Charlotte Talks

The fallout over the firing of CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill continues with dissension on the board and another CMS executive staff resignation; Charlotte City Council passes a new 10 p.m. curfew for teens under 18; Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney is out, and, with Election Day a month away, U.S. Senate races in both Carolinas are in the spotlight.

Mail-in or absentee voting for the midterms began in North Carolina in early September. Though not as popular as early or Election Day voting, it provides important access for many, but there have been numerous attempts to curtail mail-in voting and call into question the legitimacy of votes cast in this way. We take a look at those efforts, the new rules in place and what's behind these efforts.

Pat McCrory is one of the most consequential and polarizing political figures in North Carolina history. From mayor of Charlotte to governor of North Carolina, McCrory spent nearly two decades shaping the city before a turbulent term as governor that transformed his career and public image. Journalist and columnist Andrew Dunn focuses on McCrory's rise, reckoning and legacy in the book, “The Change Agent.”

Political division is rampant. But what if courage, not just compromise, could help bring us back together? Marine Corps veteran and author Rye Barcott explores what we can learn from ten veterans who put principle ahead of party.

It's not just candidates on the ballot for North Carolinians this midterm election. Voters will also decide on three constitutional amendments. They affect state income taxes, property taxes, and voter ID. We break down why these issues are on the ballot and what you need to know as you make a decision.

A week of ins and outs. The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization reverses their initial rejection of NCDOT's I-77 toll lanes so, they're in. CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill, though, is out. The school board fired her and Stephanie Sneed stepped down as chair with some board members saying the board is broken. Those stories and more with our roundtable of reporters.

North Carolina native Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist turned singer who blended jazz, blues, classical, gospel and protest music. She also blended music with her fight for civil rights. In Asheville, while in high school, she met poet and playwright Langston Hughes and formed a decades-long friendship and creative partnership. That's the topic of a new book about them both by NC State professor Jason Miller.

In a vote on Tuesday, the CMS School Board fires Superintendent Crystal Hill. Then, the fate of the I-77 toll lanes: After public opposition, the project was voted down. But the state passed a law requiring local governments to repay millions to the N.C. Department of Transportation if that vote stands. That has some municipalities rethinking their decisions. We hear from leaders in the region about what comes next, and about how Charlotte reached its decision.

Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatrician and mother from Charleston. She is the Democratic candidate running for the open U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina. No Democrat has won a Senate seat in S.C. since 1998. She discusses her hopes to flip the seat.

Americans are working longer than ever, but many say the workplace isn't built to support them. Sixty-four percent of workers over 50 report seeing or experiencing age discrimination. Twenty-two percent say they are being pushed out of their jobs because of their age. Since those 55 and older are the fastest-growing age group in the labor force, what does this mean for the workforce? How can older workers stay competitive?

The back-and-forth between CMS leaders continues. President Donald Trump stumps in Gastonia for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley. Charlotte City Council may reverse its vote opposing the I-77 toll lanes, and the Women's Tennis Association is moving its headquarters to Charlotte. Those stories and more with our roundtable of reporters.

Testosterone is getting a lot of attention these days. The defense secretary pushed for new guidelines on testosterone screening for troops, while young men and boys are increasingly exposed to social media influencers promoting ways to boost the hormone. We discuss the rise of testosterone culture and its health implications.

Local news in trouble. The media landscape here took another hit last week as McClatchy, the parent company of the Charlotte Observer, eliminated a quarter of its newsroom. This comes after years of downsizing at the paper, and McClatchy is doing the same across its properties nationwide. What this means and what, if anything, can be done to keep news healthy.

Local news in trouble. The media landscape here took another hit last week as McClatchy, the parent company of the Charlotte Observer, eliminated a quarter of its newsroom. This comes after years of downsizing at the paper, and McClatchy is doing the same across its properties nationwide. What this means and what, if anything, can be done to keep news healthy.

NASCAR star Mark Martin rose from the small-town tracks of Arkansas to the speedways of NASCAR, carving a career out of consistency and precision. Now, Martin has written about his career, his time living in Charlotte, and his passion for racing. He joins us to discuss “Never Lift.”

Southeast Charlotte has transformed into one of the region's bustling centers for business, housing and development. We explore how it got here, how the area is changing and what comes next. We'll also look at the push to create communities where people can live, work, shop and spend time without getting in a car.

CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill tells “Charlotte Talks” that the investigation into her found no wrongdoing. As the school board approaches a deadline for a decision, towns around Charlotte are deciding how to vote on the I-77 South toll lanes, Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney announces he'll retire, and North Carolina's mail-in ballots are out.

On Sept. 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked. Two flew into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Then, everything changed. Those who are old enough will never forget where they were that day, but to a growing number of people, it is history. We look back on our immediate reaction and the lasting impact of those terrorist attacks.

The NFL is back on Wednesday and Carolina starts on Sunday. The Panthers 2025 season featured a surprise division crown that's led to some primetime matchups for the team this season. We discuss the expectations, plus take a look at stadium renovations and a recent report on football players and CTE.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is back in session after a bumpy summer revealing tension between Superintendent Crystal Hill and the school board, even as the district celebrates significant post-pandemic academic gains. We'll talk to Hill about her return, the investigation's aftermath, recent district academic gains, the challenges facing students and teachers, and what she believes the district needs to accomplish this year.

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.

The reopening of Jail North is just weeks away after the Mecklenburg County Commission voted unanimously to approve it. Two protesters arrested during last fall's immigration crackdown go to trial in U.S. district court. North Carolina Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards is formally censured by the House of Representatives. And North Carolina plays host to the G20.

