Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins

This week, the Charlotte City Council appointed Rob Harrington as the next mayor and approved a pilot program to bring red-light cameras back. Meanwhile, the General Assembly overrode four of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes. The Hornets also traded away guard LaMelo Ball. We discuss it all on this week’s local news roundup.

Fewer than 6% of American physicians identify as Black, but census data show roughly 12% of the U.S. population is Black. Some experts say that disparity is one reason communities of color tend to experience worse health outcomes in the U.S., including higher rates of high blood pressure, shorter life expectancy and higher risks during childbirth. A new book from a former ProPublica reporter links today’s inequalities to a long history of structural racism — part of which runs through North Carolina.

Social prescribing is changing how health care is traditionally thought of by linking patients to community-based activities to address stress, loneliness and overall well-being. Through partnerships at hospitals and museums, Charlotte is beginning to explore how creative expression can support mental and physical health. We explore how social prescribing works and the research behind it.

CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill is placed on leave, facing an investigation into how the district is run. Monroe City Council votes to reverse course and renew support for the I-77 toll lanes. Charlotte City Council has narrowed down mayoral candidates list. Plus, the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup and more.

On the next Charlotte Talks, a story of the courage and tenacity it sometimes takes to open doors. It’s a story set in 1950, before Martin Luther King, Jr. was a household name, before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. It is the story of a man taking a stand against discrimination who ended up on the front lines of the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott, and it is a story told by his daughter, an award-winning journalist.

North Carolina’s outdoor industry continues to grow and contributed nearly $18 billion to the state’s economy in 2024. We explore what’s behind this boom, how to increase accessibility and participation, and practical tips for staying safe outdoors — including how to avoid interfering with wildlife and what to do if you do.

The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history. Yet more than 160 years later, its legacy is still being written, and one historian argues a key part of that legacy involves free people of color. At the beginning of the war, nearly half a million people of color were free, and he says their stories ultimately helped lay the groundwork for a more expansive vision of American freedom.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, professional women’s basketball has returned to the Queen City. The head coach of the Charlotte Crown joins us to discuss the team’s inaugural season. We also examine the latest on the Hurricanes, Hornets, soccer and other sports when we take a timeout for sports.

Charlotte City Council approves a moratorium on data centers and decides to use a property tax increase to fund raises for some city officials and employees. The man accused of killing Iryna Zarutska last August is deemed incompetent to stand trial. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes continue their quest for the Stanley Cup.

Over 12% of North Carolinians were living in poverty in 2024. However, a new report finds a much larger group in North Carolina still struggles to make ends meet. An additional 28% of the state’s households earn above the federal poverty threshold but not enough to afford basic expenses. We discuss the study and the affordability crisis impacting families.

For more than a century, the Outer Banks has been acclaimed as the birthplace of flight — but what if it was also the birthplace of the wireless world we live in today? We revisit the origins of American radio with author and historian Kevin Duffus and explore how a stretch of the North Carolina coast helped give voice to the world.

As the city grows, getting around has become increasingly challenging. Efforts to relieve congestion on I-77 recently came to a halt when leaders rescinded proposed toll lanes. Public transit has grown slowly, with commitments to build the Red Line and the east-west Silver Line. However, those projects could take a decade or longer to complete. We untangle the ins and outs of transit in Charlotte.

Black family reunions are often remembered for cookouts, family photos and matching shirts, but the centuries-long tradition runs much deeper. We explore how Black family reunions came to be, why they endured and what they continue to preserve.

Charlotte is now accepting applications for mayor. Meanwhile, Mecklenburg County leaders testified before the House Oversight Committee in Raleigh about the death of Dominique Moody, a child who suffered years of abuse. The Carolina Hurricanes are in the running for the Stanley Cup Final.

Millions of bison once roamed North America, from Alaska to North Carolina. After being hunted to near extinction, fewer than 1,000 were left by the late 1800s. Today, bison and a handful of other large animals are having a surprising renaissance. We speak with the author of a new book about why many animal populations have plummeted and why some are making an unexpected comeback.

