Ahead of the start of this year’s hurricane season, we hear predictions for the number of likely storms and how to brace for whatever may come our way, plus an update on drought conditions and continued Helene recovery efforts.

Chamber leaders in the NC House and Senate have announced a framework deal for a state budget. Mecklenburg Sen. Caleb Theodros joins to discuss some of the bills he’s proposed during his first term. We'll also dive into the newly approved CMS budget and how school systems in Cabarrus, Union and Gaston are coping with tight budgets and uncertainty.

On the next Charlotte Talks, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joins us. Since taking office, he has worked on opioid crisis litigation, consumer scams and housing-cost reforms. He also recently won a case breaking up the Ticketmaster–Live Nation monopoly that could save ticket buyers money. Then we’ll talk with Michael Graff, founder of the Charlotte Optimist, which just celebrated its first anniversary.

Henry David Thoreau lived in a time of rapid technological and economic change, political division and a pandemic. He reassessed his priorities and decided to pare down to trade up. Mike Collins discusses that with Jen McGivney, author of "Finding Your Walden."

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announces her resignation, the state Senate votes to pause property tax assessments for a year, Wake County delays a vote on the merger of Atrium Health with WakeMed, and the PGA is back in town.

On the next Charlotte Talks, everyone is talking about data centers — and so are we. We look at the latest: what impact they might have on our city and surrounding areas, why this region makes for a desirable location, and the community objections. Politicians at all levels have also been weighing in, with some calling for a moratorium on data centers. We’ll hear about all of this — and how their spread could impact your power bill.

Over the last decade, several inmates suffering from mental illnesses have died inside South Carolina jails. An investigation by the Post & Courier dove into the reasons why, how the situation got so bad, and possible solutions. Plus, in the wake of Iryna's Law, we'll see what lessons North Carolina can learn.

On the next Charlotte Talks, educators are facing a tough time. North Carolina dropped three spots to 46th in the nation for teacher pay this year, and teachers from across the state marched in Raleigh last week for higher pay. Also, last week, the CMS board rejected the superintendent’s budget, then met for three hours on Saturday before closing the meeting to discuss personnel matters.

Ben Greene, a trans man, speaker and author of "My Child Is Trans, Now What?," is on a mission to bring joy, humor and humanity into the conversation about raising and supporting trans children. Greene will share his philosophy of “joy-centered” storytelling, why he wrote his book, and what he’s learned speaking with families across the country.

On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup, the CMS board rejects Superintendent Crystal Hill’s proposed budget, leaving her to question how to proceed with little direction. Gaston and Cabarrus County schools join others in canceling classes Friday as teachers protest in Raleigh for higher pay. A bill to protect immigrant students from immigration enforcement is filed in the state House, and Duke Energy proposes a June rate increase.