WFAE Local Content

Charlotte’s FBI office and other law enforcement agencies say they stopped a potential terrorist attack planned for New Year’s Eve by 18-year-old Mint Hill resident Christian Sturdivant.

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.

North Carolina has its second measles case. The Mint Museum celebrates Epiphany this weekend. Queen Transportation in Hickory shuts down after nearly 20 years in business. Rockingham Speedway has a new owner. BizWorthy reflects on the crisis at Charlotte's Sycamore Brewing.

Before we get too far into the new year, let’s take a brief moment to look back — this time at some of the top Charlotte-area business news of 2025. To do that, Tony Mecia of the Charlotte Ledger Business Newsletter joined our Marshall Terry for our segment BizWorthy.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced he is suing the federal Education Department to prevent a cut of nearly $50 million in grant funding for mostly rural schools in low-income communities.

The Mint Museum is inviting families to celebrate Epiphany, also known as Día de los Reyes Magos, with a community event this weekend in Charlotte.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A statewide effort to elect teachers to the N.C. General Assembly has all eyes on the Republican primaries. Friends and family of former N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt paid their final respects. The City of Charlotte will begin collecting Christmas trees on Jan. 5. The Panthers can win the NFC South with a victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday.