David Boraks

Reporter
  • David Boraks
    David Boraks

David Boraks is a reporter and host at WFAE, covering energy & the environment, politics & government, affordable housing, transportation and other topics for WFAE.  He's a veteran Charlotte-area journalist who also has worked at The Charlotte Observer (1993-2000) and published the online community news network DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net (2006-2015).

He also has worked for American Banker (2000-2005), The China News in Taipei (1991), The Cambridge (Mass.) Chronicle (1989-1991) and The Hartford Courant (1986-89).  He has been a Knight Center for Specialized Journalism fellow (1997), won the North Carolina Information Technology Association Media Award (1998), won the Davidson College Sullivan Community Service Award (2009), and was an Annenberg/Knight Block-by-Block News Entrepreneur fellow (2011). 

David has a bachelor's  degree in history from Cornell University and a master's degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

Ways to Connect

Data Shows Toxic Heavy Metal Occurs Naturally, Can Affect Wells

By • 20 hours ago
Map shows concentrations of hexavalent chromium in North Carolina, and where concentrations exceed the state standard of 0.07 micrograms per liter. Red areas are where it's likely to be in the highest concentration.
Science of The Total Environment

A Duke University scientist says new data shows dangerous levels of a cancer-causing heavy metal occur naturally across North Carolina, and can be a concern in drinking water wells.

Novant Health Asks For Approval On Matthews Medical Center Expansion

By • 23 hours ago
Matthews Medical Center
Rodgers Builders

Novant Health is asking state regulators to approve a $29.4 million expansion of its Matthews Medical Center in a project that includes spending $2.2 million to add an operating room and $27.2 million to add 20 beds. 

MLS Chief Calls Charlotte The Frontrunner For Expansion Team

By • Nov 11, 2019
MLS Commissioner Don Garber mentioned Charlotte in his State of the League speech Friday.
Major League Soccer

The head of Major League Soccer says the league will announce its 30th team in the coming months, and Charlotte is the frontrunner. 

More than 1,000 Turn Out For Climate Rally Featuring Activist Greta Thunberg

By • Nov 8, 2019
Greta Thunberg
David Boraks / WFAE

 

More than 1,000 people gathered outside Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center on Friday afternoon to join a student strike calling for action on climate change -- and to hear 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Duke Profits Rise On Higher Rates, Summer Energy Use

By • Nov 8, 2019
Duke Energy building
David Boraks / WFAE

Duke Energy's profits rose 19% in the third quarter as the big utility benefited from higher customer rates, warm summer weather that drove up energy use, and lower operating expenses. 

Design Unveiled For New Main Library On North Tryon Street

By • Nov 7, 2019
Architect's drawing shows the design for the new Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, facing North Tryon Street.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's main library uptown will be demolished in two years and replaced with a new five-story building expected to open in 2024. Officials unveiled the design Thursday for a $100 million building at North Tryon and Sixth streets that includes a ground-floor cafe, outdoor terraces on the second floor and roof, and a curved block of upper floors. 

Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Joins Charlotte Rally Friday

By • Nov 7, 2019
@GRETATHUNBERG / TWITTER

Charlotte youth climate striker Mary Ellis Stevens was inspired to start weekly vigils outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center eight months ago after learning about 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. This Friday, she'll have Thunberg at her side. 

Regional Election Roundup: Incumbent Mayors Reign; Voters OK Cable System Sale

By • Nov 5, 2019
Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox and town manager Jamie Justice talked to voters about the $14 million public facilities bond and sale of Continuum cable and internet company, both on Davidson's 2019 election ballot. (David Boraks photo)
David Boraks / WFAE

Two mayoral races outside Charlotte - Matthews and Huntersville - saw lively debates over whether the towns should act on legislation that allows them to open their own charter schools.  

CMPD Officer Will Not Face Charges For Killing Armed Suspect In August

By • Nov 5, 2019
CMPD vehicle
NICK DE LA CANAL / WFAE

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer will not face charges after he shot and killed an armed suspect during a domestic disturbance in August.

Panthers Put Cam Newton On Injured Reserve, Ending His Season

By • Nov 5, 2019
Cam Newton
NATE LEPAK / PUBLIC DOMAIN/FLICKR

The Carolina Panthers have put quarterback Cam Newton on the injured reserve list, a move that means he'll miss the rest of the season. General Manager Marty Hurney announced the move Tuesday after foot specialists said it "likely will take significant time" for Newton's injured foot to fully heal. 

