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:
Monday, June 12 2017 The Charlotte Observer uncovered troubling misconduct in North Carolina prisons involving sex, drugs and gang violence-- by prison corrections officers. Mike Collins is joined by the reporters who conducted the investigation.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 Charlotte has the worst traffic congestion in the state and with 44 people per day moving to town - traffic just keeps getting worse. Can our infrastructure keep up or is permanent gridlock in our future? We navigate that.
Monday, May 29, 2017 Charlotte, known as "the city of trees," is losing its green giants. Development and the age of our trees are the two biggest problems. Mike Collins gets to the root of the issue with the city's chief arborist and others, in an encore presentation of Charlotte Talks.
Friday, May 26 2017 On the local news roundup, the CMS student assignment plan was passed, but not without contentious discussion by parents and board members. The Supreme Court strikes down North Carolina's 1st and 12th congressional districts, and the NBA All-Star Game coming to Charlotte in 2019, so is the HB2 fight over? Mike Collins goes over those stories and more with the roundup reporters, when Charlotte Talks.
Thursday, May 25, 2017 A recap of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student assignment vote, then a look at Charlotte's gangs. After last week's massive roundup, Mike Collins talks with Charlotte's top federal prosecutor and others about gang activity in the region.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 On Wednesday night, the CMS School Board will vote on the immensely complex student assignment plan . Prior to that vote, we hear from Superintendent Ann Clark about her proposal and school board members share their thoughts as well.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-3 decision that two North Carolina Congressional Districts are illegal racial gerrymanders. The ruling upholds one issued in 2016 by a lower court. Guest host Tom Bullock and experts will talk about what the ruling means, its potential for wide-ranging precedent, and how it will affect North Carolina voters.
Monday, May 22, 2017 Since the firing of James Comey, the words “Watergate” and “Nixonian” have been bandied about. Do these comparisons hold up to history? Mike Collins talks with political experts and a Charlotte attorney who had a front-row seat to Watergate.
May 19, 2017 On this week's Friday News Roundup: The Supreme Court declines to hear North Carolina’s Voter ID appeal. The CMS Board considers assignment plan changes. Local lawmakers react to President Trump’s sharing of classified intelligence information with the Russians and Governor Cooper announces LGBT protections. Host Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters will discuss.
Thursday, May 18, 2017 Air travel has become increasingly unpleasant, with crowded planes and fewer amenities. And then there are those viral videos of hostile encounters with passengers. Mike Collins and two airline industry watchers discuss the state of air travel.
Wednesday, May 17 2017 On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal on a lower court ruling striking down North Carolina’s voter ID law, but state GOP lawmakers have vowed to find another way to mandate voter ID. Host Mike Collins and guests discuss the announcement, what happens next, and we look into President Trump's new election fraud commission.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 The portrayal of teen suicide in the Netflix show “13 Reasons Why” has raised fears it may lead to copycats. Does it cross the line? Should teens avoid the show? Mike Collins talks with mental health experts and a school psychologist.
Monday, May 15 2017 We discuss two important topics in the area of juvenile justice: raising the age, and due process. North Carolina is the only state where criminal justice still considers 16 and 17-year-olds adults. As the legislature ponders a change in that law, we look back at a landmark Supreme Court Case giving juveniles due process rights on its 50th anniversary.
Friday, May 12, 2017 Carolina senators react to the firing of the FBI director. Charlotte-Mecklenburg parents give the school board feedback on the student assignment plan. Violent crime figures are on the rise. Mike Collins and our reporter roundtable discuss the week's news.
Thursday, May 11 2017 Walgreens executive Steve Pemberton has a personal success story of facing seemingly insurmountable odds in the foster care system. After years in the system and enduring neglect and abuse, he emerged as a success. He tells Charlotte Talks host Mike Collins his story and talks about how he helps others in the same situation, by telling his story .
