Archives for July 2017

Charlotte Talks Friday News Roundup: CMS Superintendent Sworn In; Local Election Filings Begin

On this edition of the local news roundup, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools officially have a new superintendent- Clayton Wilcox was sworn in on Monday for his first full day on the job, after spending a few months observing. We’ll hear about his first week at the helm.

Charlotte’s homicide number has risen again, to 49 currently. In advance of WFAE’s public conversation next week,we’ll talk about the latest murders and reaction from police and community groups.

Charlotte’s election season is approaching (local filing period starts Friday), and so we’ll take a look at some of the stories developing in the races for Charlotte mayor, city council and Charlotte Mecklenburg School board.

In state politics, a look back at the legislative session that just concluded in Raleigh.

Nationally, North Carolina will submit public data to President Trump’s voter integrity panel, while South Carolina chooses not to cooperate. And former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley makes news internationally with her reaction to North Korea’s missile tests.

Host Mike Collins will discuss these stories and much more with our roundtable of reporters on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup:

Guests:

Tom BullockWFAE reporter.

Nick Ochsner, reporter for WBTV News

Mary C.Curtis, columnist at Roll Call and a contributor to other publications including WCCB News Rising and NBCBLK.

Ann Doss Helms, reporter for The Charlotte Observer.

Opinion: Democracy — With Big Brother in the Voting Booth

Some Americans believe in small government — until they don’t.

Remember the conservative mantra, “government is the problem?” Well, toss out that way of thinking for a group of leaders — some elected, some appointed — who want to create a complicated new arm of government bureaucracy, one that reaches into how and how often a person votes and sucks up a chunk of your Social Security number for good measure. And we’re paying for this?

Some Americans believe in small government — until they don’t. Remember the conservative mantra, “government is the problem?” Well, toss out that way of thinking for a group of leaders — some elected, some appointed — who want to create a complicated new arm of government bureaucracy, one that reaches into how and how often a person votes and sucks up a chunk of your Social Security number for good measure. And we’re paying for this?

A Full Agenda for Trump’s Trip Overseas

CHARLOTTE, NC — President Trump leaves a Tweet-storm in the U.S., but his overseas trip could be complicated. North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile has many countries pondering the next move.

In Hamburg, Trump is set to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit. Will he mention Russia’s support of Assad in Syria, who has used chemical weapons? What about Russia’s annexing of Crimea and tensions with Ukraine?

Trump will also meet with German chancellor Angela Merkel, who has questioned his pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate change accord. What is the next step in that relationship?

WCCB’s political contributor, Mary C. Curtis, weighs in.