The North East mayor is using her powers and funding to begin redeveloping Durham's Aykley Heads.
Plans for new film studios on the River Wear are hugely reduced as private funding evaporates.
The North East Combined Authority is to consider a £104m package to kickstart work on the projects.
Critics worry that changing Tyne and Wear Metro fares could financially impact its operator Nexus.
New prices for Pop Card users include a £5 cap daily cap, but paper and season tickets rise.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness says the event is expected to generate £3.5m for local businesses.
The North East Mayor hopes to raise £20m in the first year of the levy's introduction.
The ex-North of Tyne Mayor describes politics as "a mess", but Labour calls him as a "liability".
The fund aims to attract investment in creative industries and housing initiatives in Sunderland.
