Toll lanes delayed on this major highway + 1st Charlotte suburb lands Bird scooters

Hey folks! KJ here. Last week, the FDA ordered Juul to remove products from the U.S. market. It comes one year after North Carolina agreed to a legal settlement with Juul on how the company can advertise and sell to North Carolinians.

Do you have a strong opinion about Juul? We want to hear from you about how the availability of Juul products, or the lack of them, will affect you and those around you.

Here’s your news for the day, thank you to Sydney Bergan for her help.

1. Toll lanes for Independence Boulevard are delayed. When should drivers expect work to begin?

If you’re like me and drive on Independence Boulevard everyday, here’s some news: Toll lane construction for the traffic-clogged highway has been delayed four years.

Work is now set to begin in 2030, according to North Carolina’s new 2024-2033 transportation improvement plan.

The NC Department of Transportation plans to convert bus lanes to toll or “express” lanes on a 5-mile stretch of Independence Boulevard from Interstate 277 to Wallace Road southeast of uptown, and eventually to I-485 in Matthews, according to the state’s online project page.

The construction is now expected to cost $96 million, according to the latest NCDOT estimate.

For the full story, read more from Joe Marusak.

2. Coming to a sidewalk near you: 1st Charlotte suburb lands Bird scooters

Fifty electric scooters will go live in Matthews Friday, in an effort to expand access to affordable and environmentally-friendly transportation.

The town hopes the scooters will “help people with that first mile-last mile connection” to public transit, Matthews spokeswoman Maureen Keith told The Charlotte Observer. She added that the scooters will “increase mobility and flexibility throughout Matthews.”

Mayor Pro-Tem Ken McCool will ride a scooter outside Matthews Town Hall Friday morning to mark Bird’s arrival.

Gabe Castro-Root has that story.

3. More flight changes planned for CLT airport’s American Airlines lineup

Beginning September 7, American Airlines will discontinue regional service from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to Flint, Michigan.

The newest change comes one week after American Airlines confirmed its plans to drop three other routes from CLT.

The ongoing national pilot shortage is the cause for the discontinuation of some flight destinations. American Airlines said the shortage could continue to affect schedules for some time.

Read more from Hannah Smoot.

4. After Winthrop allegedly mishandled her sexual assault claim, one woman fought for justice

In 2020, Rhianna Rausch asked Winthrop officials to open a Title IX investigation into her alleged sexual assault.

It still remains unresolved. But she found out she’s not alone. This is “No Means No,” a special report from The Herald’s Cailyn Derickson.

• Part 1: After Winthrop allegedly mishandled her sexual assault claim, one woman fought for justice

• Part 2: Their lives changed when Winthrop botched their sex assault claims. Then a floodgate opened

• Part 3: ‘I feel like you’ve failed me.’ Winthrop changes don’t resolve larger sexual assault issue

5. Did Def Leppard-Motley Crue-Poison-Joan Jett concert (finally) go as planned?

After a run of six shows where Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee could only perform in a limited capacity while recovering from four broken ribs, “The Stadium Tour” came to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte Tuesday night.

The tour features glam-metal legends Joan Jett, Poison, Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard. Despite rain that started 15 minutes before the event ended, the seven-hour show was full of ’80s rock nostalgia.

“This has been two years in the making to get here,” Poison lead singer Bret Michaels told the crowd. “I don’t care what happened tonight. I don’t care if it snowed. We were coming out here to throw a party.”

Read more of Théoden Janes’ review of the concert.

6. Some more stories to read

• Suspect charged with attempted murder in NoDa shooting that injured CMPD officer

• One of NC’s biggest political donors, in prison for bribery, wins new trial

• 22 Charlotte restaurants named among world’s best wine programs. Here’s who made the list.

• Photo of NC highway trooper praying with Midlands woman, father goes viral

• Beyond popcorn: Movie theaters in the Charlotte area with bars, full-service meals and more

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