CHARLOTTE, NC– It’s been a busy week, with the Senate taking a big step forward toward passing a Republican $1.5 trillion tax package when the Budget Committee, on a party-line vote, cleared the way for the full Senate to vote on the bill this week. But a meeting to pass a budget and avoid a government shutdown hit a snag when a presidential tweet caused top Democratic leaders to be no-shows for a White House meeting. (Mary C. Curtis)
Sexual Misconduct in Politics
CHARLOTTE, NC — President Trump has not exactly endorsed embattled Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore but he has come out saying Washington doesn’t need a Democrat like Moore’s opponent Doug Jones. And long-serving House member John Conyers has been revealed to have paid a settlement with a former staffer though he has denied her allegation. (Mary C. Curtis)
Will sexual harassment devolve into just another partisan issue – or will Democrats and Republicans see it as a problem that needs new policies in place? Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in.
Nov222017
Roy Moore Dilemma – And a Changing Culture
CHARLOTTE, NC — As more women continue to charge Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore with inappropriate behavior, Moore continues to remain defiant and in the race – and he could win. Alabama is a solid red state. But a growing number of his fellow Republicans in the Senate have called for him to leave the race. If he does win, that might trigger an ethics investigation. (Mary C. Curtis)
In the arts, media, politics and pretty much everywhere – no profession is immune – sexual harassment is getting called out. Is it the sign of a cultural shift?
Nov152017
Charlotte Elections 2017: What Happened? Why? What’s Next?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Democrat Vil Lyles beat out Republican mayoral candidate Kenny Smith to become Charlotte’s first female African American to take the city’s top office.
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis stops by to discuss Tuesday’s election results, what’s next for the city, and who the new voices are in our city government.
Nov082017
How Mueller’s Probe Affects GOP Agenda
CHARLOTTE, NC — While President Trump is preparing for a major Asia trip, plans to name a new Federal Reserve chair and tries to get a tax reform bill passed, along with Republican lawmakers, news coming out of Washington has derailed that plan.
Special counsel Robert Mueller has charged a former campaign manager and his deputy with a list of financial crimes and foreign connections – and a former foreign policy adviser has admitted lying to the FBI about trying to connect the campaign with the Russians to get dirt on Hillary Clinton.
What does that do to the GOP agenda? WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in.
Nov012017
Can Charlotte Woo Amazon?
CHARLOTTE, NC — Time is ticking for Charlotte to tell Amazon why it should it bring its second North American headquarters to the Queen City. The deadline to submit a bid is Thursday. Dozens of other cities are pulling out all the stops, fighting to become Amazon’s new location. The project is expected to bring 50,000 jobs and billions of dollars in direct investment. Critics say having an Amazon HQ in the city would raise taxes and real estate prices.
Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis talks about whether Charlotte could have a real shot at making the cut, and whether it’s worth it.
Oct182017
Hollywood’s Harvey Weinstein moment, a cultural turning point?
CHARLOTTE, NC– Hollywood is reeling at revelations that have been swirling for years, that Harvey Weinstein has a history of sexual harassment and rape. Actresses are speaking about their experiences, his high-profile wife has left him, and politicians who accepted his donations are giving the money to women’s organizations. (Mary C. Curtis)
Rising talks with WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis about what could be a tipping point in all offices, nationally and locally
Oct112017
Supreme Court examines voting districts
CHARLOTTE, NC — States must draw new election maps every 10 years. Dozens of North Carolina legislative maps were thrown out over illegal gerrymandering because judges said they violated the rights of black voters. Federal judges will consider new maps October 12th. The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned lawyers in a similar redistricting case in Wisconsin.
What happened Tuesday at the court?
Will Supreme Court Redistricting Case Change Elections – and North Carolina?
Can redistricting ever be fair?
Is nonpartisan redistricting possible?
Oct052017
What Is the Environment for Latinos In Charlotte?
CHARLOTTE, NC– A CMS substitute teacher at South Mecklenburg High School was caught on camera calling out a student for speaking Spanish in class on Monday. Just two weeks ago, a local fast-food manager asked a customer to spell ‘deportation’.
There has been an increase in these troubling incidents in Charlotte – a home to more Hispanics than any city in North Carolina, though not the highest percentage.
Is this fueled by increasing debate on immigration and the economy? Or has it always been a challenge to navigate life in a multi-cultural city?
WCCB Political Contributor, Mary C. Curtis offers some perspective.
Sep272017
Charlotte Marks One-Year Anniversary of Keith Scott Shooting
CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte is marking the one year anniversary of the deadly police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott and the days of unrest that followed. Hundreds of people stormed the streets of uptown in protest after CMPD Officer Brentley Vinsonshot and killed Scott, September 20th, 2016.
Scott’s death has since sparked concerns about race, equality, and opportunity in the Queen City as well as CMPD’s lack of transparency with the community. The situation also sent Charlotte into what many believe was long overdue conversation about race and social mobility in the city.
Political Contributor, Mary C. Curtis talks about the challenges Charlotte still faces a year later, what needs to be done in order to heal, and what community-police relations look like in Charlotte today.
Sep202017
