Charlotte Talks

Anderson Clayton is working to raise the profile of Democrats in North Carolina. She is determined to put a Democrat on the ballot in every state House and Senate race. We talk with Clayton about those plans and the state of our democracy.

Mike Collins and our panel of guests discuss the impact on student loan debtors and on the economy in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling against the Biden administration's plan to cancel that debt.

They may only grow to be roughly the size of an apple seed, but ticks can cause big problems. As the planet continues to warm, experts are looking at the impact rising temperatures are having on the tick population.

Incredibly low voter turnout in municipal primary elections virtually ensure another term for Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. Mark Harris who was at the center of an election scandal in 2018, runs again. Mike Collins and local journalists go through those stories and more.

On the next Charlotte Talks, members of the production team of the new Hulu series, "Sam: A Saxon," share his true story as they visit Davidson College.

Mike Collins hosts our final summer conversation with mayors of towns surrounding Charlotte. We hear from the mayors of Fort Mill and Rock Hill.

On the next Charlotte Talks, the do's and don'ts of recycling and composting.

On the local news roundup, school performance and test scores are out around North Carolina. How'd we do in Mecklenburg County? Less experienced operators appear to be a factor in many of Charlotte Area Transit Systems' recent derailments. And the Panthers play Atlanta to start the NFL season. Guest host David Boraks and guests cover that and more.

On the local news roundup, school performance and test scores are out around North Carolina. How'd we do in Mecklenburg County? Less experienced operators appear to be a factor in many of Charlotte Area Transit Systems' recent derailments. And the Panthers play Atlanta to start the NFL season. Guest host David Boraks and guests cover that and more.

Poverty in America is rampant. Nearly 12% of the country lives in poverty in the wealthiest nation in the world. Mike Collins and his guest look at why and hear some solutions.

Joe Posnanski has set out to chronicle special moments in baseball history. His book, “Why We Love Baseball,” details instances such as Babe Ruth's called shot and the Japanese pitcher who went to extreme lengths to achieve a strikeout record. Posnanski joins guest host Erik Spanberg to discuss those moments and more.

We revisit our conversation with the late Steve Crump from this June, when we talked about his latest documentary, "Andrew Young: Datelines of Protest."

For a year, WFAE has been investigating North Carolina's mental health system with a focus on the incarcerated. In our series "Fractured," we discovered half of the state's inmates deemed incapable to proceed to trial due to a mental illness wait more than 300 days for a state psychiatric hospital bed. This was the topic of a special event that included local and state officials as well as our own reporting.

A faculty member is fatally shot at UNC-Chapel Hill. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says he has a plan to fix bus driver shortages and Charlotte City Council makes a surprising decision about Eastland Yards. We remember Charlotte media icon Steve Crump, who died this week. Those stories and more.

On the next Charlotte Talks, an analysis of the success of the 15-year-old Renaissance West Community Initiative, which was created by Charlotte's civic leaders and neighborhood activists with the vision of revitalizing a west Charlotte neighborhood through an education village approach.

Mike Collins and our panel of guests discuss the rising number of fentanyl overdose deaths here and across the nation.

Mike Collins and experts on North Carolina politics discuss how the General Assembly spent its summer, what they did — and didn't do — and how it impacts you.

A look at the impact of a newly recognized party in North Carolina: the No Labels Party. How it might influence the presidential race in 2024.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools complies with the new Parents' Bill of Rights. Fentanyl overdoses are on the rise in Charlotte. North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks to the Charlotte Rotary. And the Carolina Panthers get ready for Detroit. Those stories and more.

Conservationists say our desire to beautify our surroundings has gotten off track. They'd like us to join a growing movement in gardening — rewilding, an effort to grow native plants, to ditch the well-manicured lawns and let nature do its thing. That approach creates an environment that they say is better for animals, birds and insects, like bees, and could help slow climate change.

Mike Collins' Charlotte Talks series of conversations with area mayors continues — this time with the mayors of Gastonia, Mount Holly and Belmont.

According to NASA, July was the hottest month on record. Jeff Goodell writes how all of this is part of a new normal in his book, "The Heat Will Kill You First." He joins Mike Collins to discuss the impact of this heat, and if there's anything that can still be done.

Everything you want to know about getting ready to go back to school. Teacher and bus driver shortages seem to be a problem everywhere and at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, magnet school parents face new bus feeder routes. Teachers are still waiting for pay raises even as they are charged with cracking down on cellphone use in the classroom, rising COVID-19 numbers and an ongoing battle with absenteeism. We get the lowdown on all that and more.

