Shows / Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more.
Episodes
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Back to school: Trump administration calls for separate MMR shots, plus other school news around the region
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order that would reduce the number of childhood vaccines recommended for all children by the federal government…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
North Carolina budget expands use of license plate readers as communities raise privacy concerns
Automatic License Plate Readers, ALPRs, have recently come under scrutiny. Police have considered them a force multiplier capable of solving serious crimes…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
The origins of American radio with author Kevin Duffus
For more than a century, the Outer Banks has been acclaimed as the birthplace of flight — but what if it was also the birthplace of the wireless world we live…
Charlotte Talks With Mike CollinsLocal News Roundup: Crystal Hill returns; CMPD pushes for police grants; replacement named for Chuck Edwards; S.C. Senate primary
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill is back in the driver’s seat, but we still know little about what led to her suspension. Democrats on City Council are uneasy…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Former Observer editor Rick Thames discusses his new book
Local news is in crisis. Newsrooms have shrunk, newspapers have closed, and communities across the country are increasingly becoming news deserts. In his new…
Charlotte Talks With Mike CollinsCMS reinstates Superintendent Crystal Hill; How ICE policy affected summer in NC
First, we address breaking news as CMS reinstates Superintendent Crystal Hill. Then, Operation Charlotte’s Web, last fall’s Border Patrol operation, didn’t…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Ready or not, AI is being integrated into healthcare in North Carolina and nationwide
American medicine is changing, transformed by breakthroughs in gene therapies, innovative approaches to behavioral health, the advent of retail medicine and…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
U.S. Rep. Edwards to be replaced, while Senate confirms Blanche before recess, punting other priorities
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards ended his reelection bid last week following a House ethics investigation confirming he “violated House Rules related to sexual…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Local News Roundup: Chuck Edwards' fall; Charlotte City Council ramps up; Hemp industry survives, for now; Kuechly to the Hall
Western North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards ends his reelection bid after a censure recommendation from the House Ethics Committee. Charlotte City Council holds…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Fort Mill students return to class as Silfab Solar lawsuit continues; invasive yellow-legged hornet spreads to Matthews
Thousands of students returned to school for the first day of classes in South Carolina, including those near the controversial Silfab Solar manufacturing…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
As e-bike popularity rises, so do emergency room visits; Charlotte City Council looks at taking action
As e-bikes become more common on Charlotte’s streets, concerns are growing over how some people are riding them and the safety risks they pose. Injury rates…
Charlotte Talks With Mike CollinsDown the stretch, a look at election issues facing North Carolina and beyond
Heading toward the midterm election, the North Carolina General Assembly moves to make changes affecting voting access. In a Senate vote along party lines…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
How Charlotte's bookstore boom could impact low rates of adult literacy
Charlotte is experiencing a bookstore boom, despite rates of reading for pleasure being down nationally. We explore the impact of AI use, social media and more…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Local News Roundup: The push for I-77 support; NC budget changes; Lindsey Graham’s funeral; invasive yellow hornets
NCDOT says it will work with community partners to address food deserts on Charlotte’s west side in an effort to get support for toll lanes. The North Carolina…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Overcrowded animal shelters seek relief as pet owners grapple with higher costs and veterinary medicine changes pet care
Nationwide, animal shelters have been overcrowded and overwhelmed. Much of the burden may stem from the rising costs of pet ownership. We look at the issues…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
The race is on to fill Lindsey Graham’s South Carolina Senate seat
South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham died earlier this month after representing the state for more than 20 years in the U.S. Senate. We look at the…
Charlotte Talks With Mike CollinsThe economic impact of MLS All-Star, Bank of America upgrades and more
Charlotte is expected to see a multi-million dollar boost from MLS All-Star week, with spending at hotels, restaurants, bars and shops across uptown and…
Charlotte Talks With Mike CollinsMichael Regan, former administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on the environmental challenges North Carolina faces
Former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan shares his record, his views on what’s happening at the EPA now and his connection to North…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Local News Roundup: Crystal Hill investigation; South Carolina Senate race; Duke Energy rates; cyclospora update
The CMS Board of Education says it expects to reveal the results of an investigation into Superintendent Crystal Hill before school starts. Darline Graham…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Cyclospora cases tick up in the region; HIV continues to disproportionately affect Black residents of Mecklenburg County
Cases of cyclosporiasis are ticking up in our region as the state cites more than 500 cases across North Carolina. We’ll discuss what you need to know and how…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell on I-77, data centers, state budget and more
The county is set to vote on whether to reverse its rejection of the I-77 toll lane project, and we’ll see which way he’s leaning. Plus, the state finally has…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
New book traces Pat McCrory's path from Charlotte's longest-serving mayor to governor
Pat McCrory is one of the most consequential and polarizing political figures in North Carolina history. From mayor of Charlotte to governor of North Carolina…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
The economics of North Carolina's hemp industry
North Carolina’s hemp industry has largely been unregulated, but that may soon change, and this multi-billion-dollar sector of our state’s economy hangs in the…
Charlotte Talks With Mike CollinsLocal News Roundup: Teen takeovers; Graham’s replacement; another I-77 vote upcoming; parasitic illness continues to impact the Carolinas
Charlotte City Council is looking for ways to address teen takeovers and may implement a stricter curfew. There's a new wrinkle in the I-77 toll lane saga…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
