Archives for December 2020

Mary C. Curtis: Will Lawmakers Increase Stimulus Money?

CHARLOTTE, NC — President Donald Trump is pushing for higher COVID payouts as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocks a vote on them in the Senate.

WCCB political contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses the latest from Washington and what it means moving forward.

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.

You can also check out Mary’s podcast ‘Equal Time.’

POLITICAL WRAP: Stimulus on Hold as President Trump Pushes for $2,000 Checks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The stimulus bill remains unsigned as President Trump digs in on his demand to increase direct payments to Americans.

“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 dollars to $2,000 dollars or $4,000 dollars for a couple. I’m also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation,” the President said last week.

Interview: Mint Museum Curator Jen Edwards on Photographer Ruben Natal-San Miguel and Running a Museum During Covid

“What makes an online exhibition unique?” I asked Jen Edwards, Chief Curator at The Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC, over Zoom one afternoon in early December. “It has to translate well,” she responded. “That’s why Ruben was so perfect.”

She’s referring to Ruben Natal-San Miguel, the photographer whose latest solo show Expanding the Pantheon: Women R Beautiful kicks off The Mint’s online exhibition offerings. Citing the images’ vibrant dynamism, she added, “There’s a bold color, there’s a dramatic feature, whether it’s the person’s face or something about the background. They’re really great as graphic images. And so that makes it perfect to translate online.”

Equal Time: Faith and politics

The late evangelist Billy Graham, known as America’s pastor, was as world famous as the presidents who sought face time with him. But after a friendship with Richard Nixon affected that image, Graham backed away from the political spotlight. His son has chosen a different path. Mary C. Curtis speaks with the Rev. Franklin Graham.

Mary C. Curtis: Previewing President Trump’s Last Month In Office

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Donald Trump is expected to spend his last Christmas as president at Mar-a-Lago this week. The final weeks of the Trump administration are upon us and though he hasn’t been very visible, the president isn’t leaving the White House quietly.

Our political contributor, Mary C. Curtis is previewing the president’s unpredictable last month in office.

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.

You can also check out Mary’s podcast ‘Equal Time.’

Black Issues Forum: Looking Ahead to 2021

As the Electoral College formalizes the election of President-Elect Joe Biden and COVID-19 vaccines begin to rollout in NC and across the country, can we expect a turning point after what’s been a contentious year? We also discuss the growing trend of reparations in North Carolina with journalist Mary C. Curtis, Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao, and NCCU professor Brett Chambers.

Blame Game Over Hacking Culprit, Deal Reached on Covid Relief Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lawmakers have reached a deal on a Covid-19 Relief package.

The 900 billion dollar package includes extra funding for Covid testing, federal loans to help keep small businesses open, and stimulus checks to those struggling to pay for food or rent.

This will be the second largest government stimulus package in history.

And, the blame game.  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced it was Russia that hacked into several U.S. Government agencies.

But, President Trump disagrees and blames China for the attack.

WCCB Charlotte Contributor, Mary C. Curtis weighs in on the latest headlines.

Mary C. Curtis: COVID-19 Vaccinations Underway

CHARLOTTE. NC — The first COVID-19 vaccines, from Pfizer and approved by the FDA for emergency use, have been sent throughout the country, including North Carolina, where health care workers and residents of care facilities are tops of the list to receive the shot. A Moderna vaccine might get approval later this week. This is happening as the country passes 300,000 dead from the virus, with hospitalizations reaching record highs in North Carolina.

WCCB political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more.

POLITICAL WRAP: Electoral College Meets Monday; Latest on COVID Vaccine

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Monday, the Electoral College will meet to formally cast their ballots for President and Vice President of the United States.

It comes just days after the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit by the Texas Attorney General to overturn millions of votes.

Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more on this and the latest on the arrival of the COVID vaccine, in the video above.

Local News Roundup: COVID-19 Cases Continue To Surge With Vaccines On The Way; A New Curfew; CMS Returns To Remote Learning

Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup …

Gov. Roy Cooper imposes a statewide curfew of 10 p.m. beginning Friday as numbers for COVID-19 spike, and in Mecklenburg County, trends reach new highs. We’ll give a local and regional update on the coronavirus and what the new curfew means for businesses.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools opts to go back to remote learning until January in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the area. We’ll talk about the school board vote and what it will mean for all students, especially those about to take exams.

The Department of Health and Human Services has released the list of hospital systems that will receive the first shipment of a coronavirus vaccine. The state expects about 85,000 vaccine doses from Pfizer, which are going first to health care workers and residents in adult care facilities.

And Charlotte Moves recommended last week that the city put a 1-cent sales tax hike on the ballot for next year’s election. The tax would fund several transportation projects in Mecklenburg County. But for that to happen, legislators in North Carolina would need to authorize the increase and approve a referendum. We’ll hear what some of those legislators say about the proposal and its chances.

Those stories and more as Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into this 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

Steve Harrison, WFAE political reporter

Annie Ma, education reporter for the Charlotte Observer