Charlotte Talks
Summary: Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more. If something is of interest to the Charlotte region, listeners and leaders know the topic is bound to be discussed on Charlotte Talks. Follow along: @CharlotteTalks.
Podcasts:
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Recently, police shootings have been documented by by-stander video. Often, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Now one Georgia police officer has produced a documentary explaining the perspective of the police- during, and after an officer-involved shooting. Mike Collins hears from the filmmaker, a CMPD officer and a criminal justice expert.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017 The Syrian civil war is the deadliest conflict so far this century. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and cities destroyed, creating millions of refugees. We get a clearer picture of what’s happening in Syria.
Monday, April 17, 2017 Charlotte, known as "the city of trees," is losing its green giants. Development and the age of our trees are the two biggest problems. Mike Collins gets to the root of the issue with the city's chief arborist and others.
Friday, April 14, 2017 An independent report says Wells Fargo’s bogus accounts date back to 2002. Charlotte’s murder rate continues to rise and a state lawmaker suggests expanding Medicaid. Mike Collins and the roundup reporters tackle those stories and more on the local news roundup.
Thursday, April 13, 2017 An east Charlotte clinic sits in the intersection of a woman's right to choose and protesters' right to free speech. Mike Collins is joined by two WFAE reporters who talked with both sides of the protest, and we get First Amendment analysis from constitutional experts.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Robots are no longer a thing of science fiction. It isn’t globalization that is killing a lot of jobs, it’s robots and automation. They made inroads first in manufacturing, but now they have their eyes set on customer service, clerical and other sectors of the jobs economy. So, Mike Collins and guests will help you get prepared by taking a look at the future of work in an automated world.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 What is North Carolina’s new attorney general doing to fight the growing problem of opioid addiction? Mike Collins talks with Josh Stein, and then a world-renowned tenor tells us about working with young singers and about Opera Carolina’s "The Girl of the West."
Monday, April 10, 2017 This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of the biggest robberies in U.S. history: the $17 million "hillbilly heist" at a Charlotte Loomis Fargo facility. Mike Collins speaks with Jeff Diamant, a former Charlotte Observer reporter who chronicled the heist, and we hear from the caper's "mastermind." Originally aired Sept. 28, 2016
Friday, April 7 2017 The NCAA ends its boycott of North Carolina after last week's repeal of HB2. Charlotte's homicide figures continue to rise, now to 27 for the year. Charlotte mayoral candidates are raising money. And the UNC Tar Heels are national champions. Mike Collins and the Roundup reporters discuss the week's top local stories.
Thursday, April 6, 2017 Charlotte School of Law continues to face serious challenges. The newly-named interim dean joins Mike Collins, followed by national security professor Tom Nichols and the rise of a "cult of ignorance."
Wednesday, April 5 2017 Short-story writer George Saunders, whom Time calls simply the best short-story writer writing in English, joins host Mike Collins to talk about his debut novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. First, an update on the NCAA's reaction to the state's repeal of House Bill 2.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 The South is home to 122 million people, many of whom came from elsewhere, but who identify as Southern. But what does it mean to be Southern after all this change and all these newcomers?
Monday, April 3, 2017 In a divided nation, can we find common ground in our shared humanity? Public Radio’s Krista Tippett is looking for an answer and her next stop is Charlotte and the Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square.
Friday, March 31, 2017 The North Carolina General Assembly voted to repeal HB2 on Thursday. A Charlotte high school student will not be allowed to graduate before being deported. CMS Board members still have no consensus on student assignment, and a Huntersville native puts UNC in the Final Four. Those stories and more on the local news roundup with host Mike Collins and a panel of reporters.