Charlotte Talks

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.

CMPD released crime statistics for last year. A petition to remove Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden had its first court hearing. Charlotte City Council voted to give the new Metropolitan Transportation Authority $4.3 million in startup funds, as the measles virus was detected in local wastewater.

Since the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis last week, people in the Twin Cities and across the nation have taken to the streets to protest what they view as unnecessarily violent and un-American tactics by federal agents. Shocked by what they're witnessing, protestors are calling for accountability. We look at who these ICE agents are, how they are recruited and trained, what they can and cannot do, and hear about your rights as well.

Congress is back in session for 2026, but as has been the case since January of last year, much of the action has been in the executive branch. Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without notifying Congress in advance of the military extraction. Still, some in Congress are working on the release of the Epstein files, and another shutdown is looming at the end of the month. Here's a look at what's happening on Capitol Hill.

After a 137-year struggle, North Carolina's Lumbee Tribe has received full federal recognition. It fulfills one of President Donald Trump's campaign promises and opens new opportunities for the tribe. The Lumbee are now eligible to receive federal funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which could support education, health care and housing. We look at why the process took so long and what comes next.

We're speaking with the three new faces on the Charlotte City Council. All ran on keeping communities safe, expanding affordable housing and improving transportation. Charlotte has been grappling with those issues for years — and now that Joi Mayo, J.D. Mazuera Arias and Kimberly Owens have started their terms, we'll see how their priorities translate into action.

State Rep. Carla Cunningham and others file a petition to remove Sheriff Garry McFadden from office. He responds, calling the allegations false. Meanwhile, Gov. Josh Stein endorses Cunningham's primary opponent, citing statements she made last year about immigrants. A Mint Hill teen is denied bail in an alleged plot and the Panthers are in the playoffs.

When Donald Trump returned to office, he took aim at scientific research and discontinued or disrupted funding, at one point cutting it to the lowest levels in decades. Our state has felt the impact and stands to lose billions of dollars. As the Trump administration refocuses its research priorities, we hear more about how North Carolina is navigating these shifts.

For years, Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has lobbied for more staffing in his office, which has not had a significant increase in nearly 15 years. With Iryna's Law now on the books, he should be able to hire 10 more prosecutors. Will that be enough? We will ask about that and about his impression of how the law might affect public safety, as well as other issues facing the DA's office.

On the next Charlotte Talks, Russ Ferguson. You may have seen him on TV recently, announcing the arrest of a Mint Hill man who allegedly planned an ISIS-style New Year's attack. Ferguson is the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. He has been in that position since March of last year, but was only confirmed by the Senate in December. We spent time with him early in his tenure and now we get an update on what he and his office have been focusing on.

CBD, hemp and other marijuana products legally sold in North Carolina are facing a nationwide ban in November 2026 — one that could tank the multi-billion-dollar industry. North Carolina ranks sixth nationally in the production of hemp-derived products. What does this mean for businesses and consumers?

The word "poetry" is often used as a metaphor. Many see the art form as something from the past, associate it with academics, or think of it as unapproachable, it is none of those things. Poetry is alive and well, and in North Carolina, it's promoted by the state's poet laureate, Jaki Shelton Green. She's the ninth person to hold that position and joins us to talk about the role of poetry in modern life.

It's impossible to review a year's worth of news in just one hour, especially after the year we just had. But the Charlotte Talks team wanted to highlight the significant news we brought you over the last 365 days. It seemed like there was never a dull moment.

Last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children logged more than a half million reports of online enticement, manipulation and sextortion of children. This school year, districts are helping students spot this dangerous trend. We hear from a survivor of online grooming and those working to prevent it.

A conversation with Seth Harp, author of "The Fort Bragg Cartel," about his new book. It covers drug trafficking, murder, and a cover up involving members of the U.S. military.

Fallout continues after the arrest and rape charge of a Sycamore Brewing co-founder, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden warns Border Patrol may return, President Trump is set to speak Friday in Rocky Mount, and the Panthers face their biggest game of the season.

As 2025 comes to a close, we take a look at the public health developments shaping life in Mecklenburg County and what residents should know heading into 2026. Later in the show, we turn to mental health during the holidays, including exploring the impact of financial stress and practical coping tools.