Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins

The city of Charlotte has an agreement in principle with Norfolk Southern to use its tracks, which may pave the way for commuter rail to Iredell County. The Silver Line to Matthews may be dead. Street Takeovers are once again a problem in Uptown. We’ll talk about the latest on CMPD’s efforts to curb the issue. Those stories and more.

A closer look at a new poll on artificial intelligence and the role AI may play in the 2024 election.

On the next Charlotte Talks, broadcast pioneer Barbara Walters paved the way for women in TV, and now her story is told in Susan Page’s new book, "Rulebreaker." Page joins us for the hour to discuss Walters' life, work and legacy.

Newcomers often wonder where old Charlotte is in our glowing New South city. Much of it is in the minds and memories of those who have lived here for generations. Jack Claiborne and his brother, Slug, fall into that category — and their story is the story of Charlotte.

Both Charlotte City Council and Mecklenburg County Commission members react to tax increases in their respective budgets this week. The parents of the missing Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari are in court. A Mecklenburg County Commissioner-elect has been arrested and charged with a DWI. Trump is expected to attend the Coca-Cola 600 and the ACC Baseball Tournament is in town.

With spring gardening underway, we turn to local experts with tips on how to make your garden grow.

We zoom in on the Mecklenburg County proposed budget, including why leaders are asking for a tax increase.

COVID-19 continues to "FLiRT" with us. In fact, that is the name of the new variant making its way through the population.

The author of the book "Who's Your Founding Father" joins guest host Erik Spanberg as we celebrate "MecDec Day." It's a day that commemorates the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775.

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio presents next year's proposed budget. Charlotte city workers have concerns about pay. A private school voucher supporter says North Carolina has gone too far. And the Carolina Panthers will play in Germany. Mike Collins and guests go through this week's biggest local and regional news.

Protesters have impacted many schools including UNC Charlotte and UNC-Chapel Hill. Some graduation ceremonies have been disrupted; others canceled. Schools have taken different approaches to the protests. We look back and ahead to what the summer and fall might hold.

The emergence of two cicada broods this year in parts of the U.S. — including ours — means that trillions of these bugs will be singing their mating song. And who can blame them, they’ve been underground for 13 years. So, let’s find out more about these insects, how they live and why they live such odd lives.

We sit down with the authors of "Witch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red Scare." Originally written for young adult and teen audiences, the authors shed light on the human stories behind historical events, ensuring that the lessons of the past are not forgotten in today's rapidly changing world. Guest host Erik Spanberg dives into McCarthy's infamous hunt for communists during the 1950s Red Scare.

Women are waiting longer and longer to start a family. Part of this is to be prepared for the cost of motherhood. Not just the financial cost, but the physical and mental toll, as well. Guest host Sarah Delia and our panel discuss what being a mom looks like today.

Charlotte’s city manager proposes a property tax increase in his latest budget. Protests over the war in Gaza continue at UNC Charlotte. And the fate of North Carolina’s voter ID law is in the hands of a judge. Mike Collins and local journalists detail those stories and more.

The story of Cheslie Kryst, former Miss USA, as told in the manuscript she left behind — which became the book, “By The Time You Read This." Her mother, April Simpkins, joins us to share her late daughter's story and her own.

It’s budget time — and with inflation, rising wages, and a desire to expand services, City Manager Marcus Jones says a tax hike is necessary. We'll go through the details with Jones and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.

Mike Collins and our panel of guests explore the future of adding toll lanes south of uptown on I-77 and the challenges that presents.

On the next Charlotte Talks, a conversation about what’s at stake as the federal trial that will determine the fate of our state’s voter ID law gets underway.

Four law enforcement officers were shot and killed in Charlotte’s deadliest day for law enforcement. Protesters are arrested at UNC-Chapel Hill. And the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board plans to send a slightly less expensive budget to the county.