Charlotte Talks

We look at the separate but connected impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on food assistance and health care access now that the bill has passed. For Medicaid, new eligibility restrictions and administrative requirements could affect thousands. For SNAP, work-reporting rules and imposed time limits could impact access to food aid for individuals and low-income families.

Not only has Crawford made significant contributions to the national success of this homegrown band, he's also hosting a new podcast. It's called “American History Hotline,” and he talks with some of the best historians about everything from the American Revolution to rock 'n' roll feuds.

The city of Charlotte has hired an outside attorney to investigate allegations of unethical conduct on the City Council made earlier this year. Charlotte Civil Rights icon and a member of the legal team that ended racial segregation in education, James Ferguson, has died. The latest on North Carolina's Senate race and the Charlotte Hornets win the NBA's Summer League.

On the next Charlotte Talks, we explore some of the work of photographer Annie Leibovitz, on display at the Mint Museum, and a unique exhibit at the Bechtler that uses sound to experience various visual works.

Mosquitoes — these tiny blood suckers can be annoying and drive you away from enjoying the outdoors. But they can also be dangerous. More than 900 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses were reported statewide last year, including West Nile Virus. As we head into the peak of mosquito season here, we look at how to protect yourself and what may happen as the climate continues to warm.

The impact of federal funding cuts to public radio and television — what it means for news, children's programming, and how stations are working to limit the damage.

Candidate filing for this fall's elections is wrapping up — we look at who's running. Attorney General Jeff Jackson has filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over education funding cuts. And Charlotte has been named the host city for next year's MLS All-Star Game.

You may be vacationing, but the folks at CMS are hard at work getting ready for the next school year. It's just around the corner and before the bell rings, we spend an hour with CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill to discuss the many concerns the district will face, including the presence of ICE agents, absenteeism, and the issue of frozen federal funds.

The Southern accent — one of the most recognizable in the country — appears to be fading. The shifting of the population seems to be causing us to lose our drawl and with it some of our identity. We explore the evolution of the various Southern accents, how they shape the way we talk today and how accents are a powerful symbol of belonging.

The Southern accent — one of the most recognizable in the country — appears to be fading. The shifting of the population seems to be causing us to lose our drawl and with it some of our identity. We explore the evolution of the various Southern accents, how they shape the way we talk today and how accents are a powerful symbol of belonging.

Larry Sprinkle has been a fixture in Charlotte broadcasting for decades, most recently as the morning weatherman on WCNC. He is entering a new chapter in his long career, and we sit down with him to look back and ahead.

Candidate filing for local elections began Monday. The Monroe City Council held a vote of no confidence in Mayor Robert Burns. Parts of Central North Carolina are recovering from Tropical Storm Chantal. And the NAACP national convention comes to town.

On the next Charlotte Talks, the 116th NAACP Convention in Charlotte. Thousands are expected to be at the Charlotte Convention Center for the event, the theme for which is "The fierce urgency of now.” Martin Luther King Jr. coined that phrase in 1963, but organizers believe it accurately describes conditions today. We get a preview of the convention ahead, and thoughts on its theme and its relevance.

The long-discussed transit plan may be coming to a ballot near you. The referendum for a one-cent sales tax for transit has one more hurdle to clear: the Mecklenburg County Commission. If they say yes, you'll be asked to vote on it in November. But not everyone is on board for what has been described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We'll talk about pros and cons.

Mosquito-eating bats eat nearly their entire body weight in insects every night, but bats are under threat of extinction. We look at efforts to reverse the trend.

Candidate filing for Charlotte City Council begins Monday. All 11 council seats, the Charlotte mayor's seat, and six Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board seats will be on the ballot. The mayor has not yet announced whether she will seek reelection, and one council member is under federal indictment but says she plans to run. We look at what to expect during the short campaign filing window.

For years, foreign adversaries have worked to spread misinformation. The German Marshall Fund found that Russia, China and others are becoming more effective at it, targeting state and local governments. North Carolina is one of those targets, and social media is aiding the spread.

Immigration has been at the center of President Trump's priorities in his second term. ICE agents have taken the streets, detaining people around courthouses, workplaces and community gathering spots. We break down the politics of these policies, whether support is waning and how it's impacting economies.

It's been three years since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, unleashing a wave of Southern states to enact restrictive bans against abortion. North Carolina enacted its own 12-week ban, but that hasn't stopped the state from emerging as a Southern hub for out-of-state abortion seekers. We discuss the state of abortion access and care in N.C.

The FIFA Club World Cup concludes its Charlotte stop Monday before continuing in other U.S. cities and wrapping up at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey next month. While the tournament drew fans eager to watch top international teams, it also faced challenges, including extreme heat and concerns over a possible ICE presence at games. The event offers a glimpse at the cultural and economic impact on Charlotte — and what it could signal for the city's future as a host for major sporting events.

