Charlotte Talks

New allegations against Mark Robinson. Another week, another vote on transit. New details in the Asha Degree case. Plus, after two losses to open the season, the Carolina Panthers bench Bryce Young.

On the next Charlotte Talks, we’re off to see the wizard and talk to many of the people responsible for bringing all the Oz characters to life in books, movies and musicals.

Mike Collins and our panel of guests look at the first hard data on the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to end race-conscious admissions.

Posnanski breaks down the biggest upsets, outrageous plays, and outstanding players to show why — despite its many faults — each fall millions turn back to football as one of this nation's true pastimes.

On the next Charlotte Talks, a look at how officials are working to keep you and your vote safe during a time of heightened fears about the security of our elections.

Charlotte City Council votes to pump $11 million more into the sports complex at Eastland Yards. Kamala Harris follows up her debate with a stop in the Queen City, and we remember former state Rep. Kelly Alexander.

The changing climate is affecting our beaches and is causing massive forest fires. Heatwaves are rampant and out of control rains are causing devastating floods and landslides. Less obvious, though, is the damage being done to agriculture.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles resumes her visits to Charlotte Talks. She joins us to talk about the recent city council decision surrounding transit and Eastland Yards, the political season ahead, and we’ll give her an opportunity to reflect on the life and contributions of the late state Rep. Kelly Alexander.

On the next Charlotte Talks, we sit down with author Steve Benen to discuss his new book, "Ministry of Truth."

We discuss the impact young voters may have on the election, the issues they care about, and their views on government’s role in our lives.

Charlotte City Council OKs buying the tracks for the Red Line and takes the next steps in the Eastland Yards project. The neck-and-neck presidential race brings Donald Trump to town. Plus, Duke’s Mayo Classic is back.

Say hello to Carolina Ascent FC — our town’s first professional women’s soccer team.

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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says COVID-19 is here to stay, but in predictable ways. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is watching an mpox outbreak just as flu and RSV season are set to start. We look at all these viruses and the ins and outs of the vaccines that fight them.

The price tag to buy the tracks for the Red Line: $91 million. City Council will vote on that soon. It’s back to school at CMS this week, with a lot to talk about including some controversies outside the classroom. Mike Collins and guests cover these stories and more.

On the next Charlotte Talks, the Republican running for Congress in North Carolina’s 12th District shares his thoughts on the race, and we hear from two congressional reporters on political issues heading into November.

The need for lithium is increasing. That brings challenges to areas where lithium is mined and one of those is Gaston County, where Piedmont Lithium wants to locate a mine.

Charlotte’s mobility plan is in flux and has ruffled feathers as a result, shifting from a focus on trains to roads and buses. Mike Collins and those involved give us a closer look at it all.

Education, especially public education, is one of the dividing lines between left and right. From book bans to gender identity to school vouchers, we discuss the role schools are playing in politics ahead of November.