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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.

news & politics places & travel

All Episodes

50:39

Local News Roundup: Charlotte braces for winter...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/23

Gov. Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency as the region braces for a major winter weather event. Also raising concern, the flu has been more deadly than last year, with 67 deaths so far in South Carolina and 181 deaths in North Carolina. Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, a person was found dead during a count to assess homelessness.

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50:37

How North Carolina’s voter rolls — and candidates —...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/20

For the first time, North Carolina has more registered Republicans than Democrats. The meat continues to be in the middle with unaffiliated voters — the largest group of voters. We’re also witnessing more candidates change their party affiliation. How will all that, plus gerrymandered maps, impact the midterms in our state? We examine this changing landscape.

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50:39

Local News Roundup: Mecklenburg County braces for...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/16

CMPD released crime statistics for last year. A petition to remove Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden had its first court hearing. Charlotte City Council voted to give the new Metropolitan Transportation Authority $4.3 million in startup funds, as the measles virus was detected in local wastewater.

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50:38

What we know about ICE as an agency

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/15

Since the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis last week, people in the Twin Cities and across the nation have taken to the streets to protest what they view as unnecessarily violent and un-American tactics by federal agents. Shocked by what they’re witnessing, protestors are calling for accountability. We look at who these ICE agents are, how they are recruited and trained, what they can and cannot do, and hear about your rights as well.

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50:37

The Lumbee Tribe is finally federally recognized. Why...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/13

After a 137-year struggle, North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe has received full federal recognition. It fulfills one of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises and opens new opportunities for the tribe. The Lumbee are now eligible to receive federal funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which could support education, health care and housing. We look at why the process took so long and what comes next.

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50:36

Three new Charlotte councilmembers discuss public...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/12

We’re speaking with the three new faces on the Charlotte City Council. All ran on keeping communities safe, expanding affordable housing and improving transportation. Charlotte has been grappling with those issues for years — and now that Joi Mayo, J.D. Mazuera Arias and Kimberly Owens have started their terms, we’ll see how their priorities translate into action.

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50:35

Local News Roundup: Petition seeks McFadden’s...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/09

State Rep. Carla Cunningham and others file a petition to remove Sheriff Garry McFadden from office. He responds, calling the allegations false. Meanwhile, Gov. Josh Stein endorses Cunningham’s primary opponent, citing statements she made last year about immigrants. A Mint Hill teen is denied bail in an alleged plot and the Panthers are in the playoffs.

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50:35

A new year check-in with Russ Ferguson, U.S. attorney...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/06

On the next Charlotte Talks, Russ Ferguson. You may have seen him on TV recently, announcing the arrest of a Mint Hill man who allegedly planned an ISIS-style New Year’s attack. Ferguson is the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. He has been in that position since March of last year, but was only confirmed by the Senate in December. We spent time with him early in his tenure and now we get an update on what he and his office have been focusing on.

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50:35

Federal hemp ban could upend billion-dollar industry...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/05

CBD, hemp and other marijuana products legally sold in North Carolina are facing a nationwide ban in November 2026 — one that could tank the multi-billion-dollar industry. North Carolina ranks sixth nationally in the production of hemp-derived products. What does this mean for businesses and consumers?

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50:37

A conversation with NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2026/01/02

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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50:34

Before 2025 comes to an end, a look at the news we...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/31

It’s impossible to review a year’s worth of news in just one hour, especially after the year we just had. But the Charlotte Talks team wanted to highlight the significant news we brought you over the last 365 days. It seemed like there was never a dull moment.

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50:33

The rising danger of child grooming in a digital world

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/30

Last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children logged more than a half million reports of online enticement, manipulation and sextortion of children. This school year, districts are helping students spot this dangerous trend. We hear from a survivor of online grooming and those working to prevent it.

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50:33

'Fort Bragg Cartel' author discusses drug trafficking...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/29

A conversation with Seth Harp, author of "The Fort Bragg Cartel," about his new book. It covers drug trafficking, murder, and a cover up involving members of the U.S. military.

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50:36

Mecklenburg Public Health director joins to discuss...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/18

As 2025 comes to a close, we take a look at the public health developments shaping life in Mecklenburg County and what residents should know heading into 2026. Later in the show, we turn to mental health during the holidays, including exploring the impact of financial stress and practical coping tools.

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50:33

Local News Roundup: Another light rail stabbing;...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/12

A second stabbing on the light rail leads to more questions about safety on public transit, Gov. Stein cancels Medicaid reimbursement rate reductions. CMS enrollment is at its lowest point in 14 years, and the Panthers return to the field after last week's bye.

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50:32

Selling the South: How 'Southern' brands become part...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/10

From a buttery Bojangles biscuit to a classic cold bottle of Cheerwine — these brands do not just sell a product, they sell the “South.” Through commercials, slogans and stories, we’re diving into the world of Southern brands and how they shape identity, nostalgia, and market the region to itself and all around the world.

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50:36

Sam Smith on ‘Masters of the Game: A Conversational...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/09

Sportswriter Sam Smith and former NBA coach Phil Jackson are longtime friends and now co-authors. Their new book, "Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players," dissects the careers of some of the all-time greats, including Jordan, Shaq and Steph Curry. We sit down with Smith to talk about the book and take a look at some players on the list with North Carolina roots.

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50:39

2025 in Review: Looking back at Charlotte's economy,...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/08

We look back on some of the biggest economic news of the year for the region. We also take a moment to consider what’s in store for the region in 2026.

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50:37

Local News Roundup: New Charlotte city council sworn...

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/05

The new Charlotte City Council is sworn in, Iryna’s law goes into effect with stricter bail rules for violent offenses, the state auditor plans to investigate the settlement paid by the city of Charlotte to the husband of the new police chief, and Mecklenburg County officials create a new transit authority.

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50:35

The impact of Border Patrol operations in Charlotte

Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins ·

2025/12/02

It has been weeks since U.S. Customs and Border Protection descended on Charlotte. Homeland Security says agents detained about 400 people, but there has been very little transparency surrounding those taken into custody. We look at the impact of this operation on the Hispanic community and what the future may hold.

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