Charlotte Talks

Two years ago, Americans bet $120 billion on sports, a 27% increase from the previous year. That figure grew to $150 billion in 2024. Journalist Danny Funt investigates what's considered one of the most consequential — and least scrutinized — shifts in modern American sports in his new book, "Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling."

Behind in the vote totals, North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger files four election protests, CMS doesn't plan to use makeup days for this year's weather events so far, and Queens University prepares to take on Purdue in the NCAA Tournament.

Across North Carolina's public universities and some private campuses, diversity, equity and inclusion programs are undergoing a major overhaul. We shed light on how these policy changes are playing out in North Carolina, how students and faculty are responding, and what this dismantling of DEI efforts may mean for the future of higher education in the state.

With the North Carolina primary over and done, get ready for the campaign leading to November. Get ready for a blizzard of advertising, particularly in the race for U.S. Senate. It is likely to be the most expensive Senate race in the country, with about half a billion dollars expected to be spent. In a world where people are entrenched in their ideologies, how do you convincingly use that money?

On the next Charlotte Talks, we look at Waymo's self-driving cars, which will soon be operating on Charlotte's streets. Because this technology is so new — and to some, a bit “spooky” — we'll talk about how the cars operate, how to use them and how safe they are. Some say autonomous vehicles are actually safer than human-driven cars, but there have been issues. We'll examine the technology, Waymo's track record and more.

Dell Curry is widely considered the figure most synonymous with the Charlotte Hornets' history. His legacy is cemented by his 10-year playing career, franchise-leading statistics and more than a decade as a team broadcaster. He sits down with us.

A study reveals several parks and greenways would be impacted by the proposed I-77 toll lanes, the former EpiCentre uptown is set to go up for sale, Sam Page widens his lead over North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, and Queens University Men's basketball is going to the Big Dance.

On this Charlotte Talks, we discuss the successful fight for women's suffrage — the right to vote. We look at the history of the movement and the Broadway musical that celebrates it.

More than a year into his term, North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek says he's working to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in state government. New laws have expanded the auditor's investigative powers and even given the office a role in shaping election oversight. Boliek joins to discuss his approach to accountability, his growing authority and what it could mean for transparency and governance in North Carolina.

We've assembled a panel of gardening experts to tackle all your spring gardening questions. Write us throughout the show at charlottetalks@wfae.org with “gardening” in the subject line.

The I-77 toll project has been the center of a contentious debate. We hear from officials and stakeholders about where the project stands and what comes next.

Primary day has come and gone, locally one message from voters is that they want party loyalty. Surprisingly, the Phil Berger race is separated by two votes. NCDOT plans to pause its plan for elevating new I-77 toll lanes for a few months, and North Carolina U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis lays into now former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

It's been three months since U.S. Customs and Border Protection descended on Charlotte. Operation “Charlotte's Web” brought fear, confusion and disruption to the city, especially to the immigrant community. There are still many unknowns about that operation despite attempts by politicians at all levels asking for transparency and accountability. We get an update on those attempts and examine the economic, legal and cultural fallout.

Voting is complete and the results are in, so what did North Carolina's primaries decide? From key races in Mecklenburg County to consequential contests that could reshape the balance of power in the General Assembly, we break down what the outcomes mean heading into November.

Many Americans are performing their civic duty, but they're doing so in congressional races that are almost already decided. More than 90% of congressional seats are effectively settled in primary elections. Fewer than 20 House seats nationwide are true toss-ups, meaning a relatively small number of voters control the balance of power. We break down what's wrong with this system, how we got here and why it still doesn't mean you should stay home on Election Day.

Nearly two decades after the hazing death of 19-year-old Harrison Kowiak at Lenoir-Rhyne University, North Carolina has enacted Harrison's Law, expanding the definition of hazing and increasing criminal penalties. We examine what the new law changes, the federal landscape for hazing and whether stronger statutes can truly shift campus culture.

