When the will of the voters meets a political power grab

Featured at Roll Call

Some people just won’t take no for an answer.

Put in that category the Republican candidate for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Jefferson Griffin lost that race to incumbent Democratic Justice Allison Riggs by just 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast, which has to hurt. Ask Democrat Cheri Beasley, who in 2020 lost her North Carolina chief justice race to Republican Paul Newby by about 400 votes from almost 5.4 million ballots cast.

Since two recounts have confirmed the Riggs win, you might think Griffin would have conceded by now, as Beasley did after two recounts.

You would be wrong.

Read the rest atRoll Call
Jan162025 TAGS: , , , , , , , ,

Local News Roundup: Winter storm prep; Riggs-Griffin continues; NC General Assembly underway; Panthers end on a high note

Featured at WFAE

Get ready, Charlotte. Winter is coming. Snow and sleet are in the forecast this weekend. We discuss what to expect and how it could impact the coming days.

It’s the election that will not end. The Republican-controlled North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled the North Carolina Board of Elections should not certify a victory for Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs over Republican Jefferson Griffin for a seat on that same bench. Riggs recused herself, while the only other Democrat, Anita Earls, dissented. She said Griffin’s challenge had “no likelihood of success” and did not believe the state’s highest court should interfere with the democratic process. One Republican also broke ranks with his GOP colleagues on the bench to rule in dissent.

Gov. Josh Stein continues to issue executive orders related to Helene relief early in his tenure. This week’s order aims at ensuring people have access to heating materials. It waives federal limits on the duration drivers can transport propane. This comes after Stein issued several executive orders last week, also aimed at those impacted by Helene.

And are fortunes turning around for Charlotte sports? Well, maybe not yet, but baby steps. The Hornets won for the first time in about a month. Meanwhile, the Panthers end the season with a losing record, but may finally have found their quarterback.

Those stories and more on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

GUESTS:

Brad Panovich, WCNC chief meteorologist
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Hunter Sáenz, WSOC-TV reporter
Steve Harrison, WFAE political reporter
Ben Thompson, morning and midday anchor at WCNC Charlotte

Read the rest atWFAE
Jan102025 TAGS: , , , , ,

2024 Rewind: The Headlines That Mattered Most

Featured at PBS

We take a deep dive into the stories that shaped our world and North Carolina in 2024, from groundbreaking political moments to cultural shifts and global headlines. Host Kenia Thompson sits down with columnist Mary C. Curtis and former Durham County Commissioner Nimasheena Burns to discuss the top trends.

Read the rest atPBS
Dec302024 TAGS: , , , ,

Local News Roundup: Political drama in Raleigh; New CLT flight paths approved; Bishop tapped for job by Trump; Belichick to UNC

Featured at WFAE

Lawmakers in Raleigh override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that provides relief for those impacted by Hurricane Helene while also stripping power from top state Democrats. Critics have called the bill a power grab disguised as a relief measure.

Charlotte City Council has approved a plan to expand flight paths at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to 27, aimed at dispersing noise more effectively. There are now eight flight paths. Two members voted against the plan, citing a lack of transparency from the city and the airport.

After losing his election for North Carolina attorney general, former North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to be deputy director for budget at the Office of Management and Budget. He will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

And the North Carolina Board of Elections says it will not order a full hand recount of ballots in the race for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat after a partial recount resulted in more votes for the leading candidate, Democrat Allison Riggs. Entering the recount, Riggs led Republican Jefferson Griffin by about 700 votes out of nearly 5.5 million cast.

Those stories and more on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Steve Harrison, WFAE political reporter
Ryan Pitkin, cofounder and editor of Queen City Nerve
Hunter Sáenz, WSOC-TV reporter

Read the rest atWFAE
Dec152024 TAGS: , , , , , ,

Local News Roundup: Trump takes NC; Democrats win elsewhere; Charlotte City Council members head to Munich; Charlotte FC faces Orlando City in winner-take-all matchup

Featured at WFAE

North Carolina, like other battleground states, went for Donald Trump in this week’s presidential election. What went right for his campaign and what went wrong for Vice President Kamala Harris?

On the statewide level, Democrats picked up wins in races for governor, attorney general, and superintendent for public instruction, among others. The party also appears to have prevented Republicans from retaining their veto-proof supermajority, despite the fact Democrat-turned-Republican Tricia Cotham appears to have narrowly retained her seat, barring a potential recount.

Outside of the election, as the Carolina Panthers head to Munich, Germany to play the New York Giants, several members of city council are going along. The city says the goal is to learn how Munich solves some of its urban problems, but WCNC reports the bill will cost taxpayers about $80,000.

