America’s two-tiered justice system isn’t new — just don’t talk about it

The Confederate monument outside the courthouse in Gaston County in North Carolina was not erected just after the Civil War ended. Like so many structures the United Daughters of the Confederacy promoted to prop up the lie of the “glorious” Lost Cause, the statue was raised in the early part of the 20th century.

And the intent was clear.

Then-state attorney general and future governor Thomas Bickett, at the 1912 dedication at the monument’s original site, listed what his North Carolina stood for, “the integrity of a whole civilization and a white race,” as reported in the Gastonia Gazette. Bickett praised white supremacy, criticized the right of Black men to vote and justified the Civil War.

Could any Black person entering that courthouse expect justice?

When a new courthouse was built in 1998, the monument was relocated to stand sentry, leaving North Carolinians of every race to wonder how much had really changed? It has been the subject of controversy, but every attempt to remove it, to perhaps assure African-Americans that the justice they receive in that Gaston County courthouse is indeed blind, has been a work in progress, complicated by a North Carolina law passed by a Republican majority legislature in 2015. It prohibits removal of monuments on public property, other than to a place of “similar prominence.”

Gaston County isn’t the only courthouse guarded by a reminder of North Carolina’s Confederate past, yet, raising the specter of observed systemic bias that still might haunt the state’s halls of justice has gotten state Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls in trouble.

The justice who was elected — yes, elected — is one of just two Democrats on the seven-member court, and the only African-American woman, and she is in danger of losing her seat. She is being investigated by the state’s Judicial Standards Commission, the judiciary’s ethical body, for comments she made in the legal journal Law360.com; the investigation could end in sanctions or removal from the bench.

Talking about the need for diverse staff among clerks and court personnel, mentioning out loud her observations that bias may exist in the court system, well, it’s all a step too far for some who have been questioning Earls since she was elected.

Earls took care not to accuse colleagues of any intentional action, merely noting the “implicit biases” we all share. And that the majority of those making oral arguments to the court have been white is just a fact, one that minorities with business before the court can see with their own eyes.

It’s also true that Chief Justice Paul Newby, a Republican, never faced such scrutiny after speaking quite freely about politics and his colleagues. He told an audience in 2019, before he was the chief justice, that Americans who find fault with the country could “just leave.” And in what was seen as a swipe against Earls, who had won a seat on the court, accused the left of spending $1.5 million “to get their AOC person on the court,” as reported in NC Newsline, an apparent reference to New York progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Newby has never recused himself in cases when he has expressed clear opinions about the issue presented to his court. Newby also has come awfully close to endorsing a fellow conservative running for the court, without rebuke.

But North Carolinians who elected Earls are apparently not supposed to notice such double standards.

Ever since Republicans regained the majority on the state Supreme Court, they have revisited issues such as voter ID requirements and redistricting, and there are moves to get the GOP supermajority in the legislature more involved in picking the people who judge the judges.

If it all sounds familiar, you’ve been paying attention to moves across the country, as Republicans find new ways to rid themselves and the voters of duly elected officials whose politics they abhor, with the judiciary being a prime target.

Local News Roundup: NC school performance results released; NC legislature considers Sunday alcohol sales and continues casino debate; Panthers set to play Atlanta

There’s still no budget for North Carolina, but state lawmakers are looking into allowing liquor sales on Sundays at ABC stores. We’ll talk about a bipartisan alcohol deregulation effort — and an update on other movements in the legislature, including some opposition to the effort to legalize casinos.

North Carolina released school performance grades and test scores this week. Pandemic recovery remains an issue, but we’ll talk about small gains being made.

Interim chief of the Charlotte Area Transit System Brent Cagle said this week that the cause of derailments inside the CATS rail yard could be less experienced operators. Is this cause for alarm? Cagle says not. We’ll discuss.

Jaywalking now comes with a fee in Davidson — follow the rules or pay a $30 citation. We’ll talk about what led the town to its new pedestrian safety campaign.

And the Carolina Panthers begin their season with a game against Atlanta. What should we expect from the game?

Guest host David Boraks from WFAE and our roundtable of reporters delve into those stories and more, on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

Local News Roundup: CMS complies with NC Parents’ Bill of Rights; Fentanyl overdoses are up; Mark Robinson speaks in Charlotte; Panthers prepare to host Detroit

This week, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools became one of the first North Carolina school systems to comply with the new North Carolina Parents’ Bill of Rights. We’ll hear parent reactions and get an update on “back to school” since CMS starts classes on Monday.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says overdose deaths in Mecklenburg County have gone up 20% so far this year, and the fentanyl crisis continues to grow.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican candidate for governor, visited Charlotte this week to speak to the Charlotte Rotary.

