
Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
MON-FRI • 9AM-10AM / 8PM-9PM | SAT • 7AM-8AM

Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, growth, the 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. Learn more about Charlotte Talks.
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Latest Episodes
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Activist Rev. William Barber comes out against the transit plan, a District 3 City Council candidate drops out of the race, concerns over immigration enforcement highlight the last CMS board meeting before the start of school, and Charlotte Pride returns for its 25th year, though with diminished corporate support.
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We sit down with superintendents of Iredell-Statesville, Cabarrus County and Union County schools for back-to-school season. These three districts face their own changes and challenges this year. We’ll discuss everything from budgets and funding to student safety and closing the learning gap.
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Housing has been a challenge in Charlotte with the city struggling to balance growth and affordability. Historian Tom Hanchett explains in his new book how policymakers and advocates have wrestled with this issue for decades. Hanchett joins us to discuss the history of housing policy in the region and how Charlotte can do better.
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Historically Black colleges and universities have played a vital role in educating generations of students. But today, enrollment among Black males at HBCUs is at its lowest level since the mid-1970s. Studies indicate that when Black men disengage from HBCUs and higher education, the consequences are far-reaching. We examine the impact, why this is happening, what schools are doing to combat it and more.
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Charlotte Pride celebrates its 25th anniversary as an organization this weekend. The marquee event is the largest festival and parade in Charlotte and this year it’s moving to First Ward Park in uptown. Another major change includes anti-DEI backlash that has made corporate sponsorship a challenge.
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Mecklenburg County commissioners vote on whether to increase the county-wide sales tax by 1 cent to fund the transit plan. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signs the mini budget, albeit reluctantly. Nancy Mace throws her hat in the ring for South Carolina governor. Plus, the Panthers open preseason play.
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Eighty years ago, the United States dropped a weapon unlike anything ever seen before on Japan. In his new book, "The Devil Reached Toward the Sky," author Garrett Graff writes about the development of the atomic bomb from those directly involved. Graff joins us to discuss what was going on inside the brain of those who created the first atomic weapon and what today's leaders can learn from that moment in history.
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Congress may be in recess, but the news from Washington hasn't stopped. We talk to Washington correspondents covering it all from the handling of the Epstein files and a redistricting arms race to the start of attack ads in the U.S. Senate race and more.
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Blumenthal Arts is showing a production of “Immediate Family,” a play billed as “'Modern Family'” meets 'Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.'” Led by the direction of two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, noted for her role as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” and written by Paul Oakley Stovall, a Tony Award-winning actor and playwright who also worked in the Obama White House.
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On the next Charlotte Talks, a conversation with Nick Walker, the new director of Mecklenburg County’s Park and Recreation Department.