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, April 25, 2018 The upcoming primary for Mecklenburg County sheriff could determine the future of the 287(g) program at the Mecklenburg jail. Incumbent Irwin Carmichael wants to keep it, but his challengers, Antoine Ensley and Garry McFadden, want it gone. WFAE's David Boraks sits down with the three candidates.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 District Attorney candidates Spencer Merriweather, the incumbent, and challenger Toussaint Romain, share their thoughts on how that office should be operated.
Monday, April 23, 2018 Best-selling North Carolina author Charles Frazier talks about his new historical novel about the first lady of the Confederacy, and Hugh McColl shares thoughts about Charlotte, leadership and more.
Friday, April 20, 2018 A deadly prison riot in South Carolina ends with seven inmates dead and 17 injured. City Council’s Lawana Mayfield turns heads after a post she made on Facebook speculating that the 9-11 attacks weren’t real. Vice President Mike Pence visit Charlotte Friday to stump for Robert Pittenger. And another chapter in the unfolding Atrium health saga. All that and more on the 20th Anniversary edition of Charlotte Talks.
Thursday, April 19, 2018 North Carolina native and longtime NPR Newscaster Carl Kasell has died at the age of 84. Carl came to WFAE in 2005 where he talked with Mike Collins about his North Carolina roots and his many years at NPR. We listen back to that conversation.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018 North Carolina prisons face serious troubles from staff shortages, to dangerous conditions and corruption. We sit down with our State's Director of Prisons, two reporters who are covering this, as well as the director of NC-CURE, to discuss what can be done about this growing problem.
Friday, April 13, 2018 On the Local News Roundup, Mayor Vi Lyles seeks $50 million in bonds for affordable housing. CMS unveils a $1.5 billion budget request that includes teacher pay raises and money to harden schools. Mike Collins gets reaction to that, an update on the sale of the Panthers and to Senator Lindsay Graham’s question to Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg about his company being a monopoly.
Thursday, April 12, 2018 Mayor Vi Lyles comes back for her monthly visit with host Mike Collins. She gives us an update on her suggestion about bringing back red-light cameras. Citizens concerned about affordable housing shared their thoughts with the city council this week and we get the Mayor’s take on that.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 On Charlotte Talks, we talk with our Poet Laureate about using poetry and music to bridge the growing divide in our nation and to change public opinion. Plus we hear from those behind CPCC's Sensoria Festival.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 A look at growing pains in SouthPark with infrastructure lagging rapid development. The result: traffic congestion, lack of green space and a challenge for pedestrians. But there are plans to make improvements and we’ll hear about those in the first part of the program. Then, we recap, the on-going saga at Atrium Health where two very public contract disputes have been unfolding. Two reporters following all this have all the details and join Mike Collins for an update.
Monday, April 9, 2018 North Carolina hasn't used the death penalty since 2006, and public support has dropped. What's turning the tide? Mike Collins talks with a Charlotte attorney trying to have the U.S. Supreme Court examine its constitutionality.
Friday, April 6, 2018 More headlines from Atrium Health, as nearly 100 doctors sue to be released from employment agreements. City leaders are skeptical about bringing back red-light cameras. Heading to the primary, 12th District Congressional Democrat Alma Adams faces millennial Democratic challengers in a battle of the generations. And CMPD Chief Kerr Putney suggests "wanding" students to keep them safe. Mike Collins and the roundtable of reporters talks about those and other stories.
Thursday April 5, 2018 On Charlotte Talks, we took a look at the rising incidence of child abuse and what is being done to turn this trend around and get help for the children who need it most.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018 On the 50 th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, a look at where his activism was headed, and at his legacy.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018 The Queen City is named after Queen Charlotte, wife of England’s King George III. But who was she and why do we have her name? Queen Sophia Charlotte may have been of mixed heritage, with African ancestors. As the city approaches its 250th anniversary, we find out more about our namesake.