Might Charlotte finally be home to a social district? Smaller cities around the area have already made the move to social districts, but none have happened yet in Charlotte — but that soon could change. We’ll discuss Plaza Midwood’s efforts to form a social district and when the city might decide on approval.

Amid the vetoes, overrides, the lack of an approved budget and other issues, North Carolina Republicans are currently divided as lawmakers consider allowing casinos in the state.

The Carolina Panthers play the Detroit Lions in the preseason finale at Bank of America Stadium on Friday. Will we see a different outcome?

Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into those stories and more.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”

Erik Spanberg, managing editor for the Charlotte Business Journal

Ann Doss Helms, WFAE education reporter

Ely Portillo, WFAE senior editor

WFAE All Things Considered NEXT UP: 6:30 PM Marketplace All Things Considered WFAE All Streams Charlotte Talks Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins Local News Roundup: Mark Meadows indicted; No Labels recognized in NC; Legislature overrides Gov. Cooper vetoes; Lyles endorses council candidate

Mark Meadows, former North Carolina representative and White House chief of staff, is one of 19 people indicted by a grand jury in Georgia for allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Meadows is facing charges of racketeering and solicitation of violation of oath of a public officer. Others facing charges include former President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani and North Carolina native and Trump lawyer Sidney Powell.

Elsewhere in politics, a group that may offer an alternative candidate in next year’s presidential election is officially on the ballot in North Carolina. No Labels is cochaired by former Charlotte mayor and North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and may put forth a candidate of their own if Joe Biden and Donald Trump each win their party’s nomination. Critics worry this will help Trump win another term.

The North Carolina legislature has overridden several key gubernatorial vetoes.

A hot summer got even hotter this week with temperatures in the mid-90s and a heat index that topped 100 at times. Officials around Charlotte took steps to limit heat-related issues, including setting up cooling stations and assisting the unhoused.

UNC Charlotte football will be the subject of a documentary this fall on ESPN+. The 12-episode series will follow the team throughout the season. This is the first year the 49ers are playing in the American Athletic Conference.

And in a rare move, Mayor Vi Lyles endorses a candidate for city council.

Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters dive into those stories and more on the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

GUESTS:

David Boraks, climate reporter at WFAE
Joe Bruno, reporter at WSOC-TV
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Nick Ochsner, WBTV’s executive producer for investigations & chief investigative reporter

Local News Roundup: COVID-19 numbers rise; City Council recommends esports venue for Eastland Yards; CATS Gold Line changes; Beyoncé in Charlotte

COVID-19 numbers are on the rise in the area as cases and hospitalization numbers in the county are on a slight uptick.

Charlotte City Council’s Economic Development Committee votes to back a proposal for a new proposal at the Eastland Mall site that would bring esports, a concert venue and soccer fields.

We’ll bring you a Charlotte Area Transit System update as the city will soon have a new management system to run the bus system (currently the city contracts with RATP Dev.). CATS is also cutting back on its Gold Line service as the agency struggles to fill vacancies on its staff.

A 900-pound longhorn bull captivated our attention this week by evading authorities in West Charlotte. Will it be caught by show time?

Aaron Rodgers and the Jets are in town this week, first for joint practices with the Panthers, and this weekend, for a pre-season game. How do we look?

And Beyoncé, otherwise known as “Queen Bey,” takes on the Queen City. We’ll give highlights of her Wednesday night concert.

Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into those stories and more, on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Steve Harrison, WFAE’s political reporter
Shamarria Morrison, WCNC reporter
David Boraks, WFAE’s climate reporter

Local News Roundup: Elyse Dashew will not seek another term as CMS Board Chair; City Council rejects zoning petitions in a rare move; LYNX Blue Line repair price tag doubles

The Charlotte Area Transit System’s new price tag for repairs to the LYNX Blue Line is nearly $60 million. That’s almost double the original estimated cost discussed this spring. In addition, that work will take longer.

Mayor Vi Lyles cast a rare tiebreaking vote Monday night at City Council. After a testy discussion and several deadlocks, City Council ultimately voted down several rezoning petitions — a rare occurrence.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board chair Elyse Dashew announced this week she won’t seek a third term.

Newly-unsealed documents suggest that the missing Cornelius child Madalina Cojocari could be a trafficking victim.

And although we don’t hear much about cases these days, COVID-19 is still with us. Gov. Roy Cooper announced this week that he’s tested positive and will be working from home.

Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into those stories and more, on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.

GUESTS:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time”
Steve Harrison, political reporter at WFAE
Shamarria Morrison, WCNC reporter
Ely Portillo, senior editor at WFAE

North Carolina and the Supreme Court

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

WFAE’s EQUALibrium Live conversation on advancing maternal health equity

The maternal mortality crisis continues to impact the country.