UNCC Professor Builds A Movement Back In Bosnia, Plans 2nd Presidential Run

By • Nov 1, 2019
Mirsad Hadzikadic at a political meeting in Bosnia in early October. He says his Platform for Progress party is growing.
Platform for Progress

A UNC Charlotte professor who ran unsuccessfully for president last year in his native Bosnia says he's building a slate of candidates for local elections there next year -- and plans to run again for president in three years.

Duke Energy Asks For Rate Increase In Eastern NC, Asheville

By • Oct 30, 2019
Duke Energy headquarters in Charlotte
David Boraks / WFAE

Duke Energy has asked state regulators to approve an average 12.3% rate increase for its division serving eastern North Carolina and the Asheville area. 

NCDOT Rejects Extension For I-77 Toll Lanes; Fines Start Friday

By • Oct 30, 2019
Fifteen miles of the I-77 Express Lanes opened Saturday between Huntersville and Mooresville.
David Boraks / WFAE

State transportation officials have rejected a contractor's request to extend the deadline for opening the toll lanes on I-77 north of Charlotte. That means contractor I-77 Mobility Partners will have to pay penalties of $10,000 a day for each incomplete segment beginning Friday. 

Voters Asked To OK Sale Of Davidson-Mooresville Cable System

By • Oct 30, 2019
Continuum cable truck
CONTINUUM

Voters in Mooresville and Davidson are being asked to approve the sale of the towns' money-losing cable and internet system, Continuum, on Tuesday's ballot. Davidson voters also will decide on a bond offering to pay for public facilities.

NCDOT Says It Hasn't Decided On Extension For I-77 Toll Project

By • Oct 28, 2019
Construction is continuing on sections of the I-77 toll lane project near uptown, including ramps to and from I-277.
DAVID BORAKS / WFAE

The Nov. 1 deadline for opening the Interstate 77 Express Lanes north of Charlotte is just days away. But state transportation officials say they have not decided whether to grant the contractor's request for an extension. The company blames additions to the contract for delays, and says that's also adding to its costs.  

Finding Home: Numbers Show Affordable Housing Target Not Getting Closer

By • Oct 28, 2019
Platform Lofts are under construction on North Tryon Street, across from the Old Concord Road light rail station. Rents will be $600 to just over $1,000 a month. They're being developed by affordable housing developer NRP Group of Cleveland. (David Boraks
David Boraks / WFAE

A report out last month from Mecklenburg County is chock full of numbers that describe the housing pressures facing renters in and around Charlotte. 

Kannapolis Baseball Team Becomes The Cannon Ballers

By • Oct 24, 2019
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers showed off their new uniforms and mascot Wednesday night.
DAVID BORAKS / WFAE

The minor league baseball team in Kannapolis has a new name — the Cannon Ballers. The team formerly known as the Intimidators unveiled a new name, logo, uniforms and mascot Wednesday night at the historic Gem Theatre downtown. 

Hearing Seeks Comments On Charlotte To Atlanta High-Speed Train

By • Oct 23, 2019
Map shows three proposed routes for a high-speed rail line between Atlanta and Charlotte. A meeting Thursday seeks feedback as officials choose a route.
Georgia Department of Transportation

Federal and state transportation agencies are seeking comments at a public meeting in Charlotte on Thursday night on a proposed 280-mile high-speed rail line between Atlanta and Charlotte. The train would cut travel time between the cities to as little as two or two-and-a-half hours -- compared with four hours or more by car. 

Atrium Health Proposes 30-Bed Hospital In Cornelius

By • Oct 21, 2019
A rendering of what the new Cornelius hospital might look like.
Atrium Health

Updated Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019
Atrium Health has asked state regulators for permission to build a new hospital off I-77 in Cornelius. 

City, DOT Pick 3 Finalists To Develop Charlotte Gateway Station Project

By • Oct 16, 2019
Drawing shows what the Gateway District might look like after it's redeveloped.
City of Charlotte

City officials have asked three groups to submit final proposals for the Charlotte Gateway Station development off West Trade Street. 

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