Tying It Together with Tim Boyum

This is part two of a two-part series covering ten years since the deadly shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.   With a victim's brother, Spectrum News 1's Tim Boyum returned to Charleston to visit the church. Although much is different, the pain remains. Malcolm Graham's sister, Cynthia, was one of the nine murdered in the church basement. Boyum and Graham walked around Charleston visiting the church and a library where she was once a librarian. They also visit a bookstore in Charlotte. Graham is a member of the Charlotte City Council and author of a new book. He's dedicated himself to keeping his sister's memory and spirit alive. Tim also spoke to the church's pastor, who was called in to help the congregation recover.

It's been 10 years since the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston. It happened on June 17, 2015.  With the victim's brother, Spectrum News 1's Tim Boyum returned to Charleston to visit the church. Although much is different, the pain remains. "I miss her. But we're celebrating, not how she died, but how she lived," Malcolm Graham said. His sister, Cynthia was one of the nine murdered in the church basement. Boyum and Graham walked around Charleston, visiting the church, a library where his sister was a library and a Charlotte bookstore. Malcolm is a member of the Charlotte City Council and author of a new book. He's dedicated himself to keeping his sister's memory and spirit alive. Tim also spoke to the church's pastor, who was called in to help the congregation recover.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum tackles one of the biggest and most talked about issues in North Carolina — traffic. As a growing state, we are seeing all kinds of improved roads and many new designs, including roundabouts, diamond interchanges, and beyond.  N.C. State is a hotbed for a lot of the research that goes into these decisions. This week, Dr. Daniel Findley, Associate Director for the Institute of Transportation Research and Education at N.C. State, joins Tim to discuss those issues plus another enormous challenge surrounding the gas tax and funding roads.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein joins host Tim Boyum in the studio to go in-depth about his life and talk politics of the day. We learn what it's like to live in the executive mansion, his father's role in opening the state's first integrated law firm, how he met the first lady. The two then transition to politics, discussing major issues like Helene's impacts, current recovery efforts and the state budget. We also learn about his proposal to change FEMA, and whether he would sign the Republican House budget if it was sent to his desk.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum tackles the debate over North Carolina's one of a kind Innocence Inquiry Commission.  Since 2007, it has exonerated 16 people, many serving over 20 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.  However, the state Senate wants to cut its funding. The commission's leader Laura Pierro joins Tim to discuss how it works and why she thinks the state must continue funding it.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum is joined by former state superintendent of public instruction Dr. June Atkinson. She made history as the first woman elected for the position and held it from 2005 through 2016. This month, after six months of court drama, the nation's final 2024 race ended with State Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs being sworn in.  While many people today might think it was one of the longest delayed races ever, think again. It was 20 years ago that Dr. June Atkinson had her own race, but she didn't take office until August of that following year. On top of that, it ended up being decided by the General Assembly.  They were very deliberate because they realized that this could happen again. So they wanted to make sure it was fair,” she said. “In the law, it was stipulated that there would be a paper ballot. You'd have to have a convening of the Senate and the House, and they would declare the winner.” But, as she explains in the podcast, the bill had to be ratified, or made official, by the Governor first. The N.C. State alum tells us the incredible story with all kinds of behind-the-scenes details. Later, they discuss the future of education governance and the U.S. Department of Education.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Karen Brinson Bell, the recently removed executive director of the North Carolina Board of Elections.  A new law passed last week enabled Republicans to select a new board, which then appointed a former Republican attorney general candidate and general counsel to the Republican house speaker, rather than her.  Brinson discusses that decision, the board denying her the chance to give last remarks, leading state elections through a pandemic and natural disaster, the future of elections, and her own future.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. The North Carolina native was just appointed to a FEMA Review Council.  That council will take a closer look at the future of the often-criticized emergency management agency. President Trump criticized the agency's response in western North Carolina after Helene devastated the area.  Instead, he and other leaders believe there should be a new way of funding after natural disasters, whatever acronym it might be called. “Come up with a formula to send natural disaster funds to states in the form of a block grant and allow states to administer their own recovery,” Rep. Edwards said recently. “But there would be a core group of folks inside of FEMA, or whatever acronym that we wanted to use, that would be there as consultants for those situations where we have states not familiar with those types of disasters.” Tim and Chairman Whatley also talk about President Trump's first 100 days in office.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum sits down with Congressman Tim Moore. He's in his first term after breaking a record as the longest serving House Speaker in North Carolina legislative history. The Republican recently visited the DMZ, separating North and South Korea. He explains his time there, including his reasons for being there and how it affected his foreign policy perspective.  Later, he discusses tariffs, FEMA and Western North Carolina recovery from Hurricane Helene. 

