Charlotte Talks
Summary: Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more. If something is of interest to the Charlotte region, listeners and leaders know the topic is bound to be discussed on Charlotte Talks. Follow along: @CharlotteTalks.
Podcasts:
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 The proposed city budget for the next fiscal year contains raises for both police and firefighters. Police are scheduled to receive a 6.5 percent raise; firefighters 1.5 percent.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Teachers are headed to Raleigh to march for better pay and respect. The head of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg teachers lobby and a top education budget writer join Mike Collins.
Monday, May 14, 2018 Immigration enforcement was a major issue in Mecklenburg County and other sheriff's races. Is the tide of support for 287(g) turning? Then, an R&B opera that reimagines Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s final days.
Friday May 11, 2018 On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup, the dust settles on the Primary election with some changes coming. We go beyond the results to what this might mean in November and beyond. CMS has decided to close school next Wednesday, so their teachers can march on Raleigh. Huntersville and Cornelius want to be added to HB 514 which would allow Matthews to start its own charter schools. And the proposed city budget is out with a tax increase to fund it. Mike Collins and a
Thursday, May 10, 2018 Charlotte City taxes may rise. And we’ll talk about that right off the bat with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. She’s back for our monthly discussion and is bringing City Manager Marcus Jones with her. Jones has proposed a $2.6 billion budget with raises for police and city staff which would necessitate a tax rate increase. Mike Collins will go over the budget with Jones and Lyles, and find out how it would affect services and citizens and the mayor’s effort to increase our
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 A recap of Tuesday's primary, which saw the defeats of several incumbents, then a conversation about physician-assisted suicide legislation in North Carolina.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 The Bible had plagues of locusts. We have plagues of robocalls. They are becoming more frequent and annoying. So what can be done?
Monday, May 7, 2018 Ongoing efforts to improve upward mobility have resulted in more attention being paid to social capital, the currency we use to make connections and get ahead. Our deficit of that is being further hurt by segregation. So, if you don’t have social capital, how do you get it? How do make connections and forge relationships that will help you become upwardly mobile? We take a closer look at what’s being done to address the problem.
Friday, May 4, 2018 After weeks of back and forth, Matthew officials and CMS consider compromise on a town charter school bill. A teacher march for education funding is coming as CMS weighs its options. Our reporters share their thoughts on the races and the potential voter turnout and what that will mean in next Tuesday’s primary. And the Wells Fargo Championship is here, complete with Tiger Woods. Those stories and more with Mike Collins and the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 The jockeying for power in Washington and Raleigh spills into the voting booth with next week's North Carolina primary. Mike Collins looks at the races and the candidates in a "News and Brews" special from Birdsong Brewing Co.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Expectations of a Latino voting surge in 2016 didn’t pan out. Will the Trump administration’s moves on immigration send them to the polls this year? Guest host Kirstin Garriss examines the Hispanic vote, locally and nationally.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Education is making headlines around the country as school safety becomes a key issue. That’s certainly a topic of conversation here, along with CMS doing a delicate dance with Matthews where they want to start their own charter schools. Sex education, truancy and the budget are also in the news. Host Mike Collins sits down with CMS superintendent Clayton Wilcox to talk all those things and more.
Monday, April 30, 2018 Spring is here. Time to get out and walk the neighborhood and we’ll hear how you can do that and learn about those neighborhoods during a Charlotte City Walk . These walks give you a snapshot of a growing city today and of its history and examine the city’s biggest issues. We’ll find out more in the first part of the program and then, the Tom Dooley Project. It celebrates a legend used for years to teach children how to make good choices.
Friday, April 27, 2018 The fight is on between Matthews and CMS. Town officials want to open the door to running their own charter school. CMPD officers continue to pitch for higher pay. Affordable housing was a focus this week at City Council, and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan tells shareholders the bank is standing firm on a decision not to serve some gun makers. Those stories and more with Mike Collins and guests on the Local News Roundup.
Thursday, April 26, 2018 On the next Charlotte Talks an update on the toll lanes on I-77 as well as a comparison of that road to one in Wake County and to the Peach Pass in Atlanta and how it affects congestion