Charlotte Talks

A figure in conservative politics in North Carolina, he helped Ronald Reagan win the Republican presidential primary here in 1976, and worked closely with U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms. But Helms’ legacy is tied to his support for racial segregation, and his “White Hands” TV ad is infamous in political history. In a new book, Wrenn gives an inside perspective into decades of conservative politics.

UNC-Chapel Hill professor and author Melissa Jacoby on how the bankruptcy system can take advantage of the poor and be used as a tool for those who have done wrong to skirt responsibility.

On the next Charlotte Talks, the efforts Charlotte has put into improving economic opportunity may be paying off. The bar was set by Raj Chetty’s study on economic mobility, and he explains the latest metrics.

Congress squabbles over a stopgap bill as Helene aid hangs in the balance, Gov. Cooper makes his farewell address and Charlotte hires an interim attorney. Those stories and more on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

Outgoing state Sen. Natasha Marcus represented Mecklenburg District 41 for three terms and shares her thoughts on that time and her concerns for the future.

Doing the right thing can often be costly for those calling out a wrong others would like concealed. We hear from a whistleblower about that cost and what makes it worth it.

We take a look at the difference Medicaid expansion has made in the lives of North Carolinians, discuss the state’s outreach to the newly qualified, and whether we can expect changes to the program in Trump’s second term.

Household debt in this country is high — and getting higher. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, it increased by $150 billion in the third quarter of this year alone. There are those carrying a lot of debt from student loans to credit cards to car and personal loans, but personal finance author and Charlotte resident Bernadette Joy says there is a way out.

Lawmakers in Raleigh move to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that would strip power from the incoming Democrats. City Council approves expanding flight paths over Charlotte. North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop is tapped to join President-elect Trump's administration. And the North Carolina Board of Elections makes some important decisions

After Hurricane Helene, we all witnessed what it was like when the municipal water supply in Asheville stopped working. Eventually, the water was turned back on, the boil water notice lifted, and no lead or other contaminants were found. Still, it will take years to fully recover. And there are other challenges facing drinking water statewide, including from private wells.

On the next Charlotte Talks, the popularity of true crime stories and the ethics of reporting and consuming them.

Following World War II, North Carolina recognized a need for education beyond high school, but shy of a four-year degree. That led to the creation of community colleges. Now, 70 years later, there are 58 community colleges in N.C. and funding is increasing to accommodate growth. We take a look at what’s driving that enrollment, how these schools provide workforce development, and how they help adult learners.

When you think of contributions to the visual arts in the 20th century, New York City and Europe might come to mind. But the South has made its own artistic contributions. And the Mint Museum Uptown is showing over 100 paintings and prints exploring the social history of the period. We talk about this intersection of art and history and what we can learn from it.

On the local news roundup, ahead of losing their supermajority, Republican members of the North Carolina General Assembly passed more legislation, the skies are changing in Charlotte as flight paths to and from the airport are set to expand and the first snow hit the Queen City in about three years.

Women make up 51% of the population, but the impression is they’re having a tough time making inroads in politics — witness Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris’ failed presidential attempts. But women in some states make up the majority of those state’s legislatures. Why? What does it take for women to win, and how would our politics and governance change if more they did?

On the next Charlotte Talks, stories from eastern North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe about survival and resilience in the face of radical environmental change.

What governments do with their time and your money is a matter of public record. But, as we have seen, governments often drag their feet for months, even years, on releasing documents the public has a right to see. We look at the struggle for transparency.

By law, solitary confinement in North Carolina ended years ago. But last year, a report revealed some young prisoners were being locked in small rooms alone, 23 hours a day for days — or weeks — on end. A lawsuit was filed to make the state comply with its own law. We'll have more on the story and the damaging effects of this practice.

On the next Charlotte Talks, a new book has compiled the best sports writing of the year. We speak with the book's editor about America’s fascination with sport and why the subject can appeal to more than just athletes.

Racial disparities are prevalent in health care. This is especially true for people who are pregnant in the South. We're joined by a reporter covering this story across the region, plus two medical professionals, to discuss these issues and how to address medical mistrust.