CHARLOTTE, NC — The Pope is making history by addressing the American people directly for the first time. The last time a Pope was on U.S. soil was Pope Benedict VI back in 2008. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis is with us this morning to discuss what the Pope’s visit means to Catholics in North Carolina and around the Bible belt.
Political, personal impact of the Pope’s Historic Visit to the U.S.
Sep232015
The Pope: His Presidents & Politics
Pope Francis is expected to talk about the refugee crisis, the economy and more when he meets President Obama this week. We take a look at the relationship that pontiffs of the past and today have over domestic and foreign policies here in the U.S.
Sep222015
Pope Francis Inspires Black Catholics, Despite Complicated Church History On Race
Every time Pope Francis washes the feet of prisoners, embraces an orphan, speaks of social justice and “the least of these,” it reflects the Catholic Church as I would like it to be, the church of the Scriptures. Pope Francis has not altered doctrine or dogma; yet words and deeds have their own kind of power. His U.S. itinerary includes stops at a Harlem school and a Philadelphia correctional facility. It’s a visit that may bring me closer to a faith that has not always been so welcoming to black Catholics like me.
Sep222015
The Changing Landscape in the Race For Charlotte Mayor
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Republican mayoral nominee has been chosen for Charlotte’s upcoming general election, but a run-off is now in place to decide which candidate will get the nomination for the Democrats. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses the run-off happening between current Mayor Dan Clodfelter and Jennifer Roberts and the impact it could have on the general election.
Sep162015
Bernie Sanders & Cornel West Go To South Carolina. Were Black Voters Listening?
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Can Bernie Sanders, the surging candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, break through Hillary Clinton’s Southern firewall by making inroads with black voters? With a little help and a hearty warm up from African-American academic and activist Cornel West during a South Carolina swing, Sanders must hope so.
Sep152015
Early Voting in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE NC–Voting in Charlotte Mayoral Primary is underway, but that’s not the only race on the ballot. Political Contributor Mary Curtis stops by to break down the current early voting numbers and how the candidates are hoping to fire up the bases.
Sep092015
Singing the Same Old Songs in Harmony Is Far Easier than Talking Across Racial Lines
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charles Randolph-Wright, the director of “Motown: The Musical,” likes to tell the story of how a national tour of his Broadway show, when it touched down in St. Louis last year, offered respite and relief to young people from the Ferguson area. The Missouri town is now famous as a touch point in the national conversation on the relationship between police and the communities they serve.
“Teachers said they hadn’t seen the kids smile in months” before that evening in the theater, he told me at a reception before the opening of the show’s Charlotte run. That stop happened to coincide with the trial of officer Randall “Wes” Kerrick in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell, an unarmed black man, which eventually ended in a hung jury, mistrial and decision not to re-try the case.
Sep042015
A Look at the Race for Mayor in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC — Early voting in Charlotte’s mayoral primary will begin tomorrow, and it’s a packed race with six Democrats but only two Republicans. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discuss the candidates this morning, and provides some details on the issues being debated.
Sep022015
The GOP and Donald Trump
CHARLOTTE, NC — Donald Trump has been finding plenty of success in his run for the White House, but the other candidates in the Republican party don’t seem that pleased. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses plans by the GOP that could leave the Donald out of the NC Primary, and why the Republican establishment may be worried.
Aug262015
What Do Voters Want From a Modern Presidential Spouse: Policy, the Personal Touch or a Bit of Both?
In an era of non-traditional presidential spouses, what’s the best way for a wife – or husband – to warm up a crowd for the candidate he or she is married to? Heidi Cruz is trying to figure how to be a modern candidate’s spouse in some of the important, and more traditional, “red states.”
Aug242015
