Duncan McFadyen

Historic Charlotte Offers A Chance To Go Inside 'Mad Men' Era Homes

Duncan McFadyen — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:49:00 +0000

Mid-century modern architecture is not known for being flashy. Architects in the 1950s and 60s took their inspiration from nature, designing unadorned homes with low sloped roofs and large windows. They may not stand out from the outside, but inside it’s a different story. Saturday’s Mad About Modern Home tour offers a chance to go inside 8 of the city’s mid-century gems. Duncan McFadyen talks to Historic Charlotte executive director Nicole McBeth.

After Nine Months, B-Cycle Is Catching On In Charlotte

Duncan McFadyen — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Charlotte’s bike sharing program, B-Cycle, has been up and running for nine months now. You’ve probably noticed the bike racks in and near Uptown, marked with the circular red, white, and blue “B” logo. WFAE’s Duncan McFadyen reports the program is taking off.

The Cicadas Are Back...Two Years Later?

Duncan McFadyen — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:01:44 +0000

It's only been two years since we last heard that a large number of periodic cicadas would be emerging from the ground, congregating on tree branches and singing their distinctive mating calls. This year, there's news that more will be coming out again. But every time the story is in the news, it's reported that these insects stay underground for 13 or 17 years. So why do we hear about periodic cicadas so often? Duncan McFadyen asks N.C. State University entomologist Clyde Sorenson.

Legendary Gospel Singer George Beverly Shea Dies At 104

Duncan McFadyen — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:00:20 +0000

Legendary Gospel singer George Beverly Shea has died. He shared a podium with evangelist Billy Graham for more than 60 years.

Lake Norman Fishing Guide Weighs In On PCB Advisory

Duncan McFadyen — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:21:30 +0000

If you fish on Lake Norman, you may have heard about a new warning this week from state and county health officials. They advise most people not to eat striped bass from the lake more than once a week, and for pregnant women and children to avoid the fish altogether. It’s because they’ve detected PCB’s in the fish. These chemicals, once common industrial lubricants, were banned in 1979 because they were found to cause birth defects and to be a likely cause of cancer. PCB’s have been a problem in other bodies of water for years, but this is the first warning about them in Lake Norman. So we called Captain Gus Gustafson. He’s been taking people fishing on Lake Norman for more than 20 years.

NC GOP Wields Its Newfound Power In State Government

Duncan McFadyen — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:08:37 +0000

Heading into the new year, Republican lawmakers were in prime position with veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, and a Republican in the governor’s office. So far, they haven’t been shy about flexing their political muscle. They’ve introduced bills to require voter ID, repeal the Racial Justice Act, eliminate teacher tenure, and even double the amount of time a married couple has to be separated before they can be granted a divorce. And then there’s the resolution that would've said the U.S. Constitution’s ban on establishing a religion doesn’t apply to North Carolina. House Speaker Thom Tillis announced there wouldn't be a vote on it.

Michael Bitzer, professor of Political Science at Catawba College and WFAE's political blogger, speaks to Duncan McFadyen about the GOP initiatives.

Morganton 4th Grader Wins National Sandwich Competition

Duncan McFadyen — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:47:52 +0000

A Morganton fourth grader is the grand prize winner of this year's JIF Most Creative Sandwich Competition. Ten-year-old Jake Crawford and his family went to New York City for the March 21, 2013 awards presentation. They came home with the $25,000 scholarship. On Thursday, March 28, Jake's elementary school is throwing him a pep rally to celebrate. WFAE's Duncan McFadyen caught up with him while he was getting ready for class.

DOT Backtracks On 'Pink' Drivers For Temporary Status Immigrants

Duncan McFadyen — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:52:47 +0000

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced changes Thursday to the design of drivers licenses for certain illegal immigrants who qualify for temporary residency status under the federal Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

State Auditor Makes Sure Tax Money Is Being Used As Intended

Duncan McFadyen — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:36:42 +0000

Governor McCrory has released his budget for the next two years. He’s now got to work with state legislators to try to get his initiatives passed. And after the budget becomes law, it’s State Auditor Beth Wood’s job to make sure that more than $20 billion a year of state money is used as lawmakers intend it to be. Her office also audits $23 billion in federal grants. Duncan McFadyen spoke to Auditor Wood to find out more about what she does.

Charlotte Raps About RAP (Reverse Angle Parking)

Duncan McFadyen — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:00:00 +0000

There are some new backward parking spaces in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood. The city’s put in reverse angle parking along three blocks of Commonwealth Ave – spaces that are angled against the direction of traffic, designed to be backed into. It’s part of a $4 million project to make the area more pedestrian and bike friendly.

The reverse spaces also serve to narrow the street and slow down traffic. But, the concept of backing into these spaces goes against what we’re used to. And the result is a lot of confusion.