The United States has the highest — yes the highest — maternal mortality rates in the developed world. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women. That is in keeping with other sobering statistics of racial health inequities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mary C. Curtis sits down with Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, President Biden’s pick to lead the task force on health equity. They discuss why Black people suffer disproportionately and what is being done to change the equation.
Mary C. Curtis: Relaxing the Mask Mandate
CHARLOTTE, NC — With the summer ahead, and more than a year into the COVID pandemic, many are celebrating the CDC announcement relaxing mask mandates.
People want to travel and socialize and businesses want to fully open.
But since the new rules apply to the vaccinated, there are still questions about who is and is not safe and if relying on an honor system is dependable.
WCCB Charlotte Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis is weighing in on the new rules.
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.
May202021
POLITICAL WRAP: COVID Restrictions Scaled Back
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The CDC says vaccinated people can go out and about and leave their mask at home.
But health officials strongly recommend unvaccinated people keep wearing their masks.
Our political contributor, Mary C. Curtis, gives us her take in the video above.
May162021
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
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
Local News Roundup: Vaccine Eligibility Increases But Finding Appointments A Challenge; Atlanta Killings Reaction; Arrests In Capitol Riot
This week, more people are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and more appointments are being made available throughout the county to help people get their first dose of the vaccine. We’ll talk about who is eligible.
Once you’re eligible for the vaccine, some finesse and persistence may still be required to find a place to get vaccinated. We’ll talk about some mass vaccination events and where to look for appointments.
This week’s killing of six Asian American women in Atlanta brings the rise in violence against Asian Americans to the forefront in the Southeast. We’ll hear local reaction.
GOP lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly are working to put a limit on the governor’s emergency power during long-term emergency events. We’ll talk about what they’re trying to do and how that will affect Gov. Roy Cooper’s ability to manage the pandemic in the state.
And two York County, South Carolina, men are arrested for their alleged role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. We discuss how they were identified and their role in the violence.
Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into the week’s top news on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.
GUESTS:
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” and contributor at WCCB-TV
Katie Peralta Soloff, reporter for Axios Charlotte
David Boraks, reporter for WFAE
Mar192021
What the pandemic taught America about racial injustice
It’s been one year since the global pandemic hit. Most Americans had no idea what was in store. The number of those impacted by COVID-19 is staggering. More than half a million American lives have been lost to the virus. And for people of color, the negative impact on their lives has been disproportionate — lost jobs, homes, health and lives.
Looking back, the pandemic has shined a light on just how deep the incisions are from structural and racial inequities. We turn to Shawn Fremstad of the Center for Economic and Policy Research to discuss the whys, the whats and how Biden administration policies are an attempt to right some of the wrongs and level the field.
Mar122021
POLITICAL WRAP: U.S. COVID Deaths Nearing 500,000; Texas Power Grid
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Another grim milestone nearing, as the U.S. prepares to reach 500,000 COVID deaths.
The latest as health officials stress the battle is far from over and remind the public to remain vigilant.
And a week of no power for many in the Lone Star State.
While Texas is the only state to have its own power grid, what are the vulnerabilities for North Carolina and the rest of the country?
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis gives us her take in the video above.
Feb212021
Mary C. Curtis: The Challenges of Reopening Schools Safely
CHARLOTTE, NC — President Joe Biden says his goal is to open the majority of K-8 schools five days a week by the end of his first 100 days in office.
It comes as schools in North Carolina are slowly reopening with rotated schedules while teachers are next in line to get the vaccine.
WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis has more on the debate to reopen schools.
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.
Feb172021
Local News Roundup: CMS Prepares For In-Person Class; Transit Plan Gets Movement; New Names For Charlotte Streets
City Council okays a recommendation to rename Charlotte streets with white supremacist ties, but what those new names might be is up in the air. We’ll talk about the council discussion.
Charlotte’s transit plan will need some tweaks if City Council wants to get the regional support it’s hoping for. We’ll update you about what’s being said in council and in northern Mecklenburg County.
This week, Gov. Roy Cooper signed a COVID-19 relief bill — the first of 2021. The bill is designed to help schools reopen, extend a deadline for parents coping with remote learning and fund vaccine distribution. We’ll discuss.
And Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students return to the classroom. The youngest students begin in-person learning on Monday, keeping the plan that was approved in February. We’ll talk about what this will mean for each age group as well as continued concerns for risk to teachers and students.
Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into the week’s top news on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.
Guests:
Erik Spanberg, managing editor for the Charlotte Business Journal
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time” and contributor at WCCB-TV
Claire Donnelly, WFAE health reporter
Hunter Saenz, reporter for WCNC
Feb132021