‘Teen takeovers’: Charlotte leaders move to revise curfew as minors ask where they’re supposed to go
‘Teen takeovers’ have become a nuisance in cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, with large groups of teenagers gathering in public spaces, causing disruption and…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
‘Teen takeovers’: Charlotte leaders move to revise curfew as minors ask where they’re supposed to go
‘Teen takeovers’ have become a nuisance in cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, with large groups of teenagers gathering in public spaces, causing disruption and…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
How the NC budget impacts higher education
A look at how the recently passed North Carolina state budget affects higher education. One of the biggest headlines from is a fully funded UNC system, but it…
Charlotte Talks With Mike CollinsNew book examines impact of 1898 Wilmington Massacre
In 1898, a white mob massacred dozens of Black residents in Wilmington, North Carolina. They used a machine gun and stoked fear to stage what is considered the…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., dies at 71; what it means for South Carolina and Congress
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday following what his office said was a brief and sudden illness. We’ll discuss Graham’s leadership in the…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Local News Roundup: Stein signs state budget; impact of severe weather; a change in parking laws; USMNT reflections
On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup, North Carolina’s budget passes and is signed, sealed and delivered. We dive into the details. Heat continues to…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Vibe check: Latest Catawba-YouGov poll shows where North Carolinians stand on Trump, the Senate race, affordability and more
We take a political vibe check on North Carolina by examining what the latest Catawba-YouGov poll shows. We’ll separate signal from noise while discussing what…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Summer scorcher: heat, drought and a warming climate
Charlotte now experiences nearly a month of additional dangerous heat days compared to 50 years ago. By the 2060s, state officials expect nearly 40 more days…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Short Session Catch-Up: The General Assembly passes its long-awaited budget. We discuss what’s in it and more
The General Assembly passed its long-awaited budget last week with bipartisan support — the first in more than two years. The $34 billion plan includes teacher…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
‘This Land Is Your Land’ author takes a road trip for America’s 250th anniversary
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. For many Americans, Independence Day means a celebration of hot dogs, fireworks and freedom. For…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Charlotte Talks Presents: 'Wired to Create'
In a world flooded by AI — from useless slop to groundbreaking code — what happens to our human imagination? Charlotte Talks presents a special series: "Wired…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Local News Roundup: Rob Harrington becomes the city’s next mayor, red-light cameras return, lawmakers override major vetoes in Raleigh and the Hornets trade guard LaMelo Ball
This week, the Charlotte City Council appointed Rob Harrington as the next mayor and approved a pilot program to bring red-light cameras back. Meanwhile, the…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
With school out for summer, a recap of the year and a look ahead to the fall
Classes are out at CMS for the summer, but tensions over education policy and administration linger. Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill was put on paid leave…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Former ProPublica reporter investigates the lack of Black doctors in the U.S.
Fewer than 6% of American physicians identify as Black, but census data show roughly 12% of the U.S. population is Black. Some experts say that disparity is…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Charlotte city council names next mayor, plus how food can bring us together
Food has always been a means to connect with others, but recent studies show Americans are spending more time dining alone. Social connection is critically…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Art as medicine: Social prescribing takes patients from clinics to connection
Social prescribing is changing how health care is traditionally thought of by linking patients to community-based activities to address stress, loneliness and…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Local News Roundup: CMS superintendent placed on leave amid investigation; Charlotte council narrows in on interim mayor; more fallout over I-77 tolls; Carolina Hurricanes win Stanley Cup
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill is placed on leave, facing an investigation into how the district is run. Monroe City Council votes to reverse course and renew…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Journalist Karen Gray Houston shares her family's story in 'Daughter of the Boycott: Carrying On a Montgomery Family's Civil Rights Legacy'
On the next Charlotte Talks, a story of the courage and tenacity it sometimes takes to open doors. It’s a story set in 1950, before Martin Luther King, Jr. was…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
NC’s outdoor recreation economy heats up, plus tips on exploring outside and staying safe this summer
North Carolina’s outdoor industry continues to grow and contributed nearly $18 billion to the state’s economy in 2024. We explore what’s behind this boom, how…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
‘Out of This Strife’ author argues free people of color played a major role in Civil War
The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history. Yet more than 160 years later, its legacy is still being written, and one historian argues a key…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
‘Out of This Strife’ author argues free people of color played a major role in Civil War
The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history. Yet more than 160 years later, its legacy is still being written, and one historian argues a key…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Charlotte Crown coach joins us to discuss the team’s debut, and we take a timeout to talk Hurricanes, Hornets and more
For the first time in nearly 20 years, professional women’s basketball has returned to the Queen City. The head coach of the Charlotte Crown joins us to…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
Local News Roundup: City Council presses pause on new data centers; DeCarlos Brown deemed incompetent, again; Carolina Hurricanes press forward in Stanley Cup Final
Charlotte City Council approves a moratorium on data centers and decides to use a property tax increase to fund raises for some city officials and employees…
- Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
New report details the challenges facing low-income families in North Carolina
Over 12% of North Carolinians were living in poverty in 2024. However, a new report finds a much larger group in North Carolina still struggles to make ends…