North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis recently released recordings of death threats he’s received. Both candidates for the N.C. Supreme Court say they have received threats. And the U.S. Marshals Service reports this is happening around the country to many other officials, including judges. Where do political dissension and free speech rights end ..read more

After years of several Democratic sheriffs in North Carolina opting out of a federal immigration program, the General Assembly passed a law requiring them to participate. The purpose is to aid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in removing undocumented immigrants. But in Mecklenburg County, there remains an ongoing dispute over the law. Sheriff McFadden joins us to share his point of view ..read more

Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell gives his first State of the County address after warning of the need for belt tightening and a potential property tax increase. N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis releases records of threats he’s received recently. ICE says it has arrested two dozen undocumented immigrants in the area. And Union County votes to ban "obscene" events from parks ..read more

As you figure out your taxes, the Trump administration is planning changes at the IRS, including more layoffs to shrink the agency. The IRS isn’t exactly popular, but both customer service wait times and revenue collection have improved recently due to an infusion of cash. All of that is in jeopardy ..read more

Need a good laugh? We look at the expanding and serious business of comedy, and how the Queen City is getting in on a booming industry ..read more

We speak with a journalist covering higher education to better understand the fast-moving, far-reaching changes at the Department of Education. We’ll also hear from two HBCU leaders at Johnson C. Smith University and Clinton College about how their campuses are doing as they face potential federal funding cuts ..read more

We break down the rising influence of cryptocurrency and moves by federal and state governments to embrace it, including in North Carolina ..read more

Money troubles face CMS as it prepares to lose $100 million in federal funding. Matthews continues to struggle with the transit plan. Gov. Stein delivers his first State of the State address and the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament is in town ..read more

On the next Charlotte Talks, much of our political divide is centered on morality and what is and is not moral. We seem deeply divided but perhaps we have more in common than we think. Actually, there is science to back that up. Our suspicion of — dislike of — “the other” is rooted in our evolutionary history. We’re hardwired to protect ourselves from perceived threats. So how do we rewire ourselves ..read more

Kwamé Ryan was born in Canada, raised in Trinidad, and studied music in Europe before being officially named to his new position in late 2023. He says he felt connected to Charlotte on his first visit here. We talk about that, his musical philosophy, and his vision for the orchestra ..read more