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. If something is of interest to the Charlotte region, listeners and leaders know the topic is bound to be discussed on Charlotte Talks. Follow along: @CharlotteTalks.
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Nov 13, 2026 · 50:14
On the local news roundup Democrats close in on even more congressional upsets in North Carolina, a Union County lawmaker plans to introduce legislation to break up…
Nov 12, 2026 · 51:14
Former South Carolina Governor David Beasley has had a storied political career on both local and international stages. In August, he launched Breaking Bread Together, a national…
Nov 11, 2026 · 51:12
Indigenous people fought alongside settlers and later served in the armed forces, but their contributions were often minimized and their cultural traditions disrespected. We…
Nov 10, 2026 · 51:15
The results of the midterms are still reverberating with members of both parties trying to figure out their next moves. Democrats will now control both houses of Congress and the…
Nov 9, 2026 · 51:13
As unemployment rates among young people continue to rise, Charlotte sees an influx of jobs going to those 25 to 34. The next challenge is keeping them here for good. We discuss…
Nov 6, 2026 · 51:11
On the local news roundup, Democrats pick up big wins in the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and North Carolina General Assembly, the Charlotte Hornets owners are among…
Nov 5, 2026 · 51:13
The U.S. Census Bureau has proposed removing questions on race and ethnicity from the 2030 U.S. Census along with other changes. We discuss how these changes could impact how…
Nov 4, 2026 · 51:13
Voting is complete and the results are in, so what do we know about the midterm elections locally and beyond? From consequential and competitive congressional and state office…
Nov 3, 2026 · 51:14
A city of newcomers, but one with a history. The Queen City dates back to the mid-1700s. Named after the wife of King George III of England, Charlotte was just that — a small…
Nov 2, 2026 · 51:15
Local news is in crisis. Newsrooms have shrunk, newspapers have closed, and communities across the country are increasingly becoming news deserts. In his new book, “Why Local…
Oct 30, 2026 · 51:14
Donald Trump heads back to South Carolina to campaign for Darline Graham; Charlotte City Council approves an 11-month extension of a data center moratorium; CMPD says it was a…
Oct 29, 2026 · 51:31
Big money is flooding into elections nationwide as the two parties fight for control of Washington. The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision 16 years ago helped give the…
Oct 28, 2026 · 51:31
More than just making art, creativity can help us make sense of the world, connect with others and find purpose in our lives. We discuss how people can discover their creative…
Oct 27, 2026 · 51:33
Artificial intelligence has been making its way into this campaign cycle, with concerns about AI-generated campaign ads leading to confusion over content. Two-thirds of Americans…
Oct 26, 2026 · 51:30
Mosquito-eating bats eat nearly their entire body weight in insects every night, but bats are under threat of extinction. This Halloween season, we look at efforts to reverse the…
Oct 23, 2026 · 51:25
Donald Trump comes to the Carolinas to stump for Michael Whatley and Darline Graham in their bids for the U.S. Senate. Whatley trails Roy Cooper while Graham has a slim lead over…
Oct 22, 2026 · 51:32
North Carolina’s healthcare system faces mounting questions about access to affordable care, hospital consolidation and rising costs. The State Health Plan moved the largest…
Oct 21, 2026 · 51:29
Early voting is underway and people are lining up to cast their ballots in the midterms. Election officials have been fighting a barrage of mis- and disinformation, but despite…
Oct 20, 2026 · 51:29
While sports betting has been debated in North Carolina for years, bets on the midterm elections are raising new concerns about prediction markets. We discuss the ethics of…
Oct 19, 2026 · 51:33
Charlotte is experiencing a bookstore boom, despite rates of reading for pleasure being down nationally. We explore the impact of AI use, social media and more on traditional…
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