A jury convicted ex-police officer Derek Chauvin of murder on three counts. A special panel weighs in on what this decision means for Black communities, policing, and the future of equal justice. Deborah Noel is joined by journalist Mary C. Curtis, UNC-CH scholar Erica Wilson, and community activist Greear Webb.
Mary C. Curtis: Derek Chauvin Verdict
CHARLOTTE, NC — Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is found guilty on all counts of murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.
In the rare case of a police officer brought up on charges and found guilty in the killing of a Black person, the prosecutors mounted a strong case: video evidence, witness testimony, police officers including the police chief testifying that Chauvin did not follow policy.
What happens next on the issue of police reform and Black Lives Matter?
You can catch Mary C. Curtis on Sunday nights at 6:30 PM on WCCB Charlotte’s CW discussing the biggest issues in local and national politics and also giving us a look at what’s ahead for the week.
Apr212021
POLITICAL WRAP: Biden Administration & Justice Department Efforts on Police Reform
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Closing arguments are expected this week in the Derek Chauvin trial. It comes as protests continue over the killing of Daunte Wright. And tensions are high in Chigago with the video release in the police killing of a 13-year-old.
All this coming as the Biden administration and Attorney General Merrick Garland promise more federal oversight of local police departments
Apr192021
Local News Roundup: Pat McCrory Runs For Senate; Barringer Gets A New Name; Update On COVID-19 Vaccinations
On the next Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup:
The list of candidates for Richard Burr’s U.S. Senate seat is growing, now including former mayor and local radio talk show host Pat McCrory. We’ll talk about the field of candidates that has assembled.
This week, City Council provided details about how it plans to fund the arts in Charlotte after it announced earlier this year that it would no longer send money to the Arts & Science Council.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is spending nearly $900,0000 on air quality improvements for several schools in the district. That news came in the same week that it was announced that commencement ceremonies would be in person this year. Also, a new name for Barringer Academic Center, and no more taking temperatures upon entry at CMS schools.
And we’ll have an update on COVID-19 vaccinations in Mecklenburg County.
Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into the week’s top news on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.
Guests:
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for RollCall.com, host of the RollCall podcast “Equal Time” and contributor at WCCB-TV
Jonathan Lowe, anchor/ reporter for Spectrum News
Steve Harrison, WFAE’s political reporter
Joe Bruno, WSOC-TV reporter
Apr162021
If corporations are people, they just might have an opinion
That Pepsi bottle on the counter looks so out of place. My husband has always been a Diet Coke man. It’s a matter of principle, he tells me, even as he admits he prefers “The Real Thing.” Coca-Cola’s statement disapproving of Georgia’s new voting restrictions was too little, too late, and that’s that, he says. All of that puts the Atlanta-based soft drink giant in a bind, since even its belated critical stand was too much for backers of the bill, who are also banishing Coke from their own fridges, they say.
What’s a company to do?
I can’t feel too sorry for Coca-Cola, Delta and the rest, though, since they’ve been playing the political game forever while pretending to be above it all. And I have to stifle a laugh at the Republican politicians who are admonishing corporations and sports leagues now that the bills the GOP instigated aren’t getting a pass. These are the same pols who eagerly accepted campaign donations and good PR in days past.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is astute enough to recognize why his furrowed brow and outraged words are landing with a thud. It’s why his story is constantly changing. He told companies to stay out of politics, was called on it, then said he meant to only offer advice that business leaders read the fine print before opening their mouths and closing their pocketbooks.
Apr152021
Mary C. Curtis: NC Voter ID Law Heads to Court
CHARLOTTE, NC — North Carolina’s latest law requiring voters to show a photo ID at the polls is now on trial.
A panel of judges is hearing arguments in a lawsuit challenging the 2018 law.
WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses what’s at stake and the impact it could have.
You can catch Mary C. Curtis on Sunday nights at 6:30 PM on WCCB Charlotte’s CW discussing the biggest issues in local and national politics and also giving us a look at what’s ahead for the week.
Apr152021
POLITICAL WRAP: President Biden’s $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The definition of infrastructure in the spotlight.
Critics say much of President Biden’s $2 Trillion plan… funds other things.
So what are the chances the President’s agenda makes it through Congress?
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more in the video above.
Apr112021
Jim Crow 2.0
After a heated and contentious presidential election in 2020, voting rights are under attack. Georgia just passed a law that makes it harder for those who may be disenfranchised to cast their ballots. Other states are following suit. Mary C. Curtis speaks to Rashad Robinson, president of the social justice organization Color of Change, on what is at stake and what is being done to curtail the rollback of eligible voters to make their voices heard.
Apr082021
Mary C. Curtis: North Carolina Expands Vaccine Rollout, Pres. Biden Steps Up National Goal
CHARLOTTE, NC — President Joe Biden says all adults will be eligible to receive a covid-19 vaccine by April 19.
The date is almost two weeks earlier than the previous deadline may first.
The news comes as North Carolina makes vaccinations available to anyone 16 and older starting Wednesday, April 7.
WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis has more.
You can catch Mary C. Curtis on Sunday nights at 6:30 PM on WCCB Charlotte’s CW discussing the biggest issues in local and national politics and also giving us a look at what’s ahead for the week.
Apr072021
Congress Debates Ways To Protect U.S. Capitol, MLB Takes A Stand On Georgia’s New Voting Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of Congress debate how to protect the U.S. Capitol and the people who guard it. This comes as a memorial grows for Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans who was killed Friday.
And, Major League Baseball announced this season’s All-Star Game and Draft will not be held in Atlanta. The move is in response to the recently passed election law in Georgia that critics say would make it harder for minorities to vote.
WCCB Charlotte’s Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in.
Apr052021