The regional transit bill moves forward in Raleigh, temperatures hit the triple digits in the region this week, Charlotte imposes new restrictions on street vending in NoDa, and the Checkers Calder Cup hopes end. Those stories and more with our roundtable of reporters

Much of the central and eastern U.S. is sweltering under dangerously hot and humid conditions, with temperatures near 100 degrees. The heat index in Charlotte is as high as 108 during the first heat wave of the summer. We examine the impact of excessive heat on health, how to stay safe, and why Mecklenburg is one of North Carolina's hardest-hit counties.

The recent "No Kings" protests resulted in millions of people assembling around the country to take issue with the Trump administration. It's a constitutional right for people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances. But do these efforts change things? Do they work? A look at the history of protests.

They got off to a strong start and reached first place in the Eastern Conference, but then came injuries. Several players have also been called up to the U.S. National Team. Good for them, challenging for us. On the next Charlotte Talks, we take stock of the season so far.

From a buttery Bojangles biscuit to a classic cold bottle of Cheerwine — these brands do not just sell a product, they sell the “South.” Through commercials, slogans and stories, we're diving into the world of Southern brands and how they shape identity, nostalgia, and market the region to itself and all around the world.

The regional transit plan advances in the North Carolina House, new information is revealed about CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, and the NAACP will not invite Trump to its convention in Charlotte.

We hear from the reporters who worked to reveal how dozens of Black families were denied intergenerational wealth when the federal government took their land after the Civil War.

As both chambers of the General Assembly negotiate a budget to send to Gov. Josh Stein, we examine the major sticking points in the House and Senate versions. Last Friday, Stein signed six bills into law, but did not take action on a concealed carry bill or two immigration bills. Since taking office, he has yet to issue a veto.

On the next Charlotte Talks, Charlotte City Council's Malcolm Graham. Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of the shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Graham's sister was among the nine who were killed. Graham has put his reflections about that day into a new book, “The Way Forward: Keeping the Faith and Doing the Work Amid Hatred and Violence.”

Artificial intelligence is weaving itself into many aspects of our lives, including medicine. We look at the promise and peril of that intersection.

A lot of activity this week on Charlotte City Council, bills over immigration and transit move through the General Assembly, and the Charlotte Checkers take on the Abbotsford Canucks in the Calder Cup Finals.

On the next Charlotte Talks, we explore the science and questioning of adding fluoride to drinking water supplies.

Last month, the House passed President Trump's “big, beautiful bill,” which includes tax cuts, Medicaid and food stamp restrictions, border security funding and more. As the bill moves to the Senate, we take a closer look at it and at how Trump's policies are affecting North Carolina and its lawmakers.

Hurricane season is underway, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting above normal activity in the Atlantic.

Tourism has long been seen as mutually beneficial — allowing travelers to experience new communities and cultures, while also boosting local economies. However, in recent years, the volume of global travel has sparked growing backlash in destinations big and small.

Arrests have been made in connection with a mass shooting in Catawba County. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings survived a vote of no confidence by the Fraternal Order of Police. Mecklenburg County officials are calling for civility after crickets were released during a commissioners meeting. And there's a lot to like in Charlotte sports right now.

Dawn Staley has shattered expectations at every level of women's basketball. She's an Olympic gold medalist, WNBA All-Star and considered the architect of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team. She joins us to discuss her new book, "Uncommon Favor."

Carolina Ascent FC are the top seed heading into the USL Super League's inaugural postseason. We're joined by two players to discuss the team chemistry, success and what needs to happen for it all to continue. We also speak with two writers to put the Ascent's season in perspective with the growing soccer culture in the Queen City.

Housing has been a challenge in Charlotte with the city struggling to balance growth and affordability. Historian Tom Hanchett explains in his new book how policymakers and advocates have wrestled with this issue for decades. Hanchett joins us to discuss the history of housing policy in the region and how Charlotte can do better.

Reparations for African Americans has long been a sticking point for a redress to this nation's reckoning with both its historical wrongs and its contemporary consequences. Experts on the matter weigh in on the practicality and economics of reparations.

CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings releases details of his settlement with the city and says he will retire at the end of the year. Ardrey Kell parents want more transparency from CMS after the principal is suspended. The Trump administration is suing North Carolina over voter registration records, and the CIAA will not bring its basketball tournaments back to Charlotte.

On the next Charlotte Talks, coming and goings, controversy and conflict — even an indictment. All of that is swirling around Charlotte City Council. We take a deep dive and answer your questions.

For years, foreign adversaries have worked to spread misinformation. The German Marshall Fund found that Russia, China and others are becoming more effective at it, targeting state and local governments. North Carolina is one of those targets, and social media is aiding the spread.

On the next Charlotte Talks, we look at the treatment, screening and testing options for prostate cancer patients. We also look at promising new treatment research recently released by Duke University and hear from a prostate cancer survivor.

Dr. Brian Klausner says the time has come to address the problem of homelessness, but it will require solutions grounded in our shared ideals and values. His book, "In the Gaps: Better Understanding the Expensive Human Suffering of Chronic Homelessness," addresses how we can come together to help this population and society as a whole.