A mercurial Trump foils Charlotte’s best-laid RNC plans, probably

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time, especially for a city that wants to be world class. Charlotte would join that list of cities to have hosted both Democratic and Republican national conventions. Its hotels and restaurants and streets would be bustling. Its arena would be filled with crowds, greeting the acceptance speech of repeat GOP standard-bearer Donald Trump, guaranteed grabber of headlines (and other things, as the Access Hollywood video attests).

And the world would be watching.

Well, the world is watching, all right, as what was a somewhat grudging but eventually accommodating relationship has deteriorated into sniping and bickering, with a nasty split on the horizon.

As usual, the catalyst for the acrimony was Trump himself.

Chaos is all Trump has, as he hopes ‘law and order’ appeal will work in GOP’s favor

The Queen of Soul sang it clearly. The “Respect” Aretha Franklin was craving — yes, demanding — in that classic is still in short supply for black Americans. More protesters have been arrested than police officers involved in the death of George Floyd, the black Minneapolis man who died after now-former officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on the handcuffed man’s neck for nearly nine minutes while three fellow officers stood by or assisted.

Would there have been protests across the country and the world if Chauvin and his fellow officers had been charged immediately? There is no way to know for sure. But it is clear that the anguished reaction has been about much more than the death of one man, and has been generations in the making.

Mary C. Curtis: Pres. Trump Moving RNC From Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC — President Donald Trump says the Republican National Convention will be looking for another host for its convention in late August.

Governor Roy Cooper isn’t planning to ease social distancing guidelines for a full-scale convention.

Here’s our political contributor Mary C. Curtis with the latest on the controversy.

Mary C. Curtis: Pres. Trump Demands Answer From Cooper on RNC

CHARLOTTE, NC — President Trump says governor Roy Cooper has about a week to decide on whether the Republican National Convention can be at full capacity in August.

Gov. Cooper says he supports having the convention in North Carolina but he has to put the health and safety of citizens first.

Here’s our political contributor Mary C. Curtis.

POLITICAL WRAP: Phase II Reopening; RNC Planning

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Phase II of reopening is underway in North Carolina. It comes as coronavirus cases are increasing, but so is testing.

We’re taking a closer look at how things are playing out.

And we’re following the latest on the Republican National Convention in Charlotte. Will it move toward virtual events?

And how will things play out among President Trump, Governor Cooper, and Mayor Lyles?

Our political contributor, Mary C. Curtis, has more in the video above.

POLITICAL WRAP: Obama Criticizes Administration; Doubts About RNC in CLT?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Former President Obama criticizes the current administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

President Trump responding to that and weighing in on Charlotte and the Republican National Convention.

Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more.

POLITICAL WRAP: President Trump Ramps Down Coronavirus Briefings; Plans for Next Stimulus

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – “Not worth the time and effort.”

President Trump ramps down his daily briefings, after controversial remarks about using disinfectants to fight coronavirus.

Is the President now pivoting to his re-election strategy?

And will his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, be able to get his message out with so much attention on the virus?

Our political contributor, Mary C. Curtis, has more on that and details on another possible stimulus bill, in the video above.

Mary C. Curtis: Wisconsin Holds Primary During Pandemic

CHARLOTTE, NC — Despite a global pandemic, people lined up at the polls to cast their votes in Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary.

The state supreme court blocked democratic governor Tony Evers’ bid to delay it until June.

Political contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in on the election and whether or not it was the right decision.

POLITICAL WRAP: Plans for RNC Amid Coronavirus Concerns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mayor Vi Lyles putting a question mark around RNC 2020 in Charlotte.

Could that pit the city, CDC, and state officials against the president?

WCCB Charlotte political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more in the web video above.

Mary C. Curtis: How U.S. Governors and Mayors Are Fighting Coronavirus

CHARLOTTE, NC — Governors and mayors across the country including the Carolinas have taken a lead role in confronting the coronavirus pandemic.

Many are giving day-to-day updates and holding press conferences to keep you informed.

WCCB political contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in on how different leaders are responding.