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Charlotte Talks: Review Board Decision, Secret Money In Mayor's Race, Abby Corrigan Back (Fun) Home

David Boraks / WFAE
/
WFAE

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

A report on the Citizen Review Board meeting last night regarding the killing of Keith Lamont Scott. Then,  hats are about to be flung into the ring in the race for Charlotte mayor, and outside money is lining up to get involved. Guest host Tom Bullock takes a closer look, then talks with a Queen City native returning to Charlotte as one of the stars of "Fun Home."

The citizen board charged with adjudicating complaints against the CMPD has never ruled in favor of a citizen. That may be about to change. Last night, the board determined there was "substantial evidence of error" in determining the killing of Keith Lamont Scott was justified. Guest host Tom Bullock is joined by WFAE reporter Gwendolyn Glenn to hear what happened last night at the meeting and the next steps for the board.

PART ONE

Just when you thought election season was over, filing begins next week for the closely-watched Charlotte mayor’s race, which could set a new record for spending.

A factor that could drive that spending is so-called “dark money:” funds from “social welfare” organizations whose donors are allowed to remain anonymous. One group, Queen City Leadership, has gone all-in on Democrat Joel Ford. Another, Forward Charlotte, has Republican ties and argues for a “more business-friendly and family-friendly” Charlotte.

Big spending by outside groups on political campaigns has been a way of life for national politics, and in recent years “dark money” and spending by super PACs have gone into mayoral races in cities such as Boston and Philadelphia, where mayors have much more power than Charlotte’s “weak mayor.”

Why all this attention for an office that holds little clout? Is anonymous spending – while perfectly legal – the best way to influence elections?

GUESTS

Larry Noble, senior director of ethics and general counsel, Campaign Legal Center (@LarryNoble_DC)

Mark Knoop, executive director, Forward Charlotte

PART TWO

Charlotte native and Northwest School of the Arts Alumnus Abby Corrigan is coming home to Charlotte - and specifically to the stage of the Knight Theatre in Charlotte this week, as one of the stars of the Broadway tour of "Fun Home."

Back in 2014, as a high school student, Corrigan made local news when she won the Blumey Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Fiona in the musical "Shrek." Now, just a few years later, she's traveling the country playing a very different character in a Broadway touring production.

She's received rave reviews for her role as "Medium Alison" in "Fun Home," the 2015 winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, about of a woman at different ages of her life, with a focus on family relationships, finding one's self and sexual orientation. 

We'll talk to Abby about her theatrical upbringing in Charlotte and how it led her to her first major role. And we’ll be joined by a producer for the show to talk about how "Fun Home" went from a graphic memoir to a Broadway production.

GUESTS:

Abby Corrigan, Charlotte native and Northwest School of the Arts alumnus, and "Medium Alison" in "Fun Home"

Barbara Whitman, producer for "Fun Home"

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