WCNC Charlotte's Flashpoint

"In certain parts of North Carolina, it's almost impossible to find child care at this point," U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson said on WCNC's Flashpoint.

Charlotte's mayor is expressing renewed optimism that CATS' Red Line commuter rail line will come to fruition. The line, which has been discussed for more than 20 years, would stretch from Uptown to Mooresville. "Here we are decades later talking about this, so I am enthusiastic about the concept that we can make this happen this time," Vi Lyles, Mayor Charlotte, said on WCNC's Flashpoint.

On Flashpoint, NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley says expansion impacts communities across the state.

CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, Mecklenburg Co. Sheriff Garry McFadden, and MOMO Director Lisa Crawford discuss youth violence crime and how to fix it.

On Flashpoint, an official from the Environmental Defense Fund says it could be 'just the beginning.'

On WCNC's Flashpoint, operators and the state appear poised for Monday's rollout.

Political observers are used to watching election results come in at the close of polls at 7:30 p.m. but things will be different on Tuesday for North Carolina's Primary. It's all because a new state law prohibits election boards from tabulating early voting ballots until after polls close.

Nine years after the mass shooting at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston killed nine Black parishioners, South Carolina still doesn't have any hate crime legislation on the books. "It's going to take strong leadership, people would backbone, willing to do what's right," State. Rep. Wendell Gilliard said on WCNC's Flashpoint.

"It's not the way we should lead. We've actually been down this path before here in North Carolina, and we paid in immense economic costs," Stein, North Carolina Attorney General, said on WCNC's Flashpoint. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is also running for governor, suggested at a campaign event in Cary this month that transgender women should be arrested if they use women's restrooms. At an event in Greenville, Robinson they should "find a corner outside somewhere to go" to the bathroom.

Nearly four years after the Charlotte MOVES Task Force first recommended a multi-billion dollar transit plan to city council, casual observers might wonder if any progress has been made. City and state leaders have occasionally made news by weighing in on the plan but, so far, the plan's promise of transit, trail and road expansion has made little public progress. "It's not that nothing has happened. I think we underestimated all the work that was going to be needed," Councilman Ed Driggs, who chairs the city's transportation, planning and development, said on WCNC Charlotte's Flashpoint. Read more here: Leaders working to find common ground on NC transit plan | wcnc.com

The Charlotte Black Voter Project is working to turn around a recent trend at the polls: A "precipitous drop" in Black voter turnout. "In 2023, you had over 200,000 Black registrants in Mecklenburg County and only 71,000 Black voters cast their ballot," Colette Forrest, the group's founder, said on WCNC's Flashpoint. You can stream WCNC Charlotte on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, just download the free app.

A little more than a month before the North Carolina Primary, Salisbury attorney Bill Graham has a warning for his fellow Republicans: don't nominate Mark Robinson. "I'm sick and tired of losing," Graham said on WCNC's Flashpoint. For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications. Graham is facing Robinson for the Republican nomination in the governor's race. Graham doesn't think his opponent could win against Democrats in the general election. "Those folks know, the statements that he's made and more," Graham said, referring to a variety of statements Robinson has made about the Holocaust, abortion, the LGBT community, and Martin Luther King, Jr. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/nc-gop-candidate-republicans-risk-losing-governors-race/275-30f86f59-d437-4473-b56d-78e344465539

Barring some unforeseen circumstance, Jordan Lopez will represent State House District 112 in the General Assembly starting next year. Lopez, who would serve east Charlotte, is running unopposed in the primary and general election. The 25-year-old said a "sense of urgency" drove him to run now.

WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson spoke to Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to a Charlotte middle school Thursday. Vice President Kamala Harris was at Charlotte's Eastway Middle School on Thursday to promote the Biden administration's plan to reduce gun violence and announce a $285 million federal government investment in mental health for students nationwide. North Carolina is set to receive $12 million of this federal funding to hire 332 mental health counselors in schools statewide.

If you haven't donated to any favorite nonprofits during the holiday season, local charities are encouraging you to start the new year with charitable giving. "Be searching for those ways to support nonprofits all year long," Melissa Hovey, managing director of Share Charlotte, said. "Think about a January start. It's never too late and there's always a need." Share Charlotte offers a technology platform that allows people to search its database of 650 local nonprofits. Hovey calls it "the Google of nonprofits." "The demand for services is way up on our nonprofit partners," Hovey said. According to the North Carolina Secretary of State's office, charitable giving increased 18% over the last year, totaling $58 million. "North Carolinians are very generous," NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said. Marshall urges people to donate to local, reputable organizations so you have a better idea of how that money will be used. You can look up charities registered with the state on www.sosnc.gov. The Salvation Army, WCNC Charlotte's partner for The Magical Toy Drive, also encourages people to revisit donating in 2024. "Need knows no season," Salvation Army Area Commander Jason Burns said. "You know, it's not just a Christmas season. It's an all-year thing. When people come to us in crisis, it doesn't matter what time of the year." Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || Google Podcasts || iHeart All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is ending 2023 with one of his biggest achievements in office: Medicaid expansion. "I think one of the best days I've had as governor is being in an Enrollment Center in Charlotte. And seeing everyday working people finally being able to get health care," Gov. Cooper said in a one-on-one with WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson on Flashpoint.

Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson says being North Carolina's Attorney General would be a dream job. "This would fill any sense of ambition that I have, because it is probably the best job in public service," Jackson said, appearing on WCNC's Flashpoint. Current Attorney General Josh Stein is running to be Governor. And Jackson, a former prosecutor, was essentially drawn out of his current U.S. House district by North Carolina's new congressional maps. Earlier this fall, the Charlotte democrat announced a run for Attorney General.

A new Charlotte City Council is sworn in Monday, Dec. 4, with familiar faces filling all but one seat. Newcomer Tiawana Brown will be representing Charlotte's District 3. Brown is replacing Victoria Watlington, who will now serve in an at-large position on the council. Watlington and Councilman Tariq Bokhari appeared on WCNC's Flashpoint, outlining their priorities for the new council.

Earlier this month, Charlotte City Council members approved a motion to increase parking fees, hiking up fines from $25 to $100. Just before the vote, Sustain Charlotte's Meg Fencil appeared on WCNC's Flashpoint and argued why the $25 fine wasn't enough to change motorist behavior.