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PODCAST

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins

Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region"s exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more.

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All Episodes

50:36

How federal funding cuts to science impact North...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/08

When Donald Trump returned to office, he took aim at scientific research and discontinued or disrupted funding, at one point cutting it to the lowest levels in decades. Our state has felt the impact and stands to lose billions of dollars. As the Trump administration refocuses its research priorities, we hear more about how North Carolina is navigating these shifts.

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50:35

Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/07

For years, Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has lobbied for more staffing in his office, which has not had a significant increase in nearly 15 years. With Iryna’s Law now on the books, he should be able to hire 10 more prosecutors. Will that be enough? We will ask about that and about his impression of how the law might affect public safety, as well as other issues facing the DA’s office.

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50:32

Local News Roundup: Syracamore fallout; McFadden...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/19

Fallout continues after the arrest and rape charge of a Sycamore Brewing co-founder, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden warns Border Patrol may return, President Trump is set to speak Friday in Rocky Mount, and the Panthers face their biggest game of the season.

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50:34

Faith and Housing: How churches are turning their...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/17

Charlotte leaders have long committed to bringing more affordable housing to the region. In October, the city announced partnering with Enterprise Community Partners to start the Faith in Housing Charlotte initiative to transform underutilized land from faith-based organizations into affordable housing. We take a look at the intersection of faith, land and policy to reshape our housing future.

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50:39

Interview with outgoing Superior Court Judge Lou Trosch

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/16

After nearly 27 years on the bench, Mecklenburg County’s longest-serving judge — Lou Trosch — is stepping down. He served beginning in 1999 in the 26th Judicial District and later joined the Superior Court in 2018. In that time, he co-chaired the Race Matters for Juvenile Justice Initiative. We look back on that and other milestones as well as changes to the judicial system.

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50:35

Remembering 'The Miracle of Hickory,' more than 80...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/15

In 1944, Hickory became the epicenter of a polio outbreak. First one case, then dozens more until hospitals in Charlotte and Gastonia were overwhelmed. Hickory didn’t have its own hospital, but a decision was made to build one. That’s the Miracle of Hickory, but there’s a lot more to it.

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50:36

The potential chaos of the 2026 midterms

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/11

On the next Charlotte Talks, a look ahead to the 2026 midterms. Will they be normal or engulfed in chaos?

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50:35

Eyes in the sky: Police drones and public safety

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/13

Drones are being used in new ways across the region. Police departments throughout the state have turned to drones as first responders. Winston-Salem began using them seven years ago, and now Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are considering their use for rapid deployment in emergencies. We look at the capabilities of drones, their increasing use and some of the concerns surrounding that use, like privacy and transparency.

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36:58

Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry McFadden discusses...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/12

Last week, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden announced he is running for reelection. That announcement follows a year of controversy with high-profile resignations, criticisms from staff members and how McFadden dealt with ICE. McFadden has insisted he is following the law when it comes to ICE cooperation and denies accusations by former staff members. Sheriff McFadden joins us to talk about that and more.

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50:37

Examining Charlotte's immigration court a year after...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/11

Charlotte’s immigration court, which serves North and South Carolina, is among the busiest in the country. To ensure work continues, those courts remain open during the government shutdown and dozens of new judges have been sworn in, some with little to no immigration law experience. This follows firings of previous judges by the Trump administration. We take a look at our immigration court and its trials in tribulations.

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50:37

Younger generations having trouble achieving...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/10

It’s no secret that it’s increasingly difficult to maintain a lifestyle, much less get ahead, and that is particularly true of young people who, despite doing the right things, can’t achieve their financial goals. But it’s not all bad news. A recent survey shows that financial planning and professional advice can improve confidence and feelings of control. We look at what it takes to achieve a sound financial footing today and more.

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50:37

Local News Roundup: Transit tax passes; Democrats...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/07

Transit advocates pick up a big win, Democrats run the table in local elections, CMPD announces a new chief, and it’s nail-biting time as Charlotte F.C. comes home to take on New York City in the final playoff game of a three-game series.

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50:39

'Science Under Siege' warns of the dangers of the...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/06

"Science Under Siege": That is both a fact and the name of a new book by two scientists who dissect the current attack on science. From a pandemic to climate change, to vaccine skepticism, to the ascendance of unproven theories, these researchers say we’re on an unsustainable path buffeted by political and ideological challenges. We hear Dr. Michael Mann’s theories as to why and what to do about it.

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50:37

Breaking down the 2025 election results

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/05

What did voters say in this off-year election where some key local races and the transit referendum were on the ballot? What will those decisions mean for the area’s future? Republican spending in local races was up. Did it make a difference? We look at the outcome of the election and talk with former North Carolina governor and former Charlotte mayor, Pat McCrory, about a host of issues.

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50:39

Presidential historian Mark Updegrove on his newest book

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/04

We explore what can be learned about character from seven former American presidents. Presidential historian Mark Updegrove profiles Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, the Bushes, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, illustrating the traits that made each suited to their time in the Oval Office.

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50:36

A conversation with Dr. Mandy Cohen on the challenges...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/11/03

During the COVID pandemic, Dr. Mandy Cohen was the face of North Carolina's response to the virus. Later, she would go on to serve as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the Biden administration. Now, she is part of the newly formed Governors' Public Health Alliance, focusing on sharing information about health, emergency preparedness and more. She joins us to talk about all that and the future of public health.

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50:38

Local News Roundup: Government shutdown impacts SNAP,...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/10/31

The trial begins for two men accused of murdering Scott Brooks of Brooks Sandwich House. More than 100,000 recipients in Mecklenburg County face losing SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. CMS sets rules on the use of artificial intelligence. And it’s do or die for Charlotte FC in the playoffs after losing on Tuesday.

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50:33

CMS candidates debate issues at WFAE/LWV forum

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/10/30

We bring you highlights of a forum between candidates for Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board. The candidates answered questions on issues from test scores to school funding. Hosted by WFAE and the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and moderated by WFAE's education reporter James Farrell.

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50:36

A dive into measles outbreak in South Carolina and...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/10/29

Thanks to vaccinations, measles in the United States was eliminated in 2000. But, measles is making a comeback and one of the hot spots is the upstate of South Carolina. We discuss the rise in measles here, how it compares to other parts of the country and what this means for public health.

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50:40

A conversation with NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/10/28

The word "poetry" is often used as a metaphor. Many see the art form as something from the past, associate it with academics or think of it as unapproachable, it is none of those things. Poetry is alive and well, and in North Carolina, it's promoted by the state’s poet laureate Jaki Shelton Green. She's the ninth person to hold that position and joins us to talk about the role of poetry in modern life.

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