As unemployment rates among young people continue to rise, Charlotte sees an influx of jobs going to those 25 to 34. The next challenge is keeping them here for good. We discuss how the Queen City seems to fight the narrative nationally of a hard time to be a first-time member of the workforce.

We sit down with Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden to discuss jail overcrowding, deaths in custody, cooperation with immigration enforcement officials, the need for a juvenile detention facility, and lawsuits and investigations involving the operation of the county jail.

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina. Landslides tore apart families and killed dozens. What more could have been done to save lives? And what could be done to save them in the future? Those are some of the questions asked in WCNC's new documentary "Lost Ground: America's Landslide Crisis."

Millions of bison once roamed North America, from Alaska to North Carolina. After being hunted to near extinction, fewer than 1,000 were left by the late 1800s. Today, bison and a handful of other large animals are having a surprising renaissance. We speak with the author of a new book about why many animal populations have plummeted and why some are making an unexpected comeback.

The CMS board votes to release a summary of its recent investigation into Superintendent Crystal Hill. Former U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino stops by east Charlotte, using anti-immigrant language and pushing for more deportations. And U.S. Sen. Darline Graham wins a GOP primary runoff in South Carolina.

Ahead of the midterm elections, North Carolina's early voting locations and hours have been set. We discuss the impact and how voters feel about confidence in election security. Later in the show, we'll examine a new study that shows how Charlotte's growth is cutting into its farmland.

We recap the results of the South Carolina Senate primary runoff between Rep. Ralph Norman and U.S. Sen. Darline Graham. The winner will run in the November general election against Democrat Annie Andrews. Then, we'll discuss the impact deportations are having on the economy and how that money could be spent instead.

Summers in Charlotte continue to trend warmer, dry spells are lasting longer, and communities are already grappling with dramatic changes in climate trends. We look back at how the region dealt with another summer of climate impacts.

On this Charlotte Talks, an exploration of storytelling and what makes for a good story with award-winning storyteller Donna Washington.

CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill makes her first public appearance since being suspended. A state audit finds CATS has not spent the nearly $2 million set aside for safety improvements. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoes a bill to change the election process by shortening voting periods. And Queen City Nerve ceases publication.

Rob Harrington has served as Charlotte's mayor for about two months, filling the post vacated by Vy Lyles. He's only in office until the end of next year, but he has a lot on his plate as the council grapples with data centers, Interstate 77 toll lanes, teen takeovers and other issues.

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order that would reduce the number of childhood vaccines recommended for all children by the federal government. We discuss what parents need to know. We'll also talk with two education reporters about what's happening around the region.

Automatic License Plate Readers, ALPRs, have recently come under scrutiny. Police have considered them a force multiplier capable of solving serious crimes faster. Communities across the country, though, have raised privacy concerns regarding the technology. We'll look at how they're used here in the region.

For more than a century, the Outer Banks has been acclaimed as the birthplace of flight — but what if it was also the birthplace of the wireless world we live in today? Monday, we revisit the origins of American radio with author and historian Kevin Duffus and explore how a stretch of the North Carolina coast helped give voice to the world.

CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill is back in the driver's seat, but we still know little about what led to her suspension. Democrats on City Council are uneasy about CMPD's push to apply for a federal “Make America Safe Again” grant. We'll tell you why. Plus, the latest on campaigns in western North Carolina and South Carolina.

Local news is in crisis. Newsrooms have shrunk, newspapers have closed, and communities across the country are increasingly becoming news deserts. In his new book, “Why Local News: A Memoir and Plea for an Endangered Form of Journalism,” Rick Thames argues that strong, local journalism remains essential for informed communities and democracy.

First, we address breaking news as CMS reinstates Superintendent Crystal Hill. Then, Operation Charlotte's Web, last fall's Border Patrol operation, didn't really end; it just quieted down. ICE officials are still making arrests here and throughout the state. In western North Carolina, there are questions about cooperation with ICE. In eastern North Carolina, a detention center could open. The latest on the impact this is having on immigrant communities and more.

American medicine is changing, transformed by breakthroughs in gene therapies, innovative approaches to behavioral health, the advent of retail medicine and artificial intelligence. Dr. Marschall Runge calls this “the great health care disruption,” but says that understanding what is happening is a way to make these changes work for everyone while lowering costs and barriers to care.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards ended his reelection bid last week following a House ethics investigation confirming he “violated House Rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces.” Now, Republicans are left to replace him. We check in with our roundtable of reporters on the latest from Washington and how it could impact North Carolina.

Western North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards ends his reelection bid after a censure recommendation from the House Ethics Committee. Charlotte City Council holds discussions this week on toll lanes, data centers, e-bikes and more. Plus, the state's hemp industry can chill. House Republicans vote against holding a vote that would have killed the industry.

Thousands of students returned to school for the first day of classes in South Carolina, including those near the controversial Silfab Solar manufacturing plant. Meanwhile, state officials have confirmed for the first time an invasive bee-killing hornet entering the region. We'll get an update on both.

As e-bikes become more common on Charlotte's streets, concerns are growing over how some people are riding them and the safety risks they pose. Injury rates involving e-bikes among children and adolescents surged 7.5-fold between January 2023 and May 2026, with nearly 7% of those visits involving traumatic brain injuries. We look at how e-bikes are regulated and what the city of Charlotte may do about them.

Heading toward the midterm election, the North Carolina General Assembly moves to make changes affecting voting access. In a Senate vote along party lines, legislation passed to cut early voting, increase post-election audits, and reduce transparency in campaign financing. Plus, we discuss campaign press access and more.