The U.S. has the highest number of pregnancy-related deaths of any developed nation. During the pandemic, those numbers increased. In North Carolina in particular, maternal health gets poor marks. The numbers here, and around the country, are astounding.

Why do Americans continue to die during childbirth? And what resources do expecting parents have to combat the crisis?

Last week, WFAE set out to shine a light on maternal health in North Carolina and around the U.S. with an important conversation.

Through our partnership with the Novant Health Foundation, WFAE presented “EQUALibrium Live: Advancing Maternal Health Equity” hosted by Mary C. Curtis. The discussion explored birth equity, such as accessible prenatal care, and talked about what needs to be done to improve infant and maternal health nationally and in North Carolina.

Panelists:

Dr. Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler, certified midwife and the director for educational excellence at Duke University School of Nursing
Rebecca Severin, maternal health innovation program supervisor for the Division of Public Health, Maternal Health Branch
Dr. Jaleema Nanton Speaks, obstetrics and gynecology specialist at Novant Health in Winston-Salem
Lisa Lefler, director, culturally-based Native Health Programs at Western Carolina University

NC Abortion Bill, Senate Budget Talks and AI Concerns

Abortions are banned after 12 weeks following the override of the governor’s veto. The NC Senate announces a $30 billion budget proposal as the nation’s debt ceiling deadline looms. AI concerns in the face of increased warnings. Host Kenia Thompson discusses with Natalie Murdock, NC Senator; La’Meshia Whittington, Executive Director of the Green Majority; and Mary C. Curtis, Roll Call columnist.

Is former battleground North Carolina becoming a Florida clone?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina is a state on the verge. Of what? Well, that depends on whom you ask. Some residents are thrilled that the state seems to be politically falling in line with a bunch of its neighbors to the south, most recently with an abortion bill. Others, particularly those who felt protected in relatively progressive urban bubbles, aren’t happy with the shift and are vocalizing their displeasure.

To back up a bit, in the past few years, the state’s tint could reasonably have been described as a reddish shade of purple. You could see it in its Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, with moderate policies and a calm demeanor that shielded his resolve, and a competing state legislature with a Republican majority big enough to flex its muscles but still subject to a veto when it pushed too far right.

There were the occasional cautionary tales, as in 2016, when then-Republican Gov. Pat McCrory signed the infamous HB2, or as it was nicknamed, the “Bathroom Bill.” It was the state GOP’s response to a Charlotte anti-discrimination ordinance, particularly the part that said people could use the bathroom for the gender with which they identified.

That installment in the ever-present rural vs. urban culture clash attracted the national spotlight as well as late-night comics’ jokes. Both proved harsh.

When concerts — including “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen — and beloved basketball tournaments were canceled, once-bold politicians backtracked and McCrory lost his reelection race to Cooper, who is now approaching the end of his second term.

But memories are short, especially after the 2022 midterms, when the stars and voters aligned for North Carolina Republicans.

While Democrats did better than expected nationally, Republicans held their own and even made gains in North Carolina. Ted Budd, who as a House member voted against certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory, won the U.S. Senate seat of the retiring Richard Burr, one of the seven GOP senators who voted to convict Donald Trump on an impeachment charge of inciting an insurrection.

That’s a philosophical, if not party, change.

In the state General Assembly, Republicans won a veto-proof majority in the state Senate and came one vote short in the House. The state’s Supreme Court changed as well, with a 4-3 Democratic majority shifting to a 5-2 Republican advantage.

When Democratic state Rep. Tricia Cotham, months after her election in a blue district, donned a red dress for her April announcement of a switch to the GOP, any gubernatorial veto became vulnerable to an override.

A word about Cotham: Shocked constituents and folks who knew her when — meaning: all her political life — asked how someone who campaigned with support from those who supported LGBTQ rights, someone who spoke of her own abortion when she stood firm in support of reproductive freedom a few short years ago, who had said, as The Charlotte Observer pointed out, she would “stand up to Republican attacks on our health care” as well as “oppose attacks on our democracy, preserve fundamental voting rights, and ensure all voices are heard” could turn on a dime? Well, she explained, Democrats hurt her feelings; many feeling burned by the bait-and-switch are not quite buying it.

Attention, though, is now focused on a GOP agenda in overdrive, mirroring moves in Ron DeSantis-led Florida, with a few extras.

Why the rush, in a state with registered voters roughly split into thirds among Democrats, Republicans and the unaffiliated, and where elections up and down the ballot are always close?

Because Republicans can.