President Trump invokes the stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska during his State of the Union, incorrectly saying the man accused of killing her is an undocumented immigrant. Four people are taken into ICE custody outside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, self-driving Waymo taxis may soon be on Charlotte streets, and the impact of the recent winter storm continues as power bills come due.

On the next Charlotte Talks, we take a close look at the findings just released in Mecklenburg County's 2025 State of Housing Instability and Homelessness Report, plus a deep dive into the data the Charlotte Urban Institute and Mecklenburg County have collected over the past 10 years.

The Charlotte Hornets have been near the bottom of the NBA for years, but things may be changing. Earlier this month, the team went on a nine-game winning streak. That's something that hasn't happened this century. We discuss the team's season, its history, and what a playoff berth would mean.

More than 50 years since the end of NASA's Apollo program, moon missions are about to start up again. As early as March, Artemis II is expected to take four astronauts to orbit the moon in preparation for a moon landing to come. In advance of next month's launch, we spend an hour with former shuttle astronaut Winston Scott exploring spaceflight, moon missions and more.

With early voting underway and turnout reportedly higher than normal, we look at the role North Carolina is likely to play nationally. And we examine some of the twists and turns already injected into this year's elections, such as the 240,000 voters who received a letter stating their registration lacked certain required information.

The back-and-forth over I-77 toll lanes continues, street vending in NoDa is now illegal, Birkdale Village in Huntersville faces new restrictions after a disturbance involving hundreds of young people, and Charlotte FC is kicking off a new season.

Early voting for the March primaries is underway. We discuss some key races to watch for, how certain races could shift power in North Carolina and what to keep in mind as you head to the polls.

On this Charlotte Talks, the challenges faced by pediatricians in a world of vaccine resistance. The number of measles cases in South Carolina has risen to 950. It grows almost daily and is entirely preventable if children are given the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. Pediatricians are advocating for those vaccines, but some parents are refusing. We look at this phenomenon, its impact on pediatricians, and what's at stake.

We explore what can be learned about character from seven former American presidents. Presidential historian Mark Updegrove profiles Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, the Bushes, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, illustrating the traits that made each suited to their time in the Oval Office.

During his campaign, President Trump denied any knowledge of Project 2025, a 900-page conservative blueprint of policy recommendations drafted by the Heritage Foundation. So far, it has served as the road map to his first year in office, reshaping how the government operates and how power is exercised by the executive branch. We look at the elements of Project 2025 that have been implemented and at what may be coming.

Charlotte Republicans push Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry McFadden to step down after testimony in Raleigh. Early in-person voting in the primary begins. Duke Energy made nearly $5 billion in profit last year. That, as they ask for rate increases. Plus, four players are suspended after a brawl during the Hornets-Pistons game, but Charlotte still enters the All-Star break red hot.

WFAE, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, hosted a forum with the Democratic candidates for Mecklenburg County Commission at the WFAE Center for Civic and Community Engagement in uptown Charlotte.

Artificial intelligence is swiftly entering many aspects of ordinary people's lives, from seeking advice on how to craft the perfect email or resume to editing photos. It's also increasingly being used by young people turning to AI for mental health and guidance. It's easy, costs nothing and there's no fear of judgment — but is it healthy or dangerous? We take a look at the pros and cons.

The rise in the number of data centers to power artificial intelligence is driving a surge in demand for electricity. Nuclear energy may be poised to fill the gap. Some see nuclear power as clean but, in the U.S., we haven't built a new plant since the 1980s and the specter of accidents casts a dark shadow. So, with demand rising, is it time to take another look?

We discuss a precious time capsule we have here in North Carolina — our state archives. We'll discuss with the state archivist what it takes to maintain history and how someone can find pieces of themselves reflected in archives. We also find out what you won't discover in the state's archives, and why that is.

On this Charlotte Talks local news roundup, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper's name shows up several times in emails in the latest release of the Epstein files. A federal audit says CATS' safety plan has 18 areas of non-compliance. More measles cases in South Carolina. And Charlotte Symphony music director Kwamé Ryan wins a Grammy.

