Local News Roundup: Panthers owner fires another coach; DA drops charges in viral CMPD punching incident, and judge rules body cam footage released; CMS teacher accused of sex with a student

Featured at WFAE

David Tepper fires another coach this fall — this time it’s Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich after just 11 games and a 1-10 record. The move sparked criticism from many, including Charlotte Observer reporter Scott Fowler. We’ll talk to him about the latest in a disappointing Panthers season.

Charges have been dropped against a Charlotte woman who was punched by CMPD officers in a viral arrest video, the Mecklenburg DA’s office announced on Tuesday. And on Thursday a judge ruled that the body camera footage from the incident be released.

A CMS high school teacher has been arrested and accused of sexual activity with an 18-year-old high school student.

Charlotte-based Bank of America is closing more than 100 branches across the country by the end of the year. We find out why.

And a major donation this week for people in Charlotte’s North End.

Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into those stories, an update on City Council and more, on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.

GUESTS:

Erik Spanberg, managing editor for the Charlotte Business Journal
Nick Ochsner, WBTV’s executive producer for Investigations & chief investigative reporter
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
David Boraks, WFAE climate reporter
Scott Fowler, sports columnist for the Charlotte Observer

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Dec012023 TAGS: , , ,

North Carolina and the Supreme Court

Featured at WFAE

The U.S. Supreme Court has finished handing down decisions for the term, and this year North Carolina was at the center of some major rulings.

The court ruled against the University of North Carolina and Harvard in a case involving affirmative action, effectively ending the programs across the country. We discuss the impact.

Elsewhere, in a case that some say had a massive impact on the future of American democracy, the Supreme Court ruled against North Carolina on the independent state legislature theory. Had the ruling gone the other way, state courts would no longer have oversight over state elections. What does this mean for the future of this fringe theory?

Lastly, why is North Carolina at the center of these fights? Is it just a coincidence, or does it say more about the state’s political landscape?

We delve into these questions on the next Charlotte Talks.

GUESTS:

Michael Bitzer, professor of politics and history at Catawba College

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Roll Call and host of the Roll Call podcast “Equal Time”

Chris Parker, associate professor of political science and pre-law advisor at the University of Rhode Island

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Jul112023 TAGS: , , ,

‘What Next’ podcast: The Right’s Poll-Watching Army

Featured at Slate.com

Republicans who still haven’t accepted that Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in 2020 are recruiting “a volunteer army” of poll watchers and poll workers for upcoming elections. For those who want transparent and fair elections, an influx of enthusiasm is theoretically a good thing. But if new poll workers and poll watchers have an agenda— chasing after fraud that didn’t happen—can they hurt more than they help?

Guest: Alexandra Berzon, investigative reporter for the New York Times.

Guest hosted by Mary C. Curtis, columnist at Roll Call and host of its Equal Time podcast.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

Podcast production by Mary Wilson, Elena Schwartz, and Carmel Delshad, with help from Anna Rubanova and Sam Kim.

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Jun082022 TAGS: , , ,