A look at topics impacting our decisions for 2024 elections. Plus, renewed debate about monuments and our country’s history of slavery raises a question: are we’re preserving history or our future? Host Kenia Thompson discusses these topics and more with Immanuel Jarvis, chairman of the Durham County GOP; columnist Mary C. Curtis (Roll Call); and Brett Chambers, lecturer at NC Central University.
Local News Roundup: Earnest Winston fired; Panthers’ HQ agreement ended in Rock Hill; and more
The CMS Board of Education fired Superintendent Earnest Winston on Tuesday, in a 7-2 vote. In a time period of high scrutiny over school performance, lower test scores and mismanagement within the school, the board decided to part ways with Winston, but pay him over half a million dollars over the next two years. We’ll talk about what happened and what’s next.
In other school news, despite racial gaps and setbacks because of the pandemic, a CMS official says it’s time to scale back on testing within the school system in the coming year.
The Carolina Panthers have ended their agreement with Rock Hill over a new headquarters and practice facility this week. The future of the team’s $800 million facility is now up in the air.
And two Charlotte streets with racist ties will soon have new names. The city announced new names for Stonewall Street and Barringer Drive. We’ll give the details.
Guest host Erik Spanberg from the “Charlotte Business Journal” and our roundtable of reporters delve into those stories and all the week’s top local and regional news on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.
Guests:
Jonathan Lowe, anchor/ reporter for Spectrum News
Nick Ochsner, WBTV’s executive producer for Investigations & chief investigative reporter
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Ann Doss Helms, WFAE rducation reporter
Apr222022
Black Issues Forum: A Tense Trial, Building Broadband & the Filibuster’s Future
WTVD reporter Tim Pulliam and “Roll Call” columnist and host of the “Equal Time” podcast Mary C. Curtis join Black Issues Forum to discuss the start of Derek Chauvin’s trial, Pres. Biden’s new infrastructure plan, the racial component to the fight over the filibuster, possible redistricting changes in North Carolina, and a new lawsuit targeting a Confederate monument.
Airing: 04/02/21
Apr022021
Black Issues Forum: Removing Confederate Monuments & “Defund the Police”
Mary C. Curtis, a columnist for “Roll Call” and host of the “Equal Time” podcast; Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao; and LA Whittington-Kaminski with Advance Carolina and the NC Black Alliance join Black Issues Forum to break down a new lawsuit against Donald Trump, the latest effort to remove Confederate monuments in NC, and a new law enforcement funding bill.
Feb192021
Donald Trump, Confederates and the GOP — brethren in the new Lost Cause
You can tell a lot about people by studying their priorities.
President Donald Trump is not spending too much time worrying about coronavirus surges and more than 270,000 Americans dead, as Dr. Anthony Fauci offers warnings about being vigilant while waiting for vaccine distribution. You did not hear the president express sympathy for those waiting in long lines for food over the holidays.
Instead, he has played a lot of golf and wailed on Twitter and television, refusing to accept his loss last month to President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. Oh, yes, and the Justice Department found time to amend protocols to allow firing squads and electrocutions as a means to execute as many federal prisoners as possible before a new administration takes over.
Trump is also forging ahead with his campaign promise to veto the annual National Defense Authorization Act if changes are not made. There are several items in both House and Senate versions, including on troop movement and, most recently, liability protection for social media companies, over which legislators themselves and the president are still haggling. However, a bipartisan provision that has set Trump off for quite awhile is one that would rename bases and remove symbols from military installations that honor Confederate generals and leaders. This is despite consensus not only from both parties but also from members of the
Dec032020
Mary C. Curtis: Confederate Monument Controversy
CHARLOTTE, NC — Over the last few weeks we’ve seen the removal of confederate monuments across the United States.
Here in North Carolina, the controversial “fame’ statue was removed from downtown Salisbury.
In Gaston county, a panel is having talks this week to decide the future of a confederate statue outside the courthouse.
Here’s WCCB Political contributor Mary C. Curtis with more on the debate.
Jul082020
POLITICAL WRAP: Trump Campaign “Culture War” Strategy; A New Silent Majority?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – President Trump, at Mount Rushmore on Friday night, set the stage for a campaign increasingly focused on “culture war” issues.
“Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children,” the President said.
So, is the appeal of a “culture war” campaign too narrow?
Or is there a Nixon-esque “Silent Majority,” as the President is saying, ready to show up in November?
Click above for more with our political contributor, Mary C. Curtis.
Jul052020
POLITICAL WRAP: Confederate Monument Controversy
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – President Trump is speaking out about the removal of monuments.
“The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments,” the President said during a rally on Saturday night.
It comes as Governor Roy Cooper orders the removal of Confederate monuments in Raleigh, citing public safety concerns.
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more on the debate surrounding monuments and other Confederate symbols.
Jun212020