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, nationally known journalist from The Atlantic, David Graham, joins host Tim Boyum to discuss his new book.  The Durham based journalist just released his first, “The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America”. Project 2025 is a 900-page document of policies drawn up by a group of conservative people, some in Trump's first administration, and the Heritage Foundation. It includes how to make independent agencies respond to the president, move employees to become political employees and how to challenge things one thinks might be unconstitutional, Graham proposes. He's been at The Atlantic since 2011, and covering President Trump since 2015. He says the U.S. is a good “first look.” “We are a good indicator of where the world is going,” he said. From the origins of Project 2025 to how it's potentially playing out, Graham goes in depth into his study of the controversial conservative playbook. Graham added he could connect about 40 of the executive orders to Project 2025 playbook. “People didn't believe Project 2025, but they also didn't believe Trump would do it, but then he started appointed people within his administration,” Graham said, adding that they're following the playbook very closely. Family structure, gender and education are still some of the things in the air with the project and Trump, according to Graham. But he said only time will tell.

Our guest this week is new State Auditor Dave Boliek. His job is to look at state and local entities and audit them to make sure tax dollars are being spent in the way the General Assembly appropriates them. The state auditor's primary goals include covering a financial audit, economy and efficiency audit and program result audit. The Republican joins host Tim Boyum to discuss the position and high-profile issues he plans to tackle, including the DMV, elections and the Department of Government Efficiency. One of the key questions he's trying to answer — Where does the money flow? “You can't simplify hard data but so much,“ he said. “But also people want the auditor to get in the weeds.” He's also been focused on appropriating Helene dollars, with no additional cost to the taxpayer, via a dashboard for North Carolina residents. He told Tim so far, so good on Helene spending. One area of concern he shared, though, was the DMV.  “I'm just going to be blunt, it's going to be a bigger mess than I thought, even I thought,” he said. “We're moving as quickly as we can.” He added more solid data is still needed before recommendations can be made, saying he doesn't want to shoot from the hip. This, as lines are backed up ahead of the Real ID deadline. Later we get to know him better by discovering his tastes in music, TV and relaxation.

On this week's episode, Tim asks, where's the money? Recently, local leaders went to the White House pleading for money from the federal government to help the area recover from Helene.  The federal government has promised more than $9 billion in a bill passed by Congress, but months later very little of that money has reached western North Carolina. Why? Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers and Avery County Commissioner Dennis Aldridge were two of the leaders who made the trip and join Tim to talk about the region and their frustration with the federal government. Later, they talk about the future of disaster response.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with North Carolina State Senator Jay Chaudhuri.  The Wake County Democrat discusses his parents' background as immigrants from India and the impact it had on his life. He also explains the connection between his upbringing and his dedication to public service.  Later, the two talk about serving as a member of the minority party, a bill he filed in wrestler Ric Flair's name and another bill that would ban student cell phones in schools. 

In the middle of March Madness, host Tim Boyum brings on an old friend and political journalist who just released a book on the history of the so-called “blue bloods” of college basketball.  Jeff Tiberii is a host of Due South on WUNC radio, but he also just released the book “The Magnificent Seven: College Basketball's Blue Bloods.” It's a fascinating look at the history of these influential teams but also some incredible stories about the people who make it so special.  We hope you enjoy this time out from politics to learn more about North Carolina's deep basketball heritage.

On this week's episode, host Tim Boyum and his guests discuss a recent study on the state of North Carolina elections.  Low faith and trust in elections is widespread, but North Carolina's elections are more successful than many other states, according to a study from cross-partisan organization North Carolina Fair Safe and Secure Elections. "One big takeaway we have is that early voting is working really well in North Carolina by any metric," Dr. Chris Cooper, from Western Carolina University, said.  Cooper and Dr. Michael Bitzer, from Catawba College, are members of the group that conducted and released the study. They join Tim to break down everything from the initial registration process, to rallies and challenges following the election.

