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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Western North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards ends his reelection bid after a censure recommendation from the House Ethics Committee. Charlotte City Council holds discussions this week on toll lanes, data centers, e-bikes and more. Plus, the state’s hemp industry can chill. House Republicans vote against holding a vote that would have killed the industry.
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Thousands of students returned to school for the first day of classes in South Carolina, including those near the controversial Silfab Solar manufacturing plant. Meanwhile, state officials have confirmed for the first time an invasive bee-killing hornet entering the region. We’ll get an update on both.
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As e-bikes become more common on Charlotte’s streets, concerns are growing over how some people are riding them and the safety risks they pose. Injury rates involving e-bikes among children and adolescents surged 7.5-fold between January 2023 and May 2026, with nearly 7% of those visits involving traumatic brain injuries. We look at how e-bikes are regulated and what the city of Charlotte may do about them.
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Heading toward the midterm election, the North Carolina General Assembly moves to make changes affecting voting access. In a Senate vote along party lines, legislation passed to cut early voting, increase post-election audits, and reduce transparency in campaign financing. Plus, we discuss campaign press access and more.
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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 literacy.
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NCDOT says it will work with community partners to address food deserts on Charlotte’s west side in an effort to get support for toll lanes. The North Carolina General Assembly is back in session and making changes to the recently passed budget bill, and honeybee-killing yellow-legged hornets are spotted near Matthews. What you should keep an eye out for.
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Nationwide, animal shelters have been overcrowded and overwhelmed. Much of the burden may stem from the rising costs of pet ownership. We look at the issues shelters are facing, the many financial challenges pet owners are dealing with, and how major advances in veterinary medicine also come with a price.
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South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham died earlier this month after representing the state for more than 20 years in the U.S. Senate. We look at the candidates vying to fill his seat, examine the power Graham wielded as a senator, and explore what to expect in Congress as the midterm elections approach.
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Charlotte is expected to see a multi-million dollar boost from MLS All-Star week, with spending at hotels, restaurants, bars and shops across uptown and beyond. The game, featuring MLS All-Stars against Liga MX All-Stars at Bank of America Stadium, builds on the momentum from the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and reinforces Charlotte’s push to become a year-round destination for major sporting events.
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Former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan shares his record, his views on what’s happening at the EPA now and his connection to North Carolina.