Proposed plans to reduce toxic chemicals in North Carolina’s waterways face pushback from the public because some argue they don’t do enough to stop pollution or hold polluters accountable. Meanwhile, the EPA is in the process of weakening federal chemical regulations.

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.

North Carolina has become a major player in the booming weight-loss drug industry, helping drive the next generation of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. We look at how the state became a hub for these drugs, how they work and the risks that remain, plus the debate over coverage, costs and who gets access.

South Carolina calls off redistricting as early voting begins, a timeline is set for Charlotte City Council to accept applications from interim mayor candidates, a North Carolina House committee readies for a hearing on the death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody, and the Carolina Hurricanes remain on the road to the Stanley Cup.

North Carolina’s prison system is facing a crisis, from severe staffing shortages and budget pressures to the growing needs of an aging inmate population. We sit down with Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes to talk about the mounting concerns. Then we hear the story of Kerwin Pittman, a former inmate who is now transforming an abandoned prison into a space focused on opportunity, healing and second chances.

America’s role in the world is changing. The thought used to be that a post-Soviet Russia and a more global China could become more friendly to the West. That has not happened. We hear from New York Times White House and national security correspondent David Sanger about these shifting tides and what they mean.

We examine the constitutional amendment proposals in North Carolina and discuss if they could boost voter participation at the polls. We’ll also get an update from South Carolina on how their redistricting plan has panned out.

We discuss a precious time capsule we have here in North Carolina — our state archives. We'll speak with the state archivist about 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.

The Charlotte Regional Transit Planning Organization votes down the I-77 project; overcrowding leads the Mecklenburg County Sheriff to announce the reopening of Jail North; amid controversy, Mooresville's mayor hints at possible resignation and the Carolina Hurricanes are in the Eastern Conference Finals.

American medicine is changing, transformed by breakthroughs in gene therapies, innovative approaches to behavioral health, the advent of retail medicine and artificial intelligence. Dr. Marschall Runge calls this “the great health care disruption,” but says that understanding what is happening is a way to make these changes work for everyone while lowering costs and barriers to care.

A bill is moving through the North Carolina General Assembly named after Dominique Moody. The 6-year-old died last year after being beaten and starved. Investigations found that the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services had received reports of abuse but failed to protect the child. We look at that failure, the role local reporting played in exposing it and what this bill would do to address it.

Americans are more digitally connected than ever, yet more often isolated from the people living closest to them. A national survey last year showed only about a quarter of adults know all or most of their neighbors. What happens when neighborhood bonds disappear? Can rebuilding them improve our health, trust and resilience?

Despite a rising demand for services, slower revenue growth and uncertainty in support from the state and federal government, County Manager Mike Bryant's proposed budget for FY 2026-2027 calls for no reduction to services, no property tax increases and strategic new investments. He joins us to discuss how he came up with it.

Legislative leaders break the impasse on the budget. That means state employees and teachers may finally get a raise. In the race to replace Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, calls have come for a Black person to fill that slot. Charlotte City Council withdraws its support for the I-77 toll lanes, and the CMS board approves its $2.1 billion budget.

Henry David 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. Mike Collins discusses that with Jen McGivney, author of "Finding Your Walden."

On the next Charlotte Talks, educators are facing a tough time. North Carolina dropped three spots to 46th in the nation for teacher pay this year, and teachers from across the state marched in Raleigh last week for higher pay. Also, last week, the CMS board rejected the superintendent’s budget, then met for three hours on Saturday before closing the meeting to discuss personnel matters.

Ben Greene, a trans man, speaker and author of "My Child Is Trans, Now What?," is on a mission to bring joy, humor and humanity into the conversation about raising and supporting trans children. Greene will share his philosophy of “joy-centered” storytelling, why he wrote his book, and what he’s learned speaking with families across the country.

Across the country, the commercial real estate sector is facing problems. Although it’s been years since COVID-19, the impact of remote work lingers, and landlords are still having trouble filling vacant space. In some cases, they’re selling properties at a loss. But locally, a number of companies looking to expand have chosen Charlotte for their next home. We discuss what makes the Queen City different and whether it’s a trend.

On the next Charlotte Talks, former Environmental Protection Agency head Michael Regan shares his record, his views on what’s happening at the EPA now and his connection to North Carolina.

