CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Charlotte’s new mayor, Dan Clodfelter, takes the oath of office at Noon Wednesday. WCCB’s political contributor Mary C. Curtis joined Rising, to offer perspective about the council’s choice, and how the city moves ahead in the wake of the recent fallout.
Dan Clodfelter Prepares To Be Charlotte’s Next Mayor
Apr092014
Finding Charlotte’s Next Mayor
CHARLOTTE, NC- Five days from now, we’re expecting to have a new Mayor of Charlotte. That’s mayor number four in the last 12 months. Wednesday, questions about whether more local officials are corrupt, still lingers. WCCB political contributor Mary Curtis adds perspective to the conversation.
Apr022014
Powerful yet vulnerable black women: A contradiction rooted in history
A recent study on black women in America delivered a mixed, even contradictory message. The report from the Black Women’s Roundtable found that while black women in the United States are making strides in education and business and affecting political trends with stellar voter turnout numbers, they remain more vulnerable to health problems and violence than any other group. Their strength at the polls is not reflected in elected positions. So, the situation is — at the same time — hopeful and frustrating, many steps forward with persistent, historical hurdles still blocking the way.
What is at first glance confusing makes perfect sense, though. Despite the reality show image of sassy, in control and intimidating black women taking charge and needing no help from anyone, the American story is consistent with the study. It is a tale of black women as invisible, misjudged and resilient through it all –integral and nurturing, yet set apart. They have survived, thrived and led, in spite of obstacles that have often kept them vulnerable, a term seldom used to describe black women.
Apr022014
This Built America: Wearable technology at Gerbing in North Carolina
“I kept hearing ‘no,’ we can’t make this product because we don’t have the talent. No we can’t do that because the material is too hard to sew,” he says. But he decided that if Gerbing’s sewing supervisor Nancy Salinas could teach him, a novice, then he could say, “If I’m able to do it, then you’re going to be able to do it.” — company owner Tom Nolan
Apr012014
Patrick Cannon’s Resignation, Similar Corruption Cases
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rising’s political contributor and Washington Post columnist Mary C. Curtis is taking a look at the latest political scandal to hit the Queen City – the resignation of now former Mayor Patrick Cannon.
Cannon’s accused of accepting bribes, wire fraud and extortion. Curtis weighs in on what’s next for the city.
She says that Charlotte isn’t used to being in the national spotlight and holds our leaders to a higher standard.
Mar272014
Duke Energy’s Coal Ash Plan in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Duke Energy’s plan to bring a coal ash landfill to Charlotte-Douglas Airport still has lots of people nervous. The proposal calls for 4 million tons of coal ash to be moved there. Washington Post Columnist Mary C. Curtis joined Rising to look at the future impact.
Mar262014
A bipartisan time-out? Women honor women in North Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Perhaps it was the spirit of Liz Hair presiding over the mix of good will and determination Wednesday evening at the annual A Woman’s Place program that has honored the achievements of Charlotte women since 1955. Hair, a pioneer for women in politics and community activism, died at her home earlier that day at the age of 94, and her life – as well as her mantra “let’s make policy, not coffee” — was mentioned as inspiration by many in the bipartisan group of women.
Honored as 2013 Charlotte Woman of the Year was Patsy Kinsey, a Democratic city council member elected by her colleagues to complete the term of Anthony Foxx when he became U.S secretary of transportation. Delivering the keynote was Sharon Allred Decker – a 1998 Woman of the Year – the state’s secretary of commerce for Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. Hair was honored in 1975.
Problem solving, not party difference, was the evening’s theme — not that you can take politics completely out of the conversation. This is North Carolina, where incumbent U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, is working on a variety of economic, military and other issues, while shoring up a coalition that will need to include women of all parties if she is to win re-election.
Mar222014
Sizing Up Charlotte Sports
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- In Charlotte sports, is it the player or the team? The city had a mini-meltdown when Steve Smith was released. Now Cam Newton is going under the knife, thanks to a bum ankle. Washington Post Columnist Mary C. Curtis has been sizing up the local reaction to the big changes on the Panthers lineup. She joined Rising to break it down.
Mar192014
Will rightward moves by GOP prove tricky or do the trick in North Carolina?
The 2014 midterm election is already shaping up as a litmus test for the political state of the state. With voters angry at different faction for different reasons, politicians from both parties calibrate their messages with care.
Mar122014
National GOP leaders pick sides in North Carolina races as tough talk escalates
After CPAC in Washington, Republican Party leaders are not yet uniting on an opponent for Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan.
Mar122014
