CHARLOTTE, NC — Calls for police reform continue to grow in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis two weeks ago.
WCCB political contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses the changes happening on the local level and across the country.
Mary C. Curtis: President Trump Threatens to Pull WHO Funding
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Trump is threatening to permanently pull funding from The World Health Organization because of its early response to the coronavirus crisis. The president says the organization needs to “commit to substantive improvements in the next 30 days.” In a letter to the WHO Director-General, Trump says the organization’s mishandling of the pandemic has been costly for the world. Last month, Trump temporarily halted funding to the agency.
WCCB Political Contributor, Mary C. Curtis is breaking down President Trump’s latest criticism of WHO and the potential impacts of cutting funding.
May202020
Mary C. Curtis: Reopening NC & Relief Bill for Small Businesses
CHARLOTTE, NC — More COVID-19 relief is coming from a $480 billion dollar package for small businesses.
There’s also money for hospitals and testing.
The bill moves from the senate to the house where it is expected to be voted on Thursday.
South Carolina made the move to lift restrictions for some businesses.
WCCB political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more on what the move means.
Apr222020
Future Of Democratic Debates, Is The Stimulus Package Enough?
CHARLOTTE — Are the Democratic debates over because of the Coronavirus Pandemic? Apparently, Joe Biden hopes so. Right now, there are no debates on the April schedule between the former Vice President and Senator Bernie Sanders.
And, last week, Biden said, “I think we’ve had enough debates and we should get on with this”.
Also, the checks will soon be in the mail or the bank account of millions of Americans after the President signs a two-trillion dollar stimulus package. But, will that be enough given the soaring unemployment numbers?
WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in in our Watch on Politics.
Mar292020
Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: Coronavirus Now Present In Mecklenburg; Mass Cancellations
There are more diagnosed cases of the coronavirus (which has now been officially named a pandemic by the World Health Organization) this week, including two so far here in Mecklenburg County.
President Trump has halted travel from most European countries. Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina, and the Mecklenburg County Health Department is making preparations. Airlines are slashing the number of flights, and several entities are talking about intensifying their cleaning efforts (including Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte Area Transit System and Charlotte Douglas International Airport).
Universities in North Carolina and around the country are suspending classes or moving them online, and CMS has stopped all field trips. We’ll give you the latest.
The Hawthorne Lane Bridge has an estimated completion date for later this month, but the project looks months away from being ready. What are officials saying?
And we’ll have local reaction to this week’s primaries.
A panel of local journalists will discuss these stories and more on the local news roundup.
Guests:
Glenn Burkins, founder and publisher of Qcitymetro.com
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com and WCCB
Joe Bruno, WSOC-TV reporter
Ann Doss Helms, WFAE education reporter
Claire Donnelly, WFAE health care reporter
Mar132020
State of The Union & Iowa Caucus
CHARLOTTE, NC — President Trump touts the economy and what he calls a “Great American Comeback” in his state of the union address Tuesday night. Political contributor Mary C. Curtis breaks down the president’s message and gives her thoughts on the Iowa caucus.
Feb052020
POLITICAL WRAP: Soleimani Imminent Threat; Protests in Iran Over Downed Plane
CHARLOTTE, NC — Dueling narratives over the strike that killed Qassem Soleimani. The White House, defending the strike against Iran’s top military leader, while democrats question whether there was actually an “imminent threat.”
Also, thousands of demonstrators continue to protest the Iranian government, after officials admitted the country mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet.
Click above for more with WCCB Charlotte political contributor Mary C. Curtis.
Jan132020
Long arc of history guides John Lewis in his call for impeachment inquiry
OPINION — No one can accuse Rep. John Lewis of lacking patience. The Georgia Democrat showed plenty, as well as steely resolve, as he changed millions of minds — and history — over a life spent working for equal rights for all. So when he speaks, especially about justice, a cause from which he has never wavered, all would do well to listen.
Lewis was not the only voice raised this week, as all sides raced to place a political frame on the narrative of the undisputed fact that a U.S. president asked a foreign leader to work with him and for him to smear a political opponent, perhaps with military aid in the balance. “I would like you to do us a favor though because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it,” President Donald Trump said, according to a transcript of the conversation based on notes. He also wanted to rope in his personal lawyer and the attorney general, who, by the way, works for the American people, not Trump.
No direct quid pro quo but plenty of bread crumbs leading to the conclusion that a country dependent on funds to deal with, among other things, an extremely aggressive Russian neighbor, better pay attention.
Sep262019
Pelosi Announces Impeachment Inquiry into Trump
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the middle of a political firestorm involving a telephone call between President Trump and the president of Ukraine, there came a moment of bipartisan agreement this week. Members of the Senate voted unanimously favoring a resolution calling for a whistleblower complaint involving Trump to be turned over to congressional intelligence committees. This comes as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, after holding off for many months, has announced her support to move toward a formal impeachment inquiry into the president because of the whistleblower complaint. The president has promised the release of a transcript of his July call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sep252019
North Carolina redo sets stage for copycat campaigns in 2020
OPINION — After an election fraud scandal, North Carolina Republicans lost a House candidate. After an indictment and questions about possible bribery, the state GOP lost its chair.
But all that didn’t stop a gaggle of Republicans from vying for the chance to run for a House seat that, thanks to gerrymandering, still favors their party — that is, of course, if voters stay interested in a special election that now will be decided on Sept. 10, if everything goes as planned.
Whatever happens, the race has offered a national blueprint for what voters will see in 2020, with the majority of Republicans clinging close to Donald Trump and trying to brand Democrats as far to the left as imagination allows. Meanwhile, Democrats proclaim their independence and ability to stand up to the president and his bending of constitutional norms while doing the other business of Congress and helping constituents.
May162019