On this week's episode, host Tim Boyum talks with author and retired political reporter Rob Christensen. The two discuss Christensen's newly released book, Southern News, Southern Politics, which tells the fascinating story of the Raleigh News & Observer and its impact on shaping North Carolina's political history. With a 45-year career at the newspaper, Christensen is undoubtedly an expert on its modern history. But the stories go back to the 1800s when the publisher was involved heavily in Democratic politics and even white supremacy. He also gave Tim his take on the future of newspaper and investigative journalism, which require real time, money and resources. “Influence is diminishing and right now there's not a good economic model for the News & Observer and other small local newspapers to flourish,” Christensen explained. "Who knows whether it's going to be around another 100 years."

In an exclusive interview five years after Covid, host Tim Boyum speaks with the woman who guided North Carolina through the pandemic.  Dr. Mandy Cohen reveals the challenges, the successes, and even threats she faced during the challenging time. She highlights working with Gov. Roy Cooper as a key reason for her success in North Carolina during COVID-19. “I learned so much from him and I'm so grateful that I was able to be on his team. We had a lot of special attributes that made us successful,“ she said. She and Tim also talk about her time leading the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after leaving North Carolina. And Tim wraps by recounting his time covering COVID-19 as a journalist.

This week's episode of Tying it Together features an interview with Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, arguably North Carolina's most influential politician, as a new legislative session begins. Host Tim Boyum and Sen. Berger openly discuss Helene's mountain relief efforts, collaboration with new Gov. Josh Stein and house speaker Destin Hall, and other topics in the senator's office. “I don't know that when all is said and done that it's going to end up any different,” Sen. Berger told Boyum when talking about Gov. Stein and cutting deals. “But I am optimistic that we may find ways to address some things that we may not have in the past.” The two also touch on the unresolved N.C. Supreme Court election race, tax rates, and facing a primary in next year's election.

On this week's episode, host Tim Boyum reconnects with Shelane Etchison. She was North Carolina's first ever Congressional unaffiliated candidate to make it on the ballot. Independents aren't a party, they aren't a third party, they're exactly as they sound — independent. Although she lost the election, she significantly outperformed all other non-major party candidates, exceeding expectations.  “The burden for unaffiliated candidates to get on the ballot, I believe, is too high right now. The bar is too high right now,” Etchison told Boyum. “The amount of money I had to allocate to that, the time and effort, it just already puts you at an impasse.” So, how does she feel now after running? Can an unaffiliated candidate ever win, and what's next for her? Listen to find out her experience.

Next year, North Carolina will host what is expected to be the most important and expensive U.S. Senate races in the country. This week, incumbent Thom Tillis' consultant, Jordan Shaw, joins host Tim Boyum in studio to talk about the Tillis campaign. The two also talk about the impact President Trump has on candidates and Sen. Tillis' potential Democratic opponents.  "The best politicians are the ones who are able to thread the needle," Shaw told Boyum. "And that's a very small, small hole to thread right now." They close the podcast by delving into the possibilities for the Republican party in 2028 and beyond. Tim also shares some memories from over the years of covering Thom Tillis that he said will be etched in his memory forever.

On this episode of Tying it Together, North Carolina's new House Speaker Destin Hall joins host Tim Boyum for a wide-ranging discussion about his new role and working with a new governor. At just 37, he's the state's youngest speaker ever, and he's not afraid to be frank. Speaker Hall also goes in depth with Tim on the major topics of today like Hurricane Helene relief, immigration and much more.  “If you're here illegally and you're committing crimes you gotta go,” he told Tim on the podcast. He added that being rules chair for almost five years with N.C. Sen. Phil Berger has helped him gain experience and respect in getting deals done. The podcast ends with Tim shooting a few fun questions at Speaker Hall.

On this week's episode, host Tim Boyum talks with former Senior White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates. Bates, a North Carolina native and N.C. State grad, spent significant time in the White House with President Biden and on the campaign trail with him as well. He takes us behind-the-scenes of working in the high-pressure job, trips on Air Force One, Biden's decision to get out of the race, and what he thinks Democrats should do next.

