CHARLOTTE, NC — The Trump administration has announced it is sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the Persian Gulf to discuss a response to an attack on Saudi oil facilities. The president campaigned on not involving the U.S. in wars across the globe, but this crisis has escalated tensions in the region. Though rebels in Yemen claimed credit for attacks on Saudi oil facilities, intelligence services say Iran is the culprit; after pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, the president has been looking for a way to re-start talks with the country’s leaders.
What Does the Dan Bishop Win Mean for 2020?
CHARLOTTE, NC — Republican Dan Bishop defeats Democrat Dan McCready in North Carolina’s 9th congressional district race, giving Republicans a narrow victory in the GOP-leaning district where Donald Trump won by 12 points in 2016.
Political contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses the results and what the win means for 2020.
Sep112019
New Talks on Gun Control Policy in America
CHARLOTTE, NC — The push for new gun legislation is growing in the United States following numerous mass shootings over the past month. Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in on the gun debate.
Sep042019
Democrats Face Debate Cut-off Deadline
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wednesday will determine who takes the stage in the chase to be the Democratic candidate for 2020. The DNC no doubt hopes the number stays at 10, which will mean one debate on one night, Sept. 12. So far, that’s the number who have qualified, by earning at least 2 percent in four approved polls, with 130,000 unique donors (including at least 400 individual donors in at least 20 states). But at least 20 candidates are still in the running
Aug282019
Will Jeffrey Epstein’s Victims Get Justice?
CHARLOTTE, NC — There are many questions about how Jeffrey Epstein could take his own life at the federal prison in New York. The justice department is taking action against employees of the prison. The warden of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York has been temporarily reassigned and two guards who were assigned to his unit at the time of his death are now on administrative leave. What happens next in the case and will his alleged victims get justice?
Aug142019
America’s Way Forward After Mass Shootings
CHARLOTTE, NC — President Trump is heading to El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, after shootings left a total of 31 dead. His official message this week decried violence and white supremacy, but many also criticized his own divisive words. The division between politicians and parties continues on the best way forward and the reasons for the carnage. Is it guns, racism, mental illness, video games, or a combination?
Aug072019
First Night of Democratic Debate
CHARLOTTE, NC — For the large field of candidates, Democratic debates are crucial. This week’s debates are make-or-break for Democratic presidential hopefuls, especially those polling in single digits. During night one of the debate in Detroit, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders were the primary targets of moderates on the stage. Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses how the candidates performed and what to expect for round two.
Jul312019
The Politics of Robert Mueller’s Public Testimony
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The public will hear from special counsel Robert Mueller, a reluctant witness as he testifies before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees. Will it be mostly political theater, with Democrats and Republicans trying to score points, or will substantive information be shared?
Jul242019
What’s Next After CMS Board Suspends Superintendent
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It is a challenge that school systems around the country face, but the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system does seem to regularly make headlines because of changes and turmoil in leadership. This week, CMS officials announced the suspension of superintendent Clayton Wilcox in an email. Wilcox, who has been in the job for two years and early this year got a bump in compensation, is the district’s fifth superintendent in 10 years
Jul172019
What Does the Jeffrey Epstein Case Say About Justice and Privilege?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As more details are revealed in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the multi-millionaire arrested on charges of sex-trafficking girls as young as 14, there are more and more questions. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta, who, when he was a U.S. attorney, arranged a plea deal for Epstein, is defending himself and resisting calls to resign. But many want to know more about why Epstein received such a light sentence in that case in Florida, and whether power and privilege played a part.
Epstein has pleaded not guilty. Now, the young women are speaking out – and many Americans are examining a criminal justice system that seems to work differently for rich and poor.
Jul102019
