Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins

Dell Curry is widely considered the figure most synonymous with the Charlotte Hornets’ history. His legacy is cemented by his 10-year playing career, franchise-leading statistics and more than a decade as a team broadcaster. He sits down with us.

A study reveals several parks and greenways would be impacted by the proposed I-77 toll lanes, the former EpiCentre uptown is set to go up for sale, Sam Page widens his lead over North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, and Queens University Men’s basketball is going to the Big Dance.

On this Charlotte Talks, we discuss the successful fight for women’s suffrage — the right to vote. We look at the history of the movement and the Broadway musical that celebrates it.

More than a year into his term, North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek says he’s working to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in state government. New laws have expanded the auditor’s investigative powers and even given the office a role in shaping election oversight. Boliek joins to discuss his approach to accountability, his growing authority and what it could mean for transparency and governance in North Carolina.

We’ve assembled a panel of gardening experts to tackle all your spring gardening questions. Write us throughout the show at charlottetalks@wfae.org with “gardening” in the subject line.

The I-77 toll project has been the center of a contentious debate. We hear from officials and stakeholders about where the project stands and what comes next.

Primary day has come and gone, locally one message from voters is that they want party loyalty. Surprisingly, the Phil Berger race is separated by two votes. NCDOT plans to pause its plan for elevating new I-77 toll lanes for a few months, and North Carolina U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis lays into now former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

It’s been three months since U.S. Customs and Border Protection descended on Charlotte. Operation “Charlotte’s Web” brought fear, confusion and disruption to the city, especially to the immigrant community. There are still many unknowns about that operation despite attempts by politicians at all levels asking for transparency and accountability. We get an update on those attempts and examine the economic, legal and cultural fallout.

Voting is complete and the results are in, so what did North Carolina’s primaries decide? From key races in Mecklenburg County to consequential contests that could reshape the balance of power in the General Assembly, we break down what the outcomes mean heading into November.

Many Americans are performing their civic duty, but they’re doing so in congressional races that are almost already decided. More than 90% of congressional seats are effectively settled in primary elections. Fewer than 20 House seats nationwide are true toss-ups, meaning a relatively small number of voters control the balance of power. We break down what’s wrong with this system, how we got here and why it still doesn’t mean you should stay home on Election Day.

Nearly two decades after the hazing death of 19-year-old Harrison Kowiak at Lenoir-Rhyne University, North Carolina has enacted Harrison’s Law, expanding the definition of hazing and increasing criminal penalties. We examine what the new law changes, the federal landscape for hazing and whether stronger statutes can truly shift campus culture.

President Trump invokes the stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska during his State of the Union, incorrectly saying the man accused of killing her is an undocumented immigrant. Four people are taken into ICE custody outside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, self-driving Waymo taxis may soon be on Charlotte streets, and the impact of the recent winter storm continues as power bills come due.

On the next Charlotte Talks, we take a close look at the findings just released in Mecklenburg County’s 2025 State of Housing Instability and Homelessness Report, plus a deep dive into the data the Charlotte Urban Institute and Mecklenburg County have collected over the past 10 years.

The Charlotte Hornets have been near the bottom of the NBA for years, but things may be changing. Earlier this month, the team went on a nine-game winning streak. That's something that hasn't happened this century. We discuss the team's season, its history, and what a playoff berth would mean.

More than 50 years since the end of NASA’s Apollo program, moon missions are about to start up again. As early as March, Artemis II is expected to take four astronauts to orbit the moon in preparation for a moon landing to come. In advance of next month’s launch, we spend an hour with former shuttle astronaut Winston Scott exploring spaceflight, moon missions and more.

With early voting underway and turnout reportedly higher than normal, we look at the role North Carolina is likely to play nationally. And we examine some of the twists and turns already injected into this year’s elections, such as the 240,000 voters who received a letter stating their registration lacked certain required information.

The back-and-forth over I-77 toll lanes continues, street vending in NoDa is now illegal, Birkdale Village in Huntersville faces new restrictions after a disturbance involving hundreds of young people, and Charlotte FC is kicking off a new season.

Early voting for the March primaries is underway. We discuss some key races to watch for, how certain races could shift power in North Carolina and what to keep in mind as you head to the polls.

On this Charlotte Talks, the challenges faced by pediatricians in a world of vaccine resistance. The number of measles cases in South Carolina has risen to 950. It grows almost daily and is entirely preventable if children are given the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. Pediatricians are advocating for those vaccines, but some parents are refusing. We look at this phenomenon, its impact on pediatricians, and what’s at stake.

We explore what can be learned about character from seven former American presidents. Presidential historian Mark Updegrove profiles Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, the Bushes, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, illustrating the traits that made each suited to their time in the Oval Office.