Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari steps down to become deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. Mecklenburg County remains a point of irritation for ICE while immigrants face a massive court backlog due to a lack of resources. And Charlotte continues to woo the CIAA in an effort to bring its tournaments back to town.…

Ninety-eight years ago, the Carolina Theatre was born. It closed in 1978 and has sat vacant for nearly half its lifetime — 47 years. Now, it’s set to make a comeback. After years of construction, the theater has been restored to its former glory but also as a state-of-the-art masterpiece.Oleh Sarah Delia

On the next Charlotte Talks, a conversation about the true story captured in the musical, "Parade," with playwright Alfred Uhry and Rabbi Steven Lebow.Oleh Sarah Delia

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?…

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. Sheri…

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 …

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.…

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.

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.…

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

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.Oleh Gabe Altieri

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 f…

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.Oleh Gabe Altieri

Five years ago, we had no idea what was about to hit us. We were suddenly faced with trying to figure out what the COVID-19 virus would do. On the next Charlotte Talks, we turn to some of the familiar voices we heard throughout the pandemic to reflect on its impact and what we’ve learned.Oleh Sarah Delia

Alexander Vindman joins Charlotte Talks to talk about the importance of Ukraine to our safety and how mistakes the West made after the fall of the Soviet Union have led us to where we are today.

Matthews’ opposition to the transit plan may be easing, while wildfires burn across the Carolinas. Overdose deaths in Mecklenburg County have increased dramatically among Black and Hispanic residents since 2019. Meanwhile, the Carolina Theatre prepares to open after 47 years.

We take a closer look at what’s been going on in the General Assembly since it returned to session and which proposed bills have a chance to advance.Oleh web@wfae.org