Attorney and former Democratic politician Wiley Nickel joins host Tim Boyum this week to talk about his time in Congress. Former congressman Nickel served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 13th district from 2023 to 2025. He tells Tim why he was so concentrated on gerrymandering during that time. "Gerrymandering isn't about the number of states, it's about the number of districts carved up by politicians in each state," he said in one post. He also hints at a potential run for U.S. Senate in 2026.  Nickel wraps up by spending time talking about his childhood experience having a TV news reporter for a mom, and his work for Al Gore and Barack Obama's presidential campaigns.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum gives us a look at what we can expect from Washington politics in 2025. He spent several days there during the recent snowstorm, sitting down with three newly elected members of Congress from North Carolina: Rep. Pat Harrigan, Rep. Addison McDowell and Rep. Brad Knott. He also talks with Washington pundit Doug Heye, who graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994. Later, he gets 2025 political previews from Spectrum News national political reporters Taylor Popielarz and Reuben Jones.

This week, Tim Boyum interviews top Republican strategist Paul Shumaker about his analysis of the 2024 elections, and their implications for the future.  Shumaker has won five U.S. Senate races as a consultant and currently works for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, who is up for reelection next year.  Shumaker offered insights into the race, including thoughts on Governor Cooper's possible run and potential 2028 gubernatorial candidates.

A Tying It Together tradition — Billy Warden and Brian Lewis join Tim for yet another hilarious, and somehow, informative, look at the year in politics and a look ahead to 2025.  Billy Warden, chief strategy officer with RLF Communications, also sings his annual parody Christmas song. Brian Lewis, founder of New Frame, gives us some insight into what 2024 might mean for 2025.  It's always a fun to celebrate the holidays and year-end, especially after a rough-and-tumble election season.

On this week's episode, we have a spirited debate over the words liberal and conservative.  What does it mean to be liberal or conservative? Do those terms automatically connect to Democrat and Republican?  This debate started during a recent TV segment between Charlotte City Councilman Tariq Bokhari and former mayor pro tem Braxton Winston, who also ran for Labor Commissioner this year. Sit back with your new presents, a cup of coffee, and see how you fit — or don't — into these widely used terms.

In a recent surprise, North Carolina Senate Democrats announced a new leader that was not Dan Blue. Sen. Sydney Batch will take his place next year after a decade of different leadership.  Sen. Batch joined host Tim Boyum to discuss her background in an incredibly successful family, working with her husband at their law firm, surviving breast cancer, and how she plans on leading Democrats much differently than her predecessor, and how she will get along with Sen. Phil Berger. “I have a lot to learn. I'm grateful to Sen. Blue to help guide me through this, and I have no doubt that Sen. Berger will let me know exactly how the trains stay on track,” she told Tim in the interview. Sen. Batch added she believes the state is much more purple than the legislature is made to believe due to gerrymandering. She believes in respectfully disagreeing and disputing where possible and standing up for her party's values.

On this week's episode, longtime political guru John Hood joins host Tim Boyum to discuss the early days of launching one of North Carolina's first think tanks, and the impact all think tanks have in today's political world.  For over two decades, Hood directed the John Locke Foundation and presently authors a nationally syndicated newspaper column for over 50 newspapers. Recently, he's written seven books, including a historical-fantasy novel.  The pair also have a thorough conversation about redistricting and its influence stemming from the 2020 Census, and the need for non-governmental organizations like John Locke Foundation.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, top North Carolina Democratic strategist Morgan Jackson joins host Tim Boyum to break down the 2024 election from his perspective. The two break down North Carolina Governor-elect Josh Stein and other major positions going to Democrats, despite Donald Trump winning the presidency by a decent margin, and what national Democrats might learn from North Carolina. Jackson, from Nexus Strategies, is a top strategist for current Gov. Roy Cooper and Governor-elect Josh Stein. His firm also regularly works with presidential campaigns.

After months of promises and debate, the 2024 presidential election likely came down to how people felt about the economy.  On this week's podcast, host Tim Boyum talks with two economists about the promises made, and what a Trump presidency might mean for the economy in terms of tariffs, product prices, interest rates, immigration and more. Our guests are N.C. State economist emeritus Dr. Michael Walden and UNC Charlotte economist Dr. John Connaughton.

