about a potential return to the NFL: “I’m where I was a month ago. I’m here at North Carolina.” (More)

➤ Duke guard Caleb Foster scored a career-high 20 points in the Blue Devils’ win over No. 20 Louisville. They remain undefeated in ACC play. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Stars 6-3 in Seth Jarvis’ first game back since suffering a rib injury in late December. He scored a goal and dished out an assist during the contest. (More)

➤ USA Today named Collin Sexton as the Hornets’ top trade candidate ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 5 deadline. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Nofar USA, a subsidiary of Israel-based Nofar Energy, is the apparent winning bidder to acquire bankrupt Asheville-based Pine Gate Renewables’ nearly 1-gigawatt utility-scale solar portfolio for $285 million, pending court and federal approval. (More)

➤ Charlotte-based Six Flags Entertainment plans to sell $1 billion in senior notes to refinance debt maturing in 2027, as it navigates stock losses and leadership changes after merging with Cedar Fair. (More)

➤ Avelo Airlines announced Tuesday it will streamline its network around Concord-Padgett Regional Airport by making it one of its four main bases. The company will add a third Boeing 737-800 aircraft and close its Raleigh and Wilmington bases to consolidate resources. (More)

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➤ North Carolina’s 2025 Christmas tree season ended strong, with growers overcoming Hurricane Helene’s damage to deliver healthy Fraser firs. Christmas tree farming—the state’s second-largest specialty crop after sweet potatoes—typically produces $150 million annually. (More)

➤ A study by the Afterschool Alliance finds that around 80% of North Carolina parents want after-school programs for their children, but high costs—cited by 59% of respondents—and limited availability prevent access for many families. (See Details)

➤ Franklin’s city council voted unanimously Monday to return the Noquisiyi Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, restoring tribal stewardship of a spiritually significant site that was part of a Cherokee mother town centuries before the U.S. was founded. (See Photos)

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Should the State Board of Education expand reading and writing requirements to include audio texts?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you participated in a ding-dong-ditch prank?

1. What’s ding-dong-ditch? 28%
2. No: 27%
3. Yes, I’ve done it: 23%
4. Someone did it to me: 22%

What is the Noquisi Initiative?

Show me the answer