The North Carolina General Assembly’s short session is underway, with lawmakers focused on several issues. One is the budget. The state has not had a comprehensive budget since 2023 and teacher and state employee pay raises are awaiting passage. An extension of Medicaid funding has just passed, but now there’s a new question: whether to cap property taxes.

Drought is worsening in North Carolina and municipalities across the Charlotte region are asking residents to voluntarily conserve water. As the region grapples with the worst drought since 2008, the state’s agricultural economy is also under stress. We’ll discuss why this drought has progressed the way it has, how it's affecting the region and we look at how an already fractured farming industry is dealing with the conditions.

A report this week revealed Rep. Alma Adams was investigated and cleared by a House committee for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a staffer, the North Carolina General Assembly starts its short session, drought continues across the Carolinas, and the Panthers prepare for the NFL draft.

A recent survey shows that while North Carolinians are pessimistic about the nation’s political future, they are strongly united in support of constitutional checks and balances. They also oppose presidential overreach. And they say these feelings would influence their vote in the next election, including among members of both parties.

Charlotte is growing, but the construction industry is facing headwinds as they try to keep up. The industry is staring down a mix of challenges from rising costs, tariffs and workforce shortages. There's also opportunities, like how to implement artificial intelligence. We check in on an industry navigating change in a constantly evolving region.

Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated portions of the Carolinas. Since then, a change in administrations in Washington and a budget standoff in Raleigh have led to confusion and frustration. Access to resources has often been difficult. Hear the conversation we had about that and resiliency during WFAEs Carolina’s Climate Summit.

The North Carolina General Assembly’s short session starts Tuesday, and a proposal to cap property tax increases has Mecklenburg leaders on edge. Meanwhile, CMPD just dropped first-quarter crime stats and separate new data shows nearly half those arrested in last year's Charlotte Border Patrol operation had no criminal record. Also, after an overtime win on Tuesday, the Hornets face the Orlando Magic on Friday night, fighting for a final playoff spot.

Marie Curie is the most famous woman in the history of science. She coined the term “radioactivity” and traveled the world to share its secrets. Her story is told in a new book by acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist Dava Sobel, but, along the way, she tells the stories of other women who trained in Curie’s lab who would pursue their own scientific careers.

Star Trek’s William Shatner talks about his career, the Earth and space. Then, we get a preview of WFAE’s Carolinas Climate Summit.

We take a look at the predatory practices some Charlotte tow truck drivers use to take advantage of those they tow. That includes both civilian and commercial truck drivers. Plus, we dive into what lawmakers are doing to stop it.

We look at what’s in the air right now and how it impacts us. We’ll break down how air quality is measured, what’s improved over time and what challenges remain. We’ll also examine the distinct forces behind the region's intense allergy season and what it means for daily life.

On the local news roundup, Charlotte City Council’s safety committee focuses on transit security and debates the return of red light cameras, Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney says he won’t resign following a vote of no confidence by the town board, and the Hornets are in the final stretch of their most successful season in years.

Americans are working longer than ever, but many say the workplace isn’t built to support them. Sixty-four percent of workers over 50 report seeing or experiencing age-discrimination. Twenty-two percent say they are being pushed out of their jobs because of their age. Since those 55 and older are the fastest-growing age group in the labor force, what does this mean for the workforce? How can older workers stay competitive?

On the next Charlotte Talks, we look at a newly released Mecklenburg County Health Department report on infant mortality. The findings are a mix of good and bad news. Overall birth outcomes have improved, but disparities remain, especially for non-Hispanic Black infants compared with non-Hispanic white infants. We’ll hear about the progress and what’s being done to address those disparities.

After years of lurking in the shadows, sexual predators now make the headlines. From abuse in the Catholic Church to the Me Too movement to the Epstein Files, the public and the media now push for answers and accountability. But what about survivors? How are they experiencing this moment? We hear from them.

After two high-profile stabbings on the Lynx Blue Line train, questions about safety on public transit remain front and center. We sit down with CATS interim CEO Brent Cagle to ask what’s changed, what hasn’t and what riders can expect now.