As host Tim Boyum continues to look at the results of the 2024 election, longtime Republican Jim Blaine joins him to offer his perspective on why President-elect Donald Trump won. Despite Donald Trump's more than 3-percentage point victory in North Carolina, Democrats celebrated Election Day victories in races for governor, attorney general and the legislature. With the 2026 and 2028 elections in sight, both parties are already maneuvering for position. Blaine breaks down those moving pieces.

Fresh off the campaign trail, Spectrum News political reporters Taylor Popielarz and Cassie Semyon join host Tim Boyum to talk about their time following President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.  They reveal the struggles and triumphs of their journey, painting a vivid picture of life on the road, week after week, for months on end.  Their time with both political campaigns and everyday citizens gives them a unique perspective on the country's condition, something they also share during their time on the podcast with Tim. No doubt rare insights you don't want to miss.

  Just hours after Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley joins host Tim Boyum to discuss President Trump-elect's win. The two also touch on topics like whether the election was fair and secure, and what Trump will focus on first in January.  Later on, the discussion covers the North Carolina results and the potential impact of Mark Robinson's candidacy on his fellow Republicans in the election.

Just days before election day, host Tim Boyum talks with two experts about the early voting numbers we are seeing and what it might mean in terms of momentum for one candidate or the other.  Republicans are seeing higher numbers, but are they new voters or just voters that previously voted on election day? Dr. Michael Bitzer, from Catawba College, and Dr. Chris Cooper, from Western Carolina University, have been analyzing the data. They break it all down in these crucial last days of candidates' campaigns.

With early voting underway in North Carolina's crucial battleground election, state elections executive director Karen Brinson Bell joins host Tim Boyum this week to talk about the storm's impact on western North Carolina elections. She'll also discuss what we can expect if races get close. It comes as Gov. Cooper visited Asheville earlier in the week to reiterate to residents that everyone's voice will be heard in this year's election. Bell tells some incredible stories about the lengths these counties are going to make sure people can vote, county directors losing their own homes, and another gentleman walking four miles just to get to work.  Later, they talk about new photo ID requirements and what might happen if the top races are close. This is a must-listen, especially with the election just two weeks away.

This week, host Tim Boyum returns to the studio after a recent road trip, sitting down with the region's top pollsters to talk about the election as early voting begins and campaigns begin their final push.  Tom Jensen, from Public Policy Polling, and Dr. Scott Huffmon, from Winthrop University, are on hand with the latest trends in the presidential race, explaining why they're spending so much of their time in the Tar Heel state. Both pollsters believe this will be an election where it will take a few days to find out who America's next president will be because of either the thin margins, or the lawsuits because of the thin margins from either candidate. There's also a conversation about Mark Robinson's numbers following the recent controversy surrounding his campaign, though both agree the governor's race will end up being lopsided based on recent data. The two also crunch some numbers on some of North Carolina's top races.

Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum, with photojournalist John Stampf, are wrapping their cross-country trip in a rented Tesla to test the realities of electric vehicles. They've talked with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season reporting along the way. Tim and John have arrived at Santa Monica Pier in California nine days after departing from the big apple in their Tesla, packed full of new political and electric vehicle driving experiences. Here are the total EV stats: 9 day trip Covered 14 total states, 9 battleground states Distance: 3,753 miles Time charging: 15 hours, 45 minutes of total charging, or about 1 hour 45 minutes per day Charges: 28 total charges, or about three charges per day Cost: $449.91, or $49.99 each day So, Tim's take on EV's, way cheaper than gas but more tolling on your time. He believes it was only possible in a Tesla due to their routing feature. It routes in a charger before the car dies. Would he buy an EV after this experience? No way he's telling you, too political of a topic, he said. But he feels a lot more comfortable. As far as the politics, he learned America is no doubt divided right now, even in places where the election may not be as “hot” — you can feel it. But, Tim adds, America is much different meeting people in person than it is online. Battleground states he visited handled the divisiveness differently, and wonders how the rhetoric on either side will be handled after the election. There will always be differences that will need to be worked out in the country, and there are times and places for that like on political shows. For Tim, this was an opportunity to cover politics in a unique way, and he hopes you've enjoyed the trip.

  Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum, with photojournalist John Stampf, are on the road. They're talking with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season. And they're making the journey in a rented Tesla, reporting as they go on the realities of charging stops and range anxiety while crossing the country in an EV. Host Tim Boyum looks back on this leg of his EV trip from the Las Vegas strip. He brought up the fact that they have now reached two more battleground states, Arizona and Nevada. They drove 295 miles, needing three charges at an hour and 17 minutes total charging time and a total cost of about $46.  While in Flagstaff, Ariz. Tim talked to a man waving a Trump flag about whether he would accept the results of the election if he lost, to which he refused. Tim highlighted this as being a potential situation for certain supporters on both sides of the aisle in this tense election season. Tim also went to Nevada to talk to a group working to instill integrity back into the election system. The former governor told him some people are barely talking to each other. They end their trip with a visit to Santa Monica Pier.

Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum, with photojournalist John Stampf, are on the road. They're talking with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season.  And they're making the journey in a rented Tesla, reporting as they go on the realities of charging stops and range anxiety while crossing the country in an EV. In his latest stop in New Mexico, he does an unusual interview from a hot air balloon during the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, where more than 800,000 people from all over the world (that's 16 different countries) took to the skies over the course of more than a week. During about a 90-minute balloon ride in the bright skies, Tim, his photographer John and pilot Mark Yocum from Air Rocky Top crammed into a tiny basket at 3,000 feet above the good Earth to have a little chat about politics. It was not an ideal journey for Tim as he is not fond of heights, but he was in awe of what he saw as he described in detail the different types of balloons he saw.   Mark admits that politics do not hold much interest to him, which either party leaders or supporters could be to blame. “It's probably as divisive as it's been since I've been alive and it's tragic,” he says. Hear more in what he has to say in the latest Front Porch Politics. About the Podcast With the speed of the local news cycle, it's easy to forget that the politicians who represent us and the influencers in our communities are more than just a sound bite. North Carolina's veteran reporter and anchor, Tim Boyum, loosens his signature bow tie to give listeners a glimpse behind the curtain, showing us who these power players really are and why they do what they do. Through Tim's candid conversations on “Tying It Together,” his guests reveal their most fascinating life stories, passions, and help all of us get a better grasp on the issues affecting our communities.

Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum is on the road, talking with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season. He is cranking out bite-sized podcasts along the way, and in his first edition, he is making his way up the Pennsylvania turnpike with photojournalist John Stampf in a rented Tesla.  On this stop, Tim reports from Madison, Wisconsin, where getting a hotel room is hard to find. That's because he and Mark plan to take part in the World Dairy Expo while in town. Now to the numbers, Tim said they've now traveled across six states in the last 36 hours. They covered 549 miles of road, charging four times along the way for a total time of an hour and 49 minutes and $60 in all. Before leaving Lancing, Michigan, Tim wanted to speak with some independent voters about their thoughts on the vice presidential debate. They said the candidates either didn't answer the questions or weren't honest in their responses. Once Tim arrived in Maddison, Wisconsin, he sprinted over to talk to a rural dairy farmer about what issues aren't being heard in his industry and why. The farmer mentioned though he helps feed America, he sometimes feels ignored on key issues. Tim said he'll talk to more experts on the matter when they go to the World Dairy Expo tomorrow, then it's straight to St. Louis.

Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum is on the road, talking with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season. He is cranking out bite-sized podcasts along the way, and in his first edition, he is making his way up the Pennsylvania turnpike with photojournalist John Stampf in a rented Tesla.  Host Tim Boyum continues his treck across America with recent stops in Pittsburgh, Buttler, Pennsylvania and then to Lordstown, Ohio before landing in Lansing, Michigan for the vice presidential debate. He said they put on about 410 miles across three states. They've opted to choose the strategy of topping off rather than waiting to get to a 10% charge. The two topped off before leaving, taking about 28 minutes and costing them $7 dollars. They also stopped in Gerrard, Ohio for another charge, taking 37 minutes for $14 dollars, as well in Toledo for a 44 minute recharge at about $18 dollars. Their final charge was in Lancing, Michigan for a 35 minute charge at about $16 dollars. While in Butler, PA, Tim met with artist Bill Secunda who made what he estimates to be a 20-foot-tall, 200 lb statue of Donald Trump out of nails. Once arriving in Lordstown, Tim spoke to residents about what they need to hear from politicians after a GM plant shut down in 2019. The mayor asked for a pledge of support and for candidates to pull through on those promises. Tim and John head to Wisconsin for their next leg of the trip.