A new state audit finds North Carolina Education Lottery ticket sales jumped 51% in two years — from $4.3 billion to $6.6 billion — while the money transferred to public schools stayed roughly flat at about $1 billion a year. As a share of revenue, education's cut slid from 23% to 20% to 16%, against a statutory target of 38%. The cause is one product: digital instant games went from zero sales to $2.6 billion, about 40% of everything the lottery sells, and they pay out roughly 87%, which compresses the profit schools depend on. Lottery CEO Mark Michalko says the 38% target predates digital gaming and should be reconsidered. State Auditor Dave Boliek's question is whether anyone has decided what the lottery is meant to optimize. Also: Charlotte Water is keeping Stage 2 restrictions despite the rain, and here's what that means for your yard. Police have charged a man in Wednesday's shooting of a CMPD officer, who is expected to recover. Plus your weekend — the 9/11 anniversary, the Yiasou Greek Festival, and the Panthers' home opener.

CLT Daily is written, hosted and produced by Steve Bouboulis, an independent journalist covering the Queen City. Got a tip, a document, or a story the city isn't telling? Reach him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebouboulis/

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Sources this episode: Office of the State Auditor, WFAE, NC Newsline, WBTV, WCCB, Axios Charlotte

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