CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is hosting an open house public meeting to discuss proposed changes to the Gold Rush Center City Circular services today.

The proposal for the Red Line is to reduce the service area, providing service between Johnson C. Smith University and Central Piedmont Community College.

The shortened route is expected to improve the frequency of this route to every 12 minutes. The proposal for the Orange Line, which runs along North Tryon Street, is to discontinue this service. "CATS is proposing these changes because of reductions in federal grant funding and private contributions that have supported the Gold Rush services," says Pamela White, Manager of Service Development.

If the proposals are adopted, the service changes will go into effect in July 2013.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)- North Carolina lawmakers are moving closer to relaxing rules for selling beer to seated fans at stadiums.

The House on Monday gave initial approval to a bill permitting alcohol sales in the seating areas of professional ballparks with a capacity of at least 3,000. Current law allows for in-stand sales only at venues of at least 60,000 seats.

The bill passed narrowly and will have to return for another vote. Opponents argued the bill will encourage greater consumption.

Another bill allowing retailers to stock beer in larger, refillable containers passed with little debate. The bill is aimed at helping the state's craft brewers, who often package their product in containers of up to 64 ounces. The containers known as "growlers" are not allowed to be sold at grocery stores.

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CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Charlotte City Council members heard the first of many presentations regarding the proposed $1.9 billion budget proposed for the next fiscal year beginning in July.

New City Manager Ron Carlee, who took over in April, presented his budget draft Monday evening. Carlee directed $816 million of the plan to go directly to a capital improvement.

"I think this is a sound budget. I think it's a balanced budget," Carlee said.

According to the proposed budget, some of the capital improvement plans include new roads, sidewalks, and affordable housing. Something notably missing is the streetcar proposal that caused deep divisions between council members.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx has pushed for a streetcar that would run from West to East Charlotte for over a year, but ultimately, Carlee took the idea out of his budget.