Charlotte Talks

Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated portions of the Carolinas. Since then, a change in administrations in Washington and a budget standoff in Raleigh have led to confusion and frustration. Access to resources has often been difficult. Hear the conversation we had about that and resiliency during WFAEs Carolina's Climate Summit.

The North Carolina General Assembly's short session starts Tuesday, and a proposal to cap property tax increases has Mecklenburg leaders on edge. Meanwhile, CMPD just dropped first-quarter crime stats and separate new data shows nearly half those arrested in last year's Charlotte Border Patrol operation had no criminal record. Also, after an overtime win on Tuesday, the Hornets face the Orlando Magic on Friday night, fighting for a final playoff spot.

Marie Curie is the most famous woman in the history of science. She coined the term “radioactivity” and traveled the world to share its secrets. Her story is told in a new book by acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist Dava Sobel, but, along the way, she tells the stories of other women who trained in Curie's lab who would pursue their own scientific careers.

Star Trek's William Shatner talks about his career, the Earth and space. Then, we get a preview of WFAE's Carolinas Climate Summit.

We take a look at the predatory practices some Charlotte tow truck drivers use to take advantage of those they tow. That includes both civilian and commercial truck drivers. Plus, we dive into what lawmakers are doing to stop it.

We look at what's in the air right now and how it impacts us. We'll break down how air quality is measured, what's improved over time and what challenges remain. We'll also examine the distinct forces behind the region's intense allergy season and what it means for daily life.

On the local news roundup, Charlotte City Council's safety committee focuses on transit security and debates the return of red light cameras, Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney says he won't resign following a vote of no confidence by the town board, and the Hornets are in the final stretch of their most successful season in years.

On the next Charlotte Talks, a story of the courage and tenacity it sometimes takes to open doors. It's a story set in 1950, before Martin Luther King, Jr. was a household name, before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. It is the story of a man taking a stand against discrimination who ended up on the front lines of the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott, and it is a story told by his daughter, an award-winning journalist.

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?

On the next Charlotte Talks, we look at a newly released Mecklenburg County Health Department report on infant mortality. The findings are a mix of good and bad news. Overall birth outcomes have improved, but disparities remain, especially for non-Hispanic Black infants compared with non-Hispanic white infants. We'll hear about the progress and what's being done to address those disparities.

After years of lurking in the shadows, sexual predators now make the headlines. From abuse in the Catholic Church to the Me Too movement to the Epstein Files, the public and the media now push for answers and accountability. But what about survivors? How are they experiencing this moment? We hear from them.

After two high-profile stabbings on the Lynx Blue Line train, questions about safety on public transit remain front and center. We sit down with CATS interim CEO Brent Cagle to ask what's changed, what hasn't and what riders can expect now.

Major education news in North Carolina as the Leandro case is overturned, NCDOT opens an information center about plans for the I-77 toll lanes, Artemis II opens a new era in American space travel with a North Carolinian on board, and the South Carolina women's basketball team is back in the Final Four for the sixth straight year.

Former U.S. surgeon general and founder of The Together Project, Dr. Vivek Murthy, joins Charlotte Talks for a conversation on connection, belonging and how we care for one another in this moment. We'll be exploring the national crisis of loneliness and how communities across the country, and here in Charlotte, are responding.

Under state law, public records requests are supposed to be completed quickly. Despite that mandate, agencies and governments across North Carolina often take months to respond, and even then, the records can be incomplete — limiting transparency. More on a new effort to shine a light on the problem.

As we approach the end of another school year, a conversation with CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill. She recently recommended a $2.1 billion budget, meaning they might soon ask the county commission for nearly $699 million — about $31.1 million more than last year — despite a frozen state budget and federal cuts. How is she navigating it all?

Phil Berger's concession, I-77 toll lane acrimony, and comparatively short TSA lines at Charlotte Douglas. Plus, March Madness claims a big name: UNC-Chapel Hill coach Hubert Davis.

Phil Berger has conceded. The most powerful politician in North Carolina, after several recounts and election protests, has admitted defeat to his primary challenger, Sheriff Sam Page. Berger has dominated state politics for well over a decade, shaping both policy and power. Now, there's a political power vacuum.

We hear about a three-part investigation into hundreds of former law enforcement officers across North Carolina. The Carolina Public Press series examines misconduct allegations against these officers and how they were later rehired by other agencies — raising questions about public safety, potential liability for agencies that look the other way and the cost to taxpayers.

Spring offers a natural opportunity to reset. We bring together a therapist, professional organizer and financial expert to explore how your environment, habits and money all impact your sense of control and well-being. They'll also share practical tips you could use today.

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.