Chris Jones

We explore what can be learned about character from seven former American presidents. Presidential historian Mark Updegrove profiles Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, the Bushes, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, illustrating the traits that made each suited to their time in the Oval Office.

The trial begins for two men accused of murdering Scott Brooks of Brooks Sandwich House. More than 100,000 recipients in Mecklenburg County face losing SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. CMS sets rules on the use of artificial intelligence. And it’s do or die for Charlotte FC in the playoffs after losing on Tuesday.

We look at the boom of data centers across the region and what it means for the state. We’ll examine the pros and cons of a sector only expected to continue growing with million- and billion-dollar investments from companies.

Early voting is underway in Charlotte’s municipal elections. The only competitive district race on Charlotte City Council is the one in District 6, formerly represented by Tariq Bokhari, who stepped down. Now his wife, Krista, is running as a Republican against Democrat Kimberly Owens. Last week we spent time with Owens. Today, a conversation with Bokhari about why she wants the job.

Mecklenburg voters will decide on a referendum to levy a 1-cent sales tax to fund Charlotte’s transit plan. That tax would generate nearly $20 billion over 30 years for various transit projects. Proponents say the time is now to make this critical decision. Others urge a no vote because of who will be hurt by rising taxes. We look at both sides.

The stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail renewed conversations about the need for mental health treatment and led some leaders to examine the involuntary commitment process for people who pose a danger to themselves and others. A crime bill recently passed by the legislature takes steps in that direction and we examine how the involuntary commitment process works and where it might go wrong.

Mankind has always wondered if we’re alone in the universe. Now, a Mars rover has found what looks like signs of life in the distant past on that planet. We’ll explore that possibility and learn more about what scientists are doing as they search for other signs in a conversation with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Violent extremist movements continue to thrive in online spaces. We examine how extreme ideologies spread, why young people are increasingly recruited into violent ideology and what’s being done to push back.

Free speech in America is under scrutiny, from Jimmy Kimmel's suspension to calls for employers to punish speech deemed offensive. We examine the blurred lines between free expression, hate speech and censorship.

After many ups and downs, the film industry in North Carolina is making gains. Last year, film and TV productions here generated more than $302 million in direct in-state spending and Charlotte is taking in some of that money with productions like "The Hunting Wives," "Roofman," "Bad Counselors" and "Top Chef" shooting here. We take a closer look at what this means for our economy, culture and workforce.