Former North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows is among those indicted in Georgia for racketeering. The No Labels party finds its way to state ballots. The North Carolina legislature overrides several key gubernatorial vetoes. And in a rare move, Mayor Vi Lyles endorses a candidate for Charlotte City Council. Those stories and more.

Mecklenburg County is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases that could last into the fall. Unlike the original outbreak, cases appear to be less severe because more people are vaccinated but there is still cause for concern. We hear what health professionals are recommending, and also discuss RSV and the flu.

With the NBA season around the corner, we look at what impact the Hornets' sale may have on the team and more.

The two presidential frontrunners for 2024 are getting up in years as are many members of Congress. Mike Collins speaks with reporters from Insider's "Red, White, and Gray" series to look at what impact this may be having on how we're governed.

Our attention spans are shot. That's because we have so many things competing for our attention. It's become increasingly difficult to maintain focus, to stay on task, but we'll get some suggestions on how to fix it.

COVID-19 numbers are on the rise. A Charlotte City Council committee recommends an esports, concert venue and soccer fields proposal for the Eastland Yards site. And Queen Bey takes on the Queen City. Those stories and more.

Hollywood actors and writers are on strike and the impact is being felt in communities nationwide. Many films and TV shows are shot in the Carolinas and with production shut down, off-camera workers and businesses servicing the industry are suffering. Plus, this strike is drawing focus to the growing wealth gap and might be the tip of a renewed movement toward unionization.

North Carolina is one of the most restrictive states when it comes to marijuana. There is a bill in the General Assembly that would legalize it, but it is unlikely to pass. Yet, there are dispensaries around the state offering hemp-based products that have some of the same effects as marijuana. If that's legal, why isn't marijuana and why is our state taking such a conservative approach?

Medicaid expansion is on the verge of becoming a reality in North Carolina. We discuss the road to this moment and the politics behind it.

On the next Charlotte Talks, the health of a giant influence on health and fitness in Charlotte: the YMCA.

Mecklenburg County Commissioners move ahead with a $2.5 billion school bond package. Get ready to see the beginnings of the Brooklyn Village redevelopment project after county sells some uptown property to prepare the way. With the start of the school year weeks away, CMS and Union County schools have significant bus driver shortages. For the second time, North Carolina is named “America's top state for business.” Those stories and more.

On the next Charlotte Talks, what most newcomers must experience soon after their arrival: the DMV. Mike Collins and our panel of guests discuss that and other rules of the road.

Charlotte's got a lot to offer, and so does the surrounding area. If you're looking for places to explore as a newcomer, where should go and where should you dine?

On the next Charlotte Talks, the do's and don'ts of recycling and composting, the next in our "Living in Charlotte" series.

Mike Collins and area experts begin our weeklong "Living in Charlotte" series with a conversation about some of the commonly asked questions about our area from people moving here.

The legislature goes on break without finalizing a budget. Gov. Cooper says a proposed natural gas pipeline running through the state is unnecessary and an update on differences in school library book content. Those stories and more with Mike Collins and Charlotte-area journalists.

New York Times best-selling author Daniel Silva has released the latest book in his Gabriel Allon series of international intrigue. Ahead of Silva's visit to Charlotte this week, he talks to guest host Erik Spanberg about “The Collector” and writing for the spy genre.

Mike Collins hosts a conversation with the mayors of Pineville, Matthews and Mint Hill. We hear about their achievements and their challenges.

Hospice is something that is often misunderstood and underutilized, but our guest is on a mission to educate us on what hospice care actually does and the quality of life it provides. Interestingly, one of the ways she does that is through her use of TikTok where she has 1.6 million followers. She also has a new book on the topic, "The In-Between."

Poverty in America is rampant. Nearly 12% of the country lives in poverty in the richest nation in the world. Mike Collins and his guest look at why and hear some solutions.

The repair bill to fix the LYNX Blue Line is ballooning and the timeline has been extended. CMS Chair Elyse Dashew decides not to seek a third term. And, in a rare occurrence, Charlotte City Council rejects several rezoning petitions. Mike Collins and local journalists cover those stories and more.

The life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. has been examined time and time again. But not often to the extent Jonathan Eig took in his new biography — hailed as the most exhaustive account of the civil rights leader in decades.