On this "Charlotte Talks," we listen to the candidate forum WFAE hosted Tuesday evening with two of the men running for sheriff in Mecklenburg County. Both are Democrats — no Republican is running. Incumbent Garry McFadden and challenger Antwain Nance were unavailable, so we hear from retired Chief Deputy Sheriff Rodney Collins and retired CMPD Sgt. Ricky Robbins.

As we approach Super Bowl Sunday, we check in with veteran New York Times reporter Ken Belson. His new book, 'Everyday is Sunday,' dives into how the NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, and its two most powerful owners, Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft, turned the league into a cultural phenomenon. We get an inside look at how America's favorite sport achieved its status — and how these three men let nothing stand in their way.

Moshe Gildenman was a civic leader and musician in a small Ukrainian town until — one day in 1942 — Nazis murdered 2,000 Jews in his village, including his wife and daughter. He escaped with his son, carrying a revolver, a handful of bullets and a Yiddish songbook. His story of resilience, resistance and revenge is told in a new book by UNC Charlotte musicologist James Grymes.

In January, President Trump urged Congress to cap credit card interest rates at 10% and said Americans are being “ripped off” by credit card companies. Bankers quickly opposed the idea, with some calling it an economic disaster. There is also debate over capping credit card late fees. We look at the pros and cons of these proposals and whether any of them would lead to more affordability.

It's been a rough week for parents, teachers and students as school goes virtual again, with another winter event possible this weekend. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis calls for Kristi Noem to be ousted from her job. Another measles case has been reported in Mecklenburg, with dozens more in upstate South Carolina. Those stories and more with our roundtable of reporters.

Two years ago, Americans bet $120 billion on sports, a 27% increase from the previous year. That figure grew to $150 billion in 2024. Journalist Danny Funt investigates what's considered one of the most consequential — and least scrutinized — shifts in modern American sports in his new book, "Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling."

On the next Charlotte Talks: freedom of the press. It's a bedrock principle of American democracy and yet, one year into the second Trump administration, it is under attack. The Associated Press was banned from the White House Press room, journalists refused to comply with Pentagon rules controlling the narrative, the government defunded Public Broadcasting and Trump is suing and threatening networks and newspapers. We look at the damage done and what might be next.

On the next Charlotte Talks, teachers aren't holding back their frustration over delayed pay raises. Earlier this month, hundreds stayed out of work to hold protests across the state, calling out the General Assembly for not passing a budget. Our state's teachers regularly rank near the bottom of the country for teacher pay. They say they have an important job and want — need — better pay, so why is this such a big ask? We search for answers.

Drones are being used in new ways across the region. Police departments throughout the state have turned to drones as first responders. Winston-Salem began using them seven years ago, and now Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are considering their use for rapid deployment in emergencies. We look at the capabilities of drones, their increasing use and some of the concerns surrounding that use, like privacy and transparency.

Gov. Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency as the region braces for a major winter weather event. Also raising concern, the flu has been more deadly than last year, with 67 deaths so far in South Carolina and 181 deaths in North Carolina. Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, a person was found dead during a count to assess homelessness.

On the next Charlotte Talks, Donald Trump appears to be sharpening his sword. Earlier this month, the United States conducted a large-scale strike against Venezuela, capturing their president. Trump has threatened Iran and Cuba, and he's said he'll take Greenland one way or another. Plus, he's spoken of plans to send our military to an American city — Minneapolis. No matter what you think about this, North Carolina stands to profit, and so does Charlotte.

On the next Charlotte Talks, a hero for our time. You'll never guess — so I might as well tell you: Henry David Thoreau. Like us, Thoreau lived in a time of rapid technological and economic change, political division and a pandemic. He reassessed his priorities and decided to pare down to trade up. Local author Jen McGivney helps you Find Your Walden.

For the first time, North Carolina has more registered Republicans than Democrats. The meat continues to be in the middle with unaffiliated voters — the largest group of voters. We're also witnessing more candidates change their party affiliation. How will all that, plus gerrymandered maps, impact the midterms in our state? We examine this changing landscape.