Youth Arrests in the United States
There are some alarming numbers coming out of a study that was published in Pediatrics Journal this month. The study, headed up by researchers at UNC Charlotte, says that by age 23, as many as 41 percent of the population has been arrested at least once for a non-traffic offense. The researchers are looking at the arrest rates, the risk factors and preventative measures to decrease this alarming rate. The researchers join us to discuss the study.

Guests
Dr. Robert (Bobby) Brame - Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at UNC Charlotte and Co-Author of the study
Dr. Michael Turner - Associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at UNC Charlotte and Co-Author of the study

• Study  |  Cumulative Prevalence of Arrest From Ages 8 to 23 in a National Sample in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, January 12

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The State of Our Oceans
Dr. John Bender spends a lot of time with his mind on the ocean but he’s not thinking of warm, sunny boat rides or fishing expeditions. Dr. Bender studies the dynamics of the ocean floor, specifically undersea volcanism. His work has led him to a deeper understanding of the health of our oceans and the news is not good.  Dr. Bender has contributed a large report that studied the major threats to the world’s oceans and what might be done to save them from further damage. He shares those findings with us.

Guest
Dr. John Bender - Professor in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences

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Homeowners Associations in North Carolina
Some estimates say that as many as half of all North Carolinians live in neighborhoods governed by Homeowner's Associations. Some HOA's are managed by professional companies but many are run by untrained members of the neighborhood. Sometimes individual homeowners run afoul of their HOA and enforcement can range from very stringent to much less formal. Recently many homeowners across the state say they have been foreclosed on due to non-payment of the HOA dues, not their mortgage. We seek to understand the relationship between homeowners and their HOA.

Guests
Jim Lane - Founder, NC HOA Laws Coalition
John Stone - President and CEO, Community Association Services Inc
David Swindell - Associate Professor of Political Science & Director UNC Charlotte Ph.D. in Public Policy Program

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The NC Governor's Race After Perdue
Gov. Bev Perdue is not seeking re-election. Now what?
On Thursday, Governor Beverly Perdue surprised most of us when she announced that she would not seek re-election this November. It’s the first time in the state’s history that the sitting governor will not seek a second term of office. The announcement has spurred many questions by pundits, politicians and citizens alike, including many who wonder the reason for the decision, and who will step up for the Democrats and run for Governor. We’ll be joined by a panel to discuss what we know, and what we hope to find out about how the 2012 North Carolina Gubernatorial race will now play out now that the incumbent is out of the race.

Guests
Jim Morrill - Political Writer for the Charlotte Observer (Jim's Blog Campaign Tracker)
Dr. Michael Bitzer - Political Scientist at Catawba College in Salisbury and also writer for WFAE’s Political Blog The Party Line
David Swindell - Associate Professor of Political Science & Director UNC Charlotte Ph.D. in Public Policy Program

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Sushi
Sushi is a relatively new craze in America but here in the deep fried south it remains a mystery to many. In fact, some folks equate all sushi to what they see as just raw chunks of fish on a plate. Sushi is far more complicated than that with almost limitless varieties and combinations. We'll meet some folks on the very forefront of the sushi movement in Charlotte and dispel some myths about this cuisine along the way. Break out the chopsticks when Charlotte Talks about sushi.

Guests
Chef Peter Reinhart - Chef in Residence, Johnson and Wales University
Philip Maung - Founder, Hissho Sushi
David Lucarelli - Executive Chef, Cowfish Sushi

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Mike Collins eating a sushi roll with raw fish live on the show. He said he wouldn't do it!

Sushi isn't always raw - the word technically means "seasoned rice." Some of the goodies from Cowfish and Hissho Sushi in our Spirit Square studio in uptown Charlotte.

Love Food? You'll love our food blog WFAEats
This week: Barbeque for good. One Charlotte resident and his neighbors raised $3,200 by smoking and selling 200 pounds of pulled pork barbeque. The proceeds benefited a two year old girl diagnosed with an inoperable brain stem tumor.
Those stories, recipes and more at WFAEats.

Healthcare in 2020
Experts say that health care is expected to change more in the next decade than it has in the past 50 years, and spending on healthcare will continue to rise. More spending and more insurance coverage will mean better health outcomes…. Right? Well, not according to our guest today. Steve Jacob has been tracking the healthcare industry as a journalist for several years, and in his new book, Health Care in 2020, he talks about what’s missing in current health care reform and says that Americans are better off taking steps to correct lifestyle decisions and take preventative actions to maintain their health. Steve Jacob joins us with his perspective on the future of health care.