Finally, Charlotte FC has a chance to advance to the next round of the MLS playoffs with a win against Orlando City on Saturday. The series is currently tied at a game apiece.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Steve Harrison, WFAE political reporter
Mary Ramsey, local government accountability reporter for the Charlotte Observer
Ben Thompson, morning and midday anchor at WCNC Charlotte and host of WCNC’s “Flashpoint”

Read the rest atWFAE
Nov082024 TAGS: , , , , , , , ,

U.S. Elections and Female Voters

Featured at BBC

On a tour of swing states, the BBC traveled to Charlotte, NC, to talk with several women on Team Harris or Team Trump — and one undecided. How could that be? I joined Mary Ramsey as a journalist/NC expert. Thanks to our Plaza Midwood hosts and the BBC’s Matt Chorley and Richard Lawson. Have a listen to our ‘brilliant’ chat.

Read the rest atBBC
Oct282024 TAGS: , , ,

Local News Roundup: Campaigns ramp up; Early voting in NC and SC; Charlotte FC begins postseason play

Featured at WFAE

Former President Donald Trump makes stops across North Carolina, including in the western part of the state where he repeated false claims about the federal response to Helene.

Meanwhile, early voting numbers are coming as polls are open in both North and South Carolina. What is the early data telling us? And how does it compare to 2020?

Mark Robinson has amended his defamation lawsuit against CNN. Robinson, who was seeking $50 million in damages, is now asking for $25,000. Robinson has denied the report that alleges he made racist and misogynistic comments on a pornographic website. All of this comes as Democrats continue to spend money attacking Robinson and linking other Republican candidates to him.

And Charlotte FC is back in the postseason for the second straight year. The team starts a best-of-three series at Orlando on Sunday.

Those stories and more on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Steve Harrison, WFAE political reporter
Nick Ochsner, WBTV chief investigative reporter
Alexandria Sands, reporter with Axios Charlotte

Read the rest atWFAE
Oct282024 TAGS: , , , , , ,

Local News Roundup: Helene cleanup, politics and misinformation; Charlotte transit questions; NC musicians plan benefit concert

Featured at WFAE

On the Charlotte Talks local news roundup, the fallout from Helene continues. Where does the cleanup effort stand? What is the status of the infrastructure in the region?

Meanwhile, Election Day is just a few weeks away and early voting begins next week. How do state and local officials plan to make voting accessible to those impacted by the storm? How is misinformation throwing a wrench in those plans?

Elsewhere, the drama over a regional transit proposal continues with Charlotte city officials split on whether to participate in a transit summit organized by John Higdon, mayor of Matthews. We breakdown the latest in this ongoing saga.

Finally, three North Carolina musicians are joining forces to play a benefit concert at Bank of America Stadium for those impacted by Helene. Luke Combs, Eric Church and James Taylor will all take part in “Concert for Carolina” on Oct. 26.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Steve Harrison, WFAE political reporter
Mary Ramsey, local government accountability reporter for the Charlotte Observer
Alexandria Sands, reporter with Axios Charlotte

Read the rest atWFAE
Oct112024 TAGS: , , ,

In battleground North Carolina, a Kamala Harris crowd overflowing with joy — and urgency

Featured at Roll Call

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One rule for politicians and politically inclined citizens: Stay away from Hitler references. They have a “boy who cried wolf” quality and usually end up backfiring, making you appear more extreme than the opponent you’re trying to label.

However, as everyone knows, every rule has an exception. And 93-year-old Ruth Hecht has more than earned hers.

Read the rest atRoll Call
Sep192024 TAGS: , , ,

Local News Roundup: Harris campaigns in Charlotte; Additional funds for Eastland Yards; Former NC Rep. Kelly Alexander dies

Featured at WFAE

Charlotte City Council approves an additional $11 million in funding for the Eastland Yards project. We discuss what this means and get reaction from local residents and officials.

Fresh off her debate with former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris is in North Carolina including a stop in Charlotte. This comes after Trump was in the Queen City last week.

We remember the life and career of former Charlotte-area state Rep. Kelly Alexander, who died last Friday at the age of 75.

And it’s been 23 years since 9/11, we hear remembrances from emergency responders and learn how they’re keeping the memory of that day alive with future generations.

We dive into those stories and more on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Ryan Pitkin, cofounder and editor of Queen City Nerve
Ely Portillo, senior editor at WFAE News
Ben Thompson, morning and midday anchor at WCNC Charlotte and host of WCNC’s “Flashpoint”

Read the rest atWFAE
Sep132024 TAGS: , , ,
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