Guest
Steve Jacob - Award-winning healthcare journalist and Author of the new book Health Care in 2020

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Part One: Children’s Theatre
of Charlotte & Extreme Home Makeover
The ABC show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is a show that identifies large families living in decaying or badly designed homes. The show's crew basically razes the home to the ground and rebuilds it in a matter of days. Recently the show found a family in need in Lincolnton and they enlisted the help of designers and builders at our own Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. We’ve invited the organizer and one of the designers from CTC to join us and talk about this unique partnership. It’s extreme makeover, Children’s Theatre and Charlotte Talks edition.

Guests
Linda Reynolds - Managing Director of Development and Marketing, Children’s Theatre
Tim Parati - Scenic Designer, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Andrew Gibbons - Technical Director, Children's Theatre of Charlotte

Part Two: Loretta Swit
Loretta Swit, also known as “Hot Lips” from the hit TV series M*A*S*H, joins us on the next Charlotte Talks. She’s best known from television, but has also done film, and now comes to Charlotte for the touring stage production of Love, Loss and What I Wore. We’ll talk about how the clothes a woman wears during the poignant moments of her life figures into how she remembers that life, which is the basis for the play… and we’ll discuss what it’s like to be an iconic character on a beloved TV series.

Guest
Loretta Swit - Best known as “Hot Lips” on M*A*S*H, in town to peform in Love, Loss and What I Wore

• Loretta Swit's website SwitHeart.com
• Love, Loss and What I Wore is January 24-29 at McGlohon Theater

Loretta Swit with Mike Collins in WFAE's Spirit Square studio.

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Middle East Realignment
After a decade of war, US soldiers are leaving Iraq in significant numbers. Meanwhile Iran is making provocative statements concerning their nuclear program and Israel is watching them warily. The Middle East is a volatile as ever but major shifts are underway in the wake of the Arab spring and troop pullout of Iraq. UNC Charlotte has begun its yearly great speaker series and Terrorism expert, Dr. Cindy Combs will present a talk on realignment in the Middle East. But first she joins us.

Guest
Dr. Cindy Combs - Professor, Dept. of Political Science at UNC Charlotte

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SC Primary Wrap and What’s Ahead for the Election
We’ll be joined by political experts to talk about highlights of the South Carolina Primary, including the debates and news leading up to the actual vote and we’ll talk about what happens next in the road to the Presidential Election. Join us to talk about your thoughts about the candidates and the issues.

Guests
Dr. Scott Huffmon - Professor of Political Science at Winthrop University
Dr. J Michael Bitzer - Associate Professor of Politics and History at Catawba College, Salisbury, N.C., contributer to The Party Line, WFAE's political blog.
David Swindell, Associate Professor & Director UNC Charlotte Ph.D. in Public Policy Program

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 Public Conversation
Join Mike Collins for a WFAE Forum on the Presidential Election
Mike Collins and Political Science Professor Scott Huffmon will moderate a town-hall-style forum exploring emerging issues in the presidential campaigns. Come ready to discuss the issues that are important to you. RSVP requested. Details. Tuesday, January 24, 7:00PM at Winthrop University

What issues are important to you in this year's presidential election? Tell us here.

Charlotte City Ordinance - Crowd Control
Charlotte is gearing up for the Democratic National Convention and safety is a major factor. Cities hosting a national or international event often create policy to deal with large and diverse crowds and Charlotte is no exception. Recently the city council proposed a ban prohibiting anyone from carrying a backpack, duffel bag or a host of other items during the DNC. The ordinance would also ban camping, sleeping or storing property on public grounds. Supporters say the ordinance is needed to ensure the safety of all citizens but critics counter that such measures are aimed at Occupy Charlotte protesters and that the homeless population uptown will be unfairly targeted. We look at the ordinance in advance of a vote for its adoption.

Guests
Steve Harrison - Staff Writer, The Charlotte Observer
Warren Cooksey - Councilman, Charlotte City Council
Katy Parker - Legal Director, ACLU North Carolina

How do you feel about this ordinance? Will it make the city safer or impinge upon freedom of speech and